Electric Production

The Chanute Municipal Electric Utility Story

1903-2003

The City of Chanute entered into the electric production business after private enterprise failed in numerous attempts to operate an electric generating plant in Chanute.  In 1903, the City transferred $32,000 from the City’s Gas Utility to form the Chanute Municipal Electric Utility.  The funds were used to purchase a site, two small reciprocating engines and a boiler similar to that used in a railroad locomotive.  The rate was 25 cents per month per light.

Over the years, a variety of equipment has been added making the Chanute Municipal Electric Utility one of the largest municipal electrical producers in Kansas.  At this same time, continual investments in the electric distribution infrastructure system were made, increasing the safety, reliability and quality of our electric service.

In 2002, the Utility dedicated a new 47-megawatt gas turbine generator.  The generator insures that the Community, and its demand for electricity, can continue to grow.  Currently, the Utility operates three power plants with a diversity of power generation equipment having the ability to generate over 80-megawatts and maintains over 150 miles of power lines, serving approximately 4,743 residential, 866 commercial and 89 industrial accounts.

The Chanute Municipal Electric Utility has a partnership with Westar Energy to purchase firm energy, while selling its excess capacity to Westar.  As a result of the partnership, Chanute has some of the lowest electric rates in the Midwest.

The Utility will continue to find ways to better serve its citizen owners.  The Utility will always focus on enabling the City of Chanute to control its own destiny while delivering safe, reliable and low cost electricity.  The City of Chanute and the Chanute Municipal Electric Utility…a tradition of innovation.

Electric Distribution builds, repairs and maintains over 100 miles of power lines inside Chanute and within three miles of the city limits.  Approximately 4,743 residential, 866 commercial and 89 industrial accounts are served by this department.

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