BUSINESS INSIDER
Kayln Good/ES Museum Co-Host Luncheon
City promotes community
Platte-Clay Electric response to EF-1 tornado
Jennifer Grossl, Communications Manager for Platte Clay Electric, delayed her slide presentation to update on damage caused by the recent EF-1 tornado that impacted their service area. She introduced Dustin Daniels, Journeyman Lineman, who worked to restore service to customers.
“How many hours have you worked since the tornado Monday?” Jennifer asked Dustin. “46,” Dustin replied.
The tornado was on the ground for 17 miles, destroyed eight poles and it happened at night. Within 18 hours Dustin and other linemen had restored service. “Our guys are the best in the business,” Jennifer said. “If you were impacted, thank you for your patience.”
Jennifer also introduced Kendall Davis and Ed Barger, both Southern District Board of Directors before beginning a slide show presentation. “Serving Members First: How PCEC Approaches Data Center Growth” was the focus of the presentation. Why this topic matters includes:
- Data Centers are expanding rapidly
- AI growth is increasing electricity demand
- National and local attention is growing
- Members have important questions
Data centers require massive amounts of electricity 24 hours a day. If unmanaged, they can strain systems and require major infrastructure upgrades. Currently, there are no large data centers connected to the PCEC today. The company is monitoring regional developments and focusing on protecting member interests.
A new facility under construction since 2022 in Turney, MO is a new generation facility to improve winter reliability, meet future member growth and enhance overall grid strength. A partnership with Associated Electric would handle large load developments that would include data centers. Jennifer said there are advantages to data centers, such as spreading fixed costs across more users and the potential to stabilize future rates, however she stressed PCEC serves members first. PCEC is locally owned, locally operated and directors are elected by the membership.
Being member focused has led PCEC to receive the highest member satisfaction score in the co-op’s history on the American Customer Satisfaction index based on the fall 2025 membership survey. PCEC had the best score among Missouri electric cooperatives.
“PCEC is in the top five scores in the nation,” Jennifer said. For more about Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, contact 816-628-3121 or mail@pcec.coop.