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BPU Recognizes National Public Power Week (Oct. 1-7, 2023)

BPU Recognizes National Public Power Week (Oct. 1-7, 2023)

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

About BPU

BPU’s water department was originally created in 1909, and its electric utility was operational in 1912. The purpose of the utility, then and to this day, is to provide the highest quality electric and water services at the lowest possible cost. Today the publicly owned utility serves approximately 65,000 electric and 53,000 water customers, primarily in Wyandotte County, Kansas. The mission of the utility and its employees is “to focus on the needs of our customers, to improve the quality of life in our community while promoting safe, reliable and sustainable utilities.” BPU’s Web site is www.bpu.com.

 

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