FAQ's

We have provided answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQ's). If you don't find the answer to your question here, please contact us by email (click here) or by phone (888-796-6111). 

 

What should I do if my electricity goes out?

  • Check the main breaker panel in your house for any tripped breakers.
  • Check any outside breakers. There may be additional breakers at the meter pole or pedestal and/or a breaker box on the outside of the building (City of Tonganoxie). Familiarize yourself with the breaker configuration at your location.
  • When you call to report an outage, you will be asked if you have checked the above items. This helps us determine if an outage exists on our side of the meter and could help you save a substantial charge. If we dispatch a crew and it is found that the outage is on your side of the meter, you will be charged for the service call.
  • If you heard any unusual sounds prior to the outage or if your are neighbors are without power, please report that with your outage call.
  • Calls reporting outages are answered 24-hours a day, 7-days a week (888-796-6111). If you get a busy signal when trying to report an outage, please try again. We may be experiencing heavier than usual call volume.

Should my lights be blinking?

  • If your lights are blinking off and on frequently, please contact us (888-796-6111). Power quality issues are correctable, we just need to know about them.
  • Talk with your neighbors to see if they are experiencing similar blink or outage problems. This can help us narrow down the source of the problem.

What is LJEC's mailing address?
When using the US postal service, please use the following address:
     PO Box 70
     McLouth, KS  66054

If you need to visit the LJEC offices or for UPS/FedEx deliveries, our physical address is:
     507 N. Union
     McLouth, KS  66054

When/Can LJEC disconnect for non-payment?

LJEC can and does disconnect for non-payment year-round. LJEC is not regulated by the Kansas Corporation Commission, and therefore, is not under the Cold Weather Rule. See LJEC's Rules and Regulations for details. If you will be unable to make a payment, contact our office before the due date (which is the 26th of each month). In many cases, LJEC personnel will try to work out satisfactory payment arrangements. It is the members responsibility to contact LJEC to make payment arrangements.

Help may be available from several agencies. Click here for a list of those agencies.

What is an AMI meter?
LJEC began installing AMI meters in 2010. These meters replace the old AMR "turtle" meters that have been in use on cooperative lines for over 15 years.

AMI meters offer the most up to date technology, including two-way communication. Old turtle meters would simply send consumption information to our office once per day. The only data you could extract from the readings was a total amount consumed. With the new meters, you will have access to more detailed usage information, such as what you consume on an hourly basis. We can tell you when during the day your consuming energy. This enables you to make better energy purchasing decisions based on your needs with the new alternative rates LJEC offers.

Instead of comunication being a one way street, now it's two. Not only can the meter talk to LJEC, LJEC is able to talk to the meter! 

What do I need to do to get electricity connected in my name?

  • Complete an Application for Service for each meter, and
  • Include a $25 service connect fee for each meter, plus
  • Include the meter security deposit.
  • The security deposit may be reduced or waived with your good credit score or a positive letter of credit from a previous electric provider.
  • The application and fees must be in our office at least three business days prior to connection or transfer.
  • If applicable, the former account holder should call our office to OK an account transfer.
  • Photo identification may be required.
  • Renters may be required to provide a signed rental agreement.

How do I get an account taken out of my name?

  • Contact the LJEC office at least 3 business days prior to the date you wish to be disconnected
  • Have your forwarding address available.
  • If new people are moving in, please work with them to help avoid an interruption of service.

What fees are charged to establish electric service?
Fees can include a $25 service connect fee and a security deposit. Typically, the security deposit for residential service will range from $0 to $250. Commercial deposits are based on estimated usage. The deposit may be reduced or waived depending on your credit score and/or a positive letter of credit from a former electric provider (may reduce your deposit by $125).

Security deposits are credited to the final bill or may be credited to a regular bill after 12 consecutive months of payments by the due date.

For newly constructed homes or buildings, an aid-in-construction contribution must be paid prior to the building of electrical facilities. This aid-in-construction contribution starts at $100, but will vary depending on the cost of construction and cooperative contribution.

Can I make payments on my deposit and/or service connect fee?

LJEC collects deposits in full prior to transfer or connection of service. If the deposit is waived, LJEC may apply the service connect fee to your first bill.

What forms of payment does LJEC accept?

  • LJEC accepts cash, check, money order and MasterCard or Visa credit/debit cards.
  • You can pay by phone during regular business hours (Mastercard or Visa credit/debit cards or electronic check).
  • You can pay online with Mastercard or Visa credit/debit cards or electronic check.
  • We have a convenient night drop box outside the front door of our office if you visit after regular business hours.

What is the Electric Service Charge on my bill?
The electric service charge helps pay for the physical equipment and maintenance costs associatied with maintaining such equipment. The customer charge is applicable even when no energy is consumed.

Think of it as you would when you rent a car. You pay a rental fee whether the car is used or not. The gas you put in the car (and consume) is the equivalent to the kilowatt (kWh) billed on your electric account.

What is the PPA charge on my bill?
PPA stands for Purchased Power Adjustment.

LJEC does not generate power but buys it from KEPCo (Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.). Each month, KEPCo charges LJEC for the variance in the cost to produce and generate electricity above and beyond the base rate. With the PPA, LJEC is passing along that increase or decrease in the cost of producing electricity that we are charged from KEPCo.

LJEC is charged substantially more for the electricty you consume between 3pm and 8pm (Monday through Friday). By reducing the amount of electricty we consume during those peak hours, you have a direct effect on our load. If the cooperative as a whole improves our load factor, our PPA would go down.

LJEC offers alternative rates such as Time of Use and Load Management to help you save on your bill and help our load factor.

Why is my bill higher than my neighbors?
It is very difficult to make accurate comparisons with electric bills - there are so many variables. The size of house, the size of family, age and quality of appliances, type of heating and cooling systems, quality of insulation, condition of internal wire and many other factors. If you are concerned with your bill, contact our Member Services department. They will able to provide valuable information to assist you.

Are there agencies that might help pay an electric bill in time of need?
There are several area agencies in our area that have been known to assist customers with bill payment in a time of crisis. CLICK HERE to view a list of those agencies. Please be advised that this list is provided only as a courtesy to you. LJEC is not affiliated with these agencies in any way and has no agreements with them.

When are capital credits paid to me?
LJEC pays capital credits to current and former members when the LJEC Board of Trustees declares a payment (general retirement) for previous years. For example, in 2004, LJEC paid capital credits from 1966. It takes so long to get capital credit allocations beause LJEC is a rapidly growing co-op. As new businesses and homes are added to our system, the construction of new electrical infrastructure requires a large amount of capital. In addition our lenders require certain levels of equity. If we fall below that level, capital credits cannot be paid.

If a member has passed away, capital credits that have accumulated can be released through an estate retirement. The electric account must be closed or transferred into another name. It is important to keep the cooperative informed of any address changes so a check can be mailed to you when capital credits are disbursed.

Will LJEC trim my trees that have grown into power lines on my property?
Yes, we will - provided the trees are on the primary side of the meter (or before the meter). Any trees/bushes/overgrowth occuring after the meter - or on your side of the meter, will be your responsibility. You will need to complete a Tree Trimming Consent form and submit it to the LJEC office before work will begin.
 

Together We Save