We live in a device-driven world. Our smartphones, tablets, laptops and an assortment of other devices help us communicate and connect. Companies spend billions pushing out a steady drumbeat of messages and information, and we are constantly bombarded with one-way communication. But is anyone listening on the other end?

At St. Croix Electric Co-op, we are not only listening, we are eager to hear from you. Whether you message us, respond to a survey or social media post, send an email, call us or stop by, we thrive on your feedback. Connecting with you helps us keep pace with our community’s priorities and needs.

I’ve had a few recent conversations with members, and I’d like to share with you my replies and thoughts:

"Why does SCEC no longer pay out CAPITAL CREDITS to those of a certain age?"

The Senior Refund - payout of all ALLOCATED Capital Credits - for members aged 75 and up was discontinued in 2005 because it was considered “age discrimination” and could affect our loan funding abilities from the RUS – the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service. SCEC is able to borrow funds through the RUS at very favorable rates to maintain, expand, and upgrade our electric infrastructure. Other loan sources are available; however, they would result in an increased interest expense for SCEC’s members.

What is the latest news on a potential new COMMUNITY SOLAR project discussed in the August 2021 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS column?

Our members showed significant interest in another COMMUNITY SOLAR project, so we are moving forward with expanding our solar offerings. We have met with developers and signed a letter of intent with one developer. We are now jointly looking for land and an appropriate location on our system as we move forward with contract discussions with our developer and generation provider.

This process can take up to two years to fully develop due to permitting, ordering parts, etc.

We continue to track members’ interest in Community Solar through our COMMUNITY SOLAR INTEREST FORM (also available on SMARTHUB Contact Us screen.

Who are the people coming up to my house taking photos of SCEC’s meters and other electrical equipment?

We’ve received a few calls about our field contractors conducting GPS (Global Positioning System) field data collection. The crews from Global Mapping Solutions (GMS) are currently working in the area served by the Deer Park substation and will be moving onto the Carr Creek substation soon. The contractors wear reflective SCEC vests and do work sometimes on Saturdays and Sundays and sometimes travel on foot or on ATVs. They are taking a pictorial inventory and GPS locations of all our field assets.

We do our best to notify members when contractors are going to be in their area by proactively mentioning the project in the newsletter, sending out letters a few weeks before they are in your area and sending out automated phone calls a few days before they come to your area. But, the emails and phone calls don’t always make it to members.

This is why it is so important for you as members to be sure you update your contact information with us – phone numbers, email addresses and mailing addresses. The easiest way for you to verify or update your information is through SmartHub, our member portal. You can Register/Login from our website www.scecnet.net or the app on your mobile device.

We understand having strangers taking pictures on your property may be concerning to some, but this is exactly why we have implemented multiple communication channels to inform you of this project and the value it brings to SCEC and to you as a co-op member.

SCEC works to continually listen to and learn from our members so that we can better serve you. Effective two-way communication is essential to that process. So please don’t be shy about reaching out to us by asking questions and providing us feedback.  Connect with us and let us know your perspective. You can always reach us at scec@scecnet.net or 715-796-7000 – we’re listening.