When it comes to aging infrastructure, no one utility has all the answers, but together, we’re working toward the same goal of maintaining a stronger, more reliable electric grid.
Recently, Sunflower’s Line Field Supervisor Eric Kathol set out to explore new technology aimed at extending the life of wood electric poles. Like many utilities across the region, we’re facing the same challenge: aging infrastructure and the need to make smart, cost-effective decisions for the future.
After connecting with a vendor to learn more about a pole wrap product designed to protect and extend pole life, Eric invited Sunflower’s member cooperatives—Wheatland, Prairie Land, and Western—to join the conversation and attend a live product demonstration.
Field crews and leadership from across the system had the opportunity to see the technology firsthand, discuss real-world applications, and weigh the potential benefits for their own systems.
The Power of Partnership
Moments like this are a reminder of what makes the cooperative model unique. When one of us explores a new idea, we all have the opportunity to learn from it. When challenges arise—like aging poles—we face them together, not separately.
By collaborating, sharing knowledge, and evaluating solutions as a group, we’re able to make better decisions, stretch resources further, and strengthen the entire system. Whether it’s new technology, evolving best practices, or day-to-day operations, the partnership between Sunflower and our member cooperatives continues to drive progress.
