Offering a “Community-Focused” Mission and Benefits
(KANSAS CITY, Kan.) — The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is celebrating
Public Power Week, October 1-7, 2023, along with more than 2,000 other community-powered, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 49
million Americans. The purpose is to help customers and the community better
understand the important role municipal utilities play, and the unique programs and
offerings BPU provides.
As a publicly owned municipal utility, BPU operates as a community enterprise
allowing customers to take part in the process. Rates are competitive and viable,
reflecting the public service nature of its mission. As a public utility, BPU embraces
The Power of Community thru the following:
- Community Ownership
BPU is measured by how much money stays in the community and not by profits
for private stockholders or Wall Street.
- Local Leadership
Business decisions are made by local BPU management and policy issues are
governed by a locally elected board. All Board meetings are open to the public
and citizens are allowed to address the Board.
- Dependability
BPU staff members care because they work and live in the community. They
respond quickly to community needs and emergencies, and BPU has received
multiple recognitions and awards for safety and reliability, social responsibility
environmental stewardship and sustainability, and fiscal transparency.
- Dedication to Community
BPU is committed to providing dependable electricity (and clean water) and
investing in the community through charitable initiatives.
Today, the utility and its employees serve approximately 65,000 electric customers,
while maintaining 3,000 miles of electric lines, 29 substations, 5,300 traffic signal
heads, 19,000 streetlights, power stations, and the radio system for first responders
such as fire, police, ambulance, and sheriff. Despite economic challenges across the
country, BPU and its employees have worked hard to keep the community up and
running with energy and electricity 24 hours a day seven days a week – as it has for
more than 110 years.
More recently, BPU has worked aggressively to diversify its energy generation
portfolio, shifting more toward “green” renewable energy sources like wind,
hydropower, and solar. Today, 48% of BPU’s energy comes from carbon-free renewable
energy, helping make BPU one of the “greenest” public utilities in the nation. This
includes BPU’s Community Solar Farm, which was the first municipal solar farm in the
state of Kansas. Located in Wyandotte County, it allows residential and commercial
customers that want to use solar energy, access to this sustainable resource from one
central location, making it affordable and accessible for all.
In addition, BPU is only one of a few utilities nationally to consistently receive the
Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation from the American Public Power
Association (APPA) for its operations and commitment to excellence.
To learn more about all the unique programs, services, and tools BPU provides to its
customers and the community, including its on-going commitment to customer service,
environmental stewardship, social responsibility, safety, and reliability, check out the
BPU website at www.BPU.com, or follow them on social media.
Public Power Week is an annual national observance coordinated by the American
Public Power Association (APPA). APPA is the voice of not-for-profit, community owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. Its members strengthen
their communities by providing superior service, engaging citizens, and instilling
pride in community-owned power. More at publicpower.org