Whether you are a researcher, YEC member or you simply want to know more about York Electric Cooperative, take this opportunity to browse our news archive.
Community-minded, member-dedicated.
Celebrate our great community with York Electric at our 79th Annual Business Meeting for members on Saturday, May 9, 2020. We have been hard at work planning a fun-filled day, including a children's zone, live music, food vendors and more. In a few months, we will be publishing proposed amendments to our current bylaws that will need to be approved by the membership, as well as more details about the meeting. Members who register will receive a $20 bill credit and will be entered to win door and grand prizes. Please review the Annual Meeting bylaw excerpts pertaining to nominations of trustees included in this issue. As a member, you are the most important part of YEC, and your input is essential. Thank you for being members of YEC. We look forward to spending the day with you and celebrating our 79th year of serving you and our community!
2018 Financial Statement
Financial Health is important at YEC. To review a copy of our 2018 audited financial statement, download a copy or contact our member services department at (803) 684-4248.
[PDF] 2018 Financial Report
170 KB 40 downloads
Bylaw excerpt–Article IV Trustees, Section 4.06 Nominations:
Not less than ninety (90) days prior to the meeting, nominations may be made by twenty-five (25) or more members of the Cooperative in writing over their signatures on an explicit petition document listing their nominee(s) in like manner. This document must be obtained from the Cooperative no more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the Annual Meeting and must be specific to each district. In addition to the required petition, candidates must attend a Board-developed educational program on Cooperative history, operations and governance not less than sixty (60) days prior to the next Annual Meeting, or have a minimum of three (3) years of service as an electric cooperative Trustee. The educational requirement will be offered at the Cooperative on two (2) specified dates prior to the Annual Meeting. The Secretary shall mail to the members with the notice of the meeting, or separately, but at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting, a complete statement of the names and addresses of all nominees for each Trustee District from or with respect to which one or more Trustees must be elected, showing clearly those who have completed the educational requirement and those who have completed a minimum of three years of service as an electric cooperative Trustee. The Secretary shall post in like manner such nominations at the Cooperative offices sixty (60) days prior to the next Annual Meeting.
March 23, 2020
The Rock Hill branch lobby is closed and 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.
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.
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. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of opportunities such as this when households are otherwise preoccupied. If you get a call from someone claiming to represent YEC, and they make threats or demand immediate payment, hang up and call York Electric at (803) 684-4248.
Credit card numbers and personal information should never be given to suspicious callers. Members should call YEC if they have questions about their accounts. Member services representatives can help confirm payment and balance due on a member's account.
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Cultivating success and a better quality of life reaches beyond YEC's members to the communities in our area. That means York Electric is always looking out for you and your best interests and seeking opportunities to make your life better.
Improving life often means lending a helping hand. Since 2000, York Electric has returned $3 million to our communities through our Operation Round Up program. The credit goes to our dedicated membership: More than 70 percent of co-op members allow us to round their electric bill up to the next whole dollar, donating the spare change to our Operation Round Up Trust. This volunteer trust board helps local non-profit organizations that serve our membership. Its members review applications and, each quarter, award money to organizations that qualify and meet the mission of the trust.
As Chairman Gary Farris says, "Serving the members of the cooperative has been an honor. I know we are making a difference to those who need it most."
Operation Round Up is the epitome of what we can do if we work together. Who knew that a contribution of less than $7 a year could turn into such a blessing for so many members in need?
You probably know by now that complacency is not an option here at YEC. Your co-op always wants to improve and do more. That's why we established a new 501(c)(3) organization in 2019, The Burrell Foundation. Named for the late Mr. Dick Burrell, a former York Electric board member who was known for his generosity and kindness, The Burrell Foundation can go beyond helping York Electric members. It will allow us to better serve our communities in unity.
Perhaps a child's bike that was stolen needs to be replaced or a ramp needs to be built for an elderly member of the community. Maybe a single mom needs help to get back on her feet. The Burrell Foundation will be able to help. The foundation was designed to bring those who can help together with those who need help. If you are interested in participating in some of our initial fundraising activities, which will begin this year, please call our office.
Thank you for helping us share the love with those who need it most. We locals here at YEC have a passion for serving and, just like you, want to make our area the best it can be.
Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pancakes, anyone? Order up April 4!
Help kick off The Burrell Foundation on Saturday, April 4, 2020, at Fatz Café in Rock Hill for our Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser! Enjoy a delicious meal served by YEC employees and support a great cause.
Breakfast will be served from 8-10 am. Adult tickets are $10 each, which includes three pancakes, two sausage links, fruit and a drink. Tickets for children under the age of 12 are $6 each and include one pancake, one sausage link, fruit and a drink. Feel free to stop by one of our office locations to purchase a ticket ahead of time or come that morning to purchase one at the door.
We'll sell Hope T-shirts and bumper stickers to support the fight against cancer. Tickets and Hope gear go on sale soon, so stay tuned for details! Proceeds benefit The Burrell Foundation, supporting those in need in our community. Google Map
Due to concerns related to the spread of COVID-19 Teddy Bear Trot 2020 has been cancelled. York Electric’s priority is looking out for you, which means keeping you and others safe in our community. YEC has been monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) threats closely and we have decided, in accordance with the recommendations from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention and our local and state health departments, to cancel the 2020 Teddy Bear Trot 5k and Fun Run, previously scheduled for March 28th. All persons who registered online through our RunSignUp page will receive a refund for their registration fees. We appreciate your patience as we work to do our part in protecting the health of our community members.
While we unfortunately must cancel our event, you can still support this worthy cause from the safety of your home! Join the fight against child abuse by supporting the Children's Attention Home, a local shelter for abused and neglected children and teens. Read on to find out how you can help!
We appreciate your patience as we continue to serve our local communities and look out for your best interest with the ongoing concerns of Coronavirus (COVID-19). For any questions or concerns regarding this cancellation, please email Erin Powell at .
For more information on the efforts we are making to increase awareness and safety measures during this time, visit us online at www.yorkelectric.net or speak to one of our Member Services Representatives by calling 803-684-4248.
To still support the Children's Attention Home, you can:
- Give financially. Ensuring they have the financial means to respond to the needs of their children during this time is paramount.
- Check their needs list for any supplies you may be able to help with during this time.
- Stay connected through Facebook, Instagram, and www.attentionhome.org/give!
YEC partners with York County DSS and the Children's Attention Home of York County to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect. Proceeds aid foster children at the Children's Attention Home, which provides a safe, nurturing environment for children removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect.
High School students, apply now for your "co-opportunities"! Online applications for each educational experience can be found here.
Scholarships for 12 high school seniors
One student attending York Technical College studying a trade will receive the $1,000 Technical Advantage Scholarship. Applications are due by April 17, 2020.
Eleven $1,000 Touchstone Energy Scholarships will be awarded to York Electric members. Applications are due by April 17, 2020.
A trip of a lifetime for three high school juniors
Join us in the District of Columbia June 20–25 for the 2020 Washington Youth Tour! Applications are due by February 7.
Fun-filled adventure to the state capital for four high school sophomores and juniors:
Travel to Columbia July 7–10 to learn more about your state, meet lawmakers, and learn more about electric cooperatives for the 2020 South Carolina Cooperative Youth Summit! Applications are due by February 7.
As we move into 2020, we want our membership to be more informed than ever before on our purpose as a cooperative and your role as members. Please allow me to take a minute to introduce myself on behalf of YEC's Board of Trustees, who are honored to continue serving you. My name is Jack Cornwell. I represent District 2 on your board and currently serve as chairman. I am happy to share insight from the board room, as well as a review of your co-op's 2019 accomplishments.
As board members, we spend a great deal of time each month studying reports and analyzing the best way to continue providing excellent service. This includes several types of training sessions so that we may better understand the jobs of YEC employees and how we can best support them in their mission to take care of our members. For 2019, this included six different in-house training sessions, giving us more details about what goes on day-to-day at your co-op. We received reports from employees and industry experts, began work on our strategic plan for the next five years, and reviewed 58 company policies, holding true to our pledge to look out for you.
Each month, we study safety reports, approve financial documents, and provide direction, vision and approval for economic development projects. We plan for future growth and goals for improvement and review and suggest bylaw changes to protect members' rights. We strategize our debt to best serve our members. We also work together to make your co-op a gold standard for governance by reviewing our compliance with the new South Carolina legislation. Additionally, we completed a risk assessment of your co-op to be better prepared against potential threats.
Just this past year, we completed YEC's 2019 accomplishments—no small feat. We spent a great deal of time reviewing, discussing and researching the sale of Santee Cooper to ensure that your power costs stay low and that YEC members are protected. We worked to complete two audits to take a deep dive into your cooperative's financials, helping to keep costs low. These audits included one by an independent auditor, who reviewed all our financials, including cash flow, with your board without any employees present. There was also a Rural Utility Services audit of over $72 million worth of power line construction and upgrades. We are pleased to report both audits were successful and that your co-op is in excellent financial shape. Audits also help us make an informed decision on how much money can be returned to you through capital credits.
Charting YEC growth over 15 years
York Electric's service territory continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States. Let's look back to see how YEC has grown over 15 years:
| Data | 2003 | 2018 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of underground line | 445 | 1,938 | +336% |
| Miles of overhead line | 1,959 | 1,998 | +2% |
| Residential meters | 32,892 | 60,303 | +83.4% |
| Commercial and industrial meters | 2,613 | 4,687 | +79% |
| Capital credits | $900,000 | $1,400,000 | +64.3% |
This year was the first time in YEC's history we have completed two retirements in one year, giving back $3 million to our members. This could not be possible without the support of our dedicated employees and the continued support from our members. Together, we have given back more than $3 million dollars to our community through our Operation Round Up Trust. We worked to improve communication and the transparency of our business while improving the quality of life in our area.
Thank you for allowing us to serve you and make a difference. Please let us know if you need anything. We'll be in the board room working for you.
Jack Cornwell
Chairman, District 2
