A one-stop spot for information about Cotton Electric's response and tips for members coping with the impact of the pandemic.
This is the time of year when our triennial district meetings and the Annual Membership Meeting are behind us. Unfortunately, 2020 has thrown us a few curveballs forcing us to address the COVID-19 health crisis. After much discussion and thought, we made the difficult decision to postpone our district and annual meetings until further notice.
I look forward to these events every year because it gives me another opportunity to visit with you and share updates about the co-op. Although I may not get to see you in person for a while, I want to let you know that our dedication and commitment to you hasn’t changed.
The Cotton Electric Board of Trustees and co-op employees are working diligently to ensure that you have power that is safe, reliable and affordable while protecting the health of our communities. I’m very proud of their flexibility and how well they are addressing challenges.
We are finding new ways to operate and make improvements. We’re performing maintenance tasks, responding to outages, building new services, and continuing our vegetation management practices all while navigating unfamiliar waters.
If you need to transact business at our Duncan or Walters offices, our lobbies are designed with health and safety in mind and our drive-thru windows are also open. We’ve also worked to expand our website and now offer online membership applications for new services.
Our SmartHub app continues to be a helpful tool for members who prefer to transact business using computers and devices. You can manage payments, notify us of account and service issues, and report outages. For example, if you need to pay your bill or change your bank draft, you can use the SmartHub app without having to make a phone call or mail in a form. To get started, download the SmartHub app on your device. You’ll need your account number and an email address to get started.
As I say every year at the district and annual meeting, we are here to serve you - our members. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any service issues or concerns you have.
I appreciate your input and help. Please stay safe and well.
We’ll see you soon.
We know some of our members have been struggling with illness and job loss connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to support those members, we temporarily suspended disconnections and waived late payment fees so members would not have to worry about losing vital services during their time of need.
We will return to normal bill payment policies on May 28, 2020. If you missed payments and have a past-due balance, we can help. Please contact us as soon as possible, but BEFORE June 3 to discuss making a payment or setting up a payment arrangement. You can reach us Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 580-875-3351 or 800-522-3520. Our Member Services Representatives are ready to help you.
As a valued member of Cotton Electric Cooperative, you are the core of our business. We know some of our members have been struggling with illness and job loss connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to support those members, we temporarily suspended disconnections and waived late payment fees so members would not have to worry about losing vital services during their time of need.
We will return to normal bill payment policies on May 28, 2020. If you missed payments and have a past-due balance, we can help. Please contact us as soon as possible, but BEFORE June 3 to discuss making a payment or setting up a payment arrangement. You can reach us Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 580-875-3351 or 800-522-3520. Our Member Services Representatives are ready to help you.
Members can sign up for online account access and pay via electronic check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit cards any time of day. Credit cards will not be accepted for payment on commercial accounts.
Payments made through our website are applied to your account within 20 minutes from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Payments made after this deadline will be applied to your account the following day. You can also select this option to view your bill history, payment history or energy use charts.
There is no additional charge for using electronic check or credit card payment methods.
Members using smart phones or tablets can download the free SmartHub app at SmartHubApp.com or search SmartHub in the App Store or Google Play.
Credit cards will not be accepted for payment on commercial accounts. There is no additional charge for using credit card payment methods.
Use the return envelope that that comes with a power bill. Enclose a check and the bottom portion of the bill.
If you don’t have the return envelope, simply mail your check to Cotton Electric, 226 N. Broadway, Walters, OK 73572. Don’t forget to include the bottom portion of your bill or a note indicating your account number.
Do not send cash.
To make a payment using a series of menu choices in an automated system, call 1-855-730-8711. The system requires a Cotton Electric account number and credit/debit card or banking account numbers.
We enjoy seeing your face, even if it is just at the drive thru window. Windows are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays, for cash and check payments.
Come see us at our headquarters, 226 N. Broadway in Walters, or at the Duncan office, 1101 W. Oak.
Cash payments are accepted at Liberty National Bank’s branches in Lawton, Medicine Park and Elgin.
Moneygram transactions are handled at Walmart and CVS stores anywhere in the United States. There is a fee for this transaction. To make a payment using this method, you will need your account number and our biller code: 7933.
At CVS stores, there is a kiosk that accepts cash payments during regular store hours, which in most locations is 24 hours.
USDA resources listed
The USDA offers a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can help rural communities, organizations and individuals impacted by the current health crisis. The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide is a first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to address the pandemic: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/USDA_COVID-19_Fed_Rural_Resource_Guide.pdf
Programs can support immediate and long-term recovery efforts through technical, training and management assistance; financial assistance; and state and local assistance.
CADC assistance available in 7 counties
Community Action Development Corporation (CADC) has been awarded federal funding through the Community Services Block Grant to assist individuals and families in response to circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic. “A lot of people are just getting back to work, and others have special needs related to the coronavirus outbreak. Our agency has been given the responsibility to address those issues,” said CADC Executive Director Brent Morey.
Applications are now being accepted at CADC county offices in Jefferson, Cotton, Tillman, Kiowa, Washita, Beckham, and Roger Mills counties. CADC can assist with utility payments, food, rent/mortgage assistance, and other special needs on a case by case basis.
Persons seeking assistance will need a legal ID, income verification such as a pay stub, deposit statement, or income tax return and proof of need such as a utility cut-off notice, a past due statement for rent, or a past due mortgage statement.
Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases across Oklahoma, only one client will be allowed in the office at a time to meet with staff members and to complete paperwork. Participants may register at the door for assistance and need to wear a face covering or mask.
In recognition of the needs of many working families, Congress has raised the income limits to 200% of the poverty level. The guidelines are based upon the number of persons in the family residing at the same residence. The income limits are as follows:
Family Size Income limit Family Size Income limit
1 $25,520.00 5 $61,630.00
2 $34,480.00 6 $70,320.00
3 $43,440.00 7 $79,280.00
4 $52,400.00 8 $88,240.00
In order to make funds go farther and serve more families, CADC will be collaborating with local food banks by making a direct donation to purchase food items as long as the entity agrees to provide documentation back to CADC that individuals and families served are within the income limits. “The local food banks have the purchasing power to ensure these funds are used more efficiently and there is no need for our agency to duplicate services. We are excited to provide the funds to initiate partnerships to reach more families,” Morey said.
Plans are also being developed to gradually re-open the agency’s 14 senior nutrition centers. “We are considering a three-phase plan for serving meals at our centers instead of the drive-thru and home delivery method now in place. We realize seniors want to be back in their centers and the socialization is particularly important, but we have to take precautions to do so in a manner that protects participants and our staff.”
Staff members are also working on procedures to re-open Head Start and Early Head Start Centers in the seven-county area and will be making announcements soon. In the meantime, parents should complete the application process by contacting staff at the centers or by calling the Hobart office at 580-726-3343. An application is also available online at cadcconnections.com.
The agency’s public transit program, Red River Transportation Service, is now back in full operation in 16 counties. Morey said, “We are taking social distancing precautions and encouraging riders to wear a mask. This not only protects you, but also other persons that may be riding as well. We are in the process of purchasing decontamination equipment to be used not only on our 110 vans and buses, but at Head Start and senior nutrition centers.
“If you have questions about any of our services, please call your local CADC office or the Central Office located in Frederick at 580-335-5588,” Morey said.
6 Ways to Make Your Home Office Energy Efficient
Working from home, even on a temporary basis, may increase your energy use. It means that you're spending more time using a computer, lights and other appliances at home instead of in your workplace. But by improving the energy efficiency of your home office equipment, you can save on energy costs without hampering your productivity.
- Make sure computers and other office equipment are turned off when they're not in use for an extended period.
- Many electronic devices continue to use standby power even after they're turned off. Connect your office equipment to an advanced power strip, which will automatically shut off power to unused devices.
- Set office equipment, such as printers and scanners, to automatically switch to sleep mode when not in use. In addition to saving energy, the equipment will stay cooler, which will help to extend its useful life.
- Use a laptop computer instead of a desktop. Laptops use less than one-third the energy of a typical desktop computer.
- Adjust the thermostat to the unoccupied setting. This avoids wasting energy by conditioning the entire house while you're occupying only a small portion of it. Consider using a ceiling fan to maintain comfort. You can reverse its direction to clockwise in winter, which pushes warm air down.
- Use task lighting with energy-efficient lamps. A desk lamp uses less energy than whole-room lighting.
When purchasing new office equipment, make sure it's ENERGY STAR® qualified. ENERGY STAR-certified products use less energy than standard models. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if every home office product purchased in the U.S. were ENERGY STAR qualified, Americans would save an estimated $75 million a year in energy costs.
How's your stay-at-home time going? Got plenty to do? Here's a little just-for-fun activity!
| Safe At Home Bingo | Line Worker Word Search | Tic Tac Toe |
| Coloring Sheet 1 | Coloring Sheet 2 | Line Worker Gear |