History



2005:

Southern Pioneer Electric Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pioneer Electric, is formed after Aquila's Kansas Electric Network was purchased by Mid Kansas Electric Company. Southern Pioneer's territory stretches east from Liberal to Medicine Lodge and north to Pratt and back west to Greensburg, Kansas.

After a bilingual study-survey, Pioneer Electric Cooperative is nationally recognized by the Rural Electric Magazine. The cover article was written regarding the extremely high satisfaction ratings received from our Spanish speaking members.

A total of 10 Pioneer Electric linemen traveled to Kiln, Mississippi to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. They rebuilt electric line for Coast Electric Power Association (CEPA).

2006:

Pioneer Electric returned over $2 million back to our members in the form of capital credits.

Pioneer Electric Cooperative was pummeled by the most sever ice storm in our history. At the height of the storm, 3,800 poles had to be replaced. At one point in time, 51 crews, consisting of 309 linemen, were assisting Pioneer Electric.

2007:

January 18, 20 days after the beginning of the worse ice storm in Pioneer Electric’s history, power was restored to all residential meters.

Pioneer Electric was recognized by the Kansas Department of Commerce for our contributions to our communities. Pioneer Electric won the Business Excellence Award in the service category.

Pioneer Electric begins serving as a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb recycling center. Every part of the CFLs are sent in to be recycled.

2008

To better serve our members and provide reliable service, Satanta, Sublette, Manter, Rolla and Woods substations are upgraded.

2009

Pioneer Electric raised rates for the first time since 1982.

2010

The Pioneer Electric system is completely rebuilt after the 2006 ice storm. Eighty percent of the cost to rebuild was financed by FEMA.

Pioneer Electric introduces Mobile Workforce. Mobile Workforce is a computer system available to linemen in the field. It provides real-time data for more efficient processes of restoring power and meeting the needs of our members.

Pioneer Electric deregulates from the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Pioneer Electric's CEO, Dave Jesse, retires after 25 years of service to the Cooperative.

2011

Steve Epperson is named the new CEO of Pioneer Electric.