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Disclosure

Statements

Cold Weather Rule

Western Cooperative Electric consumers who are unable to pay their electric service bills during the period from November 1 to March 31 can avoid being disconnected by fulfilling certain good faith requirements.  The requirements of consumers are summarized below:

1. Consumers must notify the Cooperative and state their inability to pay their bill in full.

2. Consumers must apply to federal, state, local or other financial assistance programs for which they may be eligible to receive aid in paying utility bills.

3. Consumers and Cooperative will reach a mutually agreeable payment arrangement.

It will be the absolute responsibility of any consumer who is unable to pay his/her electric bill to follow all three steps listed above.  It is not the Cooperative’s responsibility to initiate dialogue regarding a consumer’s inability to pay his or her bill.  It is the consumer’s responsibility to contact the Cooperative.  It will be the responsibility of the Cooperative during the cold weather period to send one written notice to the Consumer and attempt to phone at least two days prior to disconnect trip.  If no response is made to the notice or we are unable to make phone contact, the trip for collection and/or disconnect will be made.

The cold weather rule is to ensure that human health and safety are not unreasonably endangered during the cold weather months.  For more information concerning assistance with your bill, please contact Western Cooperative Electric at 785-743-5561 or 800-456-6720 (toll free in Kansas).

Life-Support During an Electrical Outage

For some electric cooperative members, service is more than a convenience; it is a necessity.  Western Cooperative Electric realizes that some homes are equipped with life-sustaining medical equipment that requires a reliable source of power.  Our commitment to you is to provide electric service safely and with as few interruptions as possible.  Unfortunately, it is impossible to guarantee uninterrupted power 100% of the time.  Each year, events—some beyond our control—occur and cause power outages.

If your health or well-being depends on electric supply, we offer the following suggestions and strongly encourage you to implement them:

1. Obtain a back-up source of power recommended by the manufacturer of any life sustaining or critical care equipment you may have in your home.  For example, battery back-ups or standby generators can provide you with electric power if service from the cooperative is interrupted.

2. Talk with relatives or friends today and devise a plan whereby the individual who relies on this equipment will have somewhere to stay in the event of a major power outage, or even for just a few hours.

3. Let Western know of the situation so we can make a note of the medical need on the account.  This way, our representatives will be aware of the condition in the event of an outage or if the account is scheduled for disconnection.  The presence of critical medical devices does not exempt service from termination due to non-payment of bill.  Anticipated payment delays should be addressed through contacting Western’s office.

Notifying Western of your situation does not guarantee uninterrupted electric service, nor does it guarantee immediate attention to your individual service should the area experience a power outage.  It does alert us to the situation.  Letting us know your specific needs allows Western Cooperative Electric personnel to better serve you.  This is just another way Western Cooperative Electric is looking out for you.