As we are nearing the end of 2019, Lyon-Coffey Rural Electric Cooperative is nearing the beginning of a new identity.
Lyon-Coffey is still in the midst of consolidation efforts with Radiant Electric Cooperative of Fredonia which will become official on Jan. 1, 2020. The new entity will become known as 4Rivers Electric Cooperative and will see its coverage area expand from Lyon and Coffey counties down to the Oklahoma border according to Lyon-Coffey General Manager Dennis Svanes.
Svanes says this will take their customer numbers to around 13,000, meaning the company will remain a smaller cooperative, however, thanks to economies of scale there will be several cost-saving benefits provided to their customers. Other benefits according to Svanes will include more efficient customer service due to an increase in available staff and significant changes which will help reduce the need for rate increases in the future.
In total, Svanes estimates the consolidation could help provide between $6 to $9 million in total cost savings over the next 10 years. As the end of consolidation efforts draw closer, Lyon-Coffey has been in the midst of numerous repairs following multiple rounds of severe weather through the month of August.
High winds left widespread and extensive damages in their wake, however, the company has since completed the majority of repairs according to Svanes.
For more information on Lyon-Coffey Rural Electric Cooperative and its ongoing consolidation, visit Lyon-Coffey.coop or call 620-342-0553.
