A reminder of revised policies during the COVID-19 pandemic
OEC named 2020 Tree Line USA by Arbor Day Foundation
T
he Arbor Day Foundation recently named OEC a 2020 Tree Line USA utility in honor of our commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care across our service area. "This marks our 14th year in a row to be recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Line USA utility," said CEO Patrick Grace. "Proper vegetation management is a top priority for us — evidenced by our two certified on-staff arborists — and we will continue to maintain our rights-of-way with careful consideration to the vegetation we come in contact with." Tree Line USA, a partnership between the Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes public and private utilities for pursuing practices that protect and enhance America's urban trees. Tree Line USA promotes the dual goals of delivering safe and reliable electricity while maintaining healthy community forests. "Trees are a critical part of urban landscapes all across the United States," said Dam Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Service providers like OEC demonstrate that it's possible for trees and utilities to co-exist for the benefit of communities and citizens." OEC achieved Tree Line USA by meeting five program standards. Utilities must follow industry standards for quality tree care, provide annual worker training in best tree-care practices, sponsor a treeplanting and public education program, maintain a tree-based energy conservation program, and participate in an Arbor Day celebration.
OEC HAS PLEDGED TO: • Ensure that your electric service continues to be reliable. • Maintain excellent service to our members while keeping everyone safe by closing our lobbies. Rest assured, you can still make payments via the SmartHub mobile app, online at www.okcoop.org or at one of the dozens of PaySite kiosks located throughout our service area, as well as the payment drop-off in our drive-thru lane at 242 24th Avenue NW in Norman. • Make custom payment arrangements by phone or on SmartHub. • Temporarily suspend late fees and disconnects for non-payment for anyone directly affected by the virus. OEC FIBER HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING SAFETY PROCEDURES: • Good Hygiene Practices- All employees will practice good hygiene/hand washing/covering mouth with tissue when coughing/sneezing or the use their arm rather than hands as a continued practice. All employees will be cognizant of and avoid touching eyes, mouth, nose, face. We send regular communications to subscriber-facing employees to follow the recommended CDC precautions and provide hand sanitizer throughout our facilities. • Appointment Call Ahead- All OEC Fiber scheduled appointments will receive a call ahead before visits are made. OEC Fiber representatives will ask basic health and safety questions to screen the potential location for dangers concerning coronavirus contamination. • Recommended 8′ (Eight Feet) Working Radius- All employees and members are asked to maintain an eight-foot working radius during business interactions. • Use of Member’s/Subscriber’s Personal Property- All OEC employees will limit touching member/subscriber’s personal property and request that the member/ subscriber handle their own property. • Unsafe Work Environment Declaration- At any time, OEC members/subscribers and employees have the right to claim an unsafe work environment and request a rescheduled appointment.
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