York Electric Cooperative, Inc.

There’s an old saying that those that think more than an inch past their nose are successful. Planning ahead and thinking of others is important in your personal life, professional life and in business. No matter your area of expertise, your word, timeliness and rapport with others account for a large part of your accomplishments. We tell you that YEC is always looking ahead and looking out for you, planning for a brighter future for our members and community. But these aren’t just words. We put our time and energy into being a company you can trust. We work with integrity and exemplify dependability to show you our members come first. We’re never afraid to do the hard work and you shouldn’t be either.

We call these important attributes soft skills. Sure, YEC is focused on the technical skills used by employees to get the job done. For example, our linemen are skilled at building the distribution lines and managing equipment to power your life and we have trained accountants who manage the books. While these talents are important, they can be taught. The willingness to work hard, go the extra mile and put service to others first are characteristics that we search for in new hires. Someone who has hard skills and who is empathetic, creative, communicative, agile and resilient lands the job. Moreover, we challenge all YEC employees to live by YEC’s four pillars of strong culture: embodying humility, relational wisdom, hunger for knowledge and a family-first attitude.

We’re not alone. Industries are saying the same thing. According to LinkedIn’s “Global Talent Trends,” 80% of industries say soft skills are increasingly important to company success. The same survey also reported that 92% of participants labeled soft skills more important than hard skills. These industry participants aren’t just around the country, but they are right here at home. Take a look at what they are saying and some interesting facts about what employers are looking for in candidates to fill quality jobs.

So why do we care? Simple. We want the best for our members, and we want to open the door to many opportunities that lie at the feet of our youngest generation. Entering the workforce with soft skills and a portfolio of hard skills learned from a technical college is a solid career path and exactly the type of talent for which high-paying, local industries are searching to hire. Whether you are looking for a job or starting to plan your future career path, we encourage you to brush up on your soft skills so that you stand out among the crowd. It will serve you well.

Sincerely,

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Do we owe you?

Each year, YEC tries to contact members who have relocated so that we can pay any unclaimed capital credits. Remember, YEC is a not-forprofit, member-owned utility and, therefore, monies over operating costs are returned to you.

Even after you move, your membership carries value. If you know any friends or family members who might be included on the list or if you think YEC might owe you money, please search for their names and your name here. After all, the money is yours and we want to get it to you!

If you see your name, please contact our member services department at (803) 684-4248 so we can process your account.

Subscriptions for YEC’s third Community Solar Farm are now available!

Sign up today to participate in our renewable energy program. Limit 5 kW per member.

Most of us have the luxury of dressing for summer weather when we’re outside. Breathable fabrics and short-sleeved shirts are not always an option for lineworkers.

Regardless of the temperatures and humidity they endure, York Electric crews are required to wear special personal protective equipment (PPE) while working around energized lines. They wear fire-retardant long-sleeved shirts and pants, steel-toed boots, rubber gloves, rubber sleeves covering their arms to their shoulders, hard hats and safety glasses.

Although the PPE our lineworkers wear helps keep them safe from the hazards of electricity, it can also contribute to dehydration or heat exhaustion. Aside from stocking the trucks with plenty of water and electrolyte drinks each day, YEC makes every effort to allow crews to begin earlier and avoid the extreme heat of our summer afternoons. However, outages don’t always occur in favorable temperatures.

YEC linemen can’t choose what time of day they’ll be at the top of that pole. But don’t worry—their priority is always to look out for you and to keep your lights on. They’ll be sweating so you don’t have to.

Why do we trim?

Your co-op spends time and money where it matters to provide you with the service you expect. Here are the top three reasons why trimming trees is an important part of our maintenance program:

• To maintain reliability. Cutting trees away from the line helps to prevent service interruptions.
• To create easy access. In an outage situation, time is of the essence. Keeping trees and shrubs away from poles and lines makes it easier to locate and repair damages.
• Safety. Keeping vegetation away from powerlines provides a safer working environment for linemen, minimizing contact risks and hazardous conditions.

To find out where we are trimming and to see a map, please visit us online at yorkelectric.net.

September 3, 2021

YEC’s lobbies still remain closed until January 2, 2022, for the health and wellness of our community and employees. Although most transactions can be completed either online, by phone, or in our mobile app, our drive-thru remains open to serve members at both our York and Fort Mill office locations.

March 24, 2021

YEC will be celebrating 80 years of serving you this year. We will be hosting our first-ever drive-through annual meeting on Friday, May 7, from 7 am until 7 pm and Saturday, May 8, from 7 am until 2 pm. Members will be able to register and vote right from their car, then view a virtual business meeting on our website and our Facebook page. Although this is a different approach to our annual meeting, we hope this is more convenient for members. Above all, this adaptation helps us continue to keep our members and employees safe during the ongoing pandemic. Read more: A commitment to our members

June 1, 2021

SC Stay Plus: Rental & Utility Assistance Program for Renters

York Electric Cooperative is committed to looking out for our members. We are pleased to offer the SC Housing Authority’s SC Stay Plus Program to members in need. This is a rent and utility assistance program for South Carolina renters impacted by COVID-19. Applications are now accepted. Eligible applicants may receive up to 12 months of assistance with back rent and/or utility payments dating back to March 13, 2020. See the Stay Plus information and FAQ here.

[PDF] SC Stay Plus Info & Checklist

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October 15, 2020

York Electric Cooperative Cancels Annual Meeting

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause harm to many in our area, the York Electric Cooperative Board of Directors and management team decided it was best to officially cancel the 2020 Annual Meeting of Members. Recommendations by the CDC, state, and local health officials include adequate social distancing, face coverings, and avoiding large crowds.

To remain in compliance with this information and to keep our members and employees safe from the virus, we feel canceling the meeting is best at this time. Please save the date for our 2021 Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 8. We look forward to seeing you all when it is safe to be together again!

Coronavirus Update From Your Co-op

As we continue dealing with new realities each day due to the COVID-19 pandemic, know that York Electric Co-op is looking out for you. We’ve been through some crisis situations before, and we’re prepared to provide the reliable service you have come to expect from us during this time of uncertainty and difficulty. Our number one job right now is to keep the power flowing to your home. York Electric Co-op is taking every measure to ensure our employees stay healthy and here for you. Required face coverings, daily sanitizing of office spaces, social distancing, and staggered employee schedules to limit building capacity are just a few steps your co-op is taking to stop the spread and serve you safely.

For now, our lobbies will remain closed. When we feel it is safe to reopen them for members, we will be communicating safety precautions and plans to conduct cooperative business at a safe distance. Please remember there are several online and electronic options to take care of your account, make a payment, make an arrangement, and more!

• YEC Member Services Portal
• Convenient Payment Options
• Using Our Mobile Apps

During this crisis, we realize that some people may be facing hardships, and we’re prepared to help out in those situations. We hope that each of you will stay safe and follow the precautions that are being provided by our health officials. Whether it’s through a storm or a pandemic, you can always count on your co-op.

YEC’s lobbies still remain closed for the health and wellness of our community and employees. Although most transactions can be completed either online, by phone, or in our mobile app, our drive-thru remains open to serve members at both our York and Fort Mill office locations.

June 8, 2020

York Electric Cooperative resumes service disconnections for nonpayment following the COVID-19 crisis. If you are having difficulty paying your bill, please contact our member services team. We are here to help.

These community resources may be able to help members who are experiencing hardship.

April 4, 2020

In an effort to help limit exposure to COVID-19, these community agencies have changed or suspended normal operating procedures:

• PATH – York – Suspended assistance with utilities until further notice
• CAA – Clover – Closed until 4/19/20
• FMCC – Fort Mill – Suspended assistance with utilities as no one is disconnecting currently
• CCA – Rock Hill – Must schedule an appointment with limited staff and funding

[PDF] Help Agency Update – COVID-19

20 KB 22 downloads

April 3, 2020

YEC’s online bill pay systems will be unavailable Saturday, April 4th from 7:30 am until approximately 10 am so that our Accounting team can issue Capital Credit checks as soon as possible. During that time, Member Portal, smart app, and remote pay station payment processing will be down. To get money to our members sooner during this crisis, YEC will be returning Capital Credits to members a month early.

[PDF] YEC Capital Credits Explained

260 KB 95 downloads

For more information concerning Capital Credits, call our Member Services Department at 803-684-4248.

March 31, 2020

We understand the anxiety you may be experiencing around this evolving situation, so we have created this dedicated area to address your many coronavirus cooperative-related questions and provide resources for assistance and information well beyond our own backyard. As the crisis develops or new information needs to be disseminated, we will update this section; feel free to bookmark this page and visit often.

COVID-19 Resources

March 27, 2020

Like you, YEC is closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation. We appreciate your patience as we continue to serve you and look out for your best interests during this crisis.

Services

We want to reassure you that our office procedures will not affect your electric service. Lineworkers are available to respond to outages, work will continue with service orders, bills will still be processed and mailed, and our members may speak to a YEC employee regarding any questions or concerns about their bill or service.

We also understand some members are experiencing unexpected financial circumstances right now. Can’t make a payment? Please give us a call so that we can help: 803-684-4248.

From late March until further notice, penalties for delinquent accounts will be waived. No penalties will be assessed and disconnections for nonpayment on all accounts have been suspended.

Although YEC will not be disconnecting any accounts during this crisis, we would like to remind our members to stay on top of their bills. Since you are still responsible to pay for the electricity you consume, remember to keep your balance manageable and communicate with us to create payment arrangements.

York Electric is giving money back to members again this year – early!

To get money to our members sooner during this crisis, YEC will be returning Capital Credits to members a month early. In April, we will return $2 million to members who received service in 1997, 1998 & 2018. Members will receive Capital Credit checks in the mail. If the member’s refund is less than $15, the amount will be printed as a line item credit on the electric bill. The amount of Capital Credits returned is determined by margins and a percentage of your total energy billings for the years listed above. Questions? Call 803-684-4248.

79th Annual Meeting suspended

Although unprecedented, the decision by your board of trustees to suspend our Annual Meeting is consistent with York Electric always putting safety first. The trustee election, bylaw changes, and cooperative business that should be done on May 9th will be handled when it’s safer for us to be together again. Stay in touch with YEC online and through social media to track updates and learn how our team is working to help flatten the curve of COVID-19.

Burrell Foundation pancake breakfast postponed

Please stay tuned for further details.

Activities for kids at home

Spark interest in electric safety with #LearnwithYEC! We have some fun games and activities for young people that will help them learn about energy and energy efficiency.

We’re here for you

We are still able to serve our members in our drive through locations at both our York and Fort Mill offices, but we also urge you to use other methods to conduct your cooperative business. Please visit www.yorkelectric.net, try our YEC Mobile App, or call our member services team at 803-684-4248.

Our commitment to members runs deep. Your service matters to us because we work in the same community you do, and a lot of us get our power from the same place you do. The men and women who respond during an outage experience the same outages at their homes, too. We are real people, who value the same things as you do, answering the call to provide you with the safe, reliable and affordable energy you deserve. Enriching lives means helping our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends and family – you.

March 23, 2020

The lobby of the remote pay station in Rock Hill – at the Comporium office on Cherry Road – is closed, as well as our Fort Mill branch lobby; both are still accepting payments through the drive-thru.

March 20, 2020

York Electric Cooperative is happy to serve our membership. We are always looking out for you and our community, especially during a time of emergency and need.

Like other utilities in our area, YEC is postponing account disconnections for nonpayment until further notice to help our members. However, we urge our members to stay on top of their electricity use and their monthly bill. Please remember you will still be responsible to pay for the electricity you consume. Be sure to use our online arrangement system to manage your payments or reach out to our member services team for help if you are in a financial crisis.

As the threat of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, continues, York Electric Cooperative plans to close all outside member and public traffic to our office locations beginning Monday, March 23.

We will still be able to serve our members in our drive through locations at both York and Fort Mill offices but urge our members to use other methods to conduct their cooperative business. Try our free YEC Mobile App, use the Member Services Portal, or call our member services team at 803-684-4248.

We would like to reassure our members that our office procedures will not affect your electric service. Linemen will still be available to respond to outages, work will continue with service orders, member bills will still be processed and mailed, and our members will still be able to talk to a YEC employee regarding any questions or concerns about their bill.

Although no one at YEC has tested positive, we are following preventative measures to decrease the risk of spreading the virus. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are here to help and appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we navigate the effects of #COVID-19.

Protect Yourself from Scammers

Scams related to the COVID-19 outbreak are on the rise. York Electric Cooperative members should be on the lookout for suspicious email, phone calls, or persons impersonating business employees or charitable organizations.

Update Your Contact Information

By keeping your contact information up to date, you can take full advantage of the services York Electric Cooperative offers. If we don’t have the correct phone number and email address linked to your home address, it makes it much more difficult for you to report an outage.

If you are not sure we have your current phone number, mailing, and email addresses, please log on to our Member Services Portal to check your account and make any necessary updates, use this update form, or call our member services department at (803) 684-4248.

March 14, 2020

Please know your health and safety is always a priority here at your co-op, and we are closely watching the national and local responses to the current pandemic and following guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as our own common-sense measures.

To that end, we strongly suggest conducting your cooperative business here at yorkelectric.net, by texting 352667, or through our free YEC Mobile App. Social distancing is the top recommendation for individual virus prevention, so please take advantage of the ability to do as much of your routine business via the internet as possible.

• Member Services Portal
• Payment Options
• Mobile Apps
• Bank Draft

When bearing in mind limited contact, remember we’re here for you by phone at 803-684-4248, there are payment drop boxes at all our locations, and you have the option to pay your bill by mail

We also have convenient drive-throughs at our main York and Fort Mill branch offices.

If you prefer to visit our offices, be aware that all transactions will be handled through the glass to keep our members and employees safe. We’ve also encouraged our staff to practice healthy hygiene and have taken extra precautions to keep our common areas clean. YEC employees have been advised to stay home if they exhibit any signs of illness and to see a doctor; we hope our members will follow the same advice.

We understand the anxiety you may be experiencing around this evolving situation. Please know we’re committed to being responsive and flexible to your needs and are available to you at any time as we navigate and adapt to the ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19.

Community involvement is not just something we are supposed to do at York Electric Cooperative. Working to make a difference and improve the quality of life for our members and others living in York, Chester, Cherokee and Lancaster counties is something we are passionate about.

Last year gave us a basket of lemons. The COVID-19 pandemic changed routines around the world. Our goal was to use this opportunity to make things better, more efficient and more accessible. We increased communications with members through our podcast “Co-op Talk” and by offering online chat. We increased awareness about existing online services and bill payment options and we’re now offering CheckOut by PayGo, allowing you to pay your bill conveniently while you shop.

While conducting business evolves and adapts in response to our macroeconomy, our commitment to you—our members—has never swayed. We still found a way to connect young students to lawmakers and leaders through our Virtual Youth Experience since it wasn’t safe to take them on trips to Washington, D.C. and Columbia, and we provided $17,000 in scholarships to students attending college this year. We hosted our first-ever drive-thru annual meeting and we have continued to grow our philanthropic efforts through Operation Round Up and The Burrell Foundation to help those in need. We also started our first annual Hot Dogs for Heroes lunch, feeding area first responders with the help of Hungry Heroes, a local nonprofit.

In the end, with innovation and help from each other, we made lemonade. Thanks for allowing us the privilege to look out for you.

Sincerely,

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Plan to join us for three upcoming 2021 events: the second annual Hot Dogs for Heroes lunch, Shred Day, and our Veterans Day celebration. Follow YEC on social media, and help us spread the news. As a Touchstone Energy® cooperative, we’re deeply committed to the communities we serve and this commitment is expressed in ways that touch almost every facet of our members’ lives.

Friday, Sept. 17—2nd Annual Hot Dogs for Heroes Lunch

YEC will partner with Hungry Heroes to feed the men and women who serve and protect our community each day. First responders are invited to join us for lunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at YEC’s main office, 1385 E. Alexander Love Highway in York.

Saturday, Oct. 9—Shred Day

Visit YEC’s main office or Carolina Shred’s office at 1682 Katy Lane in Fort Mill from 9 a.m. until noon to safely and securely dispose of unwanted documents. Limit two boxes per car.

Thursday, Nov. 11—Veterans Day Celebration

Join YEC during our 6th Annual Veterans Day Celebration, honoring all active and former members of our Armed Services. Attend at either our York or Fort Mill office from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. with a copy of your power bill, your DD-214, military ID or proof of your enlistment on Veterans Day. As a token of our appreciation for your service and sacrifice, we will provide a small gift and a $20 power bill credit.

Scholarship Recipients

Every year, York Electric Cooperative awards 12 $1,000 Touchstone Energy Scholarships to graduating seniors at each area high school. To apply, students must be served by the cooperative. YEC also awards one $1,000 Technical Advantage Scholarship to a graduating senior attending York Technical College in the fall, and a $500 Work-Based Learning Scholarship to a senior attending the Floyd D. Johnson Technology Center.

Learn more about these scholarship opportunities »

$1,000 Technical Advantage Scholarship
Luke Rivers York Preparatory Academy Parents: Uvonne & Ryan Rivers College: York Technical College Field of Study: Electrician Training
$500 Work-Based Learning Scholarship
Madison Sherer York Comprehensive High School Parents: Cathie & William Sherer College: Limestone College Field of Study: Business Administration
$1,000 Touchstone Energy Scholarships
Jeremy Mann Catawba Ridge High School Parents: Susan & Donald Mann College: Susan & Donald Mann Field of Study: Computer Science
Christina Jones Clover High School Parents: Raushanah & Christopher Jones College: South Carolina State University Field of Study: Physics
Jaime Esposito Fort Mill High School Parents: Belinda & Raymond Esposito College: College of Charleston Field of Study: Education
Jennifer Shoemaker Home school Parents: Cheryl & William Shoemaker College: Duke University Field of Study: Biomedical Engineering
Lillian Brooks Northwestern High School Parents: Robin & James Brooks College: Auburn University Field of Study: Industrial Design
Taylor Johnson Rock Hill High School Parents: Dee & Ronald Johnson College: University of Georgia Field of Study: Law
Michael Suter Southe Point High School Parents: Heidi & James Suter College: Winthrop University Field of Study: Political Science
Robert Kendrick Westminster Catawba Christian School Parents: Denise & Terence Kendrick College: York Technical College Field of Study: Business
Isabel Winert Indian Land High School Parents: Heather & Andrew Winert College: Brigham Young University Field of Study: Nursing
Jiya Desai Nation Ford High School Parents: Kaity & Hemal Desai College: University of South Carolina Field of Study: Biological Sciences
Bowen Turner York Comprehensive High School Parents: Sarah Ogden & Corey Turner College: Clemson University Field of Study: Communications
Jessica Branham York Preparatory Academy Parents: Dawn & Jesse Branham College: Wofford College Field of Study: English

Students participate in Virtual Youth Experience

YEC representatives Sam Hamilton of Clover High School, Jordan Brown of Fort Mill High School, Alaina Rinkes of Clover High School and Felix Gonzalez of Indian Land High School (pictured left to right), were among 74 high-achieving students in the state that participated in a week-long, part web-conference, part in-person event sponsored by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives in June.

The local teens used their laptops and smartphones to discuss issues of the day with four members of South Carolina’s Congressional delegation—U.S. Representatives James Clyburn and Nancy Mace and U.S. Senators Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham.

The Virtual Youth Experience began last year when the risks of COVID-19 caused cooperative programs like the Rural Electric Youth Tour and the Cooperative Youth Summit to be canceled. The programs allow high school students to learn about electric cooperatives and how their government works.

An Indian Land high school student won $5,000 in an audio podcast scholarship competition sponsored by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives. Felix Gonzalez of Indian Land (York Electric Cooperative) joined Leah Gardner of Bennettsville (Lynches River Electric Cooperative), Roshni Nandwani of Myrtle Beach (Horry Electric Cooperative) and Peyton Rollins of Woodruff (Laurens Electric Cooperative) in creating the winning podcast. Each competition winner receives $5,000.

Seventy-four high school students from across South Carolina competed in the competition. All were participants in the Virtual Youth Experience earlier this summer.

During the virtual experience, the students heard from state leaders including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, R-S.C., U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Tim Scott, R-S.C., S.C. State Epidemiologist Linda Bell and Chris Singleton, whose mother, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, was one of nine killed in 2015’s Emanuel AME Church shooting. Using interviews from those leaders, the students then worked in groups to create audio podcasts that that completed the sentence: This is my country…

The winning group was selected by a panel of journalists that included Cindi Scoppe of The Post and Courier newspaper, Kenneth Moton of ABC News, Dawndy Mercer Plank of WIS News, Ben Hoover of WSPA and Lucas McFadden of CN2 News.

In addition to the $5,000 winners, eight other students from across the state are each receiving $500 as finalists in the competition. The eight $500 winners are:

1. Amy Crumley of Pinopolis (Berkeley Electric Cooperative)
2. Carsen Grice of Aiken (Aiken Electric Cooperative)
3. Aanem Hasnie of Greer (Laurens Electric Cooperative)
4. Taylor Hollis of Winnsboro (Fairfield Electric Cooperative)
5. Maggie Nolen of Piedmont (Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative)
6. Ayoola Oladimeji of Goose Creek (Berkeley Electric Cooperative)
7. Josh Sharpe of Sumter (Black River Electric Cooperative)
8. John Sumter of Myrtle Beach (Horry Electric Cooperative)

Five students won $250 after receiving honorable mention. The five $250 winners are:

1. Laney Brown of Conway (Horry Electric Cooperative)
2. Rori Mae Condon of Goose Creek (Berkeley Electric Cooperative)
3. Adrian Hayden of Summerville (Berkeley Electric Cooperative)
4. Asheton Holden of Inman (Laurens Electric Cooperative)
5. Katherine Morton of Summerville (Berkeley Electric Cooperative)

The announcement of the winners can be viewed here

Photos of the winning students are available here

All of the students’ podcasts are available here

YEC’s new program CheckOut by PayGo allows our members to pay their electric bills conveniently at the counter of local retail locations like 7-Eleven, Dollar General, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Family Dollar, and other independent locations displaying the green ice cream cone!

View video with open captions here

For the low cost of $1.50, ask the cashier to scan your PayGo barcode located on the back of your billing statement, tell them how much you’d like to pay, check out with your purchases, and the payment will post to your account immediately.

1. Get Your Barcode
   Print it, email it to yourself, or save it as a picture on your mobile device.
2. Find Locations
   Look for the closest participating retailer that can scan your barcode to post a payment.
3. Scan Barcode at Cashier
   When you are ready to pay your YEC bill, simply have the cashier scan the barcode and tell them how much you want to pay.

What locations support CheckOut by PayGo near me?

Find a location near you by entering your ZIP code and address here

Get your barcode to use CheckOut by PayGo!

Visit www.yorkelectric.net/barcode

1. Enter your YEC account number without any dashes
2. Press ‘Find Your Account’
3. Verify the house number shown is your street address
4. Press “get your barcode”
5. Print, Email or Snap a picture of your barcode