Assistance Is Available for BEC Members Struggling With Energy Bills

THE HILL COUNTRY HAS experienced firsthand Texas’ swings from extreme cold to blistering hot temperatures in recent years. Many members retreat indoors to find solace, but not everyone has that option. Some families don’t have the means to run their heating and cooling systems to keep their homes at a comfortable temperature nor the resources to make weatherization and energy-related home repairs that would save them money on their energy bills.

While Bandera Electric Cooperative has programs that help reduce the cost of members’ energy bills—time-based usage, Apolloware monitoring and the Energy Saver program— some members may need additional assistance.

“As part of BEC’s core values, we are here for our members and offer as many tools and resources as possible,” said Toba Wright, member relations supervisor. “If BEC doesn’t have a program that can help, we do our best to help connect our members with organizations that can. After all, you are our owners; if needed, we are here to help.”

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps individuals and families maintain safe and healthy indoor temperatures by helping people pay home energy bills and making minor home improvements to increase energy efficiency.

LIHEAP can help members stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer and reduce the risk of health and safety concerns that arise from unsafe heating and cooling practices. Paying for your heating or cooling bill should not prevent your family from obtaining essentials, such as food or medical care.

“LIHEAP is a great option to help with short-term emergency needs as well as long-term energy efficiency needs through its many partners, like AACOG,” said Becky Bradburn, chief financial officer.

The Alamo Area Council of Governments is another resource that offers support to BEC members with its weatherization assistance program. The program is designed to help low-income individuals overcome high energy costs through energy conservation measures. Eligibility requirements for assistance are based on household income, citizenship status and structural soundness of the residence.

There are also local organizations that officer financial assistance for electric bills, including Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries and Hill Country Family Services.

For more information about assistance available to BEC members, scan the QR above code or visit banderaelectric.com/assistance. D

Bandera Electric Cooperative

Contact Us

P.O. Box 667 • Bandera, TX 78003

Toll-Free 1-866-226-3372 (1-866-BANDERA)

Web banderaelectric.com

Email mas@banderaelectric.com

Board of Directors

District 1 Robert Aguirre

District 2 Frances “Fran” Laue

District 3 Jeffery “Jeff” Slocum

District 4 Jeremy Diller, Vice Chairman

District 5 Annegreth “Anna” Niemann

District 6 Richard “Dick” Earnest

District 7 Christopher “Chris” Blakemore

District 8 Michael D.T. Edwards, Chairman

District 9 Kurt Solis, Secretary-Treasurer

Key Staff

William “Bill” Hetherington, CEO

Becky Bradburn, CFO

John Padalino, General Counsel and CAO

Mission Statement

Our mission is lighting the grid to empower our members.

Vision Statement

Reimagining rural America.

24/7 Report Outages

Offices

TOLL - FREE 1-866-226-3372 myBEC Mobile and desktop app ONLINE OUTAGE MAP banderaelectric.com/OM

For hours and information, visit banderaelectric.com/hours.

Bandera Headquarters | 3172 Highway 16 N.

Boerne | 1100 N. Main St., Suite 104

Comfort | 739 Front St. (Highway 27)

Leakey | 485 West Ranch Road 337

Payment Options

• myBEC online or mobile app bill payment

• Free bank draft service

• Paperless billing

• Level billing

• Automatic recurring credit card payment

• Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted

• ECheck payment by phone

• Cash or check payments in office

• 24/7 payment kiosks at select offices

• Payments accepted at Fidelity Express

• Time-based usage program

• PrePay program

POWER TIP

During summer months, cooking outdoors is a great way to save energy and eliminate unwanted heat from cooking indoors.

Check us out at TexasCoopPower.com/bandera