utilities united against scammers · 2017-01-19 · scammers try to use against their members. this...

HEART OF TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

hotec.coop18 Texas Co-op Power HEART OF TEXAS EC January 2017

Co-op News

A MEMBER OF A GEORGIA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE recently washeading to a supermarket to buy prepaid money cards demanded

by scammers, purportedly to pay an overdue electric bill. On the way, the memberstopped at the co-op office, figuring that would be a faster way to pay the bill.

“They walked in the office with $1,600 in cash,” said Jimmy Autry, the co-op’ssenior vice president of member and community relations. “And we said, ‘No, that’sa scam. Whatever you do, don’t pay it.’ ”

Scams are nothing new, and neither is the fact that co-ops and their members areoften targets of dishonest people. Now, a coalition of electric utility companies has

joined together to fight back.Utilities United Against

Scams recently was formedby more than 40 cooperative,investor-owned and munici-pal electric utilities fromacross the United States.Trade associations includingthe National Rural ElectricCooperative Association andthe Edison Electric Institutealso signed on.

As the groups discussedscams at a national confer-ence, they realized thatscammers target one utility’sterritory for a period thenmove on to another utility’sterritory after the first utilitysounds an alarm. UUAS mem-bers agreed that utilities need

to coordinate communications and institute other prevention strategies across theelectric industry. Such tactics also will help build criminal cases, according to lawenforcement.

The utilities involved in UUAS will document and share all the methods thatscammers try to use against their members. This information, combined with othertools provided for participating utilities—including social media posts, op-eds andwebsite banners—will help your co-op prevent members from being victimized.

Heart of Texas Electric Cooperative keeps a sharp eye out for scammers andencourages you to do the same. We will never call you to ask for your account num-ber, or for banking or personal identification information. We will not disconnectyour power without warning. If you believe you have been targeted for a scam bysomeone claiming to represent your co-op, call us immediately at 1-800-840-2957to report it.

Utilities United Against ScammersElectric companies band together to fight back against scams

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Utilities across the electric industry are coming togetherto share information and protect against scammers.

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HEART OF TEXAS EC WISHES YOU A

HAPPY NEW YEAR!May your 2017 be safe and joyful.

Did YouKnow

On average, U.S. households runtheir dishwashers about fourtimes per week, for a total ofover 200 times per year. Using adishwasher instead of washingby hand can save you more than230 hours of personal time over the course of a year—almost 10 days!

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MESSAGE FROMCEO AND GENERAL MANAGER RICK HAILE

hotec.coop January 2017 HEART OF TEXAS EC Texas Co-op Power 19

1-800-840-2957 | (254) 840-2871 | HOTEC.COOP

Contact Us

McGREGOR OFFICE

(254) 840-2871 local

1-800-840-2957 toll-free1111 S. Johnson Drive • P.O. Box 357McGregor, TX 76657

OFFICE HOURSMonday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.Drive-thru 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

ROSEBUD OFFICE

(254) 231-0444 local

1-800-840-2957 toll-free159 Loop 265 • P.O. Box 598Rosebud, TX 76570

OFFICE HOURSMonday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

CREDIT/ DEBIT CARD PAYMENTSOnline at hotec.coopBy phone at 1-855-399-2688

FIND US ON THE WEB

hotec.coop

Heart of TexasElectric CooperativeOperating in Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls,Hamilton, McLennan and Milam counties

C E O A N D G E N E R A L M A N A G E R

Rick Haile

D I R E C T O R S

Garland Cook, District 1DeWayne Draeger, District 6Kermit Dreyer, District 7Paul Edge, District 2Dan Foster, District 9Kenneth Hollas, District 3Bobby Nawara, District 4Allen Shows, District 5Larry Stock, District 8

WITH THE ARRIVAL OF COOLER WEATHER comes the arrival of higher utility bills. Noone likes to get an unexpectedly high bill in the mail, and Heart of Texas ElectricCooperative members are no different. Heating our homes accounts for the largestportion of our utility bills—45 percent, according to most experts—and water heatinguses 18 percent. This can add up to bigbucks in a really cold winter.

The greater the temperature differ-ence between the inside and the outside,the harder and longer your heating unitmust work to maintain indoor tempera-tures. The duration of the cold days alsohas an effect on our utility bills.

Improve Your Energy EfficiencyHere are a few suggestions on increasingthe energy efficiency of your home.

aOne of the most cost-effective waysto make your home more comfortableyear-round is to add insulation to yourattic, including the attic trap or accessdoor.

a Check the insulation in your attic,exterior and basement walls, ceilings,floors and crawl spaces.

a Check for air leaks around walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbingfixtures, switches and electrical outlets. Caulk and seal where needed.

a The recommended winter temperature setting for your thermostat is 68degrees when you are home and active. When sleeping or away from home, it isrecommended that you lower the temperature a few degrees. Use a programmablethermostat to automatically turn down the heat at night or when you’re away fromhome.

a Make sure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are properlymaintained. Your owner’s manuals provide the recommended maintenance. A well-maintained HVAC system saves money in the long run. Annual inspections andtuneups are recommended, and HOTEC members can apply for a $75 rebate.

aUse smart power strips to save energy. Many electronics go into standby modewhen you turn them off. Reduce wasted (“vampire”) power by plugging electronicsinto a smart power strip, which can turn your electronics off completely.

aUse a low-flow showerhead. About 18 percent of your energy bill funds waterheating. Low-flow showerheads can minimize water use by up to 50 percent—ahelpful change, especially when extended family members visit.

a Insulate water heaters and pipes. Wrap water pipes connected to the waterheater with foam, and insulate the water heater, too. To save about $75 annually,consider lowering the water heater temperature from 130 to 120 degrees.

a A home energy audit will show what parts of your house use the most energyand suggests the best ways to cut energy use.

For more energy tips, visit hotec.coop.

Tips To Avoid High-BillShocks This Winter

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1-800-840-2957 | (254) 840-2871 | HOTEC.COOP


WHAT DO 1,700 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, our nation’s capital and electric cooperativeshave in common? The Government-in-Action Youth Tour.

Youth Tour was established with one thought in mind: to inspire our next genera-tion of leaders. Since 1964, more than 50,000 young Americans have taken advantageof this special opportunity offered by their electric cooperatives. Heart of TexasElectric Cooperative alone has sent more than 20 students since 1997.

It all takes place in June, when hundreds of electric co-ops across the countrysend participants to Washington, D.C., for a full week of sightseeing and a chance tolearn about the cooperative business model.

While in D.C., participants have the opportunity to meet with their elected officialsand discuss the issues that are important back home. Youth Tour has grown into aninvaluable program that gives young Americans an experience that will stay withthem for the rest of their lives.

In February, your co-op will begin the process to select a local student to attendYouth Tour 2017. If you are a high school student interested in traveling to Washing-ton, D.C., to experience the trip of a lifetime, please contact Heart of Texas EC formore information. The application deadline is 5 p.m., February 15.

Perhaps you know an exceptional student who would be a great candidate for theprogram. If you do, please share this article with them.

Youth Tour is so much more than a sightseeing trip. For decades, participantshave reported that this experience helped them grow into successful professionals.It has also benefited our local communities. Youth Tour participants return homewith a deeper understanding of what it takes to be leaders, and many put their newlyacquired skills to use right here in our community.

Help us find the next generation of leaders by sharing the Youth Tour experiencewith a promising student. For more information about HOTEC’s Youth Tour program,call 1-800-840-2957 or visit hotec.coop.

DOES YOUR HIGH SCHOOL graduateneed college money?

Heart of Texas EC takes tremendouspride in our local schools and is excitedto take part in furthering students’ edu-cation by awarding five $1,000 scholar-ships to local high school graduates.Applications are now being acceptedfrom interested students.

To qualify for a Heart of Texas ECscholarship, a student must have gradu-ated high school within two years of theapplication deadline and reside in thehousehold of a Heart of Texas EC mem-ber. The recipient must be enrolled full orpart time in an accredited college ortechnical school. The scholarship will bedivided between the fall and springsemester, disbursing $500 respectively.The funds must be used within one yearof issuance.

Applications must be received at theRosebud or McGregor office no later thanMarch 1 to be considered for the scholar-ship. For an application and a completelist of qualifications, visit us online athotec.coop. Click on Programs, thenYouth Tour & Scholarships.

HOTEC’s 2016 Youth Tour representative Teran Willberg was one of 1,700 high school studentsvisiting Washington, D.C., as part of the nationwide Youth Tour program. If you want to partici-pate in the trip of a lifetime, visit hotec.coop. The application deadline is February 15.

Looking for the NextGeneration of Leaders

ScholarshipOpportunityDeadline March 1



I. Rate and Service InformationYou may request copies of any portion of

the cooperative’s rate and service tariffs. Anominal reproduction charge may be madefor each copy, and postage may be added ifthe copies are mailed.

II. Meter TestingYou may request a test of your electric

meter if you believe that the meter is notaccurately reflecting your actual electric con-sumption. This test will be made at no chargeto you, provided that the meter has not beentested during the previous four years. In theevent that you request a test more often thanevery four years, and the meter is not defec-tive, you will be required to pay a charge ofnot more than $50 for the test.

III. Outstanding BillsUnder the tariffs of this cooperative, you

will have 16 days from the date of issuance ofthe power bill to pay. If not paid in 16 days,the account will become delinquent and a ter-mination notice will be mailed. If not paid in10 days (a total of 26 days from the date ofissuance), the account will be disconnected.

IV. Termination of ServiceYour electric service may be disconnected

after proper notice for the following reasons:a) Failure to pay an outstanding bill.b) Failure to pay a delinquent account or

meet the terms of a deferred payment plan.c) Violation of the cooperative’s rules for

the use of service in such a manner that inter-feres with the service of others or the opera-tion of nonstandard equipment; provided thatthe cooperative will make every reasonableattempt to notify you of the problem andallow you to remedy the situation.

d) Failure to comply with the coopera-tive’s deposit and guarantee requirements.

The cooperative may also disconnect atonce and without notice where a dangerouscondition exists, and such disconnection shallremain in effect so long as the conditionexists. Disconnection without notice also maybe made when service is connected withoutauthority by a person who has not madeapplication for service or who has recon-nected service without authority followingtermination of service for nonpayment. Ininstances of tampering with the cooperative’smeter or equipment, bypassing the meter orother instances of diversion, service may beterminated immediately.

Where notice is required, the cooperative

will either mail or personally deliver a writtennotice of termination at least 10 days prior tothe date of disconnection. Disconnection willonly occur on those days when cooperativepersonnel are available to receive payment toprevent disconnection, or are available thefollowing day to receive payment to restoreservice.

If you are seriously ill or will become moreseriously ill as a result of termination of serv-ice, you may have your physician call or con-tact the cooperative within 16 days of theissuance of the bill concerning your condition.The physician must provide a confirmationletter to the cooperative within 26 days of theissuance of the bill unless a lesser period isagreed upon. If you make a request to avoidtermination under this provision, you mustenter into a deferred payment arrangement.

V. Service and Billing DisputesIn the event you dispute your billing or

any aspect of service, we invite you torequest a supervisory review or investigationof the disputed matter. The cooperative willpromptly make such investigation as isrequired by the particular case and report thefindings to you.

If the matter is not resolved to your satis-faction, you may appeal to the ComplaintResolution Committee of the board of direc-tors of this cooperative. Should the disputeinvolve billing, you will not be required to paythe disputed portion of your bill that exceedsyour average monthly consumption for theprevious 12 months. This provision is applica-ble pending determination of the dispute, butshall not be for more than 60 days.

VI. Alternate Payment PlansAs a member of the cooperative, you have

a right to request alternate payment plans:a) Payment Arrangements. An arrange-

ment may be made between you and the co-op in which you agree to pay your electric billin full after the due date of the outstandingbill, but before the due date of the next bill. Ifyou do not fulfill the terms of your paymentarrangement, your electric service may bedisconnected under standard terminationprocedures.

b) Level Payment Plan. If you are on afixed income or have a unique financial need,you may qualify for a level payment plan.This plan allows you to pay a monthlyamount equal to an average of the currentmonth’s bill plus the previous 11 months’

electric bill. If you do not fulfill the terms ofyour level payment plan, your electric servicemay be disconnected under standard termi-nation procedures.

c) Deferred Payment Plan. If you havenot been delinquent in paying your bill morethan two times in the past 12 months and areunable to pay your entire bill, you are quali-fied for a deferred payment plan. Such planrequires that you keep all subsequent billscurrent and pay monthly an amount not toexceed a third of the outstanding amount.You may, but are not required to, sign thisagreement; and if you do not fulfill the termsof the agreement, your service may be termi-nated under standard termination proce-dures. Such breach of the agreement voidsyour right to a deferred payment plan orrenegotiation to avoid termination. The cooperative is not obligated to offer thisarrangement if you have had service forfewer than three months.

VII. Service ConnectionsIf your service is interrupted for any of the

reasons listed under Section IV of the Bill ofRights, you may re-establish service when alloutstanding and delinquent bills are paid andwhen a deposit is provided to the cooperative.

VIII. Cooperative Office and Business Hours

McGregor Office1111 S. Johnson Drive, McGregor 76657Office business hours:8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–FridayDrive-thru hours:7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday–FridayPhone: (254) 840-2871 or 1-800-840-2957

Rosebud Office159 Loop 265, Rosebud 76570Office business hours:8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–FridayPhone: (254) 231-0444 or 1-800-840-2957Website: hotec.coop

IX. Deposit PolicyYou may be required to establish credit

satisfactorily by making a deposit, but you willnot be required to pay a deposit for residentialservice if you have a credit score exceeding650 or unless your service was terminated fornonpayment. The deposit is limited to one-sixth of your estimated annual electric bill.Deposits accrue interest at the rate set by theboard of directors annually and will either be

Your Rights as a Member of Heart of Texas Electric Cooperative

1-800-840-2957 | (254) 840-2871 | HOTEC.COOP


THE HEART OF TEXAS EC MEMBER SERVICES employees are asking for your help. Weneed our members to make sure the contact information on their electric accountsis current. This information includes phone numbers, address, email and names.This is important for several reasons.

We remain in constant communication with our crews, and at times they needyour assistance. For instance, if one of our crew discovers suspicious activity, hurtor sick animals, or an open gate, we can have a representative report it to you, pro-vided we have an updated contact number.

If we need to enter your property, it is essential that we have your current infor-mation on file. Updated contact phone numbers are needed to resolve billing oraccount issues (unsigned checks, etc.) as well to remain in contact during outages.

If your power is out, chances are your landline telephone is out, as well. Whenpossible, we will make follow-up calls to ensure that your power has come back onafter an outage. Having multiple phone numbers, such as a cellphone or work num-bers, would allow us to remain in better contact with you in these outage situations.

Also, many of our members rely on medical equipment for life support. We needto have updated contact information for these accounts. It is also crucial that weare informed of what type of device you are using and whether you have a backuppower source.

“We respect the privacy of our members,” assures Brandon Young, administrativemanager with Heart of Texas EC. “HOTEC does not give out or sell your personalcontact information to anyone. The sole purpose of this information is to help serveour members.”

Please contact your local office at 1-800-840-2957 to report any changes to yourcontact information.

We respect the privacy of our members. HOTEC does not give out or sell yourpersonal contact information to anyone.

paid to you when the deposit is returned orcredited to your account.

In lieu of a cash deposit, you may demon-strate a satisfactory credit rating with accept-able credit. After 12 consecutive residentialbillings, provided your account is current andyou have not been disconnected for nonpay-ment or delinquent more than two times, yourcash deposit plus interest will be applied orrefunded.

X. Financial AssistanceGovernmental or social service agencies

may be able to assist you if you are havingtrouble making your payment for electricservice to the cooperative. Please look for thegovernment or social service agency whichserves the county in which you receive service.

McLennan County—Economic OpportunitiesAdvancement Corporation, (254) 756-0954 or (254) 840-3383; Caritas, (254) 753-4593; Salvation Army, (254) 756-7271

Falls County—Economic OpportunitiesAdvancement Corporation, (254) 756-0954

Bell County—Help Center, (254) 770-6842Coryell County—Senior Citizen Center,

(254) 865-8234; Hill Country CommunityAction, (254) 865-8234

Bosque County—Economic OpportunitiesAdvancement Corporation, (254) 756-0954

Milam County—Hill Country CommunityAction, (254) 697-2243

Additional information may be obtained bycontacting the Texas Department of HumanResources and Texas Community Affairs.

XI. NondiscriminationYour cooperative provides electric service

without discrimination as to a member’s race,nationality, color, religion, sex, disability ormarital status. Credit history shall be appliedequally for a reasonable period of time to aspouse or former spouse who shared theservice.

Statement of NondiscriminationHeart of Texas Electric Cooperative is an

equal-opportunity provider and employer.If you wish to file a civil rights program

complaint of discrimination, complete theUSDA Program Discrimination ComplaintForm, found online at ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, orcall 1-866-632-9992 to request the form. Youmay also write a letter containing all of theinformation requested in the form. Send yourcompleted complaint form or letter to us bymail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Direc-tor, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independ-ence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410,by fax to (202) 690-7442 or by email at [email protected]. Confidentiality willbe maintained to the extent possible.

Don’t Leave Us in the DarkIt’s important to keep your contact information current

We respect the privacy of ourmembers. HOTEC does not giveout or sell your personal contactinformation to anyone.

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WE CAN ALL APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY and purpose of trees. Theybeautify our property, cool our homes, provide privacy screensand can even increase the value of our homes if placed properly.

We also appreciate electricity. It is a part of our daily lives.We expect the convenience of reliable, uninterrupted service.However, this is not always possible.

Our desire for trees and electricity can sometimes causetrouble, primarily because trees and power lines do not mix.Trees growing into power lines can cause blinks and poweroutages, and can be deadly for you and your family. Heart ofTexas Electric Cooperative maintains rights-of-way to protect

you—our members—as well as our employees and our distribu-tion system. By maintaining rights-of-way, HOTEC can mini-mize outages and increase service reliability.

What Is a Right-of-Way? The right-of-way is a legal agreement that allows us access tothe property directly beneath power lines and 20 feet wide (10feet on each side of the power line and 100 feet high). They arealso referred to as “easements.” The right-of-way gives HOTECthe authority to gain access to our distribution system to per-form maintenance or repairs.

HOTEC maintains rights-of-way in a manner that balancesour members’ need for reliable service with respect for thenatural environment that surrounds our distribution system.

Is ROW Maintenance Necessary? Clearing the ROW is critical to keeping our members’ lightson. An average of 15 percent of power interruptions occurwhen trees, shrubs or bushes grow too close to power lines.

Tree limbs touching lines can also cause blinks, affectingsensitive electronic devices. Clearing rights-of-way is neces-sary to keep these annoyances to a minimum. It is also a“storm-proofing” method that minimizes outages and pro-vides easy access to distribution lines in the event of an outage.

Critical failures on the grid may occur when vegetationcomes into contact with power lines. Tree sap is an excellent

conductor of electricity, making even the slightestcontact between trees and utility lines a fire haz-ard. When limbs get close enough to energizedconductors or equipment, power may jump to the tree limb, causing it to arc and then go toground. This is called “flashover,” and it couldresult in a fire.

Maintaining vegetation within the HOTECright-of-way will minimize the potential for linecontact, decrease the chance of flashover, reducethe number of tree-related interruptions and ulti-mately result in safer, more reliable service.

ROW clearing is critical to ensuring that weprovide members with affordable electricity. Stay-ing ahead of the game keeps us from having tocome out after a storm to restore power due tofallen trees.

Your ROWLandowners and HOTEC members must complywith the right-of-way requirements mandated by the state of Texas and outlined in the Heart of Texas Electric Cooperative application formembership, bylaws and right-of-way easementagreement.

There can be no activity, building or other type of structurelocated within the right-of-way that would restrict HOTECcrews from working on the distribution system. The coopera-tive requires a 20-foot-wide (10 feet on each side of the powerline) and 100-feet-high, unobstructed right-of-way that is freeand clear of storage buildings, fences, swing sets, shrubs, treesand other obstructions.

When homeowners install game-proof fencing, access toour power lines often becomes limited because there are fewgates or locked gates. As a landowner, it is your responsibilityto grant HOTEC access to your property. To ensure that theco-op is able to come and go as necessary, HOTEC must placeits own locks on gates alongside yours. Although we appreci-ate your willingness to provide a key or combination, it is

The Right Way To Maintain Your Rights-of-Way

1-800-840-2957 | (254) 840-2871 | HOTEC.COOP


ON AVERAGE, EIGHT PEOPLE DIE IN HOUSE FIRES EVERY DAY IN THE U.S.—almost 3,000people every year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Althoughworking smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire nearly in half, roughly two-thirds of all house fire deaths still occur in homes without working smoke alarms.

Newer smoke alarm recommendations and technologies provide greater protection than ever before. Heart of Texas Electric Cooperative has some tips formaking sure your smoke alarms are working properly to keep your family safe.

a Smoke detectors should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleepingarea and on every level of multistory homes.

a For the best protection, alarms should be interconnected so that they all soundif one sounds. Manufacturers now are producing battery-operated alarms that areinterconnected by wireless technology.

aCombination smoke alarms that include ionization and photoelectric alarmsoffer the most comprehensive protection. An ionization alarm is more responsive toflames, while a photoelectric alarm is more responsive to a smoldering fire.

aHardwired smoke detectors with battery backups are more reliable than thosepowered solely by batteries.

a Install smoke detectors at least 10 feet from cooking appliances to reduce nui-sance alarms. Alarms installed within 10–20 feet of a cooking appliance must bephotoelectric or have a hush feature to temporarily reduce the alarm sensitivity.

a If possible, alarms should be mounted in the center of the ceiling. If mounted ona wall, an alarm should be located 6–12 inches below the ceiling.

a Smoke alarms should be tested once a month, and batteries should be replacedin accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, at least once a year. If an alarm“chirps” or “beeps” to indicate low batteries, they should be replaced immediately.

aOccasionally dust or lightly vacuum the exterior of the alarm.a Smoke alarms should be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s

instructions, at least every 10 years.

Smoke Alarm Safety

Choose hardwireddetectors with battery backups overalarms powered bybatteries alone.

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more efficient to use a standard co-op lock to allow entrance whennecessary.

We Need Your Help!With more than 3,600 miles of lines,monitoring every inch of HOTEC’sright-of-way is nearly impossible. Ifyou see an area that is overgrown orhas trees that need to be cleared inthe right-of-way, please contact your local co-op office and report the issue.

Do not attempt to clear the right-of-way on your own. This could bedangerous and even deadly. HOTECperiodically employs crews to removebrush, trees and debris from ROWareas. Most of the maintenance isconducted by HOTEC crews, but insome circumstances, we use contrac-tors under the direct supervision ofHOTEC.

When landscaping, please con-sider the types of trees you are plant-ing and their placement in relation tothe power lines on your property. Donot plant trees or shrubbery directlyunder power lines or within theright-of-way. This will ultimatelyrequire HOTEC to prune them tomaintain safe clearance from thewires. Small, immature trees plantedtoday can become problematic in thefuture.

In areas with underground elec-tric service, do not plant shrubs orother foliage around pad-mountedtransformers. This foliage will makerepair or maintenance work difficultfor HOTEC crews. Dense growtharound these transformers can alsoprovide a home for undesirablewildlife and insects.

We do our best to balance thepreservation of natural habitatsagainst the service reliability needs of our members and the safety needsto the general public. We want all ofour members to understand therights and responsibilities of theright-of-way.

By remembering the right-of-wayrules, you are doing your part in mak-ing a cooperative difference.

utilities united against scammers · 2017-01-19 · scammers try to use against their members. this...

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