April 2020 | Volume 82 | Issue 4
How PCEC is Responding to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a number of questions and challenges related to how the co-op operates and plans for the future. Below are a few of the steps we’ve taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community while maintaining business operations for the cooperative.
CHANGES TO ANNUAL MEETING PLANS
Following guidelines set by the CDC and local public health officials, Platte-Clay’s annual meeting will not be held on May 7 as originally planned. In place of an annual meeting event, the co-op will hold a special meeting later this year to conduct the business of elections for the Board of Directors and to vote on by-law amendments.
This was a difficult but necessary decision made by the Board of Directors in the best interest of employees and consumer-members alike.
OFFICE CLOSURES, DISCONNECTS SUSPENDED
In March, PCEC made the decision to temporarily close its offices to the public in addition to suspending disconnects and late fees for non-payment. To confirm if these measures are still in place, please visit: www.PCEC.coop/coronavirus.
CONTINUING OUR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING SAFE AND RELIABLE ENERGY
The co-op is making a number of adjustments to its operations in order to keep our employees and consumer-members safe and healthy, but we remain committed to delivering safe and reliable energy to the Northland. Crews remain available to respond to outage calls, and work is still being done to keep the lights on for members.
Keeping Our Focus on Reliability and Safety Through Difficult Times
Dave Deihl, General Manager
From the General Manager
As a utility that provides critical services to tens of thousands of members, part of our job at Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative is to always be prepared for the unexpected. From outages to regulatory changes, we have to be prepared to continue delivering on our commitment to provide safe and reliable energy regardless of the challenge.
Our latest challenge, and one we know our whole Northland community is facing, is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations. I want to let you know that your electric co-op continues to work hard to make sure you receive the same great reliable service you’ve come to expect from us.
Once the COVID-19 situation began to take hold, we immediately gathered our senior staff to start discussing our contingency plans to ensure the co-op remained operational throughout the duration of the public health crisis facing our nation. This allowed us to take quick action to protect the health and well-being of both our members and employees alike.
Throughout this saga, we’ve stayed in close touch with our cooperative partners on the state and national levels to make sure we are implementing best practices when it comes to responding to concerns related to the coronavirus.
“Through every unexpected situation, like what we are facing now with COVID-19, we keep our focus on the goals of reliability and safety.”
We’ve also been in contact with our power supplier, Associated Electric Cooperative, and have received reassurance that they have adequate plans in place to make sure their power generation functions continue through these difficult times.
Through every unexpected situation, like what we are facing now with COVID-19, we keep our focus on the goals of reliability and safety. Those priorities remain the same regardless of what precautions we must put in place to safeguard our employees and members.
As this situation is changing minute by minute, I strongly encourage you to check www.PCEC.coop/coronavirus for answers to any questions you may have about adjustments we’ve made to accommodate our new temporary reality at the co-op.
Our communities are #NorthlandStrong and we will make it through this challenge together. As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me by emailing generalmanager@pcec.coop.
We Stand Together, #NorthlandStrong
As a local employer, community organization and stewards of critical infrastructure, we care about the health of consumer-members and understand the role we play in protecting it. We know our community is #NorthlandStrong and we will make it through this together!
We encourage you to support locally-owned businesses in the Northland during this difficult time by purchasing gift cards that can be used at a later date.
A Message From Associated Electric Cooperative, Our Power Supplier
With all the unexpected changes and cancellations happening as a result of the coronavirus, we want members to be at ease in knowing your electricity will be there when you need it. Your power supplier continues to proactively address the global pandemic to ensure reliability.
Important Annual Meeting Notice
Due to concerns related to COVID-19, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting will not be held on May 7 as originally planned. The co-op’s by-laws allow for the meeting to be scheduled in April, May, June or at a later date in the form of a special meeting. To ensure the safety of attendees, the Board of Directors has elected to reschedule the business portion of the meeting for a special meeting on a date to be determined with the guidance of the CDC and local public health officials. Stay tuned to this newsletter, social media and www.PCEC.coop for updates on these plans.
Platte-Clay Moments
Brad Mick (left) and Seth Henry (right) discuss their experience working on an international mission trip to Guatemala where they built electric service to a remote village.
Left: Crews work to install wind dampers east of Kearney along 92 Hwy – these will help improve service reliability. Right: Staking Engineer Tom Pendleton celebrates retirement after 26 years of service to the cooperative.
Pay Your Bill From The Comfort of Home
Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative offers members a number of ways to pay their bill from the comfort of their home. Members can call 816-628-3121 to use the automated phone system or can log in through www.PCEC.coop to access their account and make a payment. Dropboxes are also available for payment deposits at the Kearney and Platte City offices.
The Northland Connection is published monthly by Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc., 1000 W. 92 Highway, Kearney, MO 64060. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Northland Connection, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060 or mail@pcec.coop.
Platte-Clay is an equal opportunity employer.