HAYS, Kan., Nov. 24, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- In an article printed by the Salina Journal on November 23, 2006, Steve Miller, Sunflower's Senior Manager, External Affairs, was quoted as saying, "I personally will make it my crusade to make sure all our western Kansas dollars are diverted as far away from Lawrence as they can be, because they have unfairly stuck their nose in western Kansas' business."
Earl Watkins, Sunflower's President and CEO, issued a statement saying, "The comment made by Mr. Miller does not reflect the official view of our cooperative." He added, "Our mission is to provide reliable service to our member-owners at the lowest possible cost. Mr. Miller saw the action of Lawrence as threatening our mission and he reacted emotionally. Our mission is not to damage Lawrence but to serve to people to whom we are committed."
Sunflower Electric instituted a company-wide program several years ago which trains its employees live in a culture that is reflected in the acronym TRAITS. Technical competency, respect and dignity, accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, and servant leadership are all TRAITS which Sunflower's employees strive to accomplish.
"With the remarks I made, I certainly failed to show respect for the people of Lawrence. I hope they will forgive me personally, and I hope they know those words were mine and not ones approved by Sunflower," Miller said.
"During an interview with the Salina Journal, we were discussing the previous night's decision by the Lawrence City Commission to oppose the construction of our power plants," Miller said. "I was upset about the action the City Commission took, and as I was discussing the story with the newspaper, I simply got carried away with my remarks."
About Sunflower
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is a regional wholesale power supplier that owns and operates a 595 MW system of gas and coal-based generating plants and a 1,200-mile transmission system for the needs of its six member cooperatives who serve 118,000 people spread throughout a 21,000 square mile area in western Kansas. Sunflower also provides power to regional utilities in western Kansas and in ten states. Visit Sunflower's website at http://www.sunflower.net.
Sunflower's member cooperatives include Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Dighton, Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Ulysses, Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Norton, Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Dodge City, Western Cooperative Electric Association, WaKeeney, and Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Scott City, Kansas.