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Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (KEC) is the catalyst for the electric cooperatives which serve in the state. Within its several areas, a myriad of activities is carried out annually on behalf of the member-cooperatives. Those areas include Governmental Relations, Apparatus Testing, Loss Control and Safety, Regulatory Compliance, Communications, Education and Training, Legal Assistance, Rural TV, and Management Consulting Services. The KEC member-cooperatives each have representation on the KEC Board of Trustees. Committees composed of KEC Trustees and member-cooperatives' managers assist in directing the various activities and services.

Governmental Relations
There is hardly any legislation that does not impact in some manner upon the electric cooperatives of Kansas. Whether on the state or national levels, it is imperative that these legislative activities be monitored. By coming together and addressing legislative issues with one voice, the electric cooperatives continue to be a major player in shaping the legislation that impacts upon the member-owners' electricity bills.

Apparatus Testing
Providing reliable, power quality electricity is a highly technical task. KEC provides technical services in electrical apparatus testing and maintenance which can assist utilities in this task. Routine and emergency use of these services can avoid potential serious outages caused by transformer or other system element failure. From new substation commissioning to maintenance of single phase oil circuit reclosers, KEC has the trained personnel and test equipment needed to perform these services.

Loss Control & Safety
Controlling losses and promoting safety has always been one of the major goals of Kansas Electric Cooperatives. Special effort is made to train linemen and others to perform their jobs efficiently and, since much of today's line work involves working with fully-energized wires, to perform their tasks with proven safety procedures. Special emphasis is placed upon "No Lost-time" due to an accident and the effort continues to pay off with lower worker compensation insurance premiums and no fatalities.

Regulatory Compliance
The past few decades have produced numerous regulations at both the state and national level. Environmental regulations and safe working standards have come from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Federal Highway Administration, and others. KEC has full time personnel reviewing the regulations and keeping the member-cooperatives advised on compliance procedures.

Communications
KEC produces Kansas Country Living, a monthly magazine that is the primary communications vehicle to the consumer-members of the KEC member-cooperatives. Other department services include the operation of a print shop, youth education tours, photographic and darkroom work, advertising, and public relations activities.

Education/Training
KEC provides training opportunities for member-cooperative managers, staff members and trustees throughout the year. Training sessions help participants make better business and policy decisions, as well as assist them with the more technical aspects of their employee responsibilities.

Legal Assistance
At the local level, KEC member-cooperatives utilize legal counsel in the day-to-day operations of the electric cooperatives. However, when matters reach the state or federal level, KEC's legal staff coordinates interventions and appeals before the Kansas Corporation Commission, Kansas Board of Tax Appeals, and other units of government.

Management Consulting
The Management Consulting Department has vast experience in assisting member cooperatives with the electric retail ratemaking process. A comprehensive rate study begins by reviewing or developing an equity management plan, determining the cost of capital and revenue requirement and finally developing a cost of service study. Retail rates are then designed to achieve the objectives of the cooperative. A competitive analysis is also incorporated into this process. Special rates to encourage wise-use or to implement a load management program are a specialty of the staff and the department can assist in the negotiations for special large power rates. The department also provides expertise in the areas of accounting, finance and taxes by offering depreciation studies, financial forecasts and capital credit studies, as well as serving as a resource on sales tax issues and property tax assessments of electric cooperatives.