JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Great Plains Energy Inc. has reached an agreement with the staff of the Missouri Public Service Commission designed to insulate Missouri customers against any negative impacts from Great Plains’ takeover of Westar Energy Inc.

Great Plains, the parent company of Kansas City Power & Light, is planning an $8.6 billion purchase of Westar, the largest utility company in Kansas. Chuck Caisley, a Great Plains spokesman, said Thursday the agreement addresses some concerns raised by the public service commission about the Westar acquisition. He says the agreement also allows the company to move forward with the proposal with more certainty.

Caisley says the combination of the two utilities is still expected to close by next spring. The proposed sale of Westar must be approved by the full Public Service Commission.