How to Pay Your Electric Bill to People’s Energy Cooperative in Minnesota

Having reliable electric service is essential for any home or business. This guide will explain how members can easily pay their electric bill to People’s Energy Cooperative (PEC) in Minnesota. We’ll cover your payment options, using the SmartHub portal, assistance programs, and billing policies so you can keep your lights on and avoid late fees.

About People’s Energy Cooperative

People’s Energy Cooperative is a member-owned electric cooperative providing electricity to over 18,000 homes, farms, and businesses across Southeastern Minnesota.

Headquartered in Oronoco, PEC maintains over 3,000 miles of power lines across parts of Olmsted, Wabasha, Dodge, Steele, Goodhue, and Mower counties.

As a PEC member, you receive a monthly electric bill from them that must be paid to continue uninterrupted electric service.

Payment Options Overview

PEC offers flexible options for members to pay their electric bill

• Online through SmartHub
• By phone using the automated system
• Through your bank’s online bill pay
• Automatic bank draft
• By mail
• In person at the PEC office
• Drop box at the PEC office

Read on for more details on utilizing these payment methods conveniently

Pay Online Through SmartHub

The easiest way to pay your PEC electric bill is through the SmartHub web portal or mobile app. With SmartHub you can:

• Pay immediately with bank account or credit card
• View billing history and usage
• Set up automatic payments
• Receive notifications when bill is ready
• Report outages

Sign up for SmartHub access through PEC’s website. Manage your electric account anytime, anywhere!

Pay by Phone

To pay your PEC electricity bill over the phone, call toll-free 1-855-730-8709 The automated system will guide you through making a payment by credit card, debit card, or bank account

You can also use the pay-by-phone line to check your account balance and enroll in recurring payments.

Use Your Bank’s Online Bill Pay

Many banks offer an online bill pay service you can use to pay your PEC electric bill. Just set up People’s Energy Cooperative as a payee and schedule the payments through your bank’s platform.

Allow 5 business days for electronic bank payments to avoid late fees.

Sign Up for Automatic Bank Draft

For worry-free bill payment, enroll in PEC’s automatic bank draft program. Your bill amount will be automatically deducted from your checking or savings account each month on the due date.

You can enroll through SmartHub or the pay-by-phone line. Automatic drafts prevent late payments.

Pay by Mail

To pay your electric bill by check or money order through the mail, send your payment to:

People’s Energy Cooperative
PO Box 402333
Boone, IA 50037

Note your account number and mail 5 business days before your due date for on-time payment.

Pay In Person

You can pay your PEC electric bill in person at their headquarters:

1775 Lake Shady Ave S
Oronoco, MN 55960

Their office is open 7:30am – 4:00pm Monday through Friday for payments and assistance. A drop box is also available.

Payment Extensions and Assistance

If you are struggling financially and unable to pay your full PEC electric bill, payment extensions or assistance programs are available:

• Payment plans spread your balance over multiple months
• Energy assistance programs like LIHEAP provide bill credits
• Budget billing averages costs over the year

Contact PEC to learn more about bill assistance for qualifying hardships. Keeping your electricity on is important.

Late Payment Fees and Disconnection

PEC electric bills are due by the date shown on your monthly statement to avoid penalties. Here’s how late payments are handled:

• A 1.5% late fee is charged after the due date
• A final notice is sent 10 days after the due date
• Power is subject to disconnection if still unpaid after final notice

Avoid extra fees and disruption by paying on time. Communicate immediately with PEC if you expect to miss a payment.

Moving and Closing Your Electric Account

Contact PEC at least 3 days prior if you need to close or transfer electric service out of your name due to moving. This ensures your account is settled to avoid any lingering charges.

Make sure any past due balance is paid before closing your membership to avoid negative marks on your credit history that can hinder qualifying for future service.

Avoiding Power Theft

Stealing electricity by tampering with meters or equipment is dangerous and carries steep fines up to $1,000 in Minnesota. Utility theft raises costs for all members.

If you suspect power theft or meter tampering, report it to PEC immediately so they can investigate and protect the co-op’s resources.

Use Electricity Wisely to Reduce Bills

PEC wants to help members use energy efficiently to reduce electric bills. Simple steps like upgrading lighting, properly insulating and weatherizing your home, maintaining HVAC systems, and installing a programmable thermostat can help lower power usage and monthly costs.

Learn more about PEC’s energy management programs and rebates available for members looking to improve energy efficiency. Using less power saves money!

Sample Residential Electric Bill

To give you an idea of typical PEC electric charges, here is a sample monthly breakdown for a residential member:

Basic Service Charge: $34
Energy Charge: $68
Fuel Adjustment: $15
Taxes: $5
TOTAL: $122

Your actual bill will vary based on factors like home size, usage, and current rates. But this provides an average example.

Contact PEC for Bill Pay Assistance

PEC’s member services team is available to help with any questions about paying your electric bill:

Phone: 1-800-214-2694
Email: [email protected]

Reach out to them if you need assistance managing payments, disputing a charge, learning about energy efficiency, or any other billing needs.

Paying Your Co-op Bill with Ease