Butler Rural Electric Cooperative216 S. Vine , P.O. Box 1242, El Dorado, Kansas, United States
Since Jan, 2017
Welcome to the world of Rural Electric Cooperatives! If you are new to the world of Rural Electric Cooperatives, we would like to give you some background about our industry.
When local suppliers refused to provide electric service to rural residents, the residents banded together and built the facilities themselves. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Association was incorporated on July 21, 1938, and energized its first lines on February 15, 1940. From an original plant value of $146,000, we have grown to a plant value of approximately $34,000,000. We provide electric power to residential, commercial and industrial accounts in portions of Butler, Chase, Cowley, Greenwood, Harvey, Marion, and Sedgwick counties. Electricity brought many changes to rural America, replacing kerosene lanterns and literally bringing the farm out of the darkness. We were an integral part in making our nation's farms the best producing in the world, and we are very proud of our heritage.
Butler REC is owned by its members and governed by a Board of Directors elected from the membership by the members. We supply electric power to 7,000 meters through 1,850 miles of transmission and distribution lines and own 13 substations or delivery points. Through our membership in Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, we own part of the nuclear generating facility at Wolf Creek. This also allows us to have access to power grids, enabling the purchase of hydro-power, the least expensive power available, from the Southwest Power Administration. Our primary financing is done through National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation.
We are a nonprofit organization, and any margins we have at the end of each year are allocated back to our members in the form of capital credits. As the financial status of the Coop permits, these credits are refunded to the membership, putting that money back in your pocket instead of someone else's. We do not burden our members with investment demands for high profits and this helps us keep our rates as low as possible. Butler REC has 32 full-time employees. We support 4-H activities, fund two scholarships at Butler County Community College, send two academically outstanding high school juniors to energy seminars in Washington, D.C. and Steamboat Springs, Colorado and we are involved in numerous other community projects.
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Association was incorporated on July 21, 1938, and has been a staple in the economy of the community since that time. Butler REC is proud to offer the following high quality services. Butler REC is equipped to meet electrical contracting needs in residential, commercial, and new construction areas. Butler REC has established a reputation of being reliable and responsive. If you are in need of electric wiring, give us a call at (316) 321.9600 for a free estimate.
Our Principles
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
| Company Name | Butler Rural Electric Cooperative |
| Business Category | Electric Power |
| Address | 216 S. Vine P.O. Box 1242 El Dorado Kansas United States ZIP: 67042 |
| President | NA |
| Year Established | NA |
| Employees | NA |
| Memberships | NA |
| Hours of Operation | Monday-Friday: 8AM–5PM |
- Electric Power Services