FAQ
FAQ Categories:
General Information
New Service
Billing Information
Engineering Information
General Information
How do I apply for a job?
Midstate Electric will grant equal employment opportunities to qualified persons without regard to their membership in a protected classification. We believe in recruitment that will ensure the cooperative has qualified employees available at all levels to meet its short and long term business objectives.
Employment opportunities are advertised in Association/Trade Magazines and Media as applicable to the position available. Resumes are accepted only when position vacancies are available.
Check our employment page for job opportunities.
New Service Information
How do I sign up for service?
A phone call to either (541) 536-2126 or our toll free number (800) 722-7219 is all that is needed to get the process started. We will ask you some questions and provide or send you an “Application for Service” along with a list of items that we need in order to insure that your service will be done to both your and our satisfaction. You can always stop by our office between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., and one of our Customer Service Representatives will be happy to assist you.
What will the cost be for a new service (new construction)?
Midstate Electric will extend service 200 feet from the existing power lines for $800. Longer service runs and services such as RV, low usage, wells, etc. will need to be estimated by our engineering department on a case-by-case basis.
Is there a deposit, how much is it and what is it for?
We do ask for a deposit from customers who are not able to provide an acceptable letter of credit from a previous utility company. An acceptable letter of credit will take the place of a deposit. New residential accounts currently require a $200 deposit, while deposits on commercial and irrigation accounts vary depending upon the type and size of the service.
The deposit is retained by the co-op until the customer has established a service period of twelve-months in which all billings are paid on time. Once the twelve months is up, the deposit will be applied toward the account. All deposits earn interest at the passbook savings account rate.
You can have your current utility fax us a letter of credit at (541) 536-7280.
Billing Information
When will I receive my electric bill?
Midstate currently has four billing cycles. Midstate’s service area is roughly divided into four areas. The customers in each of the areas are issued bills on one of the first four Tuesdays of each month. In other words, Midstate issues billing statements on each of the first four Tuesdays. If you have a question on when your bill is issued, please contact our Customer Service Department at (541) 536-2126 or (800) 722-7219.
What types of payment options are available to me?
•Online Bill Pay
Pay your bill online for a quick and easy way to make your payment. You must have your account information available. Fill in the blanks to access your account(s). You can pay your bill and review detailed onformation about your account including: biling history, monthly costs and kWh usage for the last 12 months.
•Credit Card Payments
For your convenience, we provide the ability to pay your electric bill by credit card. We accept VISA, MasterCard and Discover in the office or by phone.
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
You may arrange to have your monthly electric bill paid by having it automatically deducted from either your checking or savings account.
• Budget Billing
Budget or “levelized” billing is available for our residential and single phase commercial customers, provided they have been at the same address for twelve continuous months. This program averages your annual usage and provides a monthly-levelized billing so you can budget your utility bills. By using the Budget Billing program, there are no big surprises during the colder periods when electric consumption usually increases. For more information about our different payment options, contact the Customer Service Department at (541) 536-2126 or (800) 722-7219.
My bill seems high, what can you do to help me?
Midstate has qualified people on staff to discuss the possible causes for increased usage patterns. We also have representatives available to visit your home to perform a free walk-through energy audit, which can provide additional insight to increased consumption patterns. For more information about a free energy audit, contact the Marketing Department at (541) 536-2126 ext 5 or (800) 722-7219 ext 5.
How much time do I have to pay my bill?
As energy is a commodity that is used prior to being billed, all billings are due upon receipt. Customers that pay their bill in full within 10 days of the billing date receive a 1.5% prompt payment discount, which is applied toward their next bill.
Payments are considered delinquent if they are not received by the time of your following month's billing. In the case of an account not being paid in full before the next billing statement is issued, a late payment charge of 1.5% or $5.00, whichever is greater, is assessed on the past due balance.
A late notice statement is printed on all delinquent bills and makes reference to the service being subject to disconnect if payment is not received. If the account remains unpaid, the co-op will send a “Notice of non-payment” to you in the mail, which references a specific day of disconnect.
If payment is still not received before the disconnect date, Midstate will attempt to contact you via an automated phone call.
If payment is still not received, a service person will be dispatched to your service, and will attempt to collect the past due balance and a collection fee. If this is unsuccessful, the service person will disconnect the service and leave a “door knocker”. Customers will need to contact the office at this point to determine the dollar amount needed to get the service reconnected.
Midstate does offer customers the option to make payment arrangements on accounts with past due balances, as long as the customer has kept all previous payment arrangements for a period of twelve months, and the arrangements are made prior to the scheduled non-pay disconnect date.
If you are having trouble making your electric payment, please contact our Customer Service Department before the disconnect day. In most cases, something can be worked out.
Engineering Information
Why is there a 200-foot limit for secondary services?
Services are limited to 200 feet because of voltage drop. Generally, the longer the service, the more your lights will flicker when various loads start in your home. It is not possible to eliminate flicker entirely but, 200 feet, with the common loads we see in this area, is a good balance between flickering lights and cost/convenience. Some utilities limit their secondary service length to 100 feet. Shorter lengths are many times required where there are large air conditioning and compressor loads.
I understand that Midstate only installs underground secondary services. Why?
Midstate installs only underground services due to the many problems we have experienced with trees falling through overhead services.
What size conduit do I need and how deep do the trenches need to be for my underground service?
Midstate requires that 3” electrical PVC conduit be installed in a trench with a minimum depth of 36” . The customer must provide the trench from the meter site to the corner of your lot. Midstate Electric will install the wire in the conduit, provide any trenching in the public right-of-way, and will install any high voltage equipment that may be necessary to complete your service.
In case of a power outage, what do I do?
Our dispatchers have radio communications with our foremen and line crews at all times. This helps us respond quickly to a power outage. A line crew will be dispatched as soon as we know the location of the problem. Before we can be effective, there are several vital pieces of information that the dispatcher will need to know prior to dispatching a lineman. If you are prepared to provide this information when you report the outage, it will save time and get our crews heading to the location promptly.
•Your name, address and phone number
•The name as listed on your electricity bill
•When the power went out
•Did you check your breakers? (Most manufactured homes have two sets of breakers)
•Do your neighbors have power?
•Did you hear or see anything that could have caused the outage? (such as a tree falling on the line or a vehicle accident)
Midstate Electric has a different number for after hour emergencies and power outages. Please call 541-536-2165 or 1-800-752-5935 to speak to an emergency dispatcher. If the outage is extensive, the phone lines may be busy. PLEASE NOTE: Yard lights that are off and other maintenance that is not an immediate emergency will be restored during regular business hours.
We know it is frustrating to be without power for any length of time. All of us depend on electricity during our day to day routines at home and at work. Be assured that we will proceed as quickly as possible when your outage is reported to us. We sincerely appreciate your patience during an outage.
Why does Midstate Electric remove the trees from under the power lines?
As a rule, Midstate’s power lines are located within the County road right-of-ways, which we have been given permission by the counties to maintain. Midstate has an obligation to all of its membership to provide safe and reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost. By properly maintaining the right-of-way, the majority of our tree-related outages are eliminated, and the time taken to restore power in case of an outage is reduced. Clear access to our equipment saves time and money if repairs are needed. Proper right-of-way maintenance not only saves money and time, it increases our reliability and service to our membership. For more information about our tree trimming efforts, contact the Operations Department at (541) 536-2126 ext 6 or (800) 722-7219 ext 6.
What is Call Before You Dig? How is it used?
“Call Before You Dig” is a slogan we use to promote safety and prevent accidental dig-ins to underground utilities which could result in injury to our members. The Central Oregon Underground Utility Coordinating Council handles the “one call” for locating buried utility facilities. To request a locate of the utilities on your property, call (800) 332-2344. Please prevent possible damage or injuries and call (800) 332-2344 today!
What permits, inspections or other requirements do you have for a new service?
To save time, all permits required by the Counties we serve (water, sewer, septic and building) should be secured before requesting service from Midstate Electric. Our Engineering Department will need a scaled, detailed, and dimensioned plot plan of your lot to accurately engineer your service. Before Midstate will connect your service, your meter base and wiring must be inspected and approved “green tagged” by the Electrical Inspector from the county in which the property is located.
How does Midstate read their meters?
Midstate currently is using two methods of acquiring meter readings. We currently use a contract meter reading service whose meter readers do the majority of the meter reading in our more populated areas. In our more remote areas, we have implemented a program using a device called the “Turtle Meter”, a remote meter reading system. The “Turtles”, as they are referred to, provide meter readings via signals sent over our power lines that are downloaded to our computer system and processed for billing. By implementing this program, Midstate has been able to reduce the amount of time required and the costs associated with reading the electric meters in our more remote areas.
Can I buy used power poles?
Midstate Electric does not sell used full-length power poles, however, all junk poles are cut into eight-foot lengths and are available for $4.00 each. They make excellent fence posts and parking bumpers. Contact our Warehouseman at (541) 536-7240.
Can I buy electrical wire or material from Midstate Electric?
No. Midstate Electric's policy is not to compete with local electrical and hardware distributors.
Can I get empty wire reels from Midstate Electric?
Empty reels and pallets can be acquired. Please contact our warehouse for more information. (541) 536-2126
Can I buy used crossarms from Midstate Electric?
Yes - they are $2.00 each. Contact our Warehouseman at (541) 536-7240
Midstate Electric Cooperative PO Box 127 La Pine, OR 97739
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