KEM Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric cooperative based in North Dakota, with headquarters in Linton and a service center in Steele. For nearly eight decades, KEM has been dedicated to providing reliable and affordable electric service to its members in Emmons, Kidder, Logan, McIntosh, and Burleigh counties.
As a cooperative, KEM is governed by a seven-member board of directors, elected by its membership. This democratic structure ensures that the cooperative's decisions are aligned with the needs and priorities of its member-owners.
Currently, KEM serves 2,184 members and provides electrical service to 3,894 meters. The cooperative's infrastructure includes 117 miles of transmission lines, 2,124 miles of distribution lines, and 645 miles of underground lines. Despite covering one of the most sparsely populated regions in the country, KEM's commitment to service remains unwavering, with an average of just 1.35 members per mile of power line. This stands in contrast to the national average for rural electric cooperatives, which is six consumers per mile of line, and the average for investor-owned utilities, which is 35 consumers per mile.
KEM's dedication to delivering reliable power to its members is made possible through its power suppliers, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, and Western Area Power Administration. These partnerships allow KEM to access a stable and diverse power supply, ensuring uninterrupted service to its communities.