UPDATED: March 24, 2020   12:00 P.M.

Central Electric Cooperative continues to monitor the potential impact of COVID-19 on providing safe, reliable electricity to our membership. Central Electric has taken additional steps to protect our members, employees, and ability to provide an essential service.

• Separate our workforce. Several office personnel will work remotely until further notice. The Mitchell service department, including the appliance, heating and cooling technicians, and an electrician, will report directly to job sites rather than to the cooperative facility. Operations crews will work with the same crew member(s) and limit exposure to other personnel.

• Continue to close public access to cooperative facilities. If members need a part or to pick up a water heater, please call our office at 800-477-2892.

How will this impact our members and customers?

• You may be asked to leave a voicemail or hold when you call into the office. Our employees will get back to you as fast as we can. In case of high call volume, we may also utilize an automated answering line.

• If you request appliance, HVAC or wiring service, you will be asked about the health of everyone in your household before we enter. Our personnel will clean their equipment before entering your home. Please also allow them as much personal space as possible when working.

• Contact the cooperative if you are experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus. We will work with individuals regarding payment of electric bills and service work best we can.

• Linemen will continue to respond to outages. Safely restoring power to our members is a top priority for the cooperative. Members should still report outages by calling the office.

Thank you to our members for your patience and cooperation. Please, visit covid.sd.gov for the latest information on this virus.

UPDATED: March 17, 2020   4:30 P.M.

Central Electric Cooperative takes our role seriously as an essential service provider and is implementing measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect our members and employees.

Central Electric will CLOSE its office to public access beginning Wednesday, March 18 until further notice. We will continue to take member calls and respond to outages. Central Electric offers several options for members to manage their accounts and make payments, including a drop box at the main office, via phone at 855-730-8707, and online via SmartHub.

Members who need to pick-up a water heater and suppliers/vendors making deliveries are asked to call ahead. 

In addition, Central Electric is taking the following measures:

• Postponed the Annual Meeting scheduled for April 6 until further notice.
• Implemented additional cleaning procedures. Employees are encouraged to wash their hands, practice good hygiene, and have access to additional cleaning supplies. Employees are visually screened and encouraged to stay home if ill.
• All non-essential meetings and travel have been limited or cancelled. Public use of the community room has been suspended as well.
• Preparing office employees to work remotely if necessary. In the case where numerous employees are unable to report to work, employees have been cross-trained in essential tasks.
• Lineworkers will continue to respond to outages. We are also a part of a national network of cooperatives that can provide emergency aid.
• Pre-screening members/customers requesting HVAC, wiring, and appliance service with questions regarding the health of the home’s occupants and travel history. For anyone requesting non-essential service work, please reschedule or cancel if you are not feeling well.

Central Electric will work with individuals experiencing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus. We know these are uncertain and stressful times, and we hope that this offers members peace of mind during their time of need.

Members can contact our office at 800-477-2892, 605-996-7516 or cec@centralec.coop.