Public Policy Engagement
Important for our Stakeholders
Evergy’s mission is to empower a better future. Evergy’s vision is to become the best energy company – for our employees, customers, shareholders and the communities that we have the privilege of serving. Our ability to pursue our mission and achieve our vision – for the benefit of all stakeholders – depends on sound public policies, laws and regulations at the national, state and local levels that enable us to provide reliable and affordable electricity to our customers in a safe and efficient manner. As such, not only do we believe it is appropriate to actively participate in the political, legislative and regulatory environments, we believe it is critical to do so – our success, and the success of our stakeholders, depends on us doing so.
Political Action Committees
Evergy has Political Action Committees (PACs) through which employees may participate in the political process. These nonpartisan, voluntary PACs are organized and operate separately from Evergy, as required by law. Our PACs are governed by employees from across the company, and PAC contributions are made without regard to the private political preference of any director, executive or employee.
Sound Governance and Board Oversight
Our public policy governance structure provides for Board of Director and committee oversight, and a system of checks and balances, that seeks to ensure that corporate assets are utilized in a manner that benefits all of our stakeholders. Our Board and its various committees regularly review and discuss public policy, legislative and regulatory matters that may impact Evergy and its stakeholders. Our Board approves a political contribution budget, based on a recommendation from our Nominating, Governance, and Corporate Responsibility Committee. The Committee oversees and reviews Evergy’s corporate responsibility activities, monitors corporate contributions and reviews – at least on an annual basis – a report on corporate political contributions. Our policy on corporate contributions requires dual approval of any contributions from our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Customer Officer / Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs, and we document all contributions.
Compliance
At Evergy, complying with applicable laws and regulations is only a starting point. Our Code of Ethics embraces Evergy’s view that our employees and persons with whom we work should always do the right thing, from an ethical perspective, even when no one is watching.
Disclosure
The following pages include our policy on political contributions and our inaugural list of corporate and PAC contributions, along with other information relevant to our public policy engagement activities.
evergy.com
Public Evergy Policy on Political Contributions
Overview
Energy regulation, environmental issues and other policy matters can significantly impact Evergy, Inc., its subsidiaries (the “Company”), and also the Company’s customers, communities and other stakeholders. Consequently, it is appropriate and in the Company’s best interests, to be engaged in legislative and regulatory matters concerning the Company and to permit corporate political contributions to candidates that support public policies important to the Company and the energy industry. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish the general criteria and process for evaluation and approval of all Company political contributions at the local and state levels. Scope
This policy applies to all employees including Wolf Creek generating station employees. Main Policy Body/Specific Guidance Board Authorization and Review The Board of Directors of the Company, based on a recommendation from the Nominating, Governance, and Corporate Responsibility Committee, will authorize an aggregate amount of political contributions and expenditures to, or for the benefit of, candidates for state and local offices during a specified period of time. The approval may specify separate amounts for direct, in-kind, non-partisan or other contributions. Government Affairs will provide an annual report, and interim information, as requested, to the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee on all corporate political contributions made by the Company.
Corporate Approvals and General Criteria Government Affairs will review each corporate political contribution request for legal and policy compliance, and provide a recommendation to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Customer Officer / Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs (SVP) for approval. In determining whether to approve a particular request, the CEO and SVP may consider, among other factors: the merits of the candidate, the election or ballot initiative; the value of the contribution to the election or ballot initiative; the quality and effectiveness of the organization to which the contribution will be made; the relationship to the Company’s strategy and values; and the appropriateness of the Company’s level of involvement in the election or ballot initiative. Government Affairs will document the
Public reasons for the contributions and will maintain a list of all contributions provided to state or local candidates and committees, including the recipients’ names, amounts and dates of the contributions.
Compliance Government Affairs is responsible for compliance with Company campaign finance reporting and public disclosure obligations required by state and local laws. All contributions will comply with (i) applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which the contributions are made, (ii) this policy and all other applicable policies and procedures of the Company, and (iii) the Code of Ethics.
Disclosure On an annual basis, and subject to the approval of the SVP and the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Government Affairs will publish on a Company website a list of contributions provided to state or local candidates and committees.
Other Contributions permitted under this policy will be made directly to candidates. Contributions will be made to conduit or intermediary organizations only under exceptional circumstances. The Company may, however, support nonpartisan programs to encourage voter registration, political awareness or responsible citizenship, and it may contribute to campaigns or ballot issues as permitted by law and this policy. No contributions under Internal Revenue Code Section 527 will be allowed.
Failure to Comply
Failure to comply with Company policies and procedures, including failure to report the noncompliance of others where required, may subject an individual employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Further Information
For further information regarding these procedures, contact Government Affairs.
Public Evergy 2020 Political Spending
The following pages identify 2020 spending by Evergy, Inc. and its political action committees (Evergy) on election candidates and parties, spending by Evergy to influence ballot measures, payments by Evergy to Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(4) organizations, trade associations and chambers of commerce, independent expenditures and spending by Evergy with Internal Revenue Code 527 groups.
Corporate Political Contributions
Political Campaigns
Campaign State Amount House Republican Campaign Committee MO $10,000 MO Forward PAC MO $5,000 Missouri Senate Campaign Committee MO $5,000 MO Opportunity PAC MO $10,000 Mighty Missouri PAC MO $5,000 Franklin County Leadership PAC MO $2,500 Uniting Missouri PAC MO $25,000 Tony PAC MO $5,000 Right Way Kansas Action Fund, Inc. KS $50,000 KS Republican House Campaign Committee KS $5,000 Kansas Club for Growth Inc. PAC KS $7,000 The Liberty First Project, Inc. KS $25,000 Future Vision, Inc. KS $100,000 Alliance for a Secure Kansas, Inc. KS $50,000 Michael O’Donnell for Sedgwick County KS $500 Kansas Values Institute KS $25,000 Kansas Truth Caucus, Inc. KS $100,000 Kansans for a Democratic House KS $2,500 KS Republican Senatorial Committee KS $1,000 KS Senate Democrats KS $2,500 Total $436,000 Non-Partisan Committees
Committee State Amount Wichita's Future PAC KS $5,000 Missouri Chamber Political Institute MO $10,000 Wichita Chamber PAC KS $5,000 Total $20,000
Trade Associations
In 2020, Evergy contributed an immaterial amount of money to various trade associations and chambers that may engage in lobbying activities and that may impact Evergy and its stakeholders, including the Edison Electric Institute, the Missouri Energy Development Association, various chambers of commerce (Missouri, Kansas, Lee’s Summit, Wichita, Greater Kansas City, Northland, South Kansas City, Northland, Manhattan, St. Joseph, Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park and Shawnee), Associated Industries of Missouri, Electric Drive Transmission Association, Hawthorn Foundation, the Kansas City Industrial Council, the Labor-Management Council, the Missouri Energy Initiative and the Public Affairs Council.
2020 Political Spending 1
Public Evergy 2020 Political Action Committee Contributions
United States Congressional Contributions
Candidate State Amount Candidate State Amount Josh Hawley MO $2,500 Emanuel Cleaver MO $1,500 Roy Blunt MO $1,000 Tracey Mann KS $1,500 Roger Marshall KS $7,500 Ron Estes KS $1,500 Ann Wagner MO $4,000 Sam Graves KS $2,500 Jason Smith MO $1,000 Billy Long MO $1,000 Vicky Hartzler MO $1,500 Sharice Davids KS $2,500 Barbara Bollier KS $1,000 Jake LaTurner KS $3,000 Total $32,000
Missouri House
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Doug Richey $500 Kurtis Gregory $500 Brenda Shields $500 Josh Hurlbert $500 Wes Rogers $500 Dean Van Schoiack $500 Jonathon Patterson $1,000 Annette Turnbaugh $500 Jeff Coleman $500 Michael Johnson $500 Mike Haffner $500 Dan Houx $1,000 John Black $500 Maggie Nurrenbern $500 Bob Bromley $500 Ashley Aune $500 Mary Elizabeth Coleman $500 Cody Smith $2,000 Randy Railsback $500 Chris Brown $500 Total $12,500
Missouri Senate
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Lauren Arthur $1,000 Holly Rehder $1,500 Tony Luetkemeyer $1,500 Denny Hoskins $2,500 Greg Razer $2,500 Steven Roberts $1,500 Barbara Anne Washington $2,500 Karla Eslinger $1,500 Bill White $1,000 Jason Bean $1,500 Andrew Koenig $1,000 John Rizzo $2,500 Rick Brattin $3,500 Mike Moon $1,500 Caleb Rowden $3,000 Doug Beck $1,500 Total $30,000
Missouri State Officials Missouri Local Elections
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Scott Fitzpatrick $2,650 Dagmar Wood $250 Total $2,650 Total $250
2020 Political Spending 2
Public Evergy 2020 Political Action Committee Contributions
Kansas House
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Stephanie Clayton $250 Blake Carpenter $250 Kathy Wolfe-Moore $750 Ken Corbet $500 Emil Bergquist $250 John Barker $250 Randy Garber $250 Nick Hoheisel $750 John Alcala $500 Tom Burroughs $500 Kyle Hoffman $250 Brandon Woodard $200 Les Mason $250 Russ Jennings $250 Megan Lynn $250 Rich Proehl $250 Stan Frownfelter $250 Blaine Finch $500 Susan Humphries $500 Shannon Francis $250 Joe Seiwert $500 Jan Kessinger $250 Susan Concannon $250 Ron Ryckman $500 Jim Kelly $250 Fred Patton $250 Dan Hawkins $500 Sean Tarwater $750 Dave Baker $250 Annie Kuether $500 Leo Delperdang $500 John Wheeler $250 Mark Schreiber $500 Monica Murnan $250 Jason Probst $250 Tom Sawyer $500 Doug Blex $250 John Eplee $250 Susan Estes $250 Jerry Stogsdill $250 Pam Curtis $250 Jim Gartner $500 Jarrod Ousley $250 Henry Helgerson $250 Cindy Neighbor $250 Chris Croft $250 Ken Rahjes $250 Jesse Borjon $250 Total $16,700
Kansas Senate
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Molly Baumgardner $1,000 Brenda Dietrich $1,000 Dinah Sykes $500 Marci Francisco $500 Jeff Longbine $1,000 Pat Pettey $500 Gene Suellentrop $1,500 Mike Petersen $1,000 Renee Erickson $500 John Doll $500 Rob Olson $1,000 Caryn Tyson $500 Oletha Faust-Goudeau $1,000 Ty Masterson $1,000 Mary Ware $500 Cindy Holscher $1,500 Tom Hawk $500 Bev Gossage $250 Ethan Corson $1,000 Anthony Hensley $1,000 Mike Thompson $1,000 Tom Holland $1,500 Kellie Warren $1,000 Rick Kloos $1,000 Total $21,750
Kansas State Officials Kansas Local Elections
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Scott Schwab $1,000 Michael O’Donnell $500 Total $1,000 Total $500
2020 Political Spending 3
Public Evergy 2019 Political Spending
The following pages identify 2019 spending by Evergy, Inc. and its political action committees (Evergy) on election candidates and parties, spending by Evergy to influence ballot measures, payments by Evergy to Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(4) organizations, trade associations and chambers of commerce to which Evergy contributed money, independent expenditures and spending by Evergy with Internal Revenue Code 527 groups.
Corporate Political Contributions
Political Campaigns
Campaign State Amount Campaign State Amount American Dream PAC MO $10,000 Jackson County Democrats MO $5,000 House Republican Campaign C’ee MO $10,000 Taxpayer's Unlimited MO $10,000 Majority Forward PAC MO $5,000 United Democrats for Kansas KS $1,000 Missouri Senate Campaign C’ee MO $5,000 Kansans for a Democratic House KS $1,000 Young Guns MO $5,000 KS Republican Senatorial C’ee KS $1,500 United Missouri MO $15,000 KS Senate Democrat C’ee KS $1,000 Future Vision KS $100,000 Alliance for Secure Kansas KS $25,000 City of Fountains MO $10,000 American Industry Fund KS $25,000 Shawnee Demo Legislative C’ee KS $500 - - - Total $230,000
Non-Partisan Committees
Committee State Amount KC Biz PAC MO/KS $1,500 Missouri Energy Development Association PAC MO $13,000 Greater Topeka Partnership PAC KS $500 KC Biz PAC MO/KS $5,000 Total $20,000
Trade Associations
In 2019, Evergy contributed an immaterial amount of money to various trade associations and chambers that may engage in lobbying activities and that may impact Evergy and its stakeholders, including the Edison Electric Institute, the Missouri Energy Development Association, various chambers of commerce (Missouri, Kansas, Lee’s Summit, Wichita, Greater Kansas City, Northland, South Kansas City, Northland, Manhattan, St. Joseph, Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park and Shawnee), Associated Industries of Missouri, Electric Drive Transmission Association, Hawthorn Foundation, the Kansas City Industrial Council, the Labor-Management Council, the Missouri Energy Initiative and the Public Affairs Council.
2019 Political Spending 1
Public Evergy 2019 Political Action Committee Contributions
United States Congressional Contributions
Candidate State Amount Candidate State Amount Josh Hawley MO $2,500 Emanuel Cleaver MO $1,500 Roy Blunt MO $5,000 Steve Watkins KS $1,500 Jerry Moran KS $2,500 Ron Estes KS $1,500 Ann Wagner MO $3,000 Sam Graves KS $2,500 Jason Smith MO $1,000 Billy Long MO $2,500 Total $23,500
Missouri Senate
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Lauren Arthur $1,500 John Rizzo $500 Caleb Brown $1,500 Wayne Wallingford $1,000 Denny Hoskins $1,500 David Cole $1,000 Tony Luekmeyer $1,500 - - Total $8,500
Missouri House
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Rocky Miller $1,500 Doug Richey $500 Jack Bondon $2,500 Brenda Shields $500 Dan Houx $1,500 Robert Ross $1,000 Travis Fitzwater $1,500 - - Total $9,000
Missouri State Officials
Candidate Amount Mike Kehoe $2,500 Eric Schmitt $2,500 Nicole Galloway $1,000 Total $6,000
Kansas City Municipal Elections
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Jolie Justus $6,650 Stacey Johnson-Cosby $1,500 Geoff Jolley $1,670 Heather Hall $1,670 Kevin O'Neill $1,500 Dan Fowler $1,670 Lee Barnes Jr $2,775 Kevin McManus $1,670 Andrea Bough $2,000 Quinton Lucas $3,325 Total $24,430
2019 Political Spending 2 Public Evergy 2019 Political Action Committee Contributions
Kansas House Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Mark Samsel $250 Jason Probst $250 Jim Karleskint $250 Cindy Neighbor $250 Steven Johnson $500 Virgil Weige $250 Kellie Warren $250 Troy Waymaster $500 John Alcala $250 Brett Parker $400 Marty Long $250 John Eplee $250 Blaine Finch $500 Pam Curtis $250 Lonnie Clark $250 Ron Ryckman $500 Leonard Mastroni $250 Dave Baker $250 Stephanie Clayton $250 Don Hineman $250 Diana Dierks $250 Jan Kessinger $250 Jene Vickrey $250 Tim Hodge $250 Jerrod Ousley $250 Chris Croft $250 Will Carpenter $250 Rui Xu $250 Jerry Stogsdill $250 Eric L Smith $250 Sean Tarwater $250 Nancy Lusk $250 Kristey Williams $250 Brandon Woodard $250 Susan Ruiz $250 Henry Helgerson $250 Jim Gartner $500 Tom Burroughs $250 Elizabeth Bishop $250 Ken Corbet $250 Willie Dove $250 KC Ohaebosim $250 Mark Schreiber $500 Bill Sutton $250 Ponka-We Victors $250 Emil Bergguist $250 David Benson $250 Paul Waggoner $250 John Carmichael $250 Megan Lynn $250 Susan Concannon $250 Leo Delperdang $250 John Resman $250 Kyle Hoffman $250 Nick Hoheisel $250 Annie Kuether $500 Ken Rahjes $250 Joe Seiwert $500 Eileen Horn $250 Shannon Francis $250 Les Mason $250 Barbara Ballard $250 Valdenia Winn $250 Tom Sawyer $500 Blake Carpenter $250 Louis Ruiz $250 Susan Humphries $250 Rich Proehl $250 Kathy Wolfe-Moore $250 Dan Hawkins $500 Jim Kelly $250 Barb Wasinger $250 Monica Murnan $250 Kent Thompson $250 Tory Arnberger $250 Fred Patton $250 Doug Blex $250 Boyd Orr $250 Sydney Carlin $250 Joe Newland $250 Adam Smith $250 Tom Phillips $250 David French $250 Russ Jennings $250 John Barker $250 Jeff Pittman $500 John Wheeler $250 Michael Capps $250 Republican House Campaign Committee $2,500 Total $27,400
Kansas Senate
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Tom Hawk $250 Kevin Braun $500 Ty Masterson $500 Marci Francisco $500 Mike Petersen $500 David Haley $500 Rick Wilborn $750 Richard Hilderbrand $500 Anthony Hensley $1,000 Renee Erickson $500 Oletha Faust-Goudeau $500 Vic Miller $250 Mary Ware $500 Larry Alley $500 Mary Jo Taylor $1,000 Bud Estes $500 Pat Pettey $1,000 - - Total $9,750
2019 Political Spending 3 Public
Evergy 2019 Political Action Committee Contributions
Kansas State Officials
Candidate Amount Laura Kelly $2,000 Scott Schwab $1,000 Total $3,000
Kansas Local Elections
Candidate Amount Candidate Amount Jeff Longwell $500 Lyndy Wells $250 Becky Tuttle $500 Mike Brown $500 Jeff Blubaugh $500 Rick Collins $100 Bryan Frye $500 Jim Neighbor $100 Total $2,950
2019 Political Spending 4 Public