Most of our readers will receive this month’s issue polybagged with three advertising pieces inside. We are testing this new advertising application as we look for ways to attract additional advertisers interested in reaching our audience. By packaging ads in this way, we are able to maintain a good portion of editorial space within the magazine for feature articles while still offering advertisers an opportunity to present their products. Our goal is to balance quality editorial content with valued advertisers to help keep our costs down and readership up. If you have any concerns or questions about the polybagging of this issue, please contact me by email at editor@kclonline.com or call me at 785-228-4630. I’m happy to answer your questions.
If you are a Bluestem Electric Cooperative consumer-member, your magazine this month includes a special cover announcing that the issue includes your co-op’s annual report in the middle section of the magazine. It’s an innovative way for some co-ops to deliver important information to their consumer-members while realizing cost savings in printing, postage and staff time.
Speaking of innovations, 12 Kansas electric co-ops announced in November 2020 a partnership to procure more than 20 MW of solar to reduce their peak demand. This unique cooperative program, the Kansas Cooperative Sun Power Program, includes a series of solar farms developed by Today’s Power, Inc. designed to harvest renewable energy in Kansas for those participating co-ops. This method of generation makes it possible for these cooperatives to increase the production of renewable energy year-round and reduce peak demand, enabling each co-op to provide financial stability to its consumer-members while also reducing their carbon footprint.
Some of these projects are in the engineering process, others have broken ground, with all projects taking place in phases this year and throughout 2022. Individual projects for participating cooperatives will be announced as initiated and completed. “Stay tuned” to your co-op’s local pages beginning on Page 16A for updated information on this and other innovative ways Kansas electric co-ops work in the best interests of their consumer-members.
