COVID-19 Updates & News
PrintPRECO COVID-19 Statement #2
Monday, March 31, 2020
As COVID-19 continues to affect Peace River Electric Cooperative member-consumers, we want to assure you that we are here to keep the lights on. As your family shelters in place at home, we know that reliable electric service is extremely important to you. That’s why protecting community health while keeping your lights on is our number one priority.
One crucial step in protecting your electric service is protecting the health of our employees through social distancing. While many PRECO employees are working from home, those remaining in the office are spread out to limit close contact. We are separating our line crews and even each other to limit potential spread of the virus. Where possible, employees head directly to the job site without first going to the office.
Currently, some of our members are finding it difficult to pay their energy bill. We are waiving fees for late payments. And, members who need more time can easily set up a payment extension just by using SmartHub or our automated phone system at 800-282-3824.
PRECO continues to work with households that meet the low-income requirements by connecting them with public assistance resources. Information on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP), and United Way 2-1-1 helpline is available on our website.
Where needs are extensive, our Operation Round Up (ORU) charitable foundation is available to provide aid in the areas of food, shelter, clothing and medical needs. Applications are available on our website. For those who can afford or want to help others needing assistance, we encourage you to make a donation to ORU. Your contributions are distributed to organizations and families in our 10-county service area. ORU has served the local community since 2006.
Please visit our COVID-19 page often for updates and more information on additional resources. Stay healthy, stay home and we will get through this together, the cooperative way.
PRECO COVID-19 Statement #1
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
As the COVID-19 Coronavirus threat continues to evolve, Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO) is closely monitoring updates from leading health care organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Following their recommendations, PRECO has taken appropriate, proactive steps to protect the health and safety of our members, employees and the public.
PRECO employees are using the recommended social distancing guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Consequently, we are temporarily closing our lobbies and suspending in-home energy audits. All customer service functions are available at our drive-up windows, online at www.preco.coop, on our SmartHub mobile app or by calling 800-282-3824. We apologize for any inconvenience these temporary precautions may cause.
During this difficult time, PRECO is working with members who are experiencing financial hardship caused by COVID-19. Please visit www.preco.coop to review available payment assistance resources. Members in need of a payment extension can make arrangements through their SmartHub account or by using our automated telephone system at 800-282-3824.
Currently, PRECO’s electric service has not been impacted by COVID-19. As we navigate these extraordinary times, we have put our business continuity plan in action. We expect the power grid to continue to operate normally without any COVID-19-related service interruptions.
We look forward to the return of normal life and business as usual. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to follow approved safety and health recommendations for the protection of all.