Todd Humes, lineman-journeyman, left and
Michael Richards, agent electric, replace a transformer as part of an equipment upgrade to a line outside Hutchinson. 		 


Westar Energy is proud of our relationship with the communities we serve. Our employees’ and retirees’ commitment both at work and in their personal lives to
our communities is an important part of this relationship. 2002 was filled with
examples of how their commitment benefits Westar Energy and all of our
stakeholders.

January 2002 ended with a shiver as Kansas was hit with one of the the worst
ice storms in Westar Energy’s 79-year history.

 

 

John Mitchell, distribution system operator,
monitors power distribution at the Wichita
System Control Center. 		Crews from 10 states joined Westar Energy crews to restore power to 116,000 customers over 4,000 square miles. Employees took food to crews in the field, enabling them to return to work faster. In spite of the widespread area and communication problems brought on by damaged fiber optic lines, power was returned to all customers within nine days. The hard work of crews in the field and their support network earned Westar Energy an Emergency Response Award from the Edison Electric Institute.