September 14, 2026
Participating Kansas School Districts Save $18 Million with WoodRiver Energy & Kansas Association of School Boards
TOPEKA, KANSAS — Since enrolling with WoodRiver Energy in October 2021, the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Energy Management Program has saved participating districts a combined $18 million compared to each district’s local utility price.
Those savings have held up through some of the most volatile natural gas markets the region has seen in years. Member districts have been shielded from four major winter weather events that sent prices spiking well above normal levels: Winter Storm Elliott in 2022, Winter Storm Finn in 2024, Winter Storm Blair in 2025, and most recently Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, when the local natural gas price reached $40.46 per dekatherm, more than ten times the typical range of $3 to $4 per dekatherm.
“KBS is a public entity consulting firm and the consultant for the KASB Energy Management Program. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KASB, we have had the opportunity to support a program that has served Kansas schools since the mid-1990s. Since 2021, our energy partners at WoodRiver have been exceptional advocates for participating districts, and the savings achieved through the program prove that point,” said Rod Spangler, CEO of KBS. “These are real savings and real resources creating real benefits for students all over Kansas. Public education is expensive to run, and programs like this reduce overhead and help point resources back toward the classroom, where they belong.”
With WoodRiver Energy's Fixed Price with Complete Requirements, districts are covered for all of the natural gas usage regardless of historical volumes. Because the rate is fixed regardless of what happens in the spot market, districts are insulated from the kind of extreme, storm-driven price spikes that have repeatedly hit the region since Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“School district budgets are very tight, and the last few winters have shown exactly why price certainty matters. When Winter Storm Fern pushed prices to over $40 a dekatherm, our KASB members simply weren’t exposed to that spike, they kept paying their lower fixed rate,” said Don Krattenmaker, CCO at WoodRiver Energy. “That’s the whole point of the program: predictable budgets for schools, no matter what the market is doing.”
WoodRiver Energy has served as the marketer of the KASB Energy Management Program, formerly the Kansas Joint Utility Management Pool, since October 2021. The program has served Kansas school districts for three decades and remains open to new KASB member districts and organizations.
###
About Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB)
The Kansas Association of School Boards is a non-profit service organization built on a deep, abiding belief in Kansas public schools. We are proud to support board members and school district leaders with the expertise and resources they need to improve their schools, partner with families, engage the community, and help every Kansas student succeed in school and in life.
About WoodRiver Energy
Since 2014, WoodRiver Energy has provided cost-effective solutions for commercial, agricultural, and educational customers to help manage energy costs with customized natural gas solutions for more than 20,000 customers. Our team of experts partner with customers to design an energy plan that fits their operations and budget. To learn more about WoodRiver’s energy solutions, visit: www.woodriverenergy.com.
Market Data:
September 14, 2026
Participating Kansas School Districts Save $18 Million with WoodRiver Energy & Kansas Association of School Boards
September 14, 2026
TOPEKA, KANSAS — Since enrolling with WoodRiver Energy in October 2021, the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Energy Management Program has saved participating districts a combined $18 million compared to each district’s local utility price.
Those savings have held up through some of the most volatile natural gas markets the region has seen in years. Member districts have been shielded from four major winter weather events that sent prices spiking well above normal levels: Winter Storm Elliott in 2022, Winter Storm Finn in 2024, Winter Storm Blair in 2025, and most recently Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, when the local natural gas price reached $40.46 per dekatherm, more than ten times the typical range of $3 to $4 per dekatherm.
“KBS is a public entity consulting firm and the consultant for the KASB Energy Management Program. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KASB, we have had the opportunity to support a program that has served Kansas schools since the mid-1990s. Since 2021, our energy partners at WoodRiver have been exceptional advocates for participating districts, and the savings achieved through the program prove that point,” said Rod Spangler, CEO of KBS. “These are real savings and real resources creating real benefits for students all over Kansas. Public education is expensive to run, and programs like this reduce overhead and help point resources back toward the classroom, where they belong.”
With WoodRiver Energy's Fixed Price with Complete Requirements, districts are covered for all of the natural gas usage regardless of historical volumes. Because the rate is fixed regardless of what happens in the spot market, districts are insulated from the kind of extreme, storm-driven price spikes that have repeatedly hit the region since Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“School district budgets are very tight, and the last few winters have shown exactly why price certainty matters. When Winter Storm Fern pushed prices to over $40 a dekatherm, our KASB members simply weren’t exposed to that spike, they kept paying their lower fixed rate,” said Don Krattenmaker, CCO at WoodRiver Energy. “That’s the whole point of the program: predictable budgets for schools, no matter what the market is doing.”
WoodRiver Energy has served as the marketer of the KASB Energy Management Program, formerly the Kansas Joint Utility Management Pool, since October 2021. The program has served Kansas school districts for three decades and remains open to new KASB member districts and organizations.
###
About Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB)
The Kansas Association of School Boards is a non-profit service organization built on a deep, abiding belief in Kansas public schools. We are proud to support board members and school district leaders with the expertise and resources they need to improve their schools, partner with families, engage the community, and help every Kansas student succeed in school and in life.
About WoodRiver Energy
Since 2014, WoodRiver Energy has provided cost-effective solutions for commercial, agricultural, and educational customers to help manage energy costs with customized natural gas solutions for more than 20,000 customers. Our team of experts partner with customers to design an energy plan that fits their operations and budget. To learn more about WoodRiver’s energy solutions, visit: www.woodriverenergy.com.
Market Data:
September 14, 2026
September 14, 2026
Participating Kansas School Districts Save $18 Million with WoodRiver Energy & Kansas Association of School Boards
TOPEKA, KANSAS — Since enrolling with WoodRiver Energy in October 2021, the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Energy Management Program has saved participating districts a combined $18 million compared to each district’s local utility price.
Those savings have held up through some of the most volatile natural gas markets the region has seen in years. Member districts have been shielded from four major winter weather events that sent prices spiking well above normal levels: Winter Storm Elliott in 2022, Winter Storm Finn in 2024, Winter Storm Blair in 2025, and most recently Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, when the local natural gas price reached $40.46 per dekatherm, more than ten times the typical range of $3 to $4 per dekatherm.
“KBS is a public entity consulting firm and the consultant for the KASB Energy Management Program. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KASB, we have had the opportunity to support a program that has served Kansas schools since the mid-1990s. Since 2021, our energy partners at WoodRiver have been exceptional advocates for participating districts, and the savings achieved through the program prove that point,” said Rod Spangler, CEO of KBS. “These are real savings and real resources creating real benefits for students all over Kansas. Public education is expensive to run, and programs like this reduce overhead and help point resources back toward the classroom, where they belong.”
With WoodRiver Energy's Fixed Price with Complete Requirements, districts are covered for all of the natural gas usage regardless of historical volumes. Because the rate is fixed regardless of what happens in the spot market, districts are insulated from the kind of extreme, storm-driven price spikes that have repeatedly hit the region since Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“School district budgets are very tight, and the last few winters have shown exactly why price certainty matters. When Winter Storm Fern pushed prices to over $40 a dekatherm, our KASB members simply weren’t exposed to that spike, they kept paying their lower fixed rate,” said Don Krattenmaker, CCO at WoodRiver Energy. “That’s the whole point of the program: predictable budgets for schools, no matter what the market is doing.”
WoodRiver Energy has served as the marketer of the KASB Energy Management Program, formerly the Kansas Joint Utility Management Pool, since October 2021. The program has served Kansas school districts for three decades and remains open to new KASB member districts and organizations.
###
About Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB)
The Kansas Association of School Boards is a non-profit service organization built on a deep, abiding belief in Kansas public schools. We are proud to support board members and school district leaders with the expertise and resources they need to improve their schools, partner with families, engage the community, and help every Kansas student succeed in school and in life.
About WoodRiver Energy
Since 2014, WoodRiver Energy has provided cost-effective solutions for commercial, agricultural, and educational customers to help manage energy costs with customized natural gas solutions for more than 20,000 customers. Our team of experts partner with customers to design an energy plan that fits their operations and budget. To learn more about WoodRiver’s energy solutions, visit: www.woodriverenergy.com.
September 14, 2026
Participating Kansas School Districts Save $18 Million with WoodRiver Energy & Kansas Association of School Boards
TOPEKA, KANSAS — Since enrolling with WoodRiver Energy in October 2021, the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Energy Management Program has saved participating districts a combined $18 million compared to each district’s local utility price.
Those savings have held up through some of the most volatile natural gas markets the region has seen in years. Member districts have been shielded from four major winter weather events that sent prices spiking well above normal levels: Winter Storm Elliott in 2022, Winter Storm Finn in 2024, Winter Storm Blair in 2025, and most recently Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, when the local natural gas price reached $40.46 per dekatherm, more than ten times the typical range of $3 to $4 per dekatherm.
“KBS is a public entity consulting firm and the consultant for the KASB Energy Management Program. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KASB, we have had the opportunity to support a program that has served Kansas schools since the mid-1990s. Since 2021, our energy partners at WoodRiver have been exceptional advocates for participating districts, and the savings achieved through the program prove that point,” said Rod Spangler, CEO of KBS. “These are real savings and real resources creating real benefits for students all over Kansas. Public education is expensive to run, and programs like this reduce overhead and help point resources back toward the classroom, where they belong.”
With WoodRiver Energy's Fixed Price with Complete Requirements, districts are covered for all of the natural gas usage regardless of historical volumes. Because the rate is fixed regardless of what happens in the spot market, districts are insulated from the kind of extreme, storm-driven price spikes that have repeatedly hit the region since Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“School district budgets are very tight, and the last few winters have shown exactly why price certainty matters. When Winter Storm Fern pushed prices to over $40 a dekatherm, our KASB members simply weren’t exposed to that spike, they kept paying their lower fixed rate,” said Don Krattenmaker, CCO at WoodRiver Energy. “That’s the whole point of the program: predictable budgets for schools, no matter what the market is doing.”
WoodRiver Energy has served as the marketer of the KASB Energy Management Program, formerly the Kansas Joint Utility Management Pool, since October 2021. The program has served Kansas school districts for three decades and remains open to new KASB member districts and organizations.
###
About Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB)
The Kansas Association of School Boards is a non-profit service organization built on a deep, abiding belief in Kansas public schools. We are proud to support board members and school district leaders with the expertise and resources they need to improve their schools, partner with families, engage the community, and help every Kansas student succeed in school and in life.
About WoodRiver Energy
Since 2014, WoodRiver Energy has provided cost-effective solutions for commercial, agricultural, and educational customers to help manage energy costs with customized natural gas solutions for more than 20,000 customers. Our team of experts partner with customers to design an energy plan that fits their operations and budget. To learn more about WoodRiver’s energy solutions, visit: www.woodriverenergy.com.
September 14, 2026
Participating Kansas School Districts Save $18 Million with WoodRiver Energy & Kansas Association of School Boards
TOPEKA, KANSAS — Since enrolling with WoodRiver Energy in October 2021, the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Energy Management Program has saved participating districts a combined $18 million compared to each district’s local utility price.
Those savings have held up through some of the most volatile natural gas markets the region has seen in years. Member districts have been shielded from four major winter weather events that sent prices spiking well above normal levels: Winter Storm Elliott in 2022, Winter Storm Finn in 2024, Winter Storm Blair in 2025, and most recently Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, when the local natural gas price reached $40.46 per dekatherm, more than ten times the typical range of $3 to $4 per dekatherm.
“KBS is a public entity consulting firm and the consultant for the KASB Energy Management Program. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KASB, we have had the opportunity to support a program that has served Kansas schools since the mid-1990s. Since 2021, our energy partners at WoodRiver have been exceptional advocates for participating districts, and the savings achieved through the program prove that point,” said Rod Spangler, CEO of KBS. “These are real savings and real resources creating real benefits for students all over Kansas. Public education is expensive to run, and programs like this reduce overhead and help point resources back toward the classroom, where they belong.”
With WoodRiver Energy's Fixed Price with Complete Requirements, districts are covered for all of the natural gas usage regardless of historical volumes. Because the rate is fixed regardless of what happens in the spot market, districts are insulated from the kind of extreme, storm-driven price spikes that have repeatedly hit the region since Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“School district budgets are very tight, and the last few winters have shown exactly why price certainty matters. When Winter Storm Fern pushed prices to over $40 a dekatherm, our KASB members simply weren’t exposed to that spike, they kept paying their lower fixed rate,” said Don Krattenmaker, CCO at WoodRiver Energy. “That’s the whole point of the program: predictable budgets for schools, no matter what the market is doing.”
WoodRiver Energy has served as the marketer of the KASB Energy Management Program, formerly the Kansas Joint Utility Management Pool, since October 2021. The program has served Kansas school districts for three decades and remains open to new KASB member districts and organizations.
###
About Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB)
The Kansas Association of School Boards is a non-profit service organization built on a deep, abiding belief in Kansas public schools. We are proud to support board members and school district leaders with the expertise and resources they need to improve their schools, partner with families, engage the community, and help every Kansas student succeed in school and in life.
About WoodRiver Energy
Since 2014, WoodRiver Energy has provided cost-effective solutions for commercial, agricultural, and educational customers to help manage energy costs with customized natural gas solutions for more than 20,000 customers. Our team of experts partner with customers to design an energy plan that fits their operations and budget. To learn more about WoodRiver’s energy solutions, visit: www.woodriverenergy.com.
September 14, 2026
TOPEKA, KANSAS — Since enrolling with WoodRiver Energy in October 2021, the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Energy Management Program has saved participating districts a combined $18 million compared to each district’s local utility price.
Those savings have held up through some of the most volatile natural gas markets the region has seen in years. Member districts have been shielded from four major winter weather events that sent prices spiking well above normal levels: Winter Storm Elliott in 2022, Winter Storm Finn in 2024, Winter Storm Blair in 2025, and most recently Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, when the local natural gas price reached $40.46 per dekatherm, more than ten times the typical range of $3 to $4 per dekatherm.
“KBS is a public entity consulting firm and the consultant for the KASB Energy Management Program. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KASB, we have had the opportunity to support a program that has served Kansas schools since the mid-1990s. Since 2021, our energy partners at WoodRiver have been exceptional advocates for participating districts, and the savings achieved through the program prove that point,” said Rod Spangler, CEO of KBS. “These are real savings and real resources creating real benefits for students all over Kansas. Public education is expensive to run, and programs like this reduce overhead and help point resources back toward the classroom, where they belong.”
With WoodRiver Energy's Fixed Price with Complete Requirements, districts are covered for all of the natural gas usage regardless of historical volumes. Because the rate is fixed regardless of what happens in the spot market, districts are insulated from the kind of extreme, storm-driven price spikes that have repeatedly hit the region since Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“School district budgets are very tight, and the last few winters have shown exactly why price certainty matters. When Winter Storm Fern pushed prices to over $40 a dekatherm, our KASB members simply weren’t exposed to that spike, they kept paying their lower fixed rate,” said Don Krattenmaker, CCO at WoodRiver Energy. “That’s the whole point of the program: predictable budgets for schools, no matter what the market is doing.”
WoodRiver Energy has served as the marketer of the KASB Energy Management Program, formerly the Kansas Joint Utility Management Pool, since October 2021. The program has served Kansas school districts for three decades and remains open to new KASB member districts and organizations.
###
About Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB)
The Kansas Association of School Boards is a non-profit service organization built on a deep, abiding belief in Kansas public schools. We are proud to support board members and school district leaders with the expertise and resources they need to improve their schools, partner with families, engage the community, and help every Kansas student succeed in school and in life.
About WoodRiver Energy
Since 2014, WoodRiver Energy has provided cost-effective solutions for commercial, agricultural, and educational customers to help manage energy costs with customized natural gas solutions for more than 20,000 customers. Our team of experts partner with customers to design an energy plan that fits their operations and budget. To learn more about WoodRiver’s energy solutions, visit: www.woodriverenergy.com.
September 14, 2026
Participating Kansas School Districts Save $18 Million with WoodRiver Energy & Kansas Association of School Boards
TOPEKA, KANSAS — Since enrolling with WoodRiver Energy in October 2021, the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Energy Management Program has saved participating districts a combined $18 million compared to each district’s local utility price.
Those savings have held up through some of the most volatile natural gas markets the region has seen in years. Member districts have been shielded from four major winter weather events that sent prices spiking well above normal levels: Winter Storm Elliott in 2022, Winter Storm Finn in 2024, Winter Storm Blair in 2025, and most recently Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, when the local natural gas price reached $40.46 per dekatherm, more than ten times the typical range of $3 to $4 per dekatherm.
“KBS is a public entity consulting firm and the consultant for the KASB Energy Management Program. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KASB, we have had the opportunity to support a program that has served Kansas schools since the mid-1990s. Since 2021, our energy partners at WoodRiver have been exceptional advocates for participating districts, and the savings achieved through the program prove that point,” said Rod Spangler, CEO of KBS. “These are real savings and real resources creating real benefits for students all over Kansas. Public education is expensive to run, and programs like this reduce overhead and help point resources back toward the classroom, where they belong.”
With WoodRiver Energy's Fixed Price with Complete Requirements, districts are covered for all of the natural gas usage regardless of historical volumes. Because the rate is fixed regardless of what happens in the spot market, districts are insulated from the kind of extreme, storm-driven price spikes that have repeatedly hit the region since Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“School district budgets are very tight, and the last few winters have shown exactly why price certainty matters. When Winter Storm Fern pushed prices to over $40 a dekatherm, our KASB members simply weren’t exposed to that spike, they kept paying their lower fixed rate,” said Don Krattenmaker, CCO at WoodRiver Energy. “That’s the whole point of the program: predictable budgets for schools, no matter what the market is doing.”
WoodRiver Energy has served as the marketer of the KASB Energy Management Program, formerly the Kansas Joint Utility Management Pool, since October 2021. The program has served Kansas school districts for three decades and remains open to new KASB member districts and organizations.
###
About Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB)
The Kansas Association of School Boards is a non-profit service organization built on a deep, abiding belief in Kansas public schools. We are proud to support board members and school district leaders with the expertise and resources they need to improve their schools, partner with families, engage the community, and help every Kansas student succeed in school and in life.
About WoodRiver Energy
Since 2014, WoodRiver Energy has provided cost-effective solutions for commercial, agricultural, and educational customers to help manage energy costs with customized natural gas solutions for more than 20,000 customers. Our team of experts partner with customers to design an energy plan that fits their operations and budget. To learn more about WoodRiver’s energy solutions, visit: www.woodriverenergy.com.
September 14, 2026
Participating Kansas School Districts Save $18 Million with WoodRiver Energy & Kansas Association of School Boards
TOPEKA, KANSAS — Since enrolling with WoodRiver Energy in October 2021, the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Energy Management Program has saved participating districts a combined $18 million compared to each district’s local utility price.
Those savings have held up through some of the most volatile natural gas markets the region has seen in years. Member districts have been shielded from four major winter weather events that sent prices spiking well above normal levels: Winter Storm Elliott in 2022, Winter Storm Finn in 2024, Winter Storm Blair in 2025, and most recently Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, when the local natural gas price reached $40.46 per dekatherm, more than ten times the typical range of $3 to $4 per dekatherm.
“KBS is a public entity consulting firm and the consultant for the KASB Energy Management Program. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KASB, we have had the opportunity to support a program that has served Kansas schools since the mid-1990s. Since 2021, our energy partners at WoodRiver have been exceptional advocates for participating districts, and the savings achieved through the program prove that point,” said Rod Spangler, CEO of KBS. “These are real savings and real resources creating real benefits for students all over Kansas. Public education is expensive to run, and programs like this reduce overhead and help point resources back toward the classroom, where they belong.”
With WoodRiver Energy's Fixed Price with Complete Requirements, districts are covered for all of the natural gas usage regardless of historical volumes. Because the rate is fixed regardless of what happens in the spot market, districts are insulated from the kind of extreme, storm-driven price spikes that have repeatedly hit the region since Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“School district budgets are very tight, and the last few winters have shown exactly why price certainty matters. When Winter Storm Fern pushed prices to over $40 a dekatherm, our KASB members simply weren’t exposed to that spike, they kept paying their lower fixed rate,” said Don Krattenmaker, CCO at WoodRiver Energy. “That’s the whole point of the program: predictable budgets for schools, no matter what the market is doing.”
WoodRiver Energy has served as the marketer of the KASB Energy Management Program, formerly the Kansas Joint Utility Management Pool, since October 2021. The program has served Kansas school districts for three decades and remains open to new KASB member districts and organizations.
###
About Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB)
The Kansas Association of School Boards is a non-profit service organization built on a deep, abiding belief in Kansas public schools. We are proud to support board members and school district leaders with the expertise and resources they need to improve their schools, partner with families, engage the community, and help every Kansas student succeed in school and in life.
About WoodRiver Energy
Since 2014, WoodRiver Energy has provided cost-effective solutions for commercial, agricultural, and educational customers to help manage energy costs with customized natural gas solutions for more than 20,000 customers. Our team of experts partner with customers to design an energy plan that fits their operations and budget. To learn more about WoodRiver’s energy solutions, visit: www.woodriverenergy.com.
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