Dear member-consumer:

Kankakee Valley REMC’s leadership is constantly learning about and testing new technologies to serve you better. We don’t believe in adding technology just because it’s available. Instead, we want to ensure our choices deliver you greater control, efficiency, comfort, and reliability.

We evaluated business practices, programs, and services throughout this past year to ensure we prioritize you. After listening to you and learning about your priorities and needs, we invested in SmartHub. This member-focused technology allows you to quickly and easily access information about your electric service. This technology has helped us exceed your expectations about your electric cooperative.  

We also continued deploying fiber optics between our headquarters and our 10 distribution substations. By having enhanced communications with our distribution facilities, the fiber network will allow us to identify issues quickly. We also continue to leverage our infrastructure as we work to expand broadband opportunities in our communities.  

Focusing on our member-consumers’ needs today and in the future remains a high priority. We recognize our membership wants and needs the latest technology in their homes and businesses. Upgrades to our substations are often required to meet the growing electrical demands. This year, to increase capacity, we upgraded the infrastructure at four of our 10 substations. These upgrades will allow your co-op to implement smart grid projects to help modernize our portion of the electrical grid. Engaging in emerging technologies will help your cooperative move forward.  

We’re also deploying a new generation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters. Since our system will be in constant communication with all meters, we can spot and pinpoint issues more quickly. Plus, having access to real-time data will give you a clearer picture of your energy use and allow us to explore new pricing options to reward efficient use of energy.

Technology is exciting but, more importantly, it’s all designed to enhance and give you greater control over your electric service. This past year has just been the beginning of exciting things we hope to offer to our member-consumers. Finding ways to meet your needs is what cooperatives have done since the beginning and we will continue to do.

MIKE YANKAUSKAS, Kankakee Valley REMC board president

SCOTT SEARS, Kankakee Valley REMC CEO