Kootenai Electric Cooperative, Inc. (KEC) is a member-owned electric utility in Rathdrum, Idaho. Our mission is to provide our members with exceptional service and dependable electric power at competitive rates. KEC is governed by an independent seven-member elected Board of Directors. KEC has more than 30,000 meters and approximately 2,300 miles of electric line in parts of Kootenai, Benewah, Bonner, and Spokane counties. Kootenai Electric employs more than 100 people and is the largest electric cooperative in Idaho.
KEC purchases the majority of the electricity it sells from the Bonneville Power Administration. Kootenai Electric is a private, nonprofit electric utility owned by the members it serves. We sell power at cost. In the early 1930s, prior to the establishment of electric cooperatives like KEC, nearly 90% of rural America was without electricity. While more populated areas had power, it was not cost-effective for investor-owned electric utilities to bring power out to the rural areas. In 1936, Congress acted by creating the Rural Electric Administration. The agency offered loans to rural citizens wishing to form locally-owned electric cooperatives. On May 19, 1939, KEC began supplying power to 385 members. Since then KEC has been steadily growing and provides power to our member-owners in the Cooperative Way.
Cooperatives around the world operate according to a core set of principles that originated in 1844 from the first modern cooperative, the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in Rochdale, England. These principles, along with the co-op purpose of improving the quality of life for their members, make electric co-ops different from other electric utilities.
Seven Cooperative Principles
1
Voluntary and Open Membership:
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2
Democratic Member Control:
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote), and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
3
Members’ Economic Participation:
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4
Autonomy and Independence:
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5
Education, Training, and Information:
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6
Cooperation Among Cooperatives:
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7
Concern for Community:
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
A Timeline of KEC’s History
The Rural Electrification Administration
President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) on May 11, 1935. He became interested in rural electrification when his health sent him to a cabin in Warm Springs, Georgia, and he had the experience of being without power.
Kootenai REA
Jesse Vetter is widely recognized as the organizer of Kootenai REA. Vetter was a longtime farmer and a rural resident wishing to add the benefits of electricity to his life so became involved in forming the Cooperative in 1937.
First Office Employee
Esther Johnson, Kootenai REA’s first office employee, was hired as a secretary-bookkeeper on September 16, 1938.
Turning on the Lights
With a $214,000 loan from the REA, the first pole was set at Washington Water Power’s 15th Street Substation on December 13, 1938. The first line went from the substation to a division point where it broke north and south to Bayview and Conkling Park, totaling 185 miles of line serving 385 members. On May 19, 1939, shortly after 9 a.m., the first line was energized.
By the Numbers
- In 1939, there were 385 meters on Kootenai REA’s system.
- In 1939, Kootenai REA had six employees.
- Thirty-five Board of Directors meetings were held prior to energizing the first line.
- The Kootenai REA membership fee was $5.
- In 1939, a Kootenai REA member could buy 300 kWh for $11.55.
- Kootenai REA’s first office was located in a 12-foot by 12-foot room of Knudson’s Feed Store located at 201 Second Street in Coeur d’Alene.
Joint Memberships Allowed
On March 8, 1940, the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) sent a letter to all REA cooperatives recommending they change their bylaws to allow for a joint membership of a husband and wife. According to the REA, “Frequently it is the women who are more active and enthusiastic than the men in promoting a rural electrification project.”
First Member Newsletter
The first member newsletter debuted in 1942. The first issues were titled, “REA You Name It.” Kootenai REA member Elmer Griffith submitted the name Flashes. The newsletter was mailed to all Kootenai REA members and remained in circulation until 1954 when it was replaced by Ruralite magazine. Featured in the newsletter was “Dog House,” a column that listed those members by name who had not returned their meter cards.
Bringing Power to the Navy
On April 25, 1942, Kootenai REA was asked to provide 300 kWh of power to Butler Construction in order to build the new Navy training center in Bayview. The REA’s efforts were strong and it only took 10.5 days to build eight miles of new three-phase line and rebuild 17 miles of line in order to provide that 300 kWh.
First Office Building
Kootenai REA’s first office consisted of a small kitchen table and a couple of chairs located in a feed store owned by a board member. In 1945, Kootenai REA purchased its first office building from the State for $14,000 and moved a few blocks to its new location.
By the Numbers
- In 1940, there were 545 meters on Kootenai REA’s system.
- In 1940, a 35-foot red cedar power pole cost $6.80.
- In 1941, a Kootenai REA member could buy 300 kWh for $10.96 after the first rate decrease.
- In 1948, Kootenai REA had nine employees.
Ruralite Magazine
In 1954, Kootenai REA began using Ruralite magazine to communicate with its members. This monthly magazine included recipes, classified ads, home living tips and northwest feature stories. Each issue also dedicated a few pages to Kootenai REA for local news. Kootenai REA continued to use Ruralite until 1995.
Loan Program
Kootenai REA started an annual loan program for the purchase and installation of all types of major electrical equipment in the spring of 1956. The first loan was made to Clarence Snyder of Bayview on May 15, 1956, in the amount of $400 to finance the purchase and installation of an electric washer and dryer. The success of the program grew and by 1966 the REA had loaned over $525,000 to its members.
1959 Member Breakdown
546 miles of line, operative out of four substations (Appleway, Athol, Plummer, and O’Gara) serving 2,520 active accounts in 11 categories.
- Residence-136
- Rural Residence-161
- Seasonal-1,021
- Farm-971
- Church and School-21
- Irrigation-69
- Small Commercial-113
- Large Commercial-24
- Street Lighting-5
By the Numbers
- In 1950, there were 1,385 meters on Kootenai REA’s system.
- In 1959, Kootenai REA had 15 employees.
- Employees traveled 100,106 miles in 1959 in six company vehicles.
First Female Director: Martha Gaunt
In September 1962, Kootenai REA welcomed its first female director, Martha Gaunt, to the Board. Martha was asked to finish out her husband’s term after his death. At the time, she was the only female director on a similar board in Idaho. Serving on the Board obviously agreed with her, because once her husband’s term was up, she ran and was elected to serve a few more terms. When asked about being a female on the Board, Martha said, “Actually, being the only woman doesn’t matter now. It’s being an active and informed member of the Board that counts.”
Kootenai REA Becomes Kootenai Electric Cooperative
As Kootenai REA evolved, members and staff changed the name to Kootenai Electric Cooperative (KEC). It became official on May 18, 1964, when the Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation noted the change to Kootenai Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Powering the Boy Scout World Jamboree
In 1967, the Northwest was busy preparing for the 12th Annual Boy Scout World Jamboree to be held at Farragut State Park, and Kootenai Electric Cooperative was no exception. A total of 10,000 feet of underground high-voltage conductor was installed just months prior to the jamboree.
Honorary Life Director: Fred Fitzsimmons
Fred Fitzsimmons, a charter member of the Kootenai REA Board of Directors, was selected as an honorary life director at the 1969 Annual Meeting on March 22, 1969. Fred served on the board for 31 years and saw how the area transformed with the addition of electricity.
By the Numbers
- In 1960, there were 1,982 meters on Kootenai REA’s system.
- In 1968, KEC had 15 employees.
- From 1960 to 1969, the average monthly consumption for KEC members increased from 722 kWh to 1,167 kWh.
- KEC had 3,563 members in 1969.
REA Increases Loan Rates for Co-ops
On December 29, 1972, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the REA’s 2% interest loans would be replaced with 5% interest loans.
Right-of-Way Clearing
The Kootenai Electric Cooperative (KEC) Board of Directors approved a right-of-way clearing program in 1972. During the program’s first year of implementation, 120.5 miles of existing right-of-way was cleared.
Ensuring Reliability for Jamboree
In 1973, Farragut State Park was chosen once again to host another Boy Scout Jamboree. The eighth National Scout Jamboree-West, held August 1-7, brought in over 35,000 scouts. In preparation, Kootenai Electric made several upgrades to the existing infrastructure and added additional equipment where necessary.
A New Home in Hayden
On October 15, 1979, KEC moved to a new home located at 2451 W. Dakota Avenue in Hayden. The previous location, 2nd Avenue and Lakeside had been home for more than 30 years. The new facility allowed for all of KEC’s equipment and trucks to be in the same location as the office. It was also the first time that the trucks would be stored inside, shortening the response time for an outage.
By the Numbers
- In 1970, there were 4,227 meters on KEC’s system.
- In 1972, KEC had 18 employees.
- 74,904 feet of underground primary line and 20,836 underground secondary lines were installed in 1972.
- 1973 was the first year for KEC revenues to exceed $1 million. That year KEC also experienced its largest growth (at that time) of 472 new members.
- 79 miles of new primary line was built in 978 (46 overhead and 33 underground).
- KEC installed 389 new transformers and replaced 75 rotten poles in 1978.
Residential Weatherization Loan Program
At the 1980 Annual Meeting General Manager Michael Fox announced the start of a no-interest loan program for residential weatherization measures for KEC members. According to Fox, “An energy analysis will be performed on request for our consumers and, if it is to be cost-effective, the consumer may elect to have his home weatherized to high-efficiency standards.”
Member Assistance Program
In 1982, KEC developed a Member Assistance Program allowing members to help other members with their energy bills. St. Vincent DePaul agreed to administer the program since the Cooperative could not use its revenues for this type of program. Member contributions were mailed with their payments and deposited into an account for assistance.
KEC Builds Substation to Serve Louisiana-Pacific Mill
In 1984, Kootenai Electric, along with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), constructed the Scarcello Substation in order to serve a large lumber mill, Louisiana-Pacific. In 2003, the mill site was sold to Riley Creek Lumber, now known as Idaho Forest Group.
First Capital Credits Retired
In December 1985, the Cooperative retired capital credits for the first time. The first members to receive the capital credits payments were the first members to supply capital or the earliest Cooperative members. $263,000 was retired from 1938-1970 and an estimated 20,000 checks were distributed.
Serving Silverwood
On display at the Annual Meeting in 1987 was a mockup of the proposed development for the old Henley Aerodrome in Athol. During the presentation by Norton Aero Ltd., they described a vision that included a fully operating steam train ride, a replica of an 1880s mining town, a theater, a saloon, and a vintage workshop. Better known as Silverwood, this carefully planned town allowed you to take a step back in time and experience the grandeur of a turn-of-the-century mining town. Silverwood opened in June 1988.
Better Efficiency Today Program
In December 1987, KEC began offering rebates with the “Better Efficiency Today” program.
By the Numbers
- In 1980, there were 8,102 meters on KEC’s system.
- In 1985, KEC had 33 employees.
- In December 1986, 6,700 checks, returning $225,000 in capital credits, were mailed to KEC members from 1971-1973.
- KEC’s equity was over 32% by the end of 1986, up from 21% at the end of 1983.
Developing a Lasting Partnership
On March 27, 1993, Kootenai Electric Cooperative (KEC) held its Annual Meeting at the newly opened Coeur d’Alene Tribal Bingo Hall. Prior to this, KEC and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe met and developed what was hoped to be a long-lasting partnership. KEC provided more than $100,000 worth of infrastructure for the 26,000-square-foot bingo hall.
Bringing Efficiency to Lake City High School
In September 1994, Coeur d’Alene’s newest high school, Lake City, set a new standard for an energy-efficient geothermal project in North Idaho; in fact, there were only 50 similar projects in the United States at the time. Energy efficient upgrades to the high school landed them a $140,000 rebate from KEC and an anticipated savings of 18% on their energy consumption.
PowerLines Newsletter
In April 1995, KEC discontinued the Ruralite magazine and started PowerLines, a monthly member newsletter. Developed by KEC, PowerLines delivers relevant Cooperative information to KEC members and is still in circulation today with more than 200 issues since its inception.
Ice Storm
In November 1996, an ice storm hit North Idaho and nearly 2/3 of the KEC system was destroyed. Residents of Plummer, Worley and Harrison were among the first to lose power. KEC crews began working on storm-related outages at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19. At the peak of the storm, about 4,000 KEC members were without power. Contract crews from several locations, including Seattle and Portland, came to assist in repairing the damage and a total of 19 crews worked around the clock to restore power. Due to the severity of the storm and the extensive damage to KEC equipment, power was not fully restored to all members for about a month.
By the Numbers
- In 1990, there were 10,553 meters on KEC’s system.
- In 1990, KEC had 41 employees.
- In 1991, it took eight employees 12 days to read approximately 9,800 meters across 1,123 miles of line.
- In 1995, KEC had 922 new service connections.
- In 1998, KEC returned $403,000 to members due to a temporary rate reduction.
Preparing for Y2K
It took Kootenai Electric Cooperative (KEC) nearly three years to plan for the new millennium (Y2K), but when the clock struck 12 a.m. January 1, 2000, all that work paid off, and the computer system continued to function without a hitch. KEC had key staff on-site to ensure that the Y2K virus didn’t shut down their technologically-dependent society. “Kootenai Electric made good, appropriate decisions,” said Bob Crump, KEC’s General Manager. “If we had to prepare for Y2K all over again, we would do it exactly the same.”
Operation Round Up® Program
KEC showed its commitment to the community in November 2002 by implementing the Operation Round Up program. This program, originally created by a cooperative in South Carolina, rounds up participating members’ bills to the nearest bills to the nearest dollar and deposits the additional amount into the Kootenai Electric Trust. The funds are administered by an independent board made up of KEC members. In 2011, Operation Round Up totally grants reached $500,000 donated to our community.
Innovative Meter Reading Technology
After the KEC Board of Directors approved the installation of a new automated meter reading system in 2001, KEC began installing these new meters on our system in April 2003. These 2-Way Automatic Communication System (TWACS) meters made it possible for KEC to read the meters through a computer and provide members with a more current and accurate bill.
By the Numbers
- In 2000, there were 16,378 meters on KEC’s system.
- In 2000, KEC had 63 employees.
- In 2001, KEC held its first annual golf classic. This charity golf tournament raises money for local non-profit organizations. From 2001-2009 the KEC golf classic brought in $87,883 and continues to raise money for the Operation Round Up® program.
- In 2007, the Operation Round Up® Trust Board began awarding ten $1,000 scholarships to KEC members or their children.
- From 2000 to 2009, KEC’s total accounts increased by nearly 40%.
Enterprise Management System Conversion & SmartHub
In January 2011, KEC replaced its long-time enterprise management and customer information system. The new system improved e ciencies across the organization and allowed members more online account management options.
In 2013, SmartHub was introduced and allowed members to easily view and manage their electric account online via the web or an app. Original features included online bill pay and the ability for members to monitor their electric use by the hour. Other features, such as online outage reporting, were added later.
System Growth and Substation Development
As KEC’s membership grew to more than 20,000 in the early 2010s, system improvements and additional substations were necessary to maintain reliability. In 2013, KEC added the Julia Street substation in Coeur d’Alene and in 2014, the Beck Road substation in Post Falls.
Early Discounted Capital Credits Program
KEC launched the Early Discounted Capital Credits program in 2014. This program allows qualified members the choice to receive the current value of the previous year’s capital credits or receive a normal retirement in the future (generally 25-30 years). Approximately one-third of our members initially participated in the program.
2015 Storms and FEMA Grants
In November and December of 2015, back-to-back storms blew through our region affecting all regional utilities over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Each storm caused outages for about 70 percent of our members and caused a combined $5.69 million in damages to our system. The affected counties were declared disasters by the federal government, allowing KEC to request financial assistance from FEMA. Approximately 75 percent of the cost of these two storms was eligible to be reimbursed by FEMA.
In addition, KEC applied for and received a FEMA mitigation grant to convert about 50 miles of our oldest, most difficult to access and outage-prone overhead lines to underground. The work took years to complete but improved reliability and made our system safer for linemen.
Operation Round Up® Donations Reach $1,000,000
In 2018, our Operation Round Up® program reached the milestone of more than $1 million in community donations since its inception in 2002:
- $432,200 to non-profit community organizations
- $230,700 to local schools
- $150,400 to Project Share to provide energy assistance to KEC members in need
- $142,000 for scholarships to KEC members or their children
- $48,320 to senior centers and food banks
By the Numbers
- In 2010, KEC had 69 employees.
- At the 2010 Annual Meeting, members approved a bylaw change to allow vote-by-mail ballots. During its first year of implementation, over 3,700 vote-by-mail ballots were cast.
- Our online outage map was visited 98,180 times in 2015.
- In 2015, members received $692,150 in energy conservation rebates from KEC and BPA for achieving a combined energy savings of more than 4,000,000 kilowatt-hours.
System Inspections and Maintenance Program
In 2020, KEC began operating under a new System Inspection and Maintenance program which includes details for performing condition assessments and maintenance on substation equipment and power line assets, as well as vegetation and right of way management. This plan helps ensure our cooperative’s infrastructure is well maintained with enhanced service reliability.
Facility Master Planning and New Headquarters Construction
Our Hayden headquarters was built in the late ‘70s and had been incrementally expanded as needs arose. However, rapid growth in our area and an increasing number of KEC staff caused us to outgrow our Hayden location.
After conducting a facilities master plan, KEC purchased 44 acres of land in 2020 for the construction of a new headquarters in Rathdrum and sold our Hayden headquarters.
Construction of our new facility began in May of 2021 and the building officially opened to the public in October of 2023. The new headquarters was designed to meet our needs for the next 40 years.
COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the world was plunged into a global pandemic that resulted in social distancing and quarantining for a majority of society. Our lobby was closed for approximately eight weeks and KEC administrative staff worked from home while crews continued to perform crucial work to serve our members while distancing from each other. We reopened our lobby on June 1, 2020 under new permanent operating hours (Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.).
SCADA System
In 2022, KEC completed the installation of a new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system at the KEC headquarters and extended its functionality to 13 substations, 40 station breakers, 52 protective relays and 37 distribution feeders. In 2023, KEC completed the SCADA integration of 192 voltage regulators and enabled a conservation voltage reduction (CVR) scheme to minimize our peak demand and reduce our power system costs.
By The Numbers
- In 2020, KEC had 95 employees and by the end of 2023, that number grew to 111 employees.
- $2,934,403 in capital credits were retired in 2021.
- In 2022, there were 32,214 meters on KEC’s system.
- In 2022, 83,777 phone calls were made to KEC.