News and Events
Serve on the DCEC Nominating Committee
March 15, 2013
Consistent with Cooperative Bylaws, a Nominating Committee is formed each spring for the purpose of identifying Cooperative members interested in serving on the DCEC Board of Directors. This committee is made up of members of the Cooperative who are interested in learning more about the governance structure of DCEC and working to identify qualified candidates to serve as directors of DCEC. The candidates that are nominated by this committee are included on the ballot for a membership vote at the Annual Meeting which takes place each September.
The board takes their governance responsibilities very seriously. Over the last few years, they have worked hard in ensuring that our director nomination process is very transparent and fair.
If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee, please contact the DCEC office by March 25, 2013. In accordance with DCEC bylaws, the committee is comprised of between 5 and 11 members representing the geographic diversity of the DCEC service area. Members serving on the committee receive a modest stipend for their service. The committee typically meets 2-3 times from April through June in the evenings.
DCEC would like to thank the members who served on the 2012 Nominating Committee: Frank Eppich, Sheila Paul, Dennis Lawrence, Thomas Courtenay-Clack, Bob Foote, Stephen Hodge, Carol LaTourette, Steven Mason, Wayne Oliver, and Wesley Warren.
Energy Symposium at SUNY Delhi
March 15, 2013
On Saturday April 20th Delaware County and SUNY Delhi will host a regional energy symposium to highlight energy conservation improvements and practical alternative energy applications for the home and small businesses. Homeowners
and business owners that are concerned about lowering their energy costs and/or interested in learning about locally available sources of renewable and sustainable energy are encouraged to attend. The symposium, entitled Efficiency and Savings for Now and the Future will be held at Catskill Hall on the SUNY Delhi Campus from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by Friday April 5, 2013.
The symposium will feature presentations and demonstrations on a variety of energy conservation applications, as well as the practicality and feasibility of locally available alternative and renewable sources of energy for home and bus-iness use. The specific topics to be covered during the symposium include; Implementing Conservation Practices in Home and Business, Heating with Wood Pellets, Grass Pellet Demonstration Project, Alternate Energy Solutions including wind, solar electric and solar thermal. The speakers will include SUNY Delhi Professors, alternative energy industry professionals and community organizations engaged in this field. The symposium will conclude with tours of several renewable energy projects installed on the SUNY Delhi Campus, as well as the green, sustainable construction of the new Sidney Federal Credit Union facility in Delhi. Buses will be available for transportation to and from the Sidney Federal Credit Union site.
For more information on the program, directions and to register contact Kelly Blakeslee at the Department of Watershed Affairs at 607-746-8914 or email -- kelly.blakeslee@co.delaware.ny.us.
Heat Pump Hot Water Heater Program
March 15, 2013
DCEC members that submitted a heat pump hot water heater program application and whose homes were eligible (per the information on the application) are now having the systems installed in their homes. The Cooperative has contracted with Wire Nutz Electric and Beveridge Plumbing of Delhi and to date have installed 21 Rheem Heat Pump Hot Water Heaters entirely funded from a NYSERDA grant. The heaters have replaced an assortment of electric, oil and propane conventional hot water heaters. Without exception, all 21 units are performing superbly. The units are operating at varying efficiencies, depending on the amount of heat the cellars supply to the units.
Members Don and Bonnie Fleming of Delhi recently had one of these units installed in their home, it replaces an oil fired hot water heater. According to Don, “The unit produces an abundant amount of hot water and will really be appreciated in the summer when there will be no need for our boiler to operate. This will save us hundreds on fuel oil costs.”
Wire Nutz Electric and Beveridge Plumbing have received many calls complementing their professional and courteous service to our members. We have 19 more units to install for completion of the project, and thus far everyone has done a great job!
Beware of Bill Payment Scam
July 9, 2012
Please click here to read about a nationwide telemarketing scam offering people bogus help on their energy bills.
Reference:
Rocha, Victoria A. "Beware of Bill Payment Scam." Electric Co-op Today (A Publication of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Assoc. (NRECA))
9 July 2012 <http://www.ect.coop/industry/crime/beware-of-bill-payment-scam/46116>
DCEC Welcomes New CEO Mark Schneider
July 6, 2012
Delaware County Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors has announced the selection of Mark Hilson Schneider as the cooperative’s CEO and General Manager. Schneider succeeds Greg Starheim, who will be taking on the role of President at Kenergy Corp., a large distribution cooperative based on Henderson, Kentucky.
Schneider and Starheim have been working together since June 24 to facilitate a smooth transition. “Greg has been a huge help getting me up to speed on critical projects such as the distribution system upgrade project and the Amphenol economic development plan in Sidney,” said in-coming CEO Schneider.
Board President Frank Winkler also praised Starheim saying, “The Board would like to thank Greg Starheim for the 9 years of leadership that he brought to DCEC and we all wish him well on his new assignment in Kentucky with Kenergy Electric Cooperative. »
“The Board was looking for someone who could hit the ground running, who understands the utility industry, and who embraces the cooperative principles, and we found that in Mark,” said DCEC Board President, Frank Winkler. “Mark has worked at DCEC before as the Engineering Manager so he knows many of our members and all of our employees.”
Schneider comes to DCEC from the State University of New York College of Technology at Delhi, where he served on the faculty and started a training program for students wishing to enter the electric utility industry. Prior to that, Schneider served as the Engineering Manager at DCEC. Schneider also held engineering and management positions at Sensis Corporation and at Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (now National Grid), both in Syracuse, NY.
Schneider summed up his management style by saying, “We need to maintain a constant focus on our core mission, which is to safely, reliably, and cost-effectively deliver electricity to our members.” Schneider went on to say that, “The values of safety, respect, and integrity must underpin every decision and every action we take as employees and managers of DCEC.”
Schneider earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Alfred University and a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University. He and his wife, Julie Hilson, have two children, both of whom attend school at Delaware Academy in Delhi.
Low Cost Power to Help Amphenol
April 9, 2012
This article appeared in the Tri-Town News (Sidney, NY) regarding the New York Power Authority approving an allocation of low-cost power to Amphenol Aerospace Operations. See full article below:
Tri Town News: "Low Cost Power to Help Amphenol"
DCEC Recruiting Members for In-Home Display Demonstration
February 24, 2012
DCEC is looking to recruit members to participate in the In-Home Display Program. This program will allow members to better manage their electrical usage through a free-of-charge wireless device called an "In-Home Display". Click here for more information!
Sidney Grants Franchise to DCEC
February 16, 2012
This article appeared in the Tri-Town News (Sidney, NY) regarding the Village of Sidney granting a franchise to DCEC to provide electric services within the village following a public hearing Monday night. See full article below:
Tri Town News: "Sidney Grants Franchise to Delaware Co. Electric"
DCEC Not Affected by NYSEG Security Breach
February 15, 2012
On January 23, 2011, New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) announced that they discovered a security breach in their computer systems that created the opportunity for unauthorized release of personal consumer information. Delaware County Electric Cooperative (DCEC) would like to assure our members that this breach is not related in any way to the Cooperative and that its computer systems and confidential membership information remains secure and protected from third parties. DCEC takes protection of member-consumer data very seriously. Per DCEC policy, the Cooperative does not release any confidential or member data to third parties without prior authorization of its members and ensures strict security measures and procedures are in place to protect member information.
It has come to our understanding that some DCEC members have received letters from NYSEG regarding this incident. You would have received a letter on this if you previously were a NYSEG customer or are receiving NYSEG electric or gas service at another location.
If you should have any concerns or questions regarding this issue please feel free to contact the DCEC office at (607) 746-2341.
Going After Bigger Fish
January 1, 2012
This article appeared in RE Magazine regarding the new "Rural Definition" bill that was signed into NY State Law on September 23, 2011 and how this bill helps DCEC support local economic development.
RE Magazine Article: "Going After Bigger Fish"
N.Y. Law Expands Co-op Service Areas
October 14, 2011
By Todd H. Cunningham Published: October 14, 2011 @ 5:32 am In Co-op News
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation that will make it easier for the state’s electric cooperatives to serve new areas.
The state legislation modified the definition of “rural,” allowing co-ops to serve consumers within cities and villages of as many as 20,000 inhabitants, up from the previous limit of 1,000. This is in line with the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
The recent action offers co-ops the opportunity to extend what the legislation calls “a long tradition of providing low-cost, reliable service to their membership,” said Greg Starheim, CEO/general manager of Delaware County Electric Cooperative. [2]
The New York bill noted that the cap limited electric co-ops’ ability to serve, despite their record of outperforming “traditional investor-owned utilities on rates and reliability of service, quickly restoring power during emergency outage conditions.”
“There are potential future opportunities for New York’s electric co-ops to acquire investor-owned utilities’ service territories,” Starheim indicated. “With this legislation, rural electric co-ops can also better respond to requests from economic development agencies and local municipalities for us to serve them.”
Co-ops received “extensive support” from elected officials, economic development agencies and the state’s two municipal electricity trade associations during the bill’s consideration, he said.
The new law might provide Delhi-based Delaware County EC with the opportunity to expand its service. Amphenol, the owner of a high-tech manufacturing facility that recently was flooded out during Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, for the second time in five years, announced that it would move the factory out of the state.
However, state and local economic development agencies are working hard on a plan under which the factory would relocate within the village of Sidney municipal area, and the co-op is being asked to provide the electric service.
“We couldn’t provide electric service under the old law,” Starheim noted. “We’re now exploring whether we could provide service under the new law.”
The IOU currently serving the Amphenol factory, New York State Electric & Gas, opposed the legislation, and continues to protest electric cooperatives’ provision of service to new businesses.
According to Starheim, the IOU “fundamentally doesn’t feel that the consumer should have a right to choose their electric provider.”
Delaware County Electric Cooperative Holds 2011 Annual Meeting
September 14, 2011
The Delaware County Electric Cooperative (DCEC) held its Annual Meeting of Members on Friday, September 9, 2011 at the Delaware Academy & Central School. This meeting is the 67th such event for the cooperative, this also represents the same amount of time which the non-profit organization has been providing low-cost electric service to the local area. A total of 181 people attended the meeting including 105 voting members.
During the meeting, members got an update on the impact that Hurricane Irene had on cooperative operations, heard feedback from a recent Membership Survey, approved bylaw changes and elected directors to serve on the cooperative's Board of Directors.
Greg Starheim, CEO & General Manager, reported that high winds began to cause widespread power outages throughout the DCEC system on Sunday morning when the hurricane arrived. By Monday morning, over 2,400 DCEC members were without power due to downed power lines caused by tree damage. With assistance provided by other electric cooperatives from western Pennsylvania and New York, power was restored to all DCEC members by Tuesday night.
DCEC Board President Frank Winkler reported the results of a recent membership survey conducted by the cooperative. "We are very pleased with the level of satisfaction that our members have in belonging to and receiving electric service from DCEC", said Winkler. "DCEC is an organization with one purpose for existing and that is to serve the members. It's good to see that members feel that we are doing a decent job at it." Survey data showed that over 92% of members feel DCEC delivers reliable electric service and excellent customer service which is much higher than industry averages.
During the meeting, members approved five bylaw changes allowing absentee balloting while eliminating proxy voting, eliminating floor nominations in director elections, reducing the size of the board from 9 to 7 directors while re-defining district lines, strengthening director qualifications, and providing more time for meeting notices and for Nominating Committee appointments.
Members also elected three members to serve on the DCEC Board of Directors including Frank Winkler, re-elected to serve the Southern Region of DCEC's service territory, Paul Menke, re-elected to serve the Central Region and Ed (Rusty) Pick, newly elected to represent the Northern Region.
Long time director Harry Peterson was honored and thanked for his 33-years of service on the DCEC Board. Tom Lubbers was also honored posthumously for his 23 years of service on the DCEC Board. Receiving a plaque on his behalf was his wife, Donna, and son, Ryan.
Members heard presentations from Legislative Youth Delegate Emily Bartz and the Delaware County Dairy Princess Haley Groat. Employees recognized for achieving service milestones included Lineman James Green and David Schmidt (10 years), Billing Clerk Rosemary Alwine (10 years), Linemen Michael Dianich and Michael Schafer (5 years), and Secretary Tara Rifenbark (5 years). Directors Ernie Bartz and David Hartwell were also recognized for their 35 years and 25 years of service on the DCEC Board, respectively. Before the business meeting, members were served a barbecued chicken dinner in the school cafeteria. At the end of the meeting there was a drawing for door prizes.
DCEC 2011 Annual Meeting
August 31, 2011
The 67th Annual Meeting of the Members of the Delaware County Electric Cooperative (DCEC) will be held on Friday, September 9, 2011 at the DelawareAcademy and Central School in Delhi, New York.
Registration will begin at 4:30 p.m. followed by a Brooks’ House of BBQ dinner (advanced ticket purchase is necessary, please contact DCEC for more information). Exhibits will be on display prior to the meeting. The business meeting will start promptly at 6:30 p.m.
During the meeting, officers of DCEC will provide a report on the status of the Cooperative. The DCEC Board of Directors will also be recommending approval of proposed bylaw changes. For details on these bylaw changes please visit www.dce.coop or call the DCEC office.
The 2011 Nominating Committee met and nominated the following candidates for the DCEC Board of Directors which will be voted on at the Annual Meeting:
DISTRICT #2: Towns of Harpersfield/Summit/Jefferson - Edward Pick Jr.
Stephen Rinehart
DISTRICT #5: Towns of Meredith - Paul Menke (sole candidate)
DISTRICT #9: Towns of Andes/Middletown/Colchester - Russell Darling
Frank Winkler
Drawings will be held for door prizes that have been donated by various suppliers and business associates of the cooperative. DCEC thanks them for their continued support for a successful meeting!
Please take the time to come out and participate in the 2011 Annual Meeting. This is your cooperative!
DCEC Prepares for Smart Grid Implementation by Securing Grant
July 15, 2011
DCEC is proceeding with a system-wide deployment of Smart Grid technology. The program, funded through grants and from the U.S. Department of Energy and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), will provide numerous benefits to members, both in improving operations and providing members greater access to information to help reduce their energy costs.
“This was an excellent opportunity for us to upgrade our aging existing electric hot water heater “load control” and automated meter reading systems. These programs are over 12 years old and are becoming obsolete. We greatly depend on these systems to process member billing, identify and manage outages and minimize our purchase power costs. Smart grid technology will do all of that and much more,” says Wayne Marshfield, DCEC Operations Manager.
DCEC staff has been busy negotiating with various techno-logy suppliers and will soon be making decisions as to what systems will be purchased. It is envisioned that deployment will begin in the fall of 2011 and be complete by the end of 2012.
Once fully deployed, Smart Grid technology will not only provide operational benefits, but will provide members online access to detailed (hourly) usage information to better understand consumption patterns and how they might be able to become more energy efficient. Further details will be coming in the future.
Member Savings Program Brings Value to DCEC Members
July 15, 2011
It is important for DCECto provide its member-owners with safe, reliable power. Yet our service goes beyond that. It’s also important that the Cooperative offer additional services that can help members save money on energy expenses and have a positive impact on everyone in the community. That is why DCEC is launching the Member Savings Program.
Through the Member Savings Program, DCEC is able to provide value to members and our community through a variety of services designed to save them money and become more energy efficient. Examples include:
· Home energy audits—DCEC has partnered with NYSERDA to provide free home energy audits and possible financing for energy efficiency projects. DCEC members must have a household income at or below $100k.
· Co-op Connections Card—DCEC members will have access to 10-60% discounts on prescriptions at participating pharmacies as well as discounts from local and national participating businesses.
· Energy Efficiency Tools— “Together We Save” is an online program that DCEC members can access that will allow you to take a “Home Tour” which shows you how much you can save by implementing certain energy saving practices room by room. Also, other energy efficiency tools will be available to help members save energy and money by raising awareness and conservation as well as inspiring them to teach everyone around them.
· Smart Grid Technology—(see “Smart Grid Implementation” article on page 1). Through this technology DCEC members will have online access to detailed (hourly) usage information and how they can become more energy efficient.
So while our number one priority is to keep the lights on, DCECis committed to bringing additional value to our members and the communities we serve. The Member Savings Program is just another way to accomplish that goal. For more information on this program please contact the DCEC office at (607) 746-2341.
DCEC Hold Member Information Meetings
July 15, 2011
The DCEC Board of Directors held a series of Member Information Meetings to present to members details of a proposed rate increase and bylaw changes. The meetings were held on May 24, 2011 at the Hamden Town Hall and on June 22 at the DCEC Garage on Depot Street in Delhi. Based on these meetings the DCEC Board approved to implement the rate increase (featured in the last two newsletters) and will recommend the bylaw changes at the 2011 DCEC Annual Meeting on September 9, 2011. The overall 8% rate increase will not effect large business consumers and will be introduced over a 2-year period beginning in July 2011. The increase will affect the average residential member’s bill by about 13 cents a day. Details of the proposed bylaw changes are available at www.dce.coop.
Members will be receiving an Annual Meeting special edition of the Catskill Hi-Line in their August bills which will contain the official notice of the meeting, biographies of director candidates up for election, the financial report, and your Brooks Chicken BBQ reservation ticket. We hope to see you at this year’s meeting!
DCEC Holds Member Information Meetings
June 8, 2011
Attention DCEC Members:
Come meet with your directors and management at the upcoming Member Information Meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the DCEC Garage Facility located at 3 Depot Street, Delhi, NY.
This meeting is the second Member Information Meeting that DCEC will be holding, the first meeting took place on May 24, 2011 at the Hamden Town Hall. The Member Information Meetings present to members an update on the Cooperative, details of a proposed rate action, bylaw changes, a new Member Savings Program and the upcoming Annual Meeting (scheduled for Friday, September 9, 2011). If you would like more information please contact the DCEC office.
Faced With Rising Costs, DCEC Board Approves Rate Increase
May 17, 2011
On April 26, the DCEC Board of Directors announced plans for an increase in electric rates effective July 2011 due to rising operational costs. The total increase will result in a 7.9% increase in revenues to DCEC over a 2-year period of time. A 4.1% increase will be implemented in July 2011 and a tentative 3.8% increase in July 2012. The most significant cost increases necessitating this action include:
- Cost of purchased power
- Cost of maintaining existing power lines
- Property taxes (both school and town/county)
- Labor costs
"As a cooperative, it is important for us to maintain our commitment to maintaining our electrical distribution system", says DCEC CEO & General Manager Greg Starheim. "DCEC service reliability is exceptional compared to other neighboring utilities. This is a direct result of our commitment to plant investment which must be built into our rate structure. With that said, we are very conscious of the current state of the economy and in keeping rates as low as possible for our members. The DCEC Board has also maintained a financial goal of proactively retiring $200,000 of capital credits to members each year (on a "first-in, first-out" basis)."
The DCEC Board will be holding two Membership Information Meetings for members to hear more details about this rate increase. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 24th at 7:00 pm at the Hamden Town Hall. The second meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 22nd at 7:00 pm at the DCEC Garage Facility located at 3 Depot Street, Delhi.
DCEC's last increase in electric rates occurred in August 2006.
Electric Co-ops Lead in Satisfaction
April 19, 2011
The following is an article published in Electric Coop Today (ECT) regarding how electric cooperatives received the highest score for consumer satisfaction—surpassing investor-owned and municipal utilities—in a survey released April 19
DCEC Conducts Membership Survey
March 1, 2011
In late 2010, over 400 DCEC members participated in a survey to provide feedback on their opinions on the service that DCEC has been providing. SDS Research, an independent research firm, conducted the survey through phone interviews with members across all rate classes.
“We are very pleased with the results”, says DCEC Board President Frank Winkler. “Overall, the survey results show that members are very pleased with the level of service they are receiving from DCEC. That’s very important for us to know.”
The survey revealed that 92% of members felt that DCEC provides reliable electric service and is responsive to power outages. For those members that had direct contact with DCEC personnel over the last year, 94% reported that is was a favorable experience for them.
The survey was also helpful in providing feedback to the board of directors on strategic initiatives and possible bylaw changes. For instance, 72% of members favored giving members the right to vote through absentee ballots (vs. strictly in-person at annual meetings). Members also indicated that the Catskill Hi-Line and bill inserts are the most effective way for DCEC to communicate information to them (vs. website, email and newspaper ads). 86% of members who read the Catskill Hi-Line gave it a high rating.
DCEC members also demonstrated support for renewable energy. 84% of members reported that they feel it is important that DCEC provide renewable energy as part of its power supply portfolio. When asked whether they would be willing to pay a premium for renewable energy, 36% reported that they would not, 25% said they’d be willing to pay up to a 5% premium and 13% reported they would pay up to 10% more.
“All-in-all, the feedback is very helpful.” says Winkler. “It’s vitally important that we continue to meet our member’s needs and expectations. We plan to do surveys every couple years for us to get feedback from members beyond our normal day-to-contact with them.”
Click here to view the entire results of the membership survey.
Facing Rising Costs, DCEC Forced to Take Action
March 1, 2011
Rising costs have caught up with everyone and DCEC is no exception. Increases in power supply, labor, material, fuel costs and property taxes have caused the DCEC Board of Directors to approve an overall 7.9% increase to electric rates that will be phased in over a two year period; 4.1% to go into effect in July 2011 and a tentative 3.8% increase to go into effect in July 2012 pending future financial performance of the cooperative.
“It’s clear that many folks in our local communities are having a tough time but it’s important that we keep DCEC solvent and financially strong,” says Greg Starheim, CEO & General Manager.
The cooperative’s last rate increase was in 2006. Since that time, the recession that began in 2008 helped keep wholesale purchased power costs low but those costs, amounting to a third of DCEC overall cost-of-service, are climbing.
“We have tried to be as proactive as possible in keeping our costs down”, explained Starheim. This last fall, DCEC changed the medical insurance plan it provides to its employees saving $70,000. DCEC has also deferred purchasing new vehicles and successfully worked to get the Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange licensed to offer business insurance in New York State saving over $50,000 per year in annual premiums.
“We are in a very tough time”, said Starheim. “We are seeing our members use less power each year and costs continue to increase.” Earlier this year, DCEC saw a 23% increase in its real property taxes (mostly from the substations, poles and power lines it owns throughout Delaware and Schoharie Counties) as towns and school districts look for additional revenue to cover cutbacks in state funding.
A “cost-of-service study” is currently underway to assess the net cost each type of membership class has to DCEC’s overall operating expenses and to develop a fair allocation of the overall rate increase to the members.
The board of directors is studying other ways of off-setting costs, as well as, including re-assessing fees for certain services (e.g. pole attachment rates that telephone companies pay for renting space on DCEC electric poles) the cooperative performs to accurately reflect the costs of providing those services. “Everything is being considered but it is also for us not to stray from our important principles of maintaining a safe and reliable electric system for the members,” Starheim said. He also discussed the board’s goal of maintaining a $200,000 per year capital credit retirements to members. “It’s a fairness issue. The longer standing members have previously contributed to the cooperatives equity. As we retire capital credits to those members the new members will now participate in the cooperative’s financial well-being.”
DCEC has annual operating costs of approximately $7 million and operates as a non-profit business. Further details and information will be made available to members in future newsletters and in Member Informational Meetings.
Time Running Out to Apply for Solar Project Grant Funding
March 1, 2011
DCEC members interested in participating in the Residential Solar/PV Program should submit the necessary application soon. The deadline for grant applications is May 1, 2011. Any applications submitted after that date will not be eligible for the program.
This last round of funding from NYPA was for an additional $75,000 to continue the program. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. New grants will be awarded up to $3/watt with a maximum of $20,000 per recipient.
Another Round of Residential Solar/PV Incentive Funding Available
January 19, 2011
DCEC members are being given another chance to apply for solar energy grant funding. DCEC has received yet another round of funding from NYPA for an additional $75,000 to continue the program. Additional grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. New grants will be awarded up to $3/watt with a maximum of $20,000 per recipient.
Details on the program and application requirements are available here.
DCEC to Select 2011 Youth Delegate for Annual Legislative Conference
January 17, 2011
DCEC to Select 2011 Youth Delegate for Annual Legislative Conference
Members to Receive Capital Credit Retirement
November 19, 2010
Christmas for some DCEC members will soon get a little greener. On October 20, 2010, the DCEC board approved a $200,000 general retirement of capital credits to those individuals and businesses who were active members in 1988.
“As part of being a cooperative it’s our obligation to retire capital credits over time”, explains Steve Oles, DCEC Director and Treasurer. “These funds represent our member’s equity in DCEC and the investment our members have made in the cooperative .”
At the end of every fiscal year, any year-end “net margin” realized by DCEC is “allocated” (not paid out) to members based on their electrical usage for that year. As a non-profit cooperative, this represents the equity members have in the cooperative. When financial conditions of the cooperative are deemed to be sufficient, the board can vote to retire these capital credits as a return of member equity on a “First-In First-Out” basis. This retirement represents about 40% of the total margin realized in 1988.
DCEC Member Consent Form
November 19, 2010
DCEC is committed to protecting the personal information of its members. That is why DCEC will not release any account or other personal information to a 3rd party without a written consent from the member. Due to privacy rules, this extends to spouses (unless they are joint members), relatives, friends, and non-government organizations (e.g. Delaware Opportunities, Catholic Charities, etc.)
We realize this can cause an inconvenience to individuals who are attempting to help out members. If you would like to provide account access to someone, please contact the DCEC office for a waiver form or you can access the form online at www.dce.coop.
Home Energy Assistance Program
November 19, 2010
Heating Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that offers financial assistance to income-eligible members for energy related expenses. Please contact your local Social Services office for additional information:
- Delaware County (607) 746-2325
- Otsego County (607) 547-4355
- Schoharie County (518) 295-8334
You can click here for more information from NY State's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
