ComplaintsforAdams-Columbia Electric Cooperative

• Initial Complaint

  01/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  ***** ran over well tank and broke fitting during hook up. i received a bill for $750 for repair from well co. ***** claims they are not responsible. they exceeded the 10 foot radius of line markings with the heavy equipment, Well piping was flagged. i had several conversations with I believe ******. i sent many photos the last time. they were to get back to me again. it's been weeks again. i always have to initiate communications with no results. They admitted to causing damage, but say they are not responsible. they clearly went beyond area they had marked.

  Business response

  01/15/2024

  Because private underground obstructions are not located by *************** ACEC asks property owners to identify them. If private facilities are not marked, exposed, and identified on the excavation authorization form ACEC cannot take care to avoid them.    

  Customer response

  01/15/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [Please type your response here.]
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************************

• Initial Complaint

  10/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I disconnected my electric from this company in July 2018 and was told I would receive a patronage payout in a couple of years because it is a coop and they have been using my patronage money for over 14 years. Today I was told this money which is over $1,200 will be paid out in yearly increments as they are still working on 2006. The only money I have received was a check last year for $17.05. I no longer live in **. I want my money. I have already waited over 5 years.

  Business response

  10/30/2023

  As a Cooperative we are bound by our bylaws; Article VIII -Non-Profit Operation outlines the handling of ****************** Patronage Captial is paid out incrementally each year as it is used for working capital for the cooperative.  I have attached a copy of ACEC's bylaws.

  Customer response

  11/07/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  Sending me a copy of the company bylaws does not help me understand the process. I am not an attorney. I would like a detailed explanation of  how patronage capital is paid out and how long I am going to have to wait to receive it. It appears that in Article VIII, Section 9, the company ***** of ********* does have the ability to payout the full amount.  
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  11/13/2023

  *****-Columbia Electric is a member-owned Cooperative, so we annually allocate our margins back among all the members who used our services during the year.  Margins are the difference between revenues paid to the Cooperative, less expenses paid out of the Cooperative to provide electric service to our members.  Those margins are allocated back to the member owners annually and is referred to as patronage capital. The amount of patronage capital allocated to each member is based on the amount of electricity they used in each specific year.  ********* capital is re-invested in the Cooperative and used to pay for items including, but not limited to, the Cooperatives loan payments, purchase capital assets such as poles, wire, and transformers that allow us to provide electricity, and also to retire (pay) a portion of prior year patronage capital balances.    
  
  Thus, the money that is represented by the patronage capital on your membership is invested in the Cooperative.It is not cash readily available to be paid out as the Cooperative is using to continue to provide electric service to members. The dollar value of your patronage is not cash that the Cooperative has on hand, but a portion of your ownership in the Cooperative. ********* capital is retired on a schedule determined each year by the Cooperatives ***** of ********* based on the current financial condition of the Cooperative. We process general retirement refunds to our members annually. We pay out the oldest patronage capital years first.We are currently on a 20 year cycle to payout patronage capital. This is paid out faster than the life of the assets and loans which are typically ***** years. A patronage capital retirement check, or bill credit, is issued during the general retirement process each year to members that had service in the year being retired.   
  
  More information is available on our website as well to explain the process, I would encourage you to visit the following links for more information:
  *******************************************;
  ******************************************************
  
  The Cooperative is currently processing the 2023 General Retirement for members that had service and retain patronage capital in the 2006 year, you are correct.  We process everyone equally and fairly in as timely a manner as we are able based on the current financial position of the Cooperative. If you would like your memberships unretired patronage capital balance by year, we encourage you to contact the Cooperative directly at ************.
  
  I hope this information answers the questions you have. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I had a line tech from this company replace my meter socket and in turn unplugged my heat tape causing my pipes to freeze the service date was 12/14/2022 at 6:34PM unaware they had unplugged my heat tape my pipes froze the day before christmas and werent thawed until 4 days later when i was able to purchase heaters to place under the house they claim nothing was touched but no one else was in that area except their tech ive never heard anything good about this company and they werent willing to try and remedy the situation i couldnt even get them to call me back.

  Business response

  01/23/2023

  ACEC sent a line technician out to respond to a meter socket issue Wednesday, 12/14/2022 at 6:34 pm.  The line technician stated he repaired a faulty lug in the meter socket and did not see or remove any cords or heat tape.   ***** called in again on 12/27/2022 stating we are responsible for frozen pipes.  Your heat tape issue is not a result of anything our line technician did.   ACEC has responded to your issue by leaving messages and emailing with ***********
  
  

  Customer response

  01/23/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  

  No one except their tech touched the meter the breakers to turn power on and off are immediately next to the heat tape plug in. the breakers were flipped multiple times in turn the heat tape could have accidentally been unplugged but no one else was even remotely in that area. And it put me and my family in a position where we couldnt shower use the restroom or even make a simple dinner without going to a neighbors to ask for water.  
  

  Regards,
  
  ***********************

  Business response

  01/31/2023

  The Supervisor has reached out to set up a meeting with ***** to meet and discuss his concerns.  Meeting set for 2.1.23 3pm.

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