Exhibit 5.3.1
August 16, 2024
Evergy Metro, Inc.
1200 Main Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have served as Senior Director, Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary to Evergy Metro, Inc., a Missouri corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to senior debt securities, which are referred to as notes and general mortgage bonds (the “Bonds”), of the Company, in each case, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of an offering.
The Bonds will be issued under and secured by the General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust (the “Bond Indenture”), dated as of December 1, 1986, between the Company (formerly Kansas City Power & Light Company) and UMB Bank, N.A. (formerly United Missouri Bank of Kansas City, N.A.), as trustee (the “Bond Trustee”), which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, I have examined and relied upon a copy of the Registration Statement and the exhibits filed therewith. I am familiar with the Amended and Restated Articles of Consolidation and the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company and the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company relating to the Registration Statement. I have also examined originals, or copies of originals certified to my satisfaction, of such agreements, documents, certificates and statements of government officials and other instruments, and have examined such questions of law and have satisfied myself as to such matters of fact, as I have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for this opinion letter. I have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all persons other than the directors and officers of the Company and the conformity with the original documents of any copies thereof submitted to me for examination. I have also assumed that the Bond Indenture is the valid and binding obligation of the Bond Trustee.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations hereinafter set forth, I am of the opinion that the Bonds will be legally issued and will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company (subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of mortgagees’ and other creditors’ rights generally and by the effect of general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) when: (i) the Company’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof (the “Company Board”) shall have duly adopted final resolutions authorizing the issuance and sale of such series of Bonds; and (ii) such Bonds shall have been duly executed and authenticated and issued as provided in the Bond Indenture and such resolutions, and shall have been duly delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
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