WESTAR ENERGY (WR)

[johnsyn]

Board declares 34 cent quarterly dividend.The Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of 34 cents per share payable Apr. 1, 2013 on the company's common stock payable to shareholders of record as of Mar. 11, 2013. The new dividend reflects a 3 percent increase over the company's previous quarterly dividend of 33 cents per share, and results in an indicated annual dividend of $1.36 per share.

TOPEKA, Kan., Feb. 28, 2013 - Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) today announced earnings of
$274 million, or $2.15 per share, for 2012 compared with earnings of $229 million, or $1.95 per share, for 2011. Earnings for 2011 included the benefits of reversing previously recorded accruals as a result of legal settlements and a gain on the sale of a non-utility investment. Earnings were $46 million, or $0.36 per share, for the fourth quarter 2012 compared with earnings of $19 million, or $0.16 per share, for the fourth quarter 2011.