York Electric Cooperative, Inc.

I’d like to thank everyone who attended our 2022 Annual Meeting. More than 3,500 members attended our second complete drive-thru event. Your co-op is here to serve you, our members and our owners, providing affordable, safe and reliable energy and making positive impacts in our communities. Every member. Every time.

2022 Annual Meeting photos »

If you missed it, the business meeting and election results were recorded and can be found on our website. In the meantime, here are some highlights to show you your co-op is in great shape:

• For another year, I thank our Lord for protecting us from a major injury and large-scale outage.
• Since it began in 2000, our members have given more than $3.4 million dollars back to the community through our Operation Round Up program, making a positive difference in the lives of others.
• We are proud to announce that we do not anticipate a rate increase for another two years.
• The board of trustees approved the largest distribution of capital credits in YEC’s history, returning $2.5 million to members in May.
• Over 2,000 members responded to our American Customer Satisfaction Index and the results are in. Your cooperative scored a 94, providing YEC with one of the highest scores among more than 700 companies across the country.
• We’re working to shape our future by incorporating new, innovative technology, including upgrades to 11 substations, developing special rates and services for electric vehicles and providing in-home smart devices to better equip members to monitor energy and save money.
• To continue improving service reliability, we’re investing in two new 100-kilovolt transmission lines that will serve two of YEC’s substations: Flint Hill, near Carowinds, and India Hook in Rock Hill.
• Through our Rural Internet Project, YEC has now provided high-speed Internet access to 1,500 members who did not have this service a year ago. Construction continues, which will provide high-speed Internet access to the remaining unserved members in the next 14 months.

In summary, rates will stay low, rebate checks will continue to be large, rural internet is being installed and electric service reliability is excellent. Your co-op is in great shape and our dedication to continue looking out for you remains true.

Sincerely,

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Board of trustees 2022 election results

 
District 1 Trustee
William Roy “Will” Mitchell

District 2 Trustee
Marion Comer

District 3 Trustee
Richard B. Sadler

York Electric’s 2022 Annual Meeting was held on Friday, May 13, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 14, from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m., followed by our virtual business meeting, where the grand prize and door prize winners were announced, as well as the official election results. We were happy to offer a convenient way for members to exercise the value of their membership. Thank you for helping us celebrate our 81st year of serving you. Every member. Every time.

2022 Annual Meeting recap »

Take a look at some of our favorite moments! Watch the Annual Meeting video, see the election results, and see the list of winners and prizes here »

2022-YEC-Annual-Meeting-Drive-Thru

YEC Member Charlie Johnson

YEC-Member-Jeanna-Heggins

YEC-Member-Perry-Johnston-and-CEO-Paul-Basha

YEC-Hayle Geddings-and-Bonnie-Fulton

YEC-2022-Annual-Meeting-Video-QR-Code

 

The YEC Member Services team has a wealth of knowledge to support our members. From setting up new accounts and answering billing inquires, to explaining the purpose of equipment and outage damages, the team is known for their consistent support and help to members.

More than ever, we understand time is valuable, which is why calling the team is not always convenient for our members. That’s why we’ve worked hard to make their knowledge and skills more accessible to you! Here are several features available to you that will save you time and help you connect with us without the phone or making a trip.

Chat online

Don’t have time for a call or need a quick solution? Jump on chat from our website during normal business hours and we’ll assist you. Our chat team works hard to answer members’ questions with concise responses. However, if we can’t get it resolved, we’ll call you!

We’ve gotten rave reviews. Here’s what others are saying about their YEC Chat experience:

• “Very fast communication and resolution!”
• “My question got complicated, so she nicely called me to clarify.”
• “Thanks for the quick help.”
• “Quick and easy!”

Email our team

Even though we may be away, our Member Services Inbox is on 24×7. Have a question or need help with something that isn’t urgent? Shoot us an email and we’ll respond the next business day. Account questions, program explanations, or service needs can all be handled with a simple email to our team at .

Update your contact information

As you know, YEC is always looking out for you. We want to answer your questions before they arise, which means communicating with you ahead of time for service updates, planned outages, and important cooperative news. Additionally, having correct contact information for our members helps us identify your account so that we can serve you quickly, efficiently, and accurately. Before an outage occurs, YEC urges you to update your account information with your email address, home phone, and cell phone numbers. Accurate information allows our system to match your account and service location to your phone number so that we can quickly pinpoint any outages, improving restoration times.

Providing YEC with your email address and cell phone number allows us to communicate timely information directly to you. Should an urgent issue arise or if your co-op is hosting an important event, we’ll notify you with the details beforehand to keep you in the know and help clarify key information.

Keeping you informed is a priority. That’s why we always contact you directly via email and text if we will be performing maintenance in your area, if you will be affected by a planned outage, with any urgent news or if we feel you might benefit from a local event.

Providing your cell phone number also allows you to communicate with your co-op. Did you know you can check your balance, pay your bill and report an outage just by texting YEC? We have to have your number saved on file, but it’s an easy way to stay connected with your co-op.

Text 352667 with BAL to check your balance, PAY to make a payment with your saved banking profile on our member portal, or OUTAGE to report your power out.

Online is the way to go

YEC wants to empower our members to save their time and gas money by conducting their account business online. Whether you want to use our secure member portal, our free YEC mobile app, or our automated phone features, the first step is to create an online member profile. Save your checking account information for easy bill payments each month or, better yet, sign up for worry-free bank draft!

How to log in to the Member Portal:

1. Visit the Member Portal and click LOGIN on the left side of the screen to get started.
2. Enter your account number and password. If you do not have your password, select FORGOT PASSWORD to create your own, secure profile.
3. You’re all set to navigate your own account! Review the graphic below for some important features that will help make your business with YEC easy and convenient.

Account Profile (1)

Select Account Profile from the “My Account” menu to update your contact information and any other account details.

Payment Profile (2)

Select Payment Profile from the “Billing and Payments” menu to create and save a secure payment profile to use each month. Once you save your bank account information, you can use several other payment methods each month with no extra fee including text to pay, our automated PowerTouch system at 1 (866) 374-1234 or our free mobile app.

Quick Pay (3)

Don’t remember your login profile? No problem! Use the QUICK PAY feature to remit payment.

Arrangements (4)

Worried you will be late this month? Create your own payment arrangement to give yourself a little extra time. Your co-op cares and understands.

Report an Outage (5)

If your power is out, click here to report your location. No need to enter more information—we’ve already identified your location from your login information.

Get York Electric’s free mobile app

Did you know texting is not all you can do with your cell phone? You have the power right in your hands to conduct business with your co-op through our free mobile app. Make a payment, report an outage, monitor your usage, update your account information, sign up for notifications, create a bank draft profile or make a payment arrangement right from your phone.

How it works:

1. Download YEC’s app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Sign in with your account number and password. Don’t have one yet? Enter your account number and then click forgot password to start your profile. This sign-in information will be the same used to log in to YEC’s secure member portal.
3. Select the account for which you would like to conduct business.
4. Review the menu selections to pick which option you need.

Get the YEC App

You can quickly download our mobile app – and access your account digitally from anywhere at any time – by searching for “York Electric” in your phone’s app store.

Android App on Google Play | Mac App Store (via your iPhone or iPad)

Google Android

Apple iOS

Was that a blink?

Have you ever noticed your lights flicker during a thunderstorm? Or maybe you’ve had to reset the clocks in your house after a brief power interruption. This is known as a “blink” and, as inconvenient as it might be, it demonstrates that YEC’s electrical equipment is working properly, protecting against further damage and preventing longer outages.

Yes, that was a blink and it’s perfectly normal. Continue reading to earn more about power blinks.

York Electric Cooperative works year-round to prevent outages by aggressively trimming rights-of-way, conducting system improvements and inspections, moving overhead power lines underground and performing constant system maintenance. However, we know we cannot predict or prevent all service interruptions. So, our electrical system is designed to minimize the effects of outages to members when they do occur. A power blink is proof that our system is working properly.

What is a power blink?

Power blinks are short service interruptions that are caused by a fault on the line. A fault occurs when something contacts an energized line, disrupting the flow of electricity. This could be a squirrel, tree limb, lightning, a car accident or something similar. For example, when a tree limb falls onto a line, and then to the ground, the power blinks, but it does not stay off for long. In this instance, while the flow of electricity is momentarily interrupted, the smart devices on our system detect whether or not it is safe to resume normal power distribution.

What causes an outage after a blink?

It is common for the device to attempt to clear the line of a fault more than once. If the line is not cleared or the smart device detects other problems, the line will de-energize to protect against further equipment damages and ensure safety. Simultaneously during an outage situation, additional equipment communicates with YEC’s outage management system to help isolate the problem, pinpoint the outage and predict the outage cause so that crews can respond as quickly as possible.

Regardless of the cause, YEC crews will be dispatched to inspect any damage and make repairs after a power outage.

Have you experienced repeated disruptions to your electric service? Please let us know by emailing our member services team or use our website’s chat feature at the bottom right of each web page.

Cooperatives are unlike any other utility. We are owned by those we proudly serve. If you are a member of YEC, you are an owner of YEC, so your monthly payment goes farther than simply paying for the electricity you use. Your payment is a tangible way for you to exercise one of the Seven Cooperative Principles, “members’ economic participation.” Your dollar goes to work for you by helping your co-op build equity and invest in your energy future for reliable, affordable power and then it is returned to you as a capital credit.

Each year, your cooperative’s financial health is evaluated by your board of trustees. Returning capital credits to members not only shows your cooperative is in great shape, but it also provides a return on your investment. As a member, your bill payment allows you to add equity to your cooperative, building wealth that helps secure low-interest loans, low service rates for members and investment in system maintenance and improvements that increase service reliability.

Capital credits are returned from the margins generated by York Electric Cooperative, or the money exceeding the cost to operate. This evaluation decision by the board of trustees proportionally allocates money to reinvest into the future of the cooperative and the amount of money to give back to members.

This year, your board of trustees voted to return $2.5 million to members who were served by the cooperative in 2000, 2001 and 2020. For amounts under $15, members should expect a credit on their electric bills during the month of May 2022. For any amount more than $15, please expect a check in the mail. Remember, YEC is always looking out for you.

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

It shouldn’t be a surprise to know service excellence for you is our top priority here at YEC. We’ve talked before about providing a level of comfort when you conduct business and making it easy to get your questions answered. But what if we were able to take it a step further and prevent your question altogether? We’re here to be your source for power and information. Look no further. If you have questions, rest assured we’re here to help.

In the May 2022 issue of South Carolina Living, you will find information to help empower you to take care of your account, use online tools to conduct your business, answer common questions about your service and show you easy ways to connect with our member services team without picking up the phone. We’ll also discuss steps we take to train employees to help troubleshoot problems that arise to mitigate any issues as quickly as possible and highlight information that you can use to better understand your membership, service and available options.

May is National Electrical Safety Month and we would be remiss if we didn’t point out that each aspect of our service focuses on your safety. Whether you are interested in learning more about generator safety or conducting online business, your co-op is behind the scenes making sure your health and account integrity remain secure.

Remember, we’re still here—just a phone call away—to support you if you can’t find what you need. We’re committed to being your one-stop shop for information, answering your questions and taking care of business from the first call or website search, and always looking out for you.

Sincerely,

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

YEC teams compete in Lineman’s Rodeo

The 2nd annual South Carolina Lineman’s Rodeo was held on March 25 and 26, 2022 at Horry Electric Cooperative in Conway. YEC’s teams of apprentice and journeyman linemen competed against other co-op lineworkers from across the state in a series of events that showcase the expertise, training, safety and experience needed within their trade. See your local linemen in action as they display the skills they use to serve you.

Group Shot of Linemen

Fourteen of YEC’s hardworking linemen competed in the S.C. Lineman’s Rodeo, including (left to right) Lander Tritt, Joey Winters, Jay Robinson, Tyler Adams, Ethan Mitchell, Jackson Good, Hunter Reed, Ryan Putnam, Zhenya Deller, Stephen Trotter, Luke Lucas, Graham Hennessy, Dustin Victor and Alex Pittman.

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Photo Credit: Erin Powell

YEC will celebrate 81 years of service to the members of York Electric Cooperative by hosting their annual meeting of members on Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14, 2022, at YEC’s main office, located at 1385 East Alexander Love Highway in York. Because of the record number of participants and efficiency, the meeting will be drive-thru only again this year. Registration and voting for the annual meeting will be open on Friday, May 13 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., and on Saturday, May 14 from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. We will host a virtual business meeting that will stream online at yorkelectric.net and on our Facebook account. A transcript of the virtual meeting will be available on our website for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Action will be taken on the following matters during the meeting:

1. The report of officers, trustees, and committees
2. The election of trustees
3. All other business that may come before the meeting

Members are encouraged to attend the annual meeting and MUST bring a valid photo ID and their registration postcard, which is attached to the front of the April 2022 issue of South Carolina Living magazine. All members who wish to be entered into the prize drawing and vote must be in line by 7 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday.

If your card is lost or forgotten, we will make a new one for you when you arrive.

Each member registering will receive a $20 credit on his or her June 2022 electric bill and is limited to one vote and registration. You must be present to vote and receive the registration credit. Registered members will also be entered into drawings for valuable prizes, including a 2013 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado pickup truck and two $500 power bill credits.

Your cooperative’s audited financial report will be available during the week of the annual meeting on our website, at each of YEC’s offices, and by request at the annual meeting.

You will find a map for the voting and registration drive-thru route on the back of the magazine and here on our website. We invite you to learn about the two candidates running for trustee in District 3 on the inside back cover of the magazine. You will also have the choice to meet with the candidates on the day of the annual meeting or continue to the express lane if you already know for which candidate you plan to vote. For more details about the annual meeting, please contact our member services team at (803) 684-4248.

I look forward to seeing you and your family as we celebrate another year of serving you!

Secretary/Treasurer, District 5

2022 Annual Meeting Trustee Elections

DISTRICT 1
Uncontested
Incumbent, nominated by petition
William Roy “Will” Mitchell
104 N. Beersheba Rd.
Clover, SC 29710

DISTRICT 2
Uncontested
Incumbent, nominated by petition
Marion Comer
2895 Sawmill Rd.
Hickory Grove, SC 29717

DISTRICT 3
Nominated by petition
Thomas “Lee” McClellan
1054 Oakmont Dr.
Rock Hill, SC

“If I am elected to serve as a YEC trustee, I will be a good listener and work with other board members to keep YEC members happy as the world continues changing. Being a part of a group of people with good morals and values is important to me as a Christian. YEC has always demonstrated these same standards with a great group of employees who take care of their members, and I would be honored to be a part of the organization.” Read Mr. McClellan’s full interview.

DISTRICT 3
Incumbent, nominated by petition
Richard B. Sadler
3873 W. McConnells Hwy.
Sharon, SC 29742

“I’m thankful to be a lifelong member of YEC and grateful to have the privilege of serving our members and community as YEC trustee. I credit my YEC neighbors and friends to providing me the opportunity to continue to give back to my community and be the man I am today. If re-elected, I will continue to work to represent each member and stand for good, safe service for a reasonable cost while navigating the future.” Read Mr. Sadler’s full interview.

2022 Annual Meeting Video

[PDF] 2022 Annual Meeting Transcript

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View the Annual Meeting transcript as a web page

[PDF] 2021 Audited Financial Report

3 MB

[PDF] 2022: Annual Meeting Information

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[PDF] YEC Annual Meeting – Drive-Thru Map

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[PDF] YEC Annual Meeting Registration and Voting ID Requirements

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Like all co-ops, York Electric Cooperative is governed by a set of principles that outlines how we do business and emphasizes the importance of you—our members.

YEC has open and voluntary membership. Any person or business within YEC’s service territory can be served by YEC.

Your co-op is democratically controlled. Our board of directors is elected by the members each year at our annual meeting. We hope to see you on May 13 and 14 for this year’s drive-thru annual meeting to register for your $20 power bill credit, vote for the three board seats up for election and learn about the latest cooperative business.

Each member participates economically in their co-op. When you pay your bill each month, you are creating an equitable relationship with your co-op. Therefore, we return any profits exceeding the cost to operate to members in the form of Capital Credits. This year, our board voted to give $2.4 million back to members.

YEC is an autonomous and independent company. Although we are one of many cooperatives across the country and one of 20 cooperatives in South Carolina, our board of directors decides our rates, business practices, policies and procedures. These are decided upon based on the best benefit to our members, helping YEC continue to provide reliable, safe and affordable energy.

YEC is committed to providing education, training and information to its members, employees and communities. We have the responsibility to share information about our business decisions, electrical safety and community partnerships with those we serve, as well as equip our employees with the knowledge and skills to perform their jobs.

YEC cooperates with other cooperatives to make a bigger impact. When storms occur or when important issues arise in the halls of government, co-ops band together to make a difference. From sending crews out of town to lobbying for what is best for our members, cooperatives work together for the benefit of the members and communities we serve.

We’re more than just your electric provider; YEC has a deep concern for community. We are committed to improving the quality of life for our members and those living in our service territory. YEC supports economic development to bring quality jobs to our area, provides funding for community improvement projects and gives time and resources to support the education of our youth.