We’re in This Together
Dear Member,
I recently talked with a member about our disconnection policy, and it reminded me that this is something we should all understand a little better. As general manager of Douglas Electric Cooperative (DEC), part of my job is making sure you know not just what our policies are but why we have them.
Our disconnection policy isn’t about being strict—it’s actually about helping. We’ve seen too many situations where someone falls behind, and the bill grows so big they feel like they can’t catch up. That’s the last thing we want. Disconnecting early, while the balance is still small, gives us a chance to work with our member.
DEC doesn’t generate its own power—we buy it for our members. That means when you use electricity, we get a bill for it, and we pass that cost along to you. If a bill goes unpaid, the co-op still has to cover that cost. Because we’re all in this together, that cost ends up being shared by other members—many of whom might be trying to make ends meet themselves.
As a cooperative, we’re here to serve you, not make a profit. Any extra money goes back to members or gets invested in keeping the lights on and the costs down. On average, our members pay about $600 less per year than those buying power from investor-owned utilities—and that’s a direct result of our cooperative model.
Please talk to us if you’re ever having a hard time paying your bill. We’re here to help with payment plans and assistance programs, and our goal is to keep you connected and supported. Douglas Electric is your co-op, and we’re in this together.
Sincerely,
General Manager Keith Brooks