October is National Co-op Month, and electric cooperatives across the country are highlighting the many ways we “Power On.” Keeping this theme in mind, I recognize the essential role we play in serving a special community like ours.

Who would have fathomed in March, that the COVID-19 virus would amount to a test of our community and our nation? The changing circumstances due to the pandemic have created both challenges and opportunities. Over the past several months, we’ve all been challenged to operate differently. In the midst of this SCEC has converted to a new enterprise software system. We had the conversion planned over a year in advance. This has created some unique challenges for both our staff and for our members. Ours was one of the first conversions the software company did without being able to come on-site.  The entire conversion was done via video conferences and electronic meetings.

Along with your bill appearing slightly different than it used to, some of the other ways our members have been or will be directly affected by this are listed below:

Members who paid their bill with CREDIT CARD AUTO PAY need to ENROLL IN THE AUTO PAY PROGRAM in the new system to continue with auto pay.

For months we updated our members on the changes that were going to take place and appreciate all those who took action. Unfortunately, some members have not and are now realizing their Auto Pay is no longer in effect.  Since we have now gone through two complete billing cycles under the new system, that means they are now TWO MONTHS BEHIND and could be subject to disconnection.

Over the past several weeks we have identified those members who used to be on credit card auto pay and who have fallen behind since the conversion, and we are reaching out to them via phone and email. We have had success with many who are now current and enrolled in Auto Pay, but there are still members out there who have not taken action and appear to be unaware their bill is no longer on  Auto Pay. Additionally, in many instances, we have run across disconnected phone numbers, full voicemail boxes and/or undeliverable email addresses -all complicating our ability to reach out to members to help avoid a disruption in service.

Some members who received their bill mid-month with a due date in the beginning of the month WILL NOT RECEIVE A BILL IN NOVEMBER.

You can read more about this on Page 1. We don’t just promote energy efficiency here at SCEC – we also implement business efficiency!

You have more options to pay your bill ANY DAY, ANY TIME.

For many years SCEC has offered a 24-hour online bill payment system where you could make a payment using a credit card or checking account. However, to pay by phone you had to call during regular business hours and give your payment information month after month. We now have a dedicated 24-hour line – 833-890-9512 – where you can not only pay any time of any day, but you can also STORE that payment information so it takes even less time the next time you call! Additionally, YOU CAN SET UP AUTO PAY OVER THE PHONE!

Another option for those who want to pay quickly is the blue “Pay Now” button found on our homepage: https://www.scecnet.net/. With this option there is no need to register or log in, but you will need your account number.

Lastly, just as the COVID-19 virus has impacted all our lives, computer viruses can also significantly impact our lives. In the last 6 months, cybersecurity activity has noticeably increased. October is also National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – so please be as cautious about not catching a computer virus as you are about maintaining your health!

Until next month,