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BEC COVID-19 Update

UPDATE 3/15/2020 3:45 PM CST

Out of an abundance of caution, BEC will temporarily close its office lobbies to member interactions beginning Monday, March 16. Our Comfort and Bandera drive thrus will remain open until further notice.

We encourage our members to conduct business with us over the phone, online, through the SmartHub app or by utilizing our office drop boxes or Comfort and Leakey payment kiosks.



Hand-Washing_iStock-1182622704_Moyo-Studio_1600x840-optimized-(1).jpg3/12/2020 12:00 PM CST

Because of our concern for the safety and health of our members and employees regarding the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, we want to reassure you that BEC has taken several measures to protect you and our employees.

  • Business continuity plans developed by electric cooperatives are designed to maintain the health and safety of the people working for them and to ensure that business critical operations continue without interruption. These measures help ensure that your electric co-op continues to provide reliable electricity during a business continuity event.
  • Planning for a health emergency, such as a pandemic, is unique from other business continuity planning. It requires businesses to prepare to operate with a significantly smaller workforce, a threatened supply chain, and limited support services for an extended period until an unknown date in the future.
  • BEC is taking steps now to be prepared in the event there is a significant impact from the coronavirus in our communities. We are focused on maintaining a healthy workforce, and keeping key personnel—such as line workers and member service representatives— available so that we can continue to provide the excellent service you expect from us.  
  • Through our national association (NRECA), electric co-ops coordinate with others in the electric sector and the federal government to prepare for and respond to national-level disasters or threats to critical infrastructure. This includes scenarios such as pandemics that could impact the energy workforce.
    • Through this coordination, electric co-ops and government partners focus on actions and strategies that help protect the energy grid, prevent threats that may disrupt electricity service, and develop capabilities that help electric co-ops quickly respond and recover when major incidents impact the grid.
  • BEC members should be on the lookout for suspicious emails, phone calls, or persons impersonating business employees or charitable organizations. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of opportunities such as this when households are otherwise preoccupied. If you get a call from someone claiming to represent BEC and they make threats or demand immediate payment, hang up and call BEC at 866.226.3372.
  • Remember that you can do business with BEC in lots of ways. You can make payments through SmartHub or by phone at 866.226.3372.
  • If you would like to learn more the COVID-19 virus outbreak, please visit Centers For Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/. For state and local information on the spread of COVID-19 in Texas, please visit Texas Department of State Health Services at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/. BEC will continue to monitor CDC and TX DSHS for updated information as it becomes available. In the meantime, we hope all our members remain safe and well.


Photo: Moyo-studio | iStock.com

Posted: 3/12/2020 12:00:00 PM
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