1. Office closures: To support social distancing efforts, WCEC's offices and Mobile Unit are closed to the public until further notice. Drive through options are available, online services continue uninterrupted at wcec.org, and our phones remain open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at (903) 763-2203. We will reopen our offices as soon as it is safe to do so.

    
2. Suspension of disconnects for non-payment: WCEC has suspended all disconnects for non-payment until further notice. If you are struggling to make payments, please notify us. We can council about more manageable payment methods & tell you about local aid resources. We want to help you avoid a more difficult period later.

1. Account Services Portal:
   Social distancing is pushing us to find new ways to manage our daily tasks remotely. Why not manage your WCEC account remotely too? Chart your usage, pay your bill, and report issues - all from wherever you are via our website or WCEC's My WCEC app.
    
2. Update your contact details: This will help us notify you of any service interruptions or other information impacting your account. Call us or update your details on the Account Services Portal. 

  NOTICE

WCEC IS CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS
FOR A DIRECTOR FOR DISTRICT 7 

 

The business and affairs of WCEC is managed by a 7 Member Board of Directors, each representing one of the 7 WCEC Districts. With Lewis Young's retirement, the cooperative is seeking candidates to run for election to the District 7 position. The election results will be announced October 9, 2020 at the WCEC Annual Meeting. Directors serve a 3-year term and can run and serve for multiple elected terms.  

 

Per WCEC's bylaws, there are 2 ways for a member to become a potential Director candidate: (1.) Nomination by the Elections Committee, or (2.) by submitting a valid petition with the signatures of one hundred or more Cooperative Members. Members interested in serving as a Director should call the office to request a Director Candidate Package to be filled out and returned by August 10, 2020.     

 

No matter how a potential candidate is nominated, the Bylaws also provide that it is the job of the Elections Committee to certify that all potential candidates meet all the criteria and the nomination complies with the Bylaws.  Accordingly, a member desiring to be nominated may not be included on the Director election ballot if the Election Committee determines that they do not meet the qualifications identified in the Bylaws, or their petition is not valid.    

 

Qualifications to be considered for placement on the ballot, per Article V of WCEC's Bylaws include:   

 

No person shall be eligible to become or remain a Director of the Cooperative who:

(a) is not a Member in the area served or to be served by the Cooperative and of the district he or she is to represent;

(b) is regularly, directly, and substantially employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or a business selling goods or services to the Cooperative, or a business primarily regularly engaged in selling electric or plumbing appliances, fixtures or supplies, to the Members of the Cooperative;

(c) is not a resident of the district they represent; or who does not purchase all electric energy used at their residence where they actually live and reside from the Cooperative. A resident of a district is an individual who resides and is registered to vote with an address located in the district;

(d) is an employee or has been a former employee of the Cooperative within the seven (7) years prior to the election at which such Member is to be placed on the ballot;

(e) has not been a Member of the Cooperative for a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, preceeding the election;

(f) has been convicted of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude in this state or any other state;

(g) who is a close relative of an employee of the Cooperative;

(h) does not have the capacity to enter legally binding contracts; or

(i) is a close relative of an existing Director of the Cooperative.    

 

For purposes of these Bylaws "close relative" shall include an individual who:

(a) is either related by blood, law, or marriage, including half, step, foster, and adoptive relations, a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling; or

(b) resides in the same residence.

When a membership is held jointly by a husband and wife, either one, but not both, may be elected a Director, provided however that neither one shall be eligible to become or remain a Director or to hold a position of trust in the Cooperative unless both shall meet the qualifications hereinabove set forth. Nothing in this section shall or be construed to affect, in any manner whatsoever, the validity of any action taken in any meeting of the Board of Directors

 

Completed packages and petitions, including all member information and a background check authorization form, must be delivered/mailed to the attention of: WCEC Elections Committee, 501 S. Main St. Quitman, TX, 75783, for receipt no later than August 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.  

 

An Elections Committee comprised of members will verify all potential candidates' qualifications, as well as petition signatures, and will announce the qualified director candidates.

 

Complete details may be found in the governing document, Article V of WCEC's bylaws, which are available on wcec.org .  

 

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

 

Every day, we rely on electricity to power our homes and offices. However, it can be easy to take  the safety of electric appliances, equipment and power lines for granted . May is National Electrical Safety Month-a great time to raise awareness of how to avoid potential electrical hazards.

Indoors

• Check electric cords for fraying or cracking. Replace cords that may be damaged. 
• Extension cords are intended to be temporary. If you find yourself using extension cords regularly, have an electrician add outlets where you need them.
• Don't run cords under carpets or rugs and don't tack or nail cords to walls or floors.
• Keep electric appliances away from water. Never reach for or unplug an appliance that has fallen into water; instead, turn the power off at the breaker before you unplug the appliance or remove it from the water.
• Keep your home's electrical system in good repair. Contact a licensed electrical contractor if you have flickering lights, sparking or nonfunctioning outlets, or need wiring repairs or upgrades.

Outdoors

• Never touch downed power lines.Always call 911 or WCEC if you see lines down.
• Watch for overhead lines every time you use a ladder, work on roofs or in trees, or carry long tools or tall loads.  
• Know what's below before you dig. Call 811 three days in advance of your project to have underground utility lines, pipes and cables marked for free.