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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 33-57765
PROSPECTUS
[Stock Plus Logo]
WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
STOCK PLUS INVESTMENT PLAN
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The Stock Plus Investment Plan has been amended effective May 16, 1995 (the
"Plan"), to provide stockholders and other investors with a simple and
convenient method of purchasing shares of Wisconsin Energy Corporation
("Wisconsin Energy") common stock, $.01 par value ("Common Stock"), at market
prices, without brokerage commission or other expense. Persons who are not
stockholders of Wisconsin Energy or its Wisconsin Electric Power Company
("Wisconsin Electric") subsidiary, may initiate participation in the Plan by
making an initial cash investment of $50 to $50,000, accompanied by a simple
enrollment form.
Under the Plan, participants may elect to reinvest all or a portion of any
cash dividends paid on shares of Common Stock registered in their names or
held in their Plan accounts. Registered holders of any shares of Preferred
Stock of Wisconsin Energy or Wisconsin Electric which may be outstanding from
time to time ("Preferred Stock") are also eligible to invest all or a portion
of their Preferred Stock cash dividends to acquire shares of Common Stock.
Partial dividend reinvestment elections may be made in 10% increments.
Participants may also make additional cash investments of $25 or more, up to
$50,000 per calendar quarter, from time to time, to purchase Common Stock
through the Plan.
The First National Bank of Boston (the "Administrator") will administer the
Plan , purchase, hold and sell shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan,
keep records, send statements of account activity to participants and perform
other duties related to the Plan. Purchases of Common Stock will be made
either directly from Wisconsin Energy, in the open market or in privately
negotiated transactions.
The purchase prices for shares under the Plan will be the average prices paid
by the Administrator for them, determined as described under "The Plan-
Purchase Procedures and Prices" herein.
This Prospectus relates to 3,518,000 shares of Common Stock offered for
purchase under the Plan.
It is suggested that this Prospectus be retained for future reference.
__________________
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
__________________
The date of this Prospectus is May 16, 1995.
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WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
Wisconsin Energy is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries are
Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Natural Gas Company ("Wisconsin Natural").
Wisconsin Electric is engaged principally in the generation, transmission,
distribution and sale of electric energy in a territory of approximately
12,000 square miles in southeastern Wisconsin, the east central and northern
portions of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The operating area
includes metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has an estimated population of
more than 2,200,000. Wisconsin Natural purchases gas from various supply
areas, transports gas to Wisconsin through pipeline companies and then
distributes and sells it in three areas in Wisconsin: immediately west and
south of Milwaukee, the Appleton area, and the Prairie du Chien area. The gas
service territory has an estimated population of more than 1,100,000, mainly
within the electric service area of Wisconsin Electric.
Wisconsin Energy also has a number of non-utility subsidiaries (WISPARK
Corporation, WITECH Corporation, WISVEST Corporation, Wisconsin Michigan
Investment Corporation and Badger Service Company) that are devoted primarily
to stimulating economic growth in the utilities' service territories and to
capitalizing on diversified investment opportunities for stockholders.
Wisconsin Energy is an exempt holding company by order of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under Section 3(a)(1) of the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, and accordingly is exempt from the
provisions of that Act, other than with respect to certain acquisitions of
securities of a public utility. Wisconsin Energy's executive offices are
located at 231 West Michigan Street, P.O. Box 2949, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
(telephone number: (414) 221-2345).
On April 28, 1995, Wisconsin Energy entered into an agreement and Plan of
Merger with Northern States Power Company which provides for a strategic
business combination involving the two companies in a "merger-of-equals"
transaction. Further information concerning such agreement and proposed
transaction is included in Wisconsin Energy's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
April 28, 1995. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" below.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Wisconsin Energy is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC. These materials may be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington D.C. 20549, and at the SEC's Regional Offices located at CitiCorp
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and
7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such
material may also be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the
SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
Such reports, statements and other information concerning Wisconsin Energy may
also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"),
20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which Wisconsin Energy Common
Stock is listed. This Prospectus omits certain information contained in a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 which Wisconsin Energy has filed with the
SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to which reference is
hereby made for further information with respect to Wisconsin Energy and the
securities offered hereby.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by Wisconsin Energy with the SEC pursuant to the
Exchange Act (File No. 1-9057) are incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference:
(a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.
(b) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995.
(c) Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 1995.
(d) The description of the Common Stock contained in the Current Report on
Form 8-K dated October 31, 1991, which updates the description of the
Common Stock incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
on Form 8-B dated January 7, 1987, including any future amendment or
report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents filed by Wisconsin Energy pursuant to sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and
prior to the termination of the offering hereunder shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part of this
Prospectus from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes
of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this Prospectus
or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
Wisconsin Energy will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents which are
incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits not specifically
incorporated by reference into the text of such documents). Requests should
be directed to Wisconsin Energy Corporation, 231 West Michigan Street, P.O.
Box 2949, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, Attention: Coordinator of Stockholder
Services (telephone number: (800) 881-5882).
THE PLAN
This Prospectus relates to the Wisconsin Energy Stock Plus Investment Plan, as
amended effective May 16, 1995. The following discussion constitutes the
provisions of the Plan.
As amended, the Plan now offers, among other things, a partial dividend
reinvestment option, a higher optional cash investment maximum per quarter and
an initial cash investment feature permitting non-stockholders to initiate
participation in the Plan.
All participant accounts, and all elections, notices, instructions and
authorizations that were in effect immediately prior to the amendment of the
Plan, will continue to remain in effect. No action by current Plan
participants is required to continue participation in the Plan. If a current
participant's investment election in effect immediately prior to the amendment
of the Plan was cash investment only, all cash dividends on shares held in
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such participant's Plan account after the date of the Plan amendment (and
until a change in investment election requires otherwise) will continue to be
reinvested in Common Stock. Any current participant who wishes to change an
investment election after reviewing this Prospectus should follow the
procedures set forth under "--Investment Options" below.
A STOCKHOLDER HOTLINE IS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
REGARDING THE PLAN FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:00 P.M. (CENTRAL TIME), MONDAY
THROUGH FRIDAY. THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER IS: (800) 558-9663.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Plan is to provide stockholders of Wisconsin Energy and
Wisconsin Electric, as well as other investors, with a simple, convenient and
economical method of purchasing shares of Wisconsin Energy Common Stock
through reinvestment of dividends and cash investments. The Plan is designed
to encourage and facilitate broader ownership of the Common Stock.
Common Stock purchases by the Administrator of the Plan will be made in the
open market, in privately negotiated transactions or, if Wisconsin Energy so
determines, from its authorized but unissued or treasury shares. See
"--Purchase Procedures and Prices" below. The decision as to whether shares
are to be purchased directly from Wisconsin Energy, or in the open market or
privately negotiated transactions, will be based on Wisconsin Energy's need
for common equity and any other factors considered by Wisconsin Energy to be
relevant. Any determination by Wisconsin Energy to alter the manner in which
shares will be purchased for the Plan, and implementation of any such change,
will comply with applicable law and SEC interpretations then in effect. At
the date of this Prospectus, the Administrator is purchasing new-issue shares
from Wisconsin Energy.
Net proceeds from new-issue or treasury shares received by Wisconsin Energy
will be added to its general funds to be available for general corporate
purposes. Wisconsin Energy will not receive any proceeds from shares acquired
by the Administrator in the open market or in privately negotiated
transactions.
ADVANTAGES
Advantages offered by the Plan are:
1. Through an initial cash investment of as little as $50, the Plan provides
a convenient and inexpensive means of becoming a Wisconsin Energy
stockholder.
2. All or a portion of cash dividends can be automatically reinvested in
Common Stock.
3. Additional investments in Common Stock can be conveniently made through
optional cash investments of $25 or more, up to $50,000 per calendar
quarter, paid by check, money order or electronic funds transfer from a
pre-designated bank account.
4. Wisconsin Energy pays all brokerage commissions on purchases and all
administrative expenses.
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5. All funds are fully invested, since both whole shares and fractional
shares are credited to participants' accounts.
6. Dividends are credited on both whole shares and fractional shares in
participants' accounts, providing full dividend return.
7. Simplified record keeping is provided through account statements mailed to
participants.
8. Certificates for Common Stock held by Plan participants may be deposited
for safekeeping.
9. Withdrawals are permitted upon telephonic or written request, processed
promptly, normally within five business days after receipt. Participants
may request the sale of all or part of the shares being withdrawn.
ADMINISTRATION
The Plan is administered by The First National Bank of Boston. The
Administrator will purchase, hold and sell shares of Common Stock acquired
under the Plan, keep records, send statements of account activity to
participants and perform other duties related to the Plan. The Administrator
also serves as transfer agent, registrar and dividend paying agent for
Wisconsin Energy.
All correspondence regarding the Plan, completed enrollment forms and initial
cash investments should be sent to the Administrator at the address which
follows. Please provide your Plan account number and/or Social Security
number on all correspondence.
Wisconsin Energy Stock Plus Investment Plan
The First National Bank of Boston
P.O. Box 9156
Boston, MA 02205-9156
All optional cash investments should be sent to the Administrator at the
following address:
Wisconsin Energy Stock Plus Investment Plan
The First National Bank of Boston
P.O. Box 370042
Boston, MA 02241-0742
TELEPHONE INQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE ADMINISTRATOR THROUGH THE TOLL-FREE
STOCKHOLDER HOTLINE: (800) 558-9663.
ELIGIBILITY
Any person or entity, whether or not a registered holder of shares of
Wisconsin Energy Common Stock or of shares of any one or more issues of the
Preferred Stock of Wisconsin Energy or Wisconsin Electric which may be
outstanding from time to time, is eligible to participate in the Plan,
provided that (i) such person or entity fulfills the prerequisites for
participation described below under "--Enrollment" and (ii) in the case of
persons or entities that reside outside of the United States, participation
would not violate local laws applicable to Wisconsin Energy or the
participant.
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ENROLLMENT
Enrollment in the Plan may be accomplished at any time by completing and
signing an Enrollment Form and returning it to the Administrator at the
applicable address indicated in "--Administration" above. Persons or entities
that are not registered holders of Common Stock or Preferred Stock must submit
an initial cash investment, in an amount of $50 to $50,000, with their
Enrollment Form. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the order
of "WEC Stock Plus." An Enrollment Form and return envelope may be obtained
by written request to the Administrator, or by calling the Stockholder Hotline
number, (800) 558-9663.
A beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock registered in
the name of someone else (for example, a bank, broker or trustee) may
participate in the Plan without making an initial cash investment by having
such shares reregistered in his or her name.
An Enrollment Form will be processed as promptly as practicable, normally
within two business days of receipt. Participation in the Plan will commence
after the properly completed Enrollment Form has been reviewed and accepted by
the Administrator.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS
The investment options available under the Plan are:
FULL DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT. Any cash dividends paid on shares of Common Stock
and/or Preferred Stock registered in a participant's name or held in the
participant's Plan account are reinvested in additional shares of Common
Stock. A participant may also make cash investments of $25 or more, up to
$50,000 per calendar quarter, from time to time, to purchase additional Common
Stock through the Plan.
PARTIAL DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT. Participants may elect to reinvest a portion
of any cash dividends paid on shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock
registered in a participant's name or held in the participant's Plan account.
Partial dividend reinvestment elections can be made in 10% increments. Cash
dividends on shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock not subject to
reinvestment will be paid directly to participants. Participants may also
make cash investments of $25 or more, up to $50,000 per calendar quarter, from
time to time, to purchase additional Common Stock through the Plan.
CASH INVESTMENTS ONLY. Participants may make cash investments of $25 or more,
up to $50,000 per calendar quarter, from time to time, for investment in
Common Stock. All cash dividends on shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred
Stock registered in a participant's name or held in the participant's Plan
account will be paid directly to the participant.
Plan participants may change their investment option or percentage of
dividends reinvested at any time by submitting a new Enrollment Form or other
written request to the Administrator at the applicable address set forth under
"--Administration" above. To be effective with respect to a particular Common
Stock or Preferred Stock dividend, any such change must be received by the
Administrator on or before the record date for such dividend.
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PURCHASE PROCEDURES AND PRICES
On each dividend payment date, the cash dividends to be reinvested under the
Plan will be paid by Wisconsin Energy to the Administrator. Upon notification
by Wisconsin Energy of a pending dividend payment, the Administrator may, at
its discretion, purchase Common Stock beginning three business days in advance
of the dividend payment date.
Stock purchases pursuant to initial or optional cash investments will be made
at two times during each month, beginning on the 1st and 15th of each month
(the "Investment Dates"). A participant's initial or optional cash
investment must be received no later than two business days prior to an
Investment Date in order to be invested beginning on that Investment Date.
Otherwise, such cash investment will be held by the Administrator and invested
beginning on the next Investment Date. If the 1st or 15th of any month are
not business days in Massachusetts, investments will begin to be made on the
next succeeding business day.
No interest will be paid to Plan participants on funds held by the
Administrator pending investment or settlement. Participants are urged to
time their initial or optional cash investments so that such funds are
received by the Administrator shortly (but not less than two business days)
before an Investment Date.
Purchases by the Administrator for the Plan will be made in the open market,
in privately negotiated transactions or, if Wisconsin Energy so determines,
from Wisconsin Energy. If purchases by the Administrator are made in the
open market or in privately negotiated transactions, they will be made in such
manner (whether on a stock exchange, in the over-the-counter market or
otherwise), at such time or times, in such amounts, at such price or prices,
by such registered broker-dealer, and on such other terms, as the
Administrator in its sole discretion determines. If purchases are made from
Wisconsin Energy, they will be made from authorized but unissued shares or
treasury shares.
The purchase price for shares of Common Stock purchased directly from
Wisconsin Energy under the Plan will be the average of the daily high and low
sales prices of the Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Consolidated Tape for
the purchase date.
The purchase price for shares of Common Stock purchased for the Plan in the
open market or through privately negotiated transactions with funds from
dividends and/or initial or optional cash investments will be the average
price paid for all shares purchased (i.e., the aggregate purchase price
divided by the aggregate number of shares purchased) by the Administrator for
the Plan during the applicable investment period.
The Administrator will make every effort to invest funds in Common Stock as
soon as practicable on or after each Investment Date and, to the extent it has
not exercised its discretion to commence purchases up to three business days
in advance, on or after each dividend payment date (except that dividends on
Wisconsin Electric Six Per Cent. Preferred Stock will normally be invested as
soon as practicable on or after the 1st of the month following each dividend
payment date). In the unexpected event that any portion of any cash dividends
or initial or optional cash investments paid to the Administrator under the
Plan is not invested within 30 days after receipt of such payment, such
portion will be returned to the participants affected.
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Under the Plan, participants do not have the ability to order the purchase of
a specific number of shares, the purchase of shares at a specified price or a
particular date of purchase, as could be done with respect to purchases
through a broker.
DIVIDENDS
Dividend declarations will be determined by the respective Boards of Directors
of Wisconsin Energy or Wisconsin Electric from time to time upon giving
consideration to earnings, financial requirements and other factors at that
time.
The cash dividend payment dates for Wisconsin Energy Common Stock and
Wisconsin Electric $100 Par Value Serial Preferred Stock are normally March 1,
June 1, September 1 and December 1. The cash dividend payment dates for
Wisconsin Electric Six Per Cent. Preferred Stock are normally January 31,
April 30, July 31 and October 31. The dividend record dates are normally two
to three weeks prior to the dividend payment dates.
CASH INVESTMENTS
Any person who is not a registered holder of Common Stock or Preferred Stock
may initiate participation in the Plan by sending a check or money order in
the amount of $50 to $50,000, payable to the order of "WEC Stock Plus," along
with a duly completed Enrollment Form, to WISCONSIN ENERGY STOCK PLUS
INVESTMENT PLAN, THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON, P.O. BOX 9156, BOSTON, MA,
02205-9156. Delivery to any other address may delay investment.
After enrolling as a Plan participant, subsequent optional cash investments of
$25 or more, up to $50,000 per calendar quarter, may be made from time to time
by sending a check or money order, payable to the order of "WEC Stock Plus,"
along with a duly completed Cash Remittance Form (which may be obtained from
the Administrator) to WISCONSIN ENERGY STOCK PLUS INVESTMENT PLAN, THE FIRST
NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON, P.O. BOX 370042, BOSTON MA 02241-0742. Delivery to
any other address may delay investment.
Account statements sent to participants will record all initial and optional
cash investments. All such cash investments may be made only in United States
funds. Checks/drafts drawn on non-U.S. banks must have the U.S. currency
imprinted on the check. Third party checks will not be accepted.
Participants may also take advantage of an automatic monthly investment
feature of the Plan. This feature allows participants to specify an amount
(not less than $25 per month nor more than $50,000 per calendar quarter) to be
electronically transferred from a pre-designated U.S. bank account. To
initiate automatic monthly deductions, the participant must complete and sign
an Automatic Investment Form and return it to the Administrator together with
a voided blank check or deposit slip for the account from which such funds are
to be drawn. Automatic Investment Forms may be obtained from the
Administrator. Automatic Investment Forms will be processed and will become
effective as promptly as practicable. Once automatic monthly deduction is
initiated, funds will be drawn from the participant's designated bank account
on the second to last business day of a month and will be invested beginning
on the first business day of the following month. Participants may change or
terminate their automatic investments by notifying the Administrator. To be
effective with respect to a particular Investment Date, a notice of a
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requested change or termination in an automatic investment must be received by
the Administrator at least 15 business days prior to that Investment Date.
As discussed in more detail under "Purchase Procedures and Prices" above, the
Administrator will purchase Common Stock twice each month with initial and
optional cash investments received during the preceding period. Since
interest is not paid to participants on funds held by the Administrator
pending investment, participants are urged to time each initial or optional
cash investment so that such funds are received by the Administrator shortly
(but not less than two business days) before an Investment Date.
A participant may obtain the return of any uninvested initial or optional cash
investment upon request received by the Administrator on or before the second
business day prior to the applicable Investment Date. However, no refund of a
check or money order will be made until the funds have been actually received
by the Administrator. The request may be made to the Administrator in
writing, or by calling the Stockholder Hotline, (800) 558-9663.
RETURNED CHECKS
In the event that any check is returned unpaid for any reason, the
Administrator will consider the request for investment of such funds null and
void. The Administrator shall remove from the participant's account any
shares purchased upon the prior credit of such funds. The Administrator shall
thereupon be entitled to sell those shares to satisfy any uncollected amount.
If the net proceeds of such sale are insufficient to satisfy the balance of
such uncollected amount, the Administrator will be entitled to sell such
additional shares from the participant's account as necessary to satisfy the
uncollected balance.
EMPLOYEE PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS
Employees of Wisconsin Energy or its subsidiaries participating in the Plan
may arrange for initial or optional cash investments under the Plan to be made
through payroll deductions. The $50 and $25 minimums for initial and optional
cash investments, respectively, will not apply to payments made through such
payroll deductions. Application forms for such employee payroll deductions
are available from Wisconsin Energy's Coordinator of Stockholder Services.
Commencement, revision or termination of payroll deductions will become
effective as soon as practicable after receipt of the request therefor.
EXPENSES OF PURCHASE AND ADMINISTRATION; CHARGES UPON SALE
Participants will not incur any brokerage commissions, service charges or
other direct expenses in connection with purchases of Common Stock for their
accounts under the Plan. Wisconsin Energy will pay these expenses, as well as
all costs of administering the Plan.
Brokerage commissions and any applicable stock transfer taxes ARE charged to
participants for shares sold from their Plan accounts at their request and
will reduce the proceeds upon the sale of the Common Stock by the amount of
such charges. Because the Administrator will combine the number of shares
being presented for sale where possible, brokerage commissions may be
minimized. See "--Sale of Common Stock" below.
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REPORTS TO PARTICIPANTS
Participants will receive an account statement from the Administrator promptly
after the completion of each purchase of shares for their account under the
Plan. These statements are a participant's continuing record of the costs of
the shares purchased under the Plan and should be retained for income tax
purposes. Each statement contains a form which can be used to deposit shares
for safekeeping, make optional cash payments or withdraw shares from the Plan.
The Administrator will also notify each participant annually of the total
dividends credited to the participant's Plan account for the year.
Participants will also receive, in addition to this Prospectus and any
supplements or amendments thereto, substantially the same communications as
every registered stockholder, including the Annual Report to Stockholders,
Quarterly Reports, Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement.
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES HELD IN THE PLAN
Shares held in a participant's Plan account will be registered in the name of
the Administrator, its nominee or a securities depository. Certificates for
such shares will not be issued to the participant until the shares are
withdrawn from the Plan. This convenience protects against loss, theft or
destruction of stock certificates.
SAFEKEEPING SERVICE FOR CERTIFICATES
Plan participants may deliver for safekeeping any certificates representing
Wisconsin Energy Common Stock held by them, including any certificates which
formerly represented Wisconsin Electric Common Stock which was converted in
the restructuring effective at year-end 1986 to Common Stock of Wisconsin
Energy. Certificates should be mailed to the Administrator, at the applicable
address specified under "--Administration" above, via Certified or Registered
mail, as the participant bears the risk of loss in transit. Stock
certificates mailed for safekeeping should not be endorsed. Safekeeping of
certificates offers the advantage of protection against loss, theft or
destruction. The Administrator reserves the right, however, to establish
limits on the number of shares so held for safekeeping and minimum time
periods for retention of such shares in the Plan. This reservation is
intended to minimize administrative expenses and discourage use of the Plan
for purposes other than as a continuing investment service. Further, it will
be the participant's responsibility to establish and maintain a record of the
cost of shares represented by certificates sent to the Administrator for
safekeeping. All shares represented by such certificates will be credited to
the participant's Plan account. Shares held for safekeeping will be subject
to the participant's investment option to the same extent as all other shares
held in the participant's Plan account.
PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES FROM PLAN ACCOUNT
Any number of whole shares held in a participant's account may be withdrawn by
the participant, upon telephonic or written request to the Administrator,
without complete withdrawal from the Plan. Requests may be mailed to the
Administrator at the applicable address indicated under "--Administration"
above or phoned in to the Administrator at (800) 558-9663. Any such request
will be processed, and a certificate for the whole number of shares withdrawn
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will be sent to the participant, as promptly as practicable, normally within
five business days, but not later than 30 days after receipt by the
Administrator of the request for partial withdrawal.
The certificates for shares withdrawn will be registered in the participant's
name as shown on the account registration. If approved by the Administrator,
the certificates may, upon request, be registered otherwise, subject to
compliance with the Administrator's transfer requirements, the rules of the
Securities Transfer Association, Inc. and any applicable laws, and payment by
the participant of any applicable taxes. Any such request must be in writing,
bear the signature of the participant and such signature must be accompanied
by a Medallion Guarantee from a commercial bank, member of the NYSE or other
participant in the Medallion Program.
Dividends on any shares withdrawn from the Plan in certificate form will
continue to be reinvested in the Plan if the participant has elected the Full
Dividend Reinvestment option. For participants in the Plan that have elected
other investment options, dividends on any shares withdrawn from the Plan in
certificate form will be reinvested or paid in cash, consistent with the
participant's current election.
COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL FROM PLAN
A participant may completely withdraw from the Plan by giving telephonic or
written notice of withdrawal to the Administrator. The applicable address and
telephone number for the Administrator is set forth under "--Administration"
above.
A notice of complete withdrawal from the Plan will be processed, and a
certificate for all whole shares in the participant's account and a check for
any fractional share and uninvested funds in the account will be sent to the
participant, as promptly as practicable, normally within five business days,
but not later than 30 days after receipt by the Administrator of the notice of
complete withdrawal. A notice of complete withdrawal from the Plan received
by the Administrator on or after the 15th day of the month preceding a
dividend payment date (or, as to the Wisconsin Electric Six Per Cent.
Preferred Stock, on or after the 15th day of the month in which a dividend is
paid) will be processed as soon as practicable following the completion of the
reinvestment of dividends.
Fractional shares for terminating participants will be aggregated and sold in
the open market. The amount of a participant's fractional share check will be
based on the average sales price for all shares sold, less any brokerage
commission and applicable stock transfer tax (which are payable by the
participant).
The certificates for shares withdrawn will be registered in the participant's
name as shown on the account registration. If approved by the Administrator,
the certificates may, upon request, be registered otherwise, subject to
compliance with the Administrator's transfer requirements, the rules of the
Securities Transfer Association, Inc. and any applicable laws, and payment by
the participant of any applicable taxes. Any such request must be in writing,
bear the signature of the participant and the signature must be accompanied by
a Medallion Guarantee from a commercial bank, member of the NYSE or other
participant in the Medallion Program.
Withdrawal from the Plan will not automatically preclude re-enrollment,
although the Administrator reserves the right to reject re-enrollment in any
case deemed appropriate.
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SALE OF COMMON STOCK
In lieu of receiving stock certificates upon a partial or complete withdrawal
from the Plan, a participant may request that the Administrator sell all or
any portion of the shares held in the Plan account if the request is made in
writing to the Administrator and includes the signatures of all the owners
whose names appear on the account. The applicable address for the
Administrator is set forth under "--Administration" above. Such requests may
be made at any time. A check for the sale proceeds, less any brokerage
commission and stock transfer tax (which are payable by the participant), will
be sent to the participant as promptly as practicable, normally within ten
business days, but not later than 30 days after receipt by the Administrator
of the sale request.
When requests for sales have been received from more than one participant, the
Administrator will aggregate the shares where possible and sell them in one or
more transactions, allocating the net proceeds among such participants. Such
participants may thereby benefit from any lower brokerage commissions
applicable to larger volume sales.
Participants should understand that the price of the Common Stock may go down
as well as up between the date a request to sell is received and the date upon
which the Common Stock is sold and that they do not have the ability to order
the sale of shares at a specified price or on a particular date.
OTHER INFORMATION
TRANSFER OF SHARES HELD IN CERTIFICATE FORM. A sale or other transfer of
shares held by a participant in certificate form will not affect reinvestment
of dividends on any shares held in the Plan or, in the case of a participant
who has selected the Full or Partial Dividend Reinvestment option, on any
shares continuing to be held in certificate form and subject to that
respective election. A participant's sale or other transfer of all shares
held in certificate form does not constitute notice of withdrawal from the
Plan.
TRANSFER OF SHARES HELD IN PLAN ACCOUNT. Shares of Common Stock held in a
participant's account under the Plan may be transferred to another Plan
account. Any participant wishing to either transfer shares held in his or her
Plan account to any person who is not a Plan participant or pledge such shares
must obtain a certificate for the shares by withdrawing them from the Plan.
RIGHTS OFFERING. In the event that Wisconsin Energy makes a Common Stock
rights offering, the subscription rights pertaining to any shares registered
in the names of participants in the Plan would be mailed directly to them, in
the same manner as to stockholders not participating in the Plan. The rights
pertaining to shares held in Plan accounts would be sold by the Administrator
and the proceeds used to purchase additional shares of Common Stock to be
allocated to such accounts. Participants wishing to exercise, transfer or
sell rights belonging to shares held in their Plan accounts must request that
the Administrator withdraw such shares from their accounts before the record
date for the rights offering.
STOCK DIVIDENDS AND STOCK SPLITS. Stock dividend or split shares (or shares
issued as a result of a reorganization or recapitalization of Wisconsin
Energy) which are distributed on any shares held in the name of a participant
in certificate form will be mailed directly to the participant in the same
manner as to stockholders not participating in the Plan. Any such shares
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<PAGE> 13
distributed on shares held in a participant's Plan account would be credited
to such account.
STOCKHOLDER VOTING. Each participant will be sent a proxy statement and form
of proxy for each Wisconsin Energy stockholders' meeting at which voting will
take place. Shares held for the account of a participant under the Plan will
be voted by the Administrator in accordance with the directions and
authorizations of such participant on his or her duly signed and returned
proxy. The Administrator will not vote shares held in the Plan for which no
voting instructions are received.
TERMINATION BY ADMINISTRATOR. If a Plan account becomes subject to any
unclaimed property law, a check for an initial or optional cash investment is
returned unpaid or the Administrator receives proper notification of a
participant's death or incapacity, the participant's Plan account may be
terminated by the Administrator and the proceeds distributed to the
appropriate state, the participant or his or her beneficiary, as the case may
be. Plan accounts that hold less than one whole share of Common Stock may be
periodically terminated by the Administrator and the cash proceeds distributed
to the participants.
RESPONSIBILITY. Neither Wisconsin Energy, the Administrator, nor any of their
representatives, employees or agents, shall be liable for any act or omission
in good faith, including, without limitation, any claim of liability arising
with respect to the prices or times at which shares are purchased or sold for
participants, any change in the market value of shares or any failure to
terminate an account upon a participant's death. Each participant should
understand that neither Wisconsin Energy nor the Administrator can assure the
participant of a profit or protect against a loss on account of the purchase
of shares under the Plan.
MODIFICATION, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN. Wisconsin Energy
reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No
such modification may, however, make it possible for any assets held in Plan
accounts to be used for any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of the
participants.
Upon termination of the Plan, the assets in each participant's account will be
distributed to the participant or, upon request, sold for the participant's
account, all in substantially the same manner as described above under
"--Complete Withdrawal from Plan" and "--Sale of Common Stock."
INTERPRETATION. Wisconsin Energy and the Administrator reserve the right to
interpret and regulate the Plan, as deemed desirable or necessary, in
connection with its operation.
INCOME TAX INFORMATION
The following is a brief summary of certain applicable Federal income tax
principles. For further information, participants should consult with their
own tax advisors.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
When dividends are reinvested in shares of Common Stock, a participant will be
treated for Federal income tax purposes as having received taxable dividends
to the extent the dividends do not exceed the participant's pro rata share of
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<PAGE> 14
Wisconsin Energy's earnings and profits. If shares are purchased in the open
market or in privately negotiated transactions with reinvested dividends, the
amount of the taxable dividends will be equal to the cash dividends
reinvested; if shares are purchased from Wisconsin Energy with reinvested
dividends, the amount of the taxable dividends will be equal to the fair
market value of the shares when acquired which, under the terms of the Plan,
should in all instances be equal to the cash dividends reinvested. If the
shares are purchased in the open market or in privately negotiated
transactions, with either reinvested dividends or initial or optional cash
investments, the Internal Revenue Service has taken the position, in rulings
issued with respect to similar plans, that a participant's pro rata share of
brokerage commissions paid by Wisconsin Energy is dividend income to that
participant, but that no part of any fees and expenses paid by Wisconsin
Energy in connection with the administration of the Plan is dividend income to
a participant.
Shares of Common Stock purchased in the open market or in privately negotiated
transactions with reinvested dividends will have a tax basis equal to the
amount paid therefor, increased by any brokerage commissions treated as
dividend income to the participant. Shares of Common Stock purchased from
Wisconsin Energy with reinvested dividends will have a tax basis equal to the
amount included in the participant's income as a taxable dividend with respect
to the acquisition of the shares. Whether purchased in the open market, in
privately negotiated transactions or from Wisconsin Energy, the shares will
have a holding period beginning on the day following the date as of which the
Administrator purchases the shares for the participant's account.
Shares purchased with initial or optional cash investments will have a tax
basis equal to the amount of such payments, increased by the amount of
brokerage fees, if any, included in the participant's income with respect to
those shares. The holding period for such shares begins on the day following
the date as of which the Administrator purchases the shares for the
participant's account.
Participants do not recognize any taxable income when they receive
certificates for whole shares credited to their accounts, either upon their
requests for such certificates or upon withdrawal from or termination of the
Plan. However, participants recognize gain or loss when whole shares acquired
under the Plan are sold or exchanged either by the Administrator at the
request of participants when they partially or completely withdraw from the
Plan or by participants themselves after partial or complete withdrawal from
or termination of the Plan. Participants also recognize gain or loss when
they receive cash payments for fractional shares credited to their accounts,
upon complete withdrawal from or termination of the Plan. The amount of gain
or loss is the difference between the amount which the participant receives
for his shares or fractional share and the tax basis thereof.
Since individual tax situations may vary, each participant is urged to consult
his or her personal tax advisor as to the tax consequences of participation in
the Plan.
STOCKHOLDERS' INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING
In the case of a participating foreign stockholder whose dividends are subject
to United States income tax withholding or a domestic stockholder subject to
backup tax withholding, the tax required to be withheld will be deducted from
the amount of any cash dividend otherwise to be applied to the purchase of
shares for the participant's account under the Plan, and the amount of
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<PAGE> 15
dividend after such deduction will be so applied. Since any such withholding
tax applies also to a dividend on shares credited to the Plan account, only
the net dividend on such shares will be applied to the purchase of additional
stock.
The regular statements sent to such participants will indicate the amount of
tax withheld. Domestic tax withheld by Wisconsin Energy may not be refunded
by Wisconsin Energy but may be claimed as a credit on an individual's Federal
income tax return.
Participants should be aware that it is important to retain all Plan account
statements received to avoid incurring fees for requests of the Administrator
to supply past account history.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to
Wisconsin Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1994 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse
LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts
in auditing and accounting. Future audited financial statements incorporated
in this Prospectus by reference to future filings under the Exchange Act, as
provided under "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" above, will
be so incorporated in reliance on the related report or reports of the firm of
independent accountants auditing such financial statements, given on such
authority of such firm, if and to the extent such filings include the consent
of such firm to the incorporation of such report or reports herein.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<S> <C> <C>
Page
----
Wisconsin Energy Corporation.................................... 2
Available Information........................................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference................. 3
The Plan........................................................ 3
Purpose..................................................... 4 ==============================
Advantages.................................................. 4
Administration.............................................. 5
Eligibility................................................. 5
Enrollment.................................................. 6
Investment Options.......................................... 6 [Stock Plus LOGO]
Purchase Procedures and Prices.............................. 7
Dividends................................................... 8
Cash Investments............................................ 8
Returned Checks............................................. 9
Employee Payroll Deductions................................. 9 WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
Expenses of Purchase and Administration: Charges Upon Sale.. 9
Reports to Participants..................................... 10 ----------------
Certificates for Shares Held in the Plan.................... 10
Safekeeping Service for Certificates........................ 10 Stock Plus Investment Plan
Partial Withdrawal of Shares from Plan Account.............. 10
Complete Withdrawal from Plan............................... 11 ----------------
Sale of Common Stock........................................ 12
Other Information........................................... 12
Income Tax Information.......................................... 13 Common Stock
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences..................... 13 ($.01 Par Value)
Stockholders' Income Tax Withholding........................ 14
Experts......................................................... 15 ----------------
PROSPECTUS
_________________
Dated May 16, 1995
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED HEREIN, AND,
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY WISCONSIN ENERGY. THIS ==============================
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF
AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO MAKE ANY SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF
WISCONSIN ENERGY OR IN THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN SINCE THE DATE
OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
_________________
</TABLE>
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