Kootenai Electric Cooperative

The KEC Ambassador program is a grassroots effort to enlist support from our members in shaping public policy around energy and electric cooperatives. As a KEC Ambassador, you have the opportunity to inform and educate legislators and opinion leaders on issues that affect our community and the future success of our electric cooperative.

The federal government built hydroelectric dams along the Columbia River to generate power for consumer-owned utilities like Kootenai Electric. Our government made sure we would have the first right, or “preference,” to purchase this power through the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). In return for preference status, we share the benefits of the Columbia River Power System by reselling this power to you at non-profit rates.

Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) continue to introduce legislation at the federal level that would destroy cost based rates and privatize BPA. Politicians from high cost power states like California, the Northeast and Midwest want our affordable power. These outsiders claim that Public Power utilities like Kootenai Electric have an unfair advantage as preference power customers of BPA. What they forget is that Kootenai Electric members and other Northwest power consumers have paid for the dams since the beginning. And, these same dams were built first and foremost for consumers of non-profit utilities.

By joining the KEC Ambassadors, you will learn more about benefits you receive from the Columbia River Power System and the issues we face. You also will have the chance to contact legislators who make decisions affecting these benefits, and ultimately your wallet.

To become a KEC Ambassador call 208.765.1200. Email access is a requirement to participate in KEC Ambassadors as it allows us to avoid printing and postage costs and saves time.