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KANSAS CITY, Mo., – May 11, 2021 – Five large businesses served by Evergy including the Kansas City International Airport (KCI) are now receiving energy produced at the Cimarron Bend wind farm as part of the Renewables Direct program.  Renewables Direct allows commercial and industrial customers the ability to secure a percentage of their energy usage through a renewable resource. In addition, the program is designed to provide large customers a path toward their sustainability goals with abundant, affordable renewable energy.

“Wind energy expansion in our area brings economic investment and jobs to communities near wind farms and affordable, clean energy to our customers. Renewables Direct is a great tool to attract new businesses to our area and to meet the needs of current customers using our area’s abundant wind energy,” said Chuck Caisley, Evergy senior vice president and chief customer officer.

The Kansas City International Airport, plus police and fire stations and other City of Kansas City, Mo. facilities in the northland, have transitioned to renewable energy and receive 100 percent of their electricity from the Cimarron Bend Wind Farm. All other City facilities have plans to switch to a renewable energy source, in the near future.

“Participation in Evergy’s Renewable Direct program is a significant and necessary step to cut emissions from internal operations and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Andy Savastino, Kansas City, Missouri Chief Environmental Officer. “Through early adoption of this program, we hope to pave the way for other organizations to do the same.”

Cimarron Bend is a 599-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Clark and Meade Counties, KS. Evergy Missouri West has contracted 130 MW of wind energy from Cimarron Bend to serve Evergy Missouri West Renewables Direct customers.

Customers who will receive energy from the wind farm will include the City of Warrensburg, Hallmark Distribution Center in Liberty, Nestlé Purina and Boehringer Ingelheim. 

“Participating in cleaner energy along with the potential cost savings makes this a good partnership for Warrensburg,” said Scott Holmburg, Warrensburg city council member.

Boehringer Ingelheim has transitioned to renewable energy to power its largest U.S. manufacturing site in St. Joseph, Mo. as part of a broader company commitment to environmental sustainability across the country. Wind energy now provides all electricity the company uses in St. Joseph, where Boehringer Ingelheim employs about 950 people who manufacture vaccines for horses, pigs, cattle and other animals. Boehringer Ingelheim estimates the change will reduce carbon emissions at the site by 76% as part of a company commitment to environmental sustainability across the United States and around the world.

“As a company that thinks in generations, we take seriously our responsibility to help provide a sustainable future,” said Scott Davis, director of Boehringer Ingelheim’s site in St. Joseph. “The transition to renewable energy in St. Joseph is one of numerous steps we have taken around the United States to create a healthier tomorrow for our communities and for the people and animals we serve.”

Nestlé Purina’s 280 St. Joseph-based factory associates are committed to making the company’s high-quality dog and cat food brands in a sustainable way. In addition to now being powered by 100 percent renewable electricity, Purina’s St. Joseph operations are 100 percent zero waste for disposal and have made significant progress toward reducing water consumption in operations. The company is also focusing on increasing the recyclability of its packaging and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Purina is striving for a more sustainable future for people and pets,” said Brian Kingston, Nestlé Purina factory manager, St. Joseph. “In support of Purina’s commitment to use 100 percent renewable electricity to make all of our products, we are proud to partner with Evergy to help our facility in St. Joseph achieve that goal. The wind power from Evergy, coupled with our onsite solar panels, help to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent.”  

Evergy meets the electricity needs of about half the homes and businesses it serves with emission-free sources, including wind energy, as part of a balanced power generation plan that incorporates multiple fuel sources toward affordable, reliable, cleaner energy. Renewables Direct provides access to regional renewable energy to qualifying businesses, plus independent and government agencies and the opportunity to benefit from competitive energy pricing. As new customers enroll in the program, Evergy has the potential to expand its renewable energy sources to serve them and help them meet their sustainability goals.

About Evergy, Inc.
Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We were formed in 2018 when long-term local energy providers KCP&L and Westar Energy merged. We generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.

Media Contact:
Gina Penzig                                                                                               
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