Kansas City Board of Public Utilities Revenue and Competitors

As it has for nearly 100 years, the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) continues to provide safe and reliable electric and water service to our community's residents and businesses. As a not-for-profit public utility, BPU's primary focus is on its customers and the community rather than shareholders. This community-based focus is what makes BPU unique from many other utilities. As Wyandotte County has grown and expanded in recent years, BPU has also progressed, today providing electric and water service to nearly 70,000 customers over a 130 square-mile area. BPU's mission is the same today as it was in 1909, to provide quality utility services at the lowest possible price. BPU takes pride in being recognized as one of the top public utilities in the country, and continues working hard to maintain and improve upon this impressive record. While progress requires us to focus on the future, we must also look to the past to see where we've been. For BPU, the past 12 months have seen a number of community-based and environmental-focused initiatives, as well as a few industry accolades. This includes purchasing 25 megawatts of wind-generated energy for the first time, partnering with the Unified Government and the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department to distribute 8,000 energy-efficient lights bulbs in the community while fighting crime, and helping to organize the Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony which was attended by more than 3,000 persons. Coupled with donations of approximately $300,000 to local children's organizations over the last 16 years, as well BPU being recognized as one of the top United Way contributors in the metro area, it's clear that BPU's 642 employees take pride in our community and their utility company. In addition, BPU was recognized as one of the nation's most reliable public electric utilities by the American Public Power Association, receiving the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) award, and the utility received A+ bond ratings from both Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings based on BPU's strong financial performance and management. Going forward, BPU is working on a number of other initiatives that will better our community, protect the environment, and ensure safe and dependable utility services into the future. These include hosting the BPU's Annual Green Build Conference on April 26, 2007, where participants will share and promote ideas on environmentally friendly development; furthering interest and support in the manufacturing and purchase of energy-saving electric hybrid vehicles; and solidifying plans for future power generation based on the community's needs. At the same time, BPU will continue to cut costs and improve efficiencies within the organization. The BPU and its Board of Directors will, as it always has, address these issues through open and transparent communications. BPU will continue to meet the community's electric and water needs without losing sight that as a public utility, BPU's primary mission is to ensure reliable and affordable utility services to our customers, while improving the overall quality of life in the communities we serve.