Westar Energy has announced earnings of $133 million, or $1.04 per share, for the third quarter of 2013. That’s compared with earnings of $139 million, or $1.10 per share, for the third quarter of 2012.

Earnings for the nine months which ended Sep. 30, were $251 million, or $1.97 per share, compared with $228 million, or $1.79 per share, for the same period in 2012.

Lower net income for the three months ending Sep. 30, 2013 was driven by cooler weather, reduced demand from industrial customers and higher O&M costs at the company’s power plants. The decreases were partially offset by recording income from corporate-owned life insurance and price increases.

Higher net income for the nine months ending Sep. 30, 2013 was driven primarily by higher prices, recording additional benefits from corporate-owned life insurance and lower general and administrative costs. These benefits were partially offset by lower electric sales as a result of cooler weather and reduced demand primarily from industrial customers.

Westar Energy is the states largest utility with about 700,000 customer’s. They serve most of the Hutchinson area.