(12.21.2020)
(6.17.2020)
(6.9.2020)
OREMC to Resume Disconnects for Nonpayment Beginning July 6
Okefenoke REMC temporarily suspended service disconnections and the assessment of late fees on consumer-member accounts beginning March 19. It was extended several times to help ease the economic fallout from COVID-19 on our local families and businesses, and will expire on Friday, June 12.
This does not mean we will be shutting off power to consumer-members who are delinquent on their electric bills beginning Friday. It does mean we will be notifying our members of the total amount owed on their accounts. Beginning with their next billing cycle, we will resume late fees on current charges, collections and disconnection of services if their total amount due by the dates specified on their upcoming billing statements is not paid.
OREMC wants to help consumer-members avoid disconnection for nonpayment—PrePay and traditional billing—which is scheduled to resume on Monday, July 6.
While you may not be able to pay your account in full all at once, you must contact OREMC Customer Service at 800-262-5131 to discuss options for past due repayment no later than Thursday, July 2. They are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. OREMC also maintains a list of agencies that can provide financial assistance. Ask a customer service representative for the appropriate agency in your area or download the list.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented, and we know our consumer-members may be facing financial challenges,” says OREMC General Manager John Middleton. “As our communities begin to recover, so too must OREMC take steps to resume its regular operations to maintains services. As a not-for-profit utility we don’t have shareholders, so our economic health is directly tied to the well being of the community. However, we can help and want to continue to support our OREMC families by working with them to find financially feasible solutions that work for them and the co-op as a whole.”
(6.2.2020)
June 1 was the official start of hurricane season, and with two named storms having already made their presence known, now is the time to make sure your family is weather ready. Member Communication/Marketing Coordinator Michele Hutchins discusses the importance of having an emergency preparedness kit, particularly against the backdrop of COVID-19, and tips on what to include.
(5.29.2020)
(5.15.2020)
To continue to help ease the financial burden on our OREMC consumer-members at this time, the suspension of disconnects, including PrePay, and late fees is extended until Friday, May 29.
It is important to remember you are still being charged for your energy usage. We understand you may not be able to pay your bill in full and encourage you to contact us to make payment arrangements. We can also connect you to agencies offering financial assistance with utility bills. Please call your OREMC Customer Service Representatives at 800-262-5131 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, to discuss payment options. As a reminder, our drive through windows are open at each of our office locations.
(4.30.2020)
OREMC reopened drive through operations this week at each of our office locations. This was the first step toward restoring regular business operations. Just as we took a phased approach to modifying our operations in response to COVID-19, we will move toward resuming regular operations systematically. Therefore, suspension of disconnects, including PrePay, and late fees are extended to Friday, May 15.
Please call your OREMC Customer Service Representatives at 800-262-5131 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, to make payment arrangements. It is important to remember you are still being charged for your energy usage, so please contact us to discuss payment options. We are here to help.
These have been unprecedented times. As a member-owned electric cooperative, built by and belonging to the consumers we serve, OREMC has continually strived to protect the health of our employees, respond to local concerns and maintain services so we are there when you need us most.
(4.24.2020)
OREMC Drive Through Services Reopen Monday, April 27
Drive through operations will resume on Monday at each of our offices: Nahunta, Kingsland and Hilliard. They will be open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Disconnects and late fees suspended through May 1, 2020 We understand you may not be able to pay your account in full, but we are here to help and encourage you to contact Customer Service at 800-262-5131 to make payment arrangements. Customer Service can also refer you to agencies offering financial assistance.
(4.17.2020)
Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home orders in effect for both Florida and Georgia, Okefenoke REMC is extending the suspension of disconnects and late fees to Friday, May 1, 2020. OREMC hopes this will help ease some of the stress and worry we know so many consumer-members are experiencing in these uncertain times.
However, it is important to note these are not bill waivers—you are continuing to be charged for your usage. We understand you may not be able to pay your account in full, but we are here to help and encourage you to contact Customer Service at 800-262-5131 to make payment arrangements. This simple step can help avoid a large, multi-month balance. OREMC does maintain a list of agencies that can provide financial assistance or ask Customer Service for the appropriate agency in your area.
(4.7.2020)
Effective Wednesday, April 8 our drive through windows will be closed. Payments and paperwork can be left in the night dropbox and will be processed by our Customer Service Representatives on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Additionally, our line crews are working on a as-needed basis only. This decision was deemed to be the best option to promote the health and safety of our employees, so we remain ready to respond in the event of an outage or other emergency.
You can still connect with us online through the Member Portal, using the MyOREMC mobile app on your phone or by calling Customer Service at 800-262-5131. Our Customer Service Representatives are available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday to answer your questions and assist you with payment arrangements.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to do our part to flatten the curve, keep our employees healthy and be there when our communities need us most. #PowerOn #Allinthistogether
(4.6.2020)
While OREMC has suspended disconnects and late fees until Friday, April 17 due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, our consumer-members are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 800-262-5131 to make payment arrangements to avoid a higher balance when disconnects and late fees are reinstated. These are not bill waivers, you are being charged for your usage. Funds are available to both our Georgia and Florida consumer-members to specifically help with utility bills during this difficult time.
Georgia Assistance
The Georgia Legislature has passed the CARES Act boosting funding for home utility bills. As of April 1, 2020, eligible households can apply for cooling assistance of $350 to $400 toward their energy costs. Eligibility is based on household income. Applications for assistance can be made through your local Community Service Agency. Visit http://www.georgiacaa.org/membership/agency-finder/ to connect with the agency serving your county.
Florida Assistance
Florida also has a low income energy assistance program. Eligibility is based on number of people in the home and household income. For more detailed information and to connect with the Community Action Agency in your county please visit www.FloridaJobs.org/LIHEAP
Other Funding Assistance
Our updated listed of agencies also lists additional agencies offering financial assistance in your area.
(4.3.2020)
The suspension of disconnects, including PrePay, and late fees that was set to expire today has been extended to Friday, April 17, 2020. As previously noted, consumer-members are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 800-262-5131 to make payment arrangements to avoid a higher balance when disconnects and late fees are reinstated. These are not bill waivers, you are being charged for your usage. We also have an updated listed of agencies offering financial assistance.
With everyone spending more time at home on devices to complete work and school assignments, as well as for entertainment, your energy use is increasing. Some steps to help control energy usage include:
Program your thermostat to maximize energy savings. Setting your thermostat one degree lower when heating or one degree higher when cooling can reduce energy use by up to 5 percent.
Do full loads of laundry and wash with cold water. Using warm water instead of hot can cut a load’s energy use in half and using cold water will save even more.
Air dry dishes. This step can cut your dishwasher’s energy use by up to 50 percent.
Substitute LEDs for conventional light bulbs. Lighting can amount to up to 12 percent of monthly energy use. LED bulbs can cut lighting costs by 75 percent.
Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. Small appliances and electronics use energy even when not in use. When powered on, game consoles, televisions and similar electronics are responsible for up to 12 percent of energy use.
OREMC Internal Operational Changes
As outlined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, electric utilities are designated an essential service/critical infrastructure. We take our responsibility as first responders to critical infrastructure seriously. To maintain business continuity and keep the power on, the health and well being of our employees is vital. To help maximize our social distancing internally:
Our lobbies remain closed, but our drive thrus are open.
Our line crews are working staggered shifts.
All employees working in business support functions that can be performed remotely will be required to telecommute.
(3.19.2020) Updated 3/20/2020
OREMC recognizes COVID-19 (coronavirus) is a rapidly evolving situation financially impacting individuals, families and businesses. We are suspending disconnections, including PrePay, and late fees effective today, March 19, through Friday, April 3. For members on levelized billing: please be advised you will automatically default to regular billing if you miss a payment.
All OREMC consumer-members that are able, are encouraged to make bill payments to avoid a higher balance when disconnects and late fees are reinstated. Please call OREMC Customer Service Representatives at 800-262-5131. They will work with members individually to make payment arrangements and refer you to agencies offering financial assistance.
While all OREMC offices remain closed to lobby/walk-in customer service, payments can be made:
At our drive-through windows. They are open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
If you need a new service connection, please call Customer Service in advance at 800-262-5131 to begin the application process. Any required documentation to connect service can be completed at the drive-through.
Online through the Member Portal at oremc.com
On the phone at 800-262-5131, option 2.
Through the MyOREMC mobile app for your phone.
By mail:
OREMC, PO Box 602, Nahunta, GA 31553
OREMC, PO Box 2530, Kingsland, GA 31548
OREMC, PO Box 1229, Hilliard, FL 32046
(3.18.2020)
With the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disrupting much of our daily lives, Okefenoke REMC wants to assure the communities we serve that we, as stewards of critical infrastructure, are prepared to continue our operations—including 24/7 outage response—throughout the duration of this public health crisis.
We are carefully balancing member service with the overall well-being of our members, employees and the communities we serve. With that in mind, please be aware of the following:
Our lobbies are closed to walk-in traffic until further notice.
Our drive-through windows are open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
If you need a new service connection, please call Customer Service in advance at 800-262-5131 to begin the application process. Any required documentation to connect service can be completed at the drive-through.
Payments can be made online through the Member Portal at oremc.com
Payments can also be made over the phone at 800-262-5131, option 2.
You can also download the MyOREMC mobile app for your phone to make credit card payments.
Payments can also be mailed to:
OREMC, PO Box 602, Nahunta, GA 31553
OREMC, PO Box 2530, Kingsland, GA 31548
OREMC, PO Box 1229, Hilliard, FL 32046
We recognize the financial hardship this event may create for many families, and our Customer Service Representatives will work with members facing disconnection on a case-by-case basis to make payment arrangements and/or refer them to agencies who can assist with financial needs. Please call us at 800-262-5131
It is unfortunate that some will use events like this to take advantage of others. We also want to remind our members to be aware of scams targeting utility consumers. Please be advised OREMC will never:
Call to threaten disconnection
Demand immediate payment with a prepaid card
Show up to your home and request access indoors
Ask for sensitive data like banking information via email or phone
