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The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 established new Federal standards under Section 111(d) of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) which the Cooperative is required to consider. Our Cooperative must make a determination whether or not to implement the new standards based on evidence collected from the public after notice and hearing. If you would like to provide comments on the standards you may do so in writing by sending them to the following address:
PURPA HEARING COORDINATOR
CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE, INC.
20 COOPERATIVE DR, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29210
Attn: Sharon Kirkland
The new standards are described here.
Beware of Check Washing Scams
You trust that once you mail a check, no one would alter the payee or amount on it. But check washing/alteration is a common fraud tactic used by scammers. Learn how the check washing scam works from this example.
If you believe you are the victim of check washing, contact your bank and the local
authorities. When in doubt, call AEC to confirm we received your payment.
In rural areas across the state, Aiken Electric and other not-for-profit cooperatives spend -thousands of dollars per year repairing equipment, power lines and fiber optic cables that have been struck by a stray shot. Repairs can be very costly, and we strive to keep operating expenses down for all members by making every effort to recover costs from any party responsible for facility damages. We need your help – please join us in this collaborative effort to keep “unplanned” maintenance and repair costs for our members as low as possible. Read More.
As part of our ongoing advancements and enhancements to our service system, Aiken Electric Cooperative has been upgrading electric power meters. We have completed the residential portion of this process and will be working to upgrade commercial meters for the next several months in an effort to improve our outage monitoring system and increase our responsiveness out in the field. All metering personnel will have Aiken Electric Cooperative uniforms and be in a truck clearly marked with our logo. They will also have official Aiken Electric Cooperative wallet identification. Thank you for your patience as we continue our efforts to better serve you, our members.
CEO's Message
Navigating changes and celebrating resilience
AS WE APPROACH the end of the year, I want to share some important updates regarding our cooperative and our community.
First, I want to inform you that the Santee Cooper rate freeze will expire at the end of December 2024. This rate freeze was put in place to stabilize costs during a challenging period, but its expiration will lead to increased rates for our members. We understand that using energy wisely is important, but we also need to remember that as rates go up in the future, Santee Cooper will take charge of navigating that change. As your cooperative, we are closely examining our budget to identify ways to save money and minimize the impact on our members, including potential budget reductions. We are committed to advocating for your interests as we navigate these changes.
Next, I want to address the recent impact of Hurricane Helene. This historic storm brought unprecedented challenges and caused lasting damage to our area. Our service territory alone faced the worst recorded damage, with more than 1,500 poles down across our 5,700-mile service area. To put the size of this area into perspective, that’s the equivalent of a trip to Seattle and back. The widespread destruction required immediate restoration efforts and significant rebuilding of our infrastructure.
I am proud to report that we exceeded our original restoration timelines thanks to the remarkable teamwork of crews, employees and contractors from 15 states. For the first time in our co-op’s history, we set up a Tent City to house our dedicated workers, providing meals, showers and laundry services. Their hard work and commitment made all the difference, and we are incredibly grateful for their support.
I also want to extend my heart-felt thanks to you, our members. Your patience and understanding during this challenging time have been invaluable as we navigated the aftermath of the storm. Your cooperation made it possible for us to restore services swiftly and effectively. Many of you took the time to donate to our crews and send cards of thanks and cheer. We are incredibly grateful for your kind gestures, support and understanding.
As we look ahead to the holiday season, I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Your membership is not just valuable to us; it is the heartbeat of our cooperative. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you in the coming year.