06/08/2026
July 7, 1941 is the day it all began. 85 years ago, East Kentucky Power Cooperative came into existence through the democratic process.
An excerpt from the East Kentucky RECC minute book reads, in part, "The meeting was called to order by W.B. Nivison of the Applications and Loans Division of the Rural Electrification Administration, Washington, D.C., who acted as temporary chairman.
"Mr. William C.. Dale and Mr. J.V. Swaim nominated for temporary president."
Tomorrow, June 9, 2026, EKPC will hold its annual meeting. This photograph depicts the manager's conference from the 1976 EKPC annual meeting. Some of the names, titles and processes have changed, but what has never changed is EKPC's existence through the democratic process. Our owner-member cooperatives own EKPC, and have a member of their boards represent each cooperative on our board. That member is elected locally at the distribution cooperative level, and they are one of the 16 members who make decisions for EKPC.
That's what democratic control is all about, and it started 85 years ago, and remains in place as we continue to serve our members now and long into the future.
EKPC is celebrating 85 years of democratic control this year.
