York Electric Cooperative, Inc. (2024)

York Electric Cooperative, Inc. (YEC) is pleased to receive grant money from Santee Cooper through the Grid Resilience Grant Program, funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE). This money will be used to complete five projects within our service territory. For more information on these projects and the grant application process, please visit the Santee Cooper website at www.santeecooper.com and look for updates later this year in the South Carolina Living magazine from your cooperative.

Read the press release below for more details.

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Santee Cooper has secured final approval for 18 projects, totaling $10.8 million in funding, submitted to its Grid Resilience Grant Program last year by electric cooperatives and municipal and other utilities from across South Carolina.

Together, the projects represent grid improvements that will reduce the number of outages and improve restoration times during extreme weather events, primarily in disadvantaged areas of the state.

Santee Cooper is serving as the state administrator for the formula grant provided to South Carolina through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, section 40101(d). The projects submitted to and approved by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) represent funding available for federal fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Santee Cooper and independent consultant Guidehouse reviewed the project submissions, determined all 18 came within Santee Cooper’s program guidelines and federal requirements, and approved the projects for full funding. The DOE approval clears the way for project work to begin.

“The projects that were submitted range from burying overhead power lines to adding self-healing equipment that improves restoration ability,” said Jimmy Staton, Santee Cooper president and CEO. “Collectively they will make South Carolina’s electric grid stronger in the face of hurricanes and other extreme weather. It has been our privilege to work with the DOE and so many utilities across the state who are driven to provide the best service possible to their members and customers.”

The projects are:

Berkeley Electric Cooperative (BEC): $982,228

Implement an automated fault location, isolation, and service restoration system (FLISR) in a remote and difficult-to-access area to decrease outage restoration times.

Broad River Electric Cooperative: $183,964

Install additional remotely controlled devices and new controls to improve monitoring and control capabilities and increase reliability for two circuits that have experienced outages.

City of Rock Hill: $71,470

Add two automated overhead switches and a self-healing device to address circuit-level outages.

Coastal Electric Cooperative, Inc. Project 1: $400,000

Improve monitoring and control capabilities to increase sectionalizing, reduce outages and expand FLISR abilities.

Coastal Electric Cooperative, Inc. Project 2: $796,000

Replace aging overhead distribution lines on the back of lots with underground lines on the front of lots to improve reliability by and increase access to the lines.

Fairfield Electric Cooperative, Inc. Project 1: $225,000

Update equipment and improve system monitoring and control, allowing for remote power restoration.

Fairfield Electric Cooperative, Inc. Project 2: $900,000

Rebuild four miles of overhead distribution line serving a wastewater treatment plant in a remote area that has experienced extended outages.

Gaffney Board of Public Works (GBPW): $417,605

Deploy technology to locate, predict, and prevent issues on the electrical grid.

Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc.: $779,823

Install self-healing devices on existing poles along major transportation corridors, allowing automated restoration within seconds for outages between these devices.

Laurens Commission of Public Works: $777,917

Replace cutout switches, inspect all poles on the system, and accelerate vegetation management.

Lockhart Power Company (LPC): $833,333

Install enhanced resiliency insulators and storm-hardened metal poles on Jonesville 34kV line, part of a larger project to replace an aged 18-mile segment of line between two substations.

MPD Electric Cooperative: $1,191,604

Install distribution management and automation systems to automatically clear instantaneous and short-duration faults.

Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc.: $1,946,000

Replace 44 old hydraulic reclosers with new electronically controlled reclosers with remote monitoring and operating capabilities in areas considered to be disadvantaged communities.

York Electric Cooperative, Inc. Project 1: $125,193

Build a 2.1-mile overhead line to provide an alternate feed to two long radial lines in hard-to-reach areas of Bonnor Horton Road and West McConnells Highway and improve reliability.

York Electric Cooperative, Inc. Project 2: $152,664

Install a distribution automation scheme across its service territory in the Catawba Indian Nation.

York Electric Cooperative, Inc. Project 3: $59,886

Install an underground tie line between Legion Road and Valley Haven Trail in Hickory Grove, creating a usable backfeed and reducing the number of radial line miles by 13.54 miles.

York Electric Cooperative, Inc. Project 4: $717,357

Bury approximately three miles of overhead line going into the Kings Mountain National Military Park and a single-phase line feeding Camp Cherokee, a local YMCA summer camp.

York Electric Cooperative, Inc. Project 5: $206,855

Bury approximately two miles line feeding the Kings Mountain State Park, almost entirely inside of the State Park.

Santee Cooper has filed for Fiscal Year 2024 available funding and will begin solicitation of proposals for the third-year funding after the DOE provides clearance to do begin.

South Carolina’s electric cooperatives are supporting a pair of lawsuits that challenge the legality of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new regulations on fossil fuel power plants.

The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina and Central Electric Power Cooperative on May 9 filed a declaration in support of separate lawsuits by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and a coalition of 23 state attorneys general, including S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson.

“While we share the EPA’s goal of protecting the environment, we can’t support a plan that jeopardizes the reliability of South Carolina’s electric grid while driving up power bills,” said Mike Couick, CEO of the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina. “We need a realistic path forward.”

The EPA regulations aim to greatly reduce carbon emissions from existing coal-fired power plants and new natural gas-fired units. The rules would require those power plants to either throttle down their output or capture and store their carbon emissions with a technology that is unproven, unaffordable and commercially unavailable.

These regulations come as demand for electricity soars in South Carolina and across the Southeast due to population growth and economic development, including a parade of clean energy manufacturing projects dedicated to producing electric vehicles and the parts that power them.

“South Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. We urgently need more electricity, not less,” said Central CEO Rob Hochstetler. “These regulations make it harder for electric cooperatives to keep up, threatening our ability to keep the lights on for residents and businesses across our state.”

This declaration follows the S.C. electric cooperatives’ August 2023 and December 2023 comments opposing the proposed EPA regulations as unlawful, unworkable and unrealistic.

S.C. electric cooperative leaders also have testified at the State House and in Congress about these regulations and other threats to the reliability of the Palmetto State’s power grid.

We all like knowing when folks have our back. It’s nice to solidify support with like- minded people who value the same things you do, but it proves to be even greater when you are open to suggestions and seek to first understand what provides the greatest good for all. This compromise and greater solution provide a sense of accomplishment and validation that you are doing the right thing to help and serve others. This month, we are going to highlight the lawmakers who do just that. They are always on our side and the side of our members seeking to do the right thing for the right reasons.

Creating the laws that govern our state is no small feat. These brave men and woman are elected to stand up for what is right and the voices of those they serve. As a co-op, those same voices are those of our members, and it matters to us that the laws and elected officials in our state look out for the people and their quality of life, which is what we value most. Fortunately, we have an outstanding delegation that aligns with our own personal mission to look out for our members. They understand co-ops are here to do good and serve others. Together, our interests continue to support what is best for our communities and our neighbors.

H.5118 is an example of how our support impacts our members. This legislation, which is called the “South Carolina Energy Security Act,” is co-op supported because it secures our energy future in South Carolina. Not only does it promote things like energy efficiency and renewables, but it also allows for a joint construction project to build a natural gas plant in the lower part of the state. Co-ops aren’t making anything on this bill. It is simply the right thing to do for our economy.

I’d like to say a special thank you to the following members of the South Carolina House of Representatives in our delegation who voted in favor of this bill: Raye Felder, Brandon Guffey, Randy Ligon, Dennis Moss, Mike Neese, Brandon Newton, David O’Neal and Tommy Pope. Similarly, Senators Wes Climer, Mike Fanning, Michael Johnson and Harvey Peeler were instrumental last year in supporting our cooperative and letting the voices of our members be heard at the state level. We continue to be grateful for the consistent support we receive at the State House.

I’d also like to take a moment to wish one of these representatives well as she retires from serving after 12 years. Raye Felder has not only helped the cooperative support the voices of our members, but she’s also been a great friend and neighbor to my family. When we lived in her neighborhood, I fondly remember her Christmas soup parties and was always grateful for the easy access she and her husband graciously granted our kids when they would cut through her yard to see their grandparents. Well done, Raye, and thank you.

It's no surprise that things cost more since the pandemic. Our grocery bills are higher, fuel prices are higher and even going out to eat is more expensive. In 2012, it cost an average of $1.84 to buy a dozen eggs. Now it costs an average of $2.51. A 36 percent increase adds up each week.

Although your co-op has experienced significant increases in materials for more than a decade, your electric rates have remained stable since 2012. By being mindful of all controllable expenses and because of the continued growth we have seen in our area, we’ve been able to absorb rising costs. However, it is important that you see the costs of our most used construction materials and the significant increase the co-op is incurring to build and maintain the power lines that serve you. In 2023, 80 cents of each dollar we spent went towards the cost of power.

You might wonder what you can expect as prices continue to rise for both materials and power costs. Rest assured, we will continue to operate conservatively with each dollar that comes into your co-op. We’ll continue to look out for you and make sure we keep your power affordable, safe and reliable.

Your board in action

Last month, the board of trustees met with York Electric’s external auditor, who provided your co-op with a clean bill of financial health. Download a PDF of YEC’s audited financials.

QUICK TIPS FROM YOUR CO-OP:

• Don’t overload outlets. Overloaded outlets can create fire hazards.
• Electricity and liquids never mix. Keep drinks a safe distance away from electrical devices.
• Keep your cooking station clear. Don’t place flammable items like potholders, napkins or dish towels near a hot stove.
• Make sure all light bulbs are properly rated for the unit or fixture.
• Test smoke alarms each month to ensure they’re working properly.

A note from our President and CEO: May the FOURTH be with you! YEC Annual Meeting May 1, 3, 4

It's been 83 great years of being your electric cooperative, where locals are looking out for you. The value of your membership has never been greater. I’d like to personally invite you and your family to one of our three days of convenient drive-thru annual meetings this year to register and vote. We’ll even have hot dogs again in York! You can count on the same smiling faces to be there to help you through the line.

Our team is excited to see you and your family to celebrate 83 years of service, community and improving quality of life in our area. As for me, this will be a bittersweet annual meeting as it will mark my 34th serving you and my last before my retirement in June. I invite you to tune into our virtual business meeting as we officially introduce Craig Spencer, who will continue to lead our team of locals looking out for you.

Official Notice of York Electric’s Annual Meeting

YEC will celebrate 83 years of service to the members of York Electric Cooperative by hosting their annual meeting of members on Wednesday, May 1 in Tega Cay at Catawba Park located at 2351 New Gray Rock Rd., and on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 at YEC’s main office, located at 1385 East Alexander Love Highway in York. Because of a record number of participants, increased efficiency and the results of the meeting preferences question we asked attendees last year, the meeting will be drive-thru only again this year.

Registration and voting for the annual meeting will be open on Wednesday, May 1 in Tega Cay from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., on Friday, May 3 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., and on Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. until noon. Each membership must choose one of the three available locations to attend for registration and voting and each membership is eligible for only one registration, vote and entry for prize drawings. We will host a virtual business meeting that will stream online at yorkelectric.net and on our Facebook account. A transcript of the virtual meeting will be available on our website for the hearing impaired.

Action will be taken on the following matters during the meeting:

1. The report of officers, trustees and committees.
2. The election of trustees.
3. All other business which may come before the meeting.

Members are encouraged to attend the annual meeting and MUST bring a valid photo ID and their registration postcard, which is attached to the front of this magazine. All members who wish to be entered into the prize drawing and to vote must be in line by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 p.m. on Friday and by noon on Saturday.

Each member registering will receive a $25 credit on his or her June 2024 electric bill and is limited to one vote and registration. You must be present to vote and receive the registration credit. Registered members will also be entered into drawings for valuable prizes including a 2017 Ford F-150 and two $500 power bill credits. Members who register in Tega Cay will be entered into a separate drawing for a $500 power bill credit in addition to the other door prizes.

Your cooperative’s audited financial report will be available during the week of the annual meeting on our website, at each of YEC’s offices, and by request at the annual meeting.

You will find a map for the voting and registration drive-thru routes for both our Tega Cay and York locations on the back of the April edition of South Carolina Living magazine and on our website. Members will be voting for two uncontested director seats, the vacant seat in District Two and a contested seat for District Three.

We would like to extend a special thank you to York School District One, the York School District One Foundation, and the York Rotary Club for preparing hot dogs for those members who want them on Friday and Saturday in York beginning at 9 a.m. each day, while supplies last. For more details about the annual meeting, please contact our member services team at (803) 684-4248.

I look forward to seeing you and your family as we celebrate another year of serving you!

In March, your York Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Craig Spencer as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Upon this announcement, he began serving as Chief Operating Officer (COO), a role he will fulfill until the current CEO, Paul Basha, retires after 34 years of service to YEC on June 11.

Spencer joined York Electric in 1992. Since 2003, he has served as the Vice President of Engineering, and he has played an integral role in the cooperative’s expansion and success. With more than 30 years of experience in the utility industry at York Electric, Spencer offers a well-rounded understanding of the cooperative’s operations, culture and member needs.

If you get nervous when your vehicle’s gas light comes on, you know how the leaders of South Carolina’s electric cooperatives feel about our state’s looming energy crisis.

If only it were as easy to refuel our supply of electricity as it is to pull into a gas station.

Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people in South Carolina and North Carolina felt like they were stranded on the side of the road on Christmas Eve 2022.

Several days of freezing temperatures drove the demand for electricity to record highs, and our state didn’t have enough power to meet that demand.

Major utilities were forced to undergo rolling blackouts — the widespread outages you usually only hear about in faraway places like California.

We were lucky: Our co-op members didn’t have their power cut off. But our needle was as close to E as it could go. And the risk of running empty again remains.

The North America Electric Reliability Corporation, an independent organization that monitors the reliability of our power grid, recently warned of the growing risk that we could run out of power when demand spikes due to extreme weather.

Co-op leaders across our state know these threats to reliability are unacceptable. It’s our duty to keep the lights on for 2 million South Carolinians.

We can’t ask them to suffer through scorching days or freezing nights without power. And we can’t afford to miss out on game-changing economic development projects because our state didn’t plan ahead for its energy future.

How have we reached this point? Demand for electricity is soaring because of South Carolina’s rapid population growth and our success in recruiting new industry.

Unfortunately, South Carolina hasn’t succeeded in building new, large-scale power plants to keep up. The cancellation of the V.C. Summer nuclear expansion project has left us even further behind.

To make matters worse, proposed federal regulations could require the shutdown of existing power plants before we can adequately replace them.

What can we do to solve this problem? We must upgrade our power grid by building new power plants, pipelines and transmission lines.

We must invest in a diverse mix of natural gas, nuclear, solar, hydro, batteries and other emerging energy sources to ensure a stable power supply while protecting our environment.

We must streamline burdensome permitting processes and untangle supply chain bottlenecks that hold these projects hostage for years and years.

What actions are we taking? We have sounded the alarm about these challenges in Columbia and in Washington. Policymakers have heard us and are taking steps to help.

For the past 18 months, S.C. lawmakers have listened to energy experts and utility critics alike in order to craft a bill, H.5118, that will ensure South Carolinians have access to reliable, affordable energy.

Importantly, the bill paves the way for Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper to jointly build a natural gas plant in Colleton County that we believe is sorely needed.

This plant will supply always-available energy to homes and businesses across our state. It will also back up the thousands of megawatts of sometimes-available solar energy that is coming onto the power grid.

Critics of H.5118 have had plenty to say in the past few weeks. That’s OK. It’s how the process should work. State lawmakers are revising the bill to address most of those concerns.

But as we search for a way to address South Carolina’s looming power shortage, we worry this is increasingly becoming a debate between those who are proposing a real solution and those who only want to criticize, obstruct and delay.

South Carolina cannot afford to experiment with an unrealistic Green New Deal approach to energy in our state. We do not have the luxury of waiting.

We must modernize our grid to meet the demands of tomorrow.

We are running on fumes. If we fail to act, we could soon be left stranded. Contact your legislators and let them know you support H.5118 because our state needs real energy solutions now.

By Paul Basha

We make it our business to know when new technologies that use electricity enter our market. While electric vehicles (EVs) aren’t new, we have seen an increase in the number of members purchasing these cars. As your trusted energy advisor, we’ve done our part to be prepared to answer your questions about EVs and provide you with the facts.

From adding two EVs to our fleet, surveying and listening to our members who plan to use this type of new technology, studying charging patterns and gaining an understanding of what impacts EVs might have on our distribution system, we have learned alongside all of you.

To continue our learning process, we’re using the Optiwatt application to gain more insight on the charging habits of members while incentivizing you to share your information. Here are the incentive details:

• To gain the most savings, members can complete the enrollment form and download the Optiwatt app, agreeing to allow managed charging during predicted times of peak energy use at least 60 percent of the time. This will provide a one-time $250 power bill credit for every charger you register at your location, a one-time $15 power bill credit for every electric vehicle you register and up to $120 in annual credits per registered charger.
• Even if you don’t want to participate in managed charging, you can still receive an incentive. Simply register your vehicle and charger through our enrollment form and we’ll provide you with a one-time $100 power bill credit.
• Members who already participate in our time of use rate with a separate submeter at their location are also eligible for a one-time $50 power bill credit if you confirm you have registered your charger through the Optiwatt application.

Our board also recently passed a special rate that provides an incentive to businesses who choose to add a charging station at their location to either power the use of their fleet, vehicles from patrons or their employees. You can learn more about this rate on our website.

Not interested in electric vehicles? We understand and are still here to provide you with the guidance you need to help make the best energy choices for you and your family. We’re still dedicated to providing you with reliable, safe and affordable energy and looking out for you, no matter what you drive.

Coffee with the CEO

Coffee with the CEO
Wednesday, April 15 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Knowledge Perk
130 W. White Street, Rock Hill

At York Electric, member empowerment is one of our favorite activities. As a local company committed to our community, we strive to create opportunities for our members, like you, to engage with our leadership and employees.

Our leadership team, including CEO Paul Basha and other York Electric staff, invite our membership to join us for Coffee with the CEO. We value members’ perspectives and opinions and welcome any questions you may have about your cooperative.

This private event is not only a chance to meet with our employees but learn about the latest co-op news, including our upcoming annual meeting, our newest energy service programs and ongoing community outreach programs.

REGISTER ONLINE

Sign up today at yorkelectric.net/coffee to attend Coffee with the CEO. Using our online registration form, you and your family can submit questions ahead of the event. YEC staff will review these inquiries beforehand to best answer your questions.

As consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs) increases, York Electric Cooperative has been installing public charging stations at several locations throughout its service territory in an effort to understand member expectations, learn about the service and prepare for its impact on the electrical grid.

This initiative is the latest evidence of YEC’s commitment to providing affordable and reliable energy to its members while offering programs and services that enhance your quality of life.

YEC recently installed an EV charging station at Piedmont Medical Center’s Fort Mill campus, a decision that increases accessibility for EV owners in the Fort Mill community.

Chris Mitchell, CEO of Piedmont Medical Center Fort Mill, is enthusiastic about the collaboration and the impact it has had on PMC patients, visitors and employees, which is a continuation of the decision to construct a Fort Mill campus.

In 2020, Fort Mill residents could access local services from PMC for the first time with the addition of a free-standing emergency department. Mitchell and other staff members noted positive feedback from community members, who embraced a nearby medical care service. The larger campus, located off Highway 160, is an extension of PMC’s goal to provide an option for quality care within Fort Mill, the fastest growing section of York County.

PMC designed its Fort Mill campus with convenience and accessibility in mind for patients and their families. Mitchell says YEC’s proposal to install a public charging station was a natural extension of this goal. Each EV charger is the latest effort from PMC to create a comfortable environment where electric vehicle owners will be less stressed when they or their loved ones are receiving care.

Mitchell says the service also is an attractive benefit to potential employees, who may see an onsite public charging station as a differentiator from other employers. For current employees who own an EV, the station allows them to charge their vehicles at their job, removing one more obstacle that may prevent them from providing excellent care to their patients.

“What resonates most with me is that YEC works really similar to PMC,” says Mitchell, who is a YEC member at home, as well. “They’re very invested in the community, and that’s why this relationship has always worked so well. It’s not surprising to walk into a key community meeting and see someone from the co-op there.”

YEC is always looking out for you and continues to provide services that enhance your daily lives.

Right now, America’s energy system is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Much of the focus related to energy issues in Washington is on large utilities in urban areas. But electric cooperatives are fundamentally different. York Electric Cooperative is owned by its members and we care about the future of your family and our communities.

York Electric works hard to recognize and meet the needs of your family and neighbors by providing affordable, reliable power to the communities we serve. But energy affordability and reliability mean different things to different communities. Members living in the most rural areas of America have a different set of challenges than members in more populated areas.

Elected officials need to hear from their constituents about the issues that matter to them to make decisions regarding what is best for those they represent. By communicating and building relationships with our representatives we can influence the outcome of public policy debates that affect the way cooperatives operate. This is why York Electric is partnering with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) on a new program to make it easy for our members like you to join the discussion and let our voices be heard.

We invite you to join Voices for Cooperative Power

Voices for Cooperative Power (VCP) is a new nationwide community designed to help co-op members just like you share their stories with elected officials. We know that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to energy policies. As an electric cooperative member, speaking up on issues that impact your electric co-op sends a message to elected officials about the unique needs of our communities—and their constituencies.

VCP makes it easy to have a say in policy decisions that impact you, because you can customize your experience by choosing the issues most important to you, from access to broadband technology and energy efficiency, to renewable energy and rural development and much more. VCP members will receive updates on those issues, and when needed, information on how to contact elected officials and government agencies on proposed legislation or regulations.

We cannot shape the future of energy at York Electric and across the United States without your input and support. Co-ops have democracy built into the very fabric of our business model, so we encourage you to use your voice to help ensure that electric co-ops can continue to provide reliable, affordable energy to members like you for generations to come. Take a moment today to join the movement!

How to join

Visit the Voices for Cooperative Power website or check out Voices for Cooperative Power on social media: Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

$1000 Touchstone Energy Scholarships: YEC awards a total of 12 $1,000 Touchstone Energy Scholarships to graduating seniors at area high schools. Applicants must be members of YEC.

$1000 Technical Advantage Scholarship: YEC awards one $1,000 Technical Advantage Scholarship to a graduating senior attending York Technical College in the fall.

Apply for Opportunity Scholarship by June 1

Not everyone's pursuit of a bachelor’s degree takes a direct path from high school to four years on a college campus. The Jenny Ballard Opportunity Scholarship is for women whose academic journeys have taken worthwhile detours, like marriage and family.

Applications for a one-time award are now open for female members of York Electric Cooperative whose pursuit of a college degree has been interrupted or delayed. Sponsored by Women Involved in Rural Electrification (WIRE)—a service organization associated with South Carolina’s electric cooperatives—the $2,500 scholarship is based on need and personal goals.

The scholarship will be awarded based on the information provided in the application. Applicants for the program must:

• be a member of York Electric Cooperative or another South Carolina electric cooperative;
• have graduated from high school or earned a GED at least 10 years ago;
• obtain acceptance into an accredited college or university;
• demonstrate financial need.

Recipients will receive scholarships for the fall 2024 or spring 2025 semester, with funds paid directly to the college or university. Apply online for the 2024 Jenny Ballard Opportunity Scholarship by June 1 at ecsc.org/wire. Paper forms are available at York Electric offices and can be mailed to Peggy Dantzler, The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033. Send e-mail inquiries to .

York Electric Cooperative (YEC) proudly announces the appointment of Craig Spencer as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Spencer’s appointment to CEO will officially begin on June 11, 2024, following the retirement of E. Paul Basha. Spencer transitioned from Vice President of Engineering, a role he has held since 2003, to Chief Operating Officer (COO) after the board’s decision. Spencer, who joined YEC in 1992, has played an integral role in the cooperative’s growth and success.

Spencer’s appointment follows a thorough selection process overseen by the board of directors, which included internal and external interviews. The decision to appoint Spencer was unanimous, reflecting their confidence in his ability to lead YEC into the future while maintaining the cooperative’s core values.

With over three decades of experience at YEC, Spencer brings a deep understanding of the cooperative’s operations, culture, and member needs to his new role. As VP of Engineering, he has been instrumental in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of YEC’s energy delivery infrastructure, earning the trust and respect of colleagues and members alike.

“In Craig Spencer, we have found a leader who embodies the values and principles that define York Electric Cooperative,” said Tom Settlemyre, Chair of the Board of Directors at YEC. “Craig’s extensive experience, coupled with his unwavering commitment to our mission, ensures a seamless transition and continuity of service excellence for our members.”

Outgoing CEO E. Paul Basha leaves behind a remarkable legacy of leadership and community engagement, having served YEC for a total of 35 years, with 23 as the co-op’s CEO. Spencer is honored to follow in his footsteps, building upon the strong foundation laid by Basha and steering YEC towards continued success and innovation.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to assume the role of CEO at York Electric Cooperative,” said Craig Spencer. “I am committed to upholding the cooperative’s priority to always look out for our members, ensuring that we continue to meet their evolving needs and those of our surrounding communities.”

As Craig Spencer prepares to assume the CEO position on June 11, 2024, YEC reaffirms its commitment to delivering reliable, safe, and affordable energy solutions, continued community engagement and education, while empowering members and enriching the communities it serves.

When you think of your co-op — and it really is your co-op — we hope you know that our employees and trustees are looking out for you. Our goal isn’t just delivering reliable electricity at an affordable price. For us, it’s all about improving the quality of life of our members — every single day.

From time to time, we check in with you and your fellow co-op members to make sure we’re meeting that goal—and to find out where we can improve. You may remember the survey that was in the November edition of South Carolina Living.

From Nov. 2 until Dec. 15, we — along with most of South Carolina’s other electric cooperatives — collected those surveys.

The responses were sent off to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®), one of the oldest and most highly regarded industry satisfaction studies available. ACSI is the real deal, publishing customer satisfaction scores for approximately 400 companies across about 40 industries every year.

I’m pleased to report that York Electric Cooperative earned a 2023 ACSI® score of 93 on a 100-point scale.*

Your co-op had one of the top five highest ACSI scores among all participating Touchstone Energy Cooperatives in 2023. For the sake of comparison, our score is much higher than the average rating for investor-owned utilities (72) and municipal utilities (71), according to the 2023 ACSI Utility Sector Report. Our score is even higher than the average scores of other cooperatives across the country (74).

To put it into even clearer perspective, when I think about Chick-fil-A, the first thing that comes to mind is their excellent customer service. Unsurprisingly, the chain earned the fast-food industry’s highest ACSI score in 2023. It was an 85.

I’m honored that our members hold us in such high regard. And I’m excited for the challenge of continuing to meet a standard that has been set so high.

I believe this score is a testament to our employees. I see their commitment to service every day. Clearly, you see it too.

We know there is always room for improvement. That’s why we conduct these surveys, and it’s why we are always looking for ways to better serve you.

On behalf of our employees and board of trustees, thank you for being part of what makes this co-op special.

PAUL BASHA
President and Chief Executive Officer

*Results based on data provided by York Electric Cooperative collected between Nov. 2, 2023, and Dec. 15, 2023. ACSI® did not regulate the survey administration or sample size. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC. For more information, please visit the ACSI website.

At the Floyd D. Johnson Technology Center, a high school lineworker program is empowering young adults pursuing careers in utilities. Don Hamrick, a retired lineman from Duke Energy, oversees the program, using his extensive knowledge in the industry to prepare students for entry level jobs. York Electric has played a pivotal role in the Utility Line Worker program.

In 2019, York School District and Clover School District partnered with Comporium, Duke Energy and York Technical College, receiving a grant for line equipment and a bucket truck. Since then, six students from each school district, totaling 12 students each year, have joined the program, which emphasizes practical skills and safety in utility operations. This year, ten students will graduate with the equivalent knowledge and experience of an apprentice lineman.

The curriculum is comprehensive, covering the operation of line trucks, skid steers, bucket trucks and mini excavators. Both in and out of the classroom, students experience the daily life of a line worker. They learn to climb utility poles, understand safety protocols and explore various aspects of utility work, including both overhead and underground maintenance. However, the program extends beyond technical skills, incorporating instruction on metering, billing and accounting, providing a holistic view on utility company operations.

Program participants assume the role of apprentices, ensuring a smooth transition to the workforce upon graduation. Local linemen rodeos offer students the opportunity to network with potential employers. Program alumni have accepted offers from several utility companies, including Williams Electric Company, Pike Electric, Duke Energy and YEC. One graduate pursued linework in west Texas, highlighting the program’s broad reach and demand for skilled linemen apprentices.

Hamrick describes the importance of contributions from local companies, stating that YEC has been instrumental to the program’s success.

“When I came on my first day, we had nothing, absolutely nothing. The co-op brought us unused transformers, insulators, materials and poles,” he recalls.

The most recent contribution, a used line truck, constitutes a crucial addition and a testament to YEC’s commitment to the program’s growth. Mirroring industry standards, the line truck promises a realistic and valuable experience for the students who will use this equipment every day in the field.

“I never planned on teaching after retirement,” Hamrick says, “but I’m sure glad I decided to. This program has been rewarding in so many ways for me and the students.”

by Emma Sutton

Why we trim

Maintaining right-of-way around power lines not only helps eliminate trees and branches that could cause an outage, but it also helps us reach our equipment quickly to repair damages and get the lights back on for members. Go to our right-of-way page for the current maintenance schedule and a map showing when we will be in your area. Thank you for your understanding as we make these necessary cuts and trims to keep your lights on.