We Want to Keep You Connected
I recently had a conversation with a member about our disconnection policy, and I realized this is something I should explain to everyone. As general manager of Douglas Electric Cooperative, it’s my job to ensure you understand not just our policies but the reasons behind them.
We don’t generate our own electricity; instead, we buy it on behalf of all our members. This means we all share in the cost of the power we use, which is a responsibility we carry together. If you use power and receive a bill, the cooperative also gets a bill for the power you use.
Our disconnection policy isn’t just a matter of procedure—it’s fundamentally about looking out for our members who might fall behind. We’ve seen too many instances when an unpaid bill grows so large that the person feels their only option is to move. This is exactly what we want to avoid.
By intervening early, we aim to keep bills manageable, helping members avoid a situation that becomes too difficult to recover from and ensuring they can continue to be part of our community. Plus, those costs would just get passed along to other members, who might also be struggling.
At our core, we are a not-for-profit cooperative. Our primary aim is to serve you, our members. We either return the excess money to you as capital credits or reinvest it into the cooperative, improving our services and keeping your costs down. This is part of why our rates are typically $300 less annually compared to those of neighboring investor-owned utilities.
If you’re finding it hard to pay your bill, please reach out. We’re here to help, not to penalize. We have resources and programs designed to help you keep your service and manage your bills. We’re in this together. By working with us, we can find a solution that keeps you connected and keeps our community strong.
Keith Brooks
General Manager