Competition

Webster's dictionary defines the word "cooperative" as an  "enterprise or organization owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services."

Unlike other utilities, electric cooperatives are not profit-driven; they exist solely to provide service to their consumers. Each consumer has a voice in the cooperative and has the ability to shape its future. A cooperative is not merely an organization it is a way of life.

We think the cooperative way is better. Your friends and neighbors think so too. National surveys of electric consumers tell us that electric cooperatives are preferred over investor-owned utilities by a two-to-one margin.

Before 1957, the people of western Kansas did not have access to a reliable, long-term, wholesale power supply. Six rural electric cooperatives created Sunflower Electric to solve that problem.

Today, our loyal and competent people work hard to deliver wholesale power at a reasonable cost to our distribution cooperatives. Our reliable energy supply continues to fuel the economic engine of western Kansas. Economic prosperity is the key element in the excellent quality of life we enjoy, and we recognize that it cannot continue without a reliable power supply.

Over the years, we have met the challenges of building new power plants and new transmission facilities. These improvements were made to meet the needs of our distribution cooperatives by delivering power in a safe and reliable manner. But new challenges are rising that threaten the very existence of cooperatives across rural America. Our world is changing as electric industry restructuring and global climate initiatives loom on the horizon. Sunflower and its member systems intend to meet these challenges head on, preparing ourselves for tomorrow just like we’ve done since 1957.

Sunflower supports the concept of a competitive marketplace. However, we must protect the interests of people living in our service area. Living in rural Kansas presents unique challenges. We think these challenges should be addressed in any restructuring of the electric industry so rural consumers are treated fairly. No one class of consumers should benefit at the expense of others. If competition must come, it must feature competition with a conscience!