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Protecting Our Members. Powering the Future.
Sunday, February 1st 2026

Protecting Our Members. Powering the Future.

As data centers, artificial intelligence (AI) facilities, and other large energy users look to locate in the Midwest and Oklahoma, electric cooperatives are taking steps to plan ahead while keeping current members protected. Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC), along with our power supplier, Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI), our transmission partner KAMO, and the other 28 Oklahoma electric cooperatives, are being proactive. Together, they are working to ensure that any new large power demands can be served reliably and fairly without increasing risk or costs for existing LREC members.

How the Large Load Program Protects Members

To address this growth, Associated Electric Cooperative has launched a new Large Load Program. This program is designed to protect co-op members while allowing responsible economic development. Large power users can place significant strain on the electric system if not planned for properly.

Under the new program:

  • Any large-load members must pay the full cost of power line upgrades needed to serve their facility.
  • Large-load members are required to make upfront financial payments to protect the cooperative’s financial stability.
  • New loads must agree to rates that reflect their true cost to serve, ensuring existing members are not subsidizing new development.
  • No added financial risk or unexpected costs are passed on to our current co-op members.
  • This approach ensures fairness, keeps system investments sustainable, and protects the entire membership from absorbing the cost of new construction.


Planning for the Future Responsibly
Neither Lake Region Electric Cooperative nor Associated Electric Cooperative are currently serving any large data centers.  However, planning for future growth is part of our responsibility. Associated Electric Cooperative is currently building two simple-cycle natural gas power plants, one in Ripley, Oklahoma, and one in Missouri. These facilities are being built solely to serve existing co-op member load and expected growth, strengthen the electric system, and improve reliability, especially during extreme winter weather.

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