York Electric Cooperative, Inc.

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Every member. Every time. 2022 Annual Meeting recap

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 »

YEC CEO Paul Basha chatting with member Perry Johnston at the Annual Meeting registration drive-thru.
YEC President and CEO Paul Basha greets member Perry Johnston in the registration line.

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.

Paul Basha

Sincerely,

Signature

 

 

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Board of trustees 2022 election results

 

Will Mitchell
 
District 1 Trustee
William Roy “Will” Mitchell

 

Marion Comer

District 2 Trustee
Marion Comer

 
 
Richard Sadler

District 3 Trustee
Richard B. Sadler

Annual Meeting Photos

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 »

Charlie Johnson on his motorcycle
Jeanna Heggins in her car registering for the meeting
Perry Johnston in his vehicle and Paul Basha standing outside talking
YEC staff member registering a member at the drive-thru
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YEC Member Charlie Johnson
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Vehicles lined up for drive-thru voting.
Charlie Johnson
Jeanna Heggins
Perry Johnston & Paul Basha
Hayle Geddings and Bonnie Fulton
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Save time and a trip!

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.

 

YEC Member Portal displayed on laptop screen

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

YEC's mobile app as viewed on a smartphone
Photo credit: Erin Powell

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)

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Google Play Store App QR Code		Apple iOS
Apple App Store QR Code

Was that a blink?

Woman resetting her microwave clock
While they may be frustrating, blinks are not bad. A blink shows our electrical equipment is working properly. As you reset the clock on your microwave, remember, it’s just another way YEC is looking out for you.

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.

Pay your bill, invest in your co-op: $2.5 million to YEC members

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.

LaToya Ellis in her office
YEC’s Financial Accountant LaToya Ellis has 20 years of experience in capital credit payments to members. She and the other accounting team members work to support each other to uphold the integrity of your cooperative’s financial health, ensuring you get payments each year.

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.

Capital Credits FAQ

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As members of YEC, do we build equity in the co-op, and if we leave the area do we get a payout?

Capital Credits are a benefit of membership in a member-owned utility. Each year, YEC uses the revenues that exceed operating costs as equity. These funds and borrowed capital allow YEC to serve a growing number of members while implementing the latest technology to provide the best possible service. As a not-for-profit utility, YEC later returns these revenues to the members who originally paid them in their electric bills.

Each year, our members receive Capital Credit checks. Members will receive Capital Credit checks in the mail unless the amount due to them is less than $15. If the member’s refund is less than $15, the amount will be distributed and printed on their utility billing statement as a line item credit. The amount of Capital Credits returned is determined by total revenues received over expenses for the cooperative and your total energy billings for the year. They are paid periodically with board approval after review of YEC’s financial status.

If you leave YEC’s service area, your Capital Credits remain in your name and member number until they are retired. Therefore, you need to make sure YEC has your current mailing address.

Category: Capital Credits FAQ
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What are Capital Credits?

York Electric is a cooperative. A cooperative is owned by its members and does not technically earn profits. Instead, any revenues over the cost of doing business are considered “margins.” These margins represent an interest-free loan of operating capital by the membership of the cooperative. This capital allows York Electric to finance operations and, to a certain extent, construction. The utility then returns this capital to the members in later years.

Category: Capital Credits FAQ
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How often will I receive an allocation notice?

You should receive an allocation notice each year after a financial audit of York Electric has been completed. During the month of May, members receive Capital Credit checks in the mail unless the amount due to them is less than $15. If the member’s refund is less than $15, the amount will be distributed and printed on their utility billing statement as a line item credit.

Category: Capital Credits FAQ
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What do I have to do to start accumulating Capital Credits?

Capital Credits are calculated by York Electric for every member who purchased electricity during a year in which the utility earned margins. No special action is required to start a Capital Credit account. Your membership with York Electric activates your Capital Credit account.

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How are Capital Credits calculated?

The amount of Capital Credits you earn in a given year is based upon the amount of electricity purchased. Each member receives a credit based on a percentage for each dollar of electricity purchased.

Category: Capital Credits FAQ
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Will I receive a Capital Credits check every year?

Not necessarily. The board of trustees must authorize a refund before you receive a check. When considering a refund, the board analyzes the financial status of the cooperative and will not authorize a refund if it is not in the best interest of the membership.

Category: Capital Credits FAQ
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Can I use the Capital Credits I have allocated to pay my electric bill?

No. Allocated Capital Credits may not be used to pay current bills. While your electric bill is due monthly, you will not be entitled to your Capital Credits until the board of trustees authorizes a refund. This will take place over many years, since York Electric needs the funds to grow.

Category: Capital Credits FAQ
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What happens to the Capital Credits of members who die?

The representative of the estate can have the balance of Capital Credits transferred into the heir’s name and the balance will be paid out as the board of trustees approves refunds.

Category: Capital Credits FAQ
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What happens to my Capital Credits when I leave York Electric’s service area?

Your Capital Credits remain in your name and member number until they are retired. You just need to ensure that York Electric has your current mailing address.

Category: Capital Credits FAQ

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