Cooperatives are not-for-profit, member-owned businesses. Electric cooperatives were formed over 60 years ago with the specific task of electrifying rural America. Electric Cooperatives own and maintain 2.3 million miles of line, covering three quarters of the nations land mass.

COOPERATIVES PUT MEMBERS FIRST

Cooperatives build and maintain three times the miles of power line of other utilities and do so at comparable rates despite fewer revenues. They do this by operating on a not-for-profit, cost-of-service basis. The margins are given back to the members, in the form of capital credits, to reduce their electric costs. Once a consumer pays the $5 membership fee, they become a part owner of the cooperative. They have a voice in how the cooperative is operated and influence this process through casting their vote at the annual meeting.

LOCALLLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Because the members of the cooperative are also the owners this means the cooperative is locally owned and operated. Employees of the cooperative are also local residents who are familiar with the needs of the communities they serve.

MORE RESPONSIVE

This all adds up to mean that cooperatives are more responsive to their members' needs. Whether this means the need for a new substation to serve a neighborhood or a new program to make members' lives easier, KEC will always be Your Local Connection.

History

Seventy five years ago, there was no electricity where Kiwash Electric Cooperative’s (KEC) members live today. Actually, only four percent of families in rural America had electricity. Today, dependable and economical electricity has enabled the countryside to come alive with a higher standard of living for rural residents.

On August 4, 1938, Kiwash Rural Power Company was formed setting a goal of offering electrical power to rural citizens within a six-county radius. The only means of accomplishing this goal was to build distribution lines to every consumer who was interested in purchasing electricity. As anticipated, Kiwash’s popularity grew rapidly, as did the demand for their services.

Due to the increasing number of consumers, it became apparent that change was necessary. Building power lines was an overwhelming job that required people working together for the good of all. In April of 1939, Kiwash Rural Power Company became Kiwash Electric Cooperative, Inc., a private, non-profit 501 (c) 12 corporation.

After a few years, KEC chose Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) as their power supplier. WFEC is a generation and transmission cooperative in Anadarko who still continues to supply electricity to KEC and 22 other rural electric cooperatives in Oklahoma and New Mexico.

Today, KEC serves over 6,300 consumers and has more than 2,900 miles of line. Kiwash’s service territory stretches over a six county region, which includes Washita, Kiowa, Custer, Dewey, Roger Mills and Blaine Counties. Kiwash’s general manager is Dennis Krueger.

Today’s board and management, like those 75 years before them, realize success is measured, not in miles of line or kilowatt-hours sold, but in member satisfaction with their cooperative and the service it provides. Kiwash Electric provides the service that lights up your life.

WHAT IS A COOPERATIVE?

Cooperatives are not-for-profit, member-owned businesses. Electric cooperatives were formed over 60 years ago with the specific task of electrifying rural America. Electric Cooperatives own and maintain 2.3 million miles of line, covering three quarters of the nations land mass.

COOPERATIVES PUT MEMBERS FIRST

Cooperatives build and maintain three times the miles of power line of other utilities and do so at comparable rates despite fewer revenues. They do this by operating on a not-for-profit, cost-of-service basis. The margins are given back to the members, in the form of capital credits, to reduce their electric costs. Once a consumer pays the $5 membership fee, they become a part owner of the cooperative. They have a voice in how the cooperative is operated and influence this process through casting their vote at the annual meeting.

LOCALLLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Because the members of the cooperative are also the owners this means the cooperative is locally owned and operated. Employees of the cooperative are also local residents who are familiar with the needs of the communities they serve.

MORE RESPONSIVE

This all adds up to mean that cooperatives are more responsive to their members' needs. Whether this means the need for a new substation to serve a neighborhood or a new program to make members' lives easier, KEC will always be Your Local Connection.