A Score That Reflects More Than Satisfaction

When Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. (WEC) members gave their cooperative an AMERICAN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION INDEX (ACSI®) SCORE OF 92 OUT OF 100 this year, our highest to date, they weren’t simply rating an electric utility. They were recognizing years of investment in people.

The score marks the FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR WEC has earned an ACSI® score of 90 or higher — a level of consistency achieved by only the TOP 3% of electric cooperatives nationwide. While we’re incredibly proud of that recognition, the number itself isn’t what matters most. What matters is what it represents.

At WEC, we believe member satisfaction isn’t built through a single interaction or one successful program. It’s earned overtime by showing up, listening, and finding meaningful ways to improve the lives of the members and communities we serve.

That’s the COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE.

MORE THAN ELECTRICITY

Every electric utility delivers power. As a cooperative, our mission — DELIVERING ENERGY FOR LIFE — extends much further. Because we’re owned by the members we serve, every decision begins with a simple question: how does this better serve our members? 

That mindset, coupled with the Seventh Cooperative Principle CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY shapes everything we do — from investing in reliable electric service to supporting local food pantries, creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders, helping communities grow, and finding new ways to connect with families across our service territory.

Our ACSI® score reflects the impact of all those efforts working together. 

“Member satisfaction isn’t something you can create with one program or one initiative. It’s the result of consistently putting our members first,” said BRUCE W. MUELLER, CEO/GENERAL MANAGER. “Whether we’re restoring power after a storm, supporting local food pantries, investing in students, or strengthening our communities, every effort reflects our commitment to serving the members who own this cooperative.”

FIGHTING HUNGER CLOSE TO HOME

One of the best examples of how WEC powers our communities beyond the meter is POWER THE PANTRY, our long-standing community-wide food drive.

In 2025, coupled with WEC’S $50,000 kickoff donation to the campaign, we raised a record-breaking $130,203 ($1=1 lb. of food) FOR A DOZEN LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES, making a tremendous impact in the fight against hunger throughout southwest and central Kansas. 

What started more than a decade ago as a simple effort to collect food has grown into one of our signature service projects, supporting pantries across our service territory prior to each holiday season.

Every donation, every volunteer, and every participating co-op member demonstrates something bigger than food collection — it demonstrates neighbors helping neighbors.

That’s what being a cooperative is all about.

INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Serving our communities also means investing in the people who will lead them tomorrow.

Each year, WEC awards 14 ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS worth $1,000 each to graduating seniors pursuing college, technical education, or trade schools. We also sponsor four local students for leadership learning experiences through the ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE YOUTH TOUR in Washington, D.C., and COOPERATIVE YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP in Colorado.

These programs give students opportunities to develop leadership skills, build lifelong friendships, and learn firsthand how cooperatives strengthen rural America.

Many return home inspired to become leaders in their own communities after building friendships, gaining confidence, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THAT LAST 

Today’s co-op members expect more than reliable, competitively priced electricity.

They want to know the organizations they support are active, engaged and invested in the communities we — members, employees and trustees — call home together.

That’s why WEC continues to create opportunities for members to connect with us — and each other — outside the office.

Whether it’s CHAMBER AFTER HOURS, community baseball nights with the GREAT BEND BAT CATS or GARDEN CITY WIND, or conversations on social media, we’re committed to meeting members where they are and building relationships that extend beyond the electric meter.

Those conversations help us better understand what matters most to our members while ensuring the next generation remains connected to our cooperative, too.

STRENGTHENING RURAL KANSAS

Thriving communities need more than reliable electricity. 

They need businesses, childcare, recreation opportunities, housing, and economic growth.

Through partnerships with SUNFLOWER ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION, USDA’S RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS & GRANTS (REDLG) program, and WEC’S SHARING SUCCESS FUND — made possible through matching funds from COBANK — we’re helping local projects become a reality.

Whether supporting childcare centers, recreation facilities, or other community initiatives, these investments strengthen the places our members live and work.

Because when our communities succeed, our cooperative succeeds.

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

While honoring our cooperative roots, we’re also preparing members for what’s next.

From COMMUNITY SOLAR to BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION REBATES, PUBLIC EV CHARGING STATIONS, RIDE+DRIVE EVENTS, and purchase, installation and financing of LEVEL 2 CHARGERS and STANDBY GENERATORS, we’re committed to exploring innovative ways to help members save energy, reduce costs, and prepare for the changing energy landscape.

Innovation doesn’t mean losing sight of our values. It means finding better ways to serve.

A REFLECTION OF OUR MEMBERS

Receiving an ACSI® score of 92 is certainly an achievement worth celebrating. 

But perhaps even more meaningful is what the score says about the relationship between WEC and the members we serve.

Trust isn’t built overnight. Neither is member satisfaction.

It’s built through thousands of interactions, reliable and cost-effective service during every season, investments in local communities, opportunities for young people, support for our neighbors in need, and a commitment to always put members first.

For four consecutive years, our members have told us we’re delivering on that promise.

For that, we’re incredibly grateful.

As we look ahead, our goal isn’t simply to maintain a high satisfaction score — it’s to continue earning it.

Because at WEC, DELIVERING ENERGY FOR LIFE has always meant delivering so much more than electricity.

It’s about strengthening communities, enriching lives, and earning the trust of the people who own this cooperative — today, tomorrow and for generations to come.