York Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Safety is paramount at YEC. Not only do we focus on the safety of our employees, we aim to educate, inform and create awareness for our members and the community. In honor of May being National Electrical Safety Month, let's talk safety.

Education

We take pride in talking to our youngest members about electrical safety. Several area schools have enjoyed the "Making Accidents Disappear" magic show, hosted by magician Chris Dixon. We also offer in-class safety demonstrations and sponsor a coloring contest to help explain the hazards of our jobs, how to stay safe around power lines and the special gear our lineworkers wear to stay safe while they work.

Watch our latest videos and participate in activities to teach you about electrical safety»

Your Trusted Energy Advisor

Summer is storm season, and we want you to be prepared. Our website has a wealth of information for you, including generator safety, best indoor and outdoor uses for electricity, checklists to prepare for a storm, how to stay safe around downed lines and trees, and what to expect from YEC when the lights go out.

Learn more about electrical safety »

Learn how to prepare for outages and how to stay safe in storms »

Call Before You Dig

Planning to landscape your yard or finally install that pool you've dreamed of? Be sure to call 811 before pulling out a shovel. PUPS is a free national service to locate underground utility lines so that you stay safe and avoid making contact, which could cause you serious harm and service interruptions.

Underground service

YEC has more than 4,000 miles of electrical lines, and over the years we've been burying them to help improve reliability and avoid outages caused from trees, animals and highway accidents. Over half of our distribution system is now underground. Even though a power line is underground, it's just as dangerous, as it distributes high voltage electricity to homes and businesses. Similarly, you should avoid the big green boxes, which are transformers, on your property. Although they look like the perfect thing to conceal, we recommend keeping them clear from shrubs and landscaping.

Our pledge

YEC employees are committed to serving our members. Just like we look out for you, we pledge to look out for each other. Behind the scenes, we work hard to create awareness about potential hazards and challenges we may face both in an outage situation or in our daily actions. Road safety, situational awareness, communication and teamwork are all essential to staying healthy and injury-free.

Remember, we're always here for you. Give us a call or visit us online at yorkelectric.net and we'll be happy to help. Stay safe!

Sincerely,

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

YEC announces that the 2021 Linemen Gear Up for Safety Coloring Contest winner is Landon Falls of Blacksburg. The son of YEC members Melissa and Chad Falls, Landon is a first grader at York Preparatory Academy. "I enjoy using lots of colors," says Landon.

He is excited to win, but more importantly, he enjoyed making something for his late great-grandmother, Dora Covington, a lover of art. "I colored this for my MawMaw to make her smile while she was sick," he says.

Landon also gave a nod to his retired lineman grandfather, Lewis Edwards, by writing "Papa" on the lineman's uniform in his drawing. After Edwards worked for more than 40 years for the City of Rock Hill, including through Hurricane Hugo, the entire family shares a special place in their hearts for lineworkers. "I would either like to be a lineman or a storm chaser when I grow up," says Landon.

Landon won $50 and a YEC hardhat, signed by several of our local lineworker heroes.

In memory of Landon's MawMaw, Dora Covington.

YEC members will be paid a total of $2 million in Capital Credits in May of 2021. Members who were served by the cooperative in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2019 should expect money in the form of a check in May or, if the amount is $15 or less, as an electric bill credit beginning in April 2021.

Being a member of YEC means more than being a customer; our members are owners of our cooperative. As an owner, we return revenue exceeding our operating costs back to you. It's your piece of the pie. Think of it as your cash back from a percentage of the money you pay each year for the energy you use.

As a not-for-profit utility, returning money to members shows your cooperative is in great financial health. Your board of directors has determined we have the money available to return cash to members in addition to saving for our future, maintaining our electrical system and investing in new technologies to better serve you.

YEC member Anne Blake of Rock Hill grew up on co-op lines and has been a member herself since 1967. "York Electric always provides excellent service and makes it clear they truly have the member's best interest at heart—which is so important, especially these days," says Blake. "Receiving Capital Credits makes a big difference in my life and they are just another reason why I am grateful to be a member of the co-op."

Questions about your capital credit allocation? Our member services team is here to help at (803) 684-4248.

Service with a smile at your co-op. Whether we are discussing the work we do to provide electricity to your home or the help we aim to provide others, we give it 100%. We try to do the right things for the right reasons, to improve constantly and to be the light, both in your kitchen and in the community. We want our service to go beyond reliable, affordable and safe energy in your home. We strive to make a difference, lead with courage, integrity and honesty and be a neighbor you can count on.

We've been your friend for 80 years, working for you to continue making your life better and easier. In 1941, that meant bringing electricity into local, rural homes and farms. Today, that means providing innovative member-driven programs to help keep rates low and more money in your pocket, increasing reliability of our system through technology and, most recently, working to deliver high speed internet access to approximately 5,000 members who are unserved in Western York and parts of Cherokee counties.

Despite the virus, we've continued to work hard for you, aiming to deliver the exceptional service you expect and deserve as members of YEC. We invite you to join us in celebrating our 80th year at our first complete drive-thru annual meeting on Friday, May 7, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 8, from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Although it is still unsafe for us to gather and enjoy the food and entertainment historically found at our annual meeting, our new experience will keep folks safe and be even more convenient for you. Members who attend the annual meeting will receive a $20 power bill credit, a pack of two LED light bulbs and will be entered to win door prizes and one of three grand prizes: a pickup truck and two $500 power bill credits! We also will have an important election this year where members who provide proper identification will be eligible to vote on bylaw amendments and board members. Please find the candidates for election on the next page and reference either last month's magazine for the proposed bylaw amendments or download them online at yorkelectric.net.

We look forward to serving you May 7 and 8 and continuing to be at your service, improving your quality of life for years to come. See you next month.

Sincerely,

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Important mail will arrive at your house in a few days!

Bring your registration card and valid photo ID when you attend our drive-thru annual meeting May 7, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., or May 8, from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. This card and your ID are required to vote, receive your registration gift and be entered into our prize drawings. We'll see you then!

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

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 21 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

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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.

Keeping a promise for 80 years seems like a long time, but I can assure you that York Electric Cooperative has always and will always look out for you. I hope we continue to prove that we are not just an electric company, but something impactful and promising in your life. As an electric cooperative, we are committed to living the cooperative difference, improving the quality of life in the communities we serve and providing affordable, reliable and safe electricity. More than that, YEC's employees always have been local folks who take pride in what they do, and in serving others. Just like your co-op, they are ready to answer the call to work hard for you.

"Looking out for you" is something we say a lot. To exemplify this, we do our best to listen so we can better serve our members. You can call us anytime and we'll have someone in our office answering by the second ring, ready to help. We heard about the need for internet in many of the rural areas of our service territory, so we're teaming up to deliver this service to those who have been unserved. We sympathize with those who have been affected by COVID-19, from job loss to changes in daily life. Know we are here to help. We continue to support growth and economic development, bringing industry and quality jobs to our area. Not only does this increase our tax base and help keep your electric rates low, but it provides more opportunities for you, our neighbors.

Although these aren't new ideas, they have helped YEC represent our promise in your life. With new energy technologies, we continue to adopt new programs to serve our diverse membership. From incentivizing you to save energy through programs like our smart thermostat program and our special electric vehicle rate, to helping you shop for solar, we're here for you.

As we approach our first completely drive-thru Annual Meeting set for Friday, May 7 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 8 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m., we also want to showcase our proposed bylaw amendments. Our management team and board feel these changes better serve you and protect your rights as members. Join us for our drive-thru registration and voting at this year's Annual Meeting to cast your ballot on the information presented in the March edition of South Carolina Living magazine, which can also be found here online. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we'd like to end with an invitation to enjoy several iconic co-op moments where our promise was brought to life.

Sincerely,

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

More news, proposed YEC district map, bylaw updates

Be sure to read pages 16A–16H in this month's South Carolina Living magazine. On Page 16A, we share some recent accomplishments we're celebrating and announce our annual coloring and design contests for kids. On Page 16B, you can review the proposed York single-member voting district map. YEC is recommending going from nine voting districts to three larger voting districts. Beginning on Page 16C, we encourage you to review the proposed bylaw updates that will be voted on at the Annual Meeting of Members.

[PDF] 2021 Proposed Bylaw Revisions

457 KB 192 downloads

The Co-op Connections Card and mobile app is a money-saving tool that connects you with discounts at home and anywhere you go on everything from hotel stays to prescription drugs. You can earn up to 20% cash back at thousands of online retailers such as Amazon.com and Walmart.com. Get the best deals on lodging, flights, car rentals and theme parks. Experience savings on restaurants, golf, automotive and movies with neighborhood and national retailers. You can even save on concerts, sporting events and theater tickets when it is safe to attend again!

The pharmacy discount has been widely used by members of York Electric Cooperative, resulting in savings of over $17,937 on prescriptions in 2020 and a total of $1,259,696 to date. Save 10% to 85% on most prescriptions at over 60,000 pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, Target and many more. Just present your card to save an average of 46% at locations nationwide.

The healthy savings don't stop there. You can also save on hearing aids, lab testing, dental, vision and diabetic needs. Even if you have insurance, present both cards at the pharmacy to receive the lowest price, immediate family included.

Accessing the savings is easy. Just download the app by scanning the QR code to the right. The cutting-edge mobile app is compatible with Androids, iPhones and iPads. It will even locate the deals nearest you. Visit connections.coop to find out more and connect to a card that will help you save and live healthier every day, all year long.

Calling all local artists! Now is the time for all our bright and brainy York Electric Cooperative youth, from little ones up to age 14, to let your creativity shine through and enter our two new art contests. Thinking creatively is an important part of learning communication skills, expression, and strategizing for the best outcome. At YEC, we’re proud to support education and the promising futures of our youngest members.

Co-op Magnet Design Challenge »

Ages 11-14: Show us your best design for our annual Co-op Magnet Design Challenge! Download your design template for a chance to have your artwork printed and displayed on each of our trucks for an entire year!

Are you between the ages of 11-14? Show us your best design that captures "The Power of Community" for a chance to win $50 and have your artwork printed and displayed on each of our trucks for an entire year! Download the printable PDF below to enter this year's competition before Friday, April 2nd, 2021. Good luck!

[PDF] YEC Co-op Magnet Design Challenge

196 KB 74 downloads

Lineworkers Gear Up for Safety Coloring Contest »

Bring your best coloring skills to participate in our annual Lineworkers Gear Up for Safety Coloring Contest! Teaching you about electrical safety is important because we want you to stay safe around power lines. It's another way we are looking out for you, our youngest members.

[PDF] Lineworker Safety Coloring Sheet

1.54 MB 236 downloads