York Electric members can now access an online Outage Map that gives real-time information on service interruptions in the co-op’s service area.
The Outage Map makes the same information available to the public that the co-op uses to restore service quickly. As Director of Engineering Craig Spencer says, “It’s putting more information in the members’ hands—and more quickly.”
Previously, YEC member service representatives could access similar maps to advise members who called about outages, says Technology Administrator Jim Salmon. Now, a member can see much of what system operators like Holly Williams see on those internal maps. “It shows to get more and more information to the member. And this just fits perfectly with that philosophy.”
Spencer and Lynn say the Outage Map is integrated with internal systems that help YEC see what’s out more quickly and improve its response times. Bottom line, Lynn says, “It’s better service to the member.”
He says members will find the Outage Map user friendly: “I think they’ll like it.” YEC also plans to provide estimated service restoration times.
Salmon adds that members in the future will be able to submit outage reports via their mobile device. “New technology is making it easier to bring these systems online,” he notes.
Still, the key to any technology’s effectiveness is the human component. In this case, as Spencer notes, it’s crucial that YEC has valid, current phone numbers of members for the outage management system to work efficiently. “The whole thing is having that number,” he says. “The system feeds off of that number.”
Do we have your correct phone number?
Make sure we have your correct phone number
YEC’s PowerTouch outage management system lets you easily report an outage from your home telephone, or from another location by entering the phone number listed on your account.
There’s just one catch: We MUST have your up-to-date telephone number for PowerTouch to work most effectively. The number can be a land-line number where you receive service or any number, such as for a mobile phone, that you provide us to associate with your YEC service.
If you’re not certain we have your current phone number in our records, call the co-op’s member services line, (803) 684-4248. Member service representatives will verify or update our account records for you.
PowerTouch is the best way to help us get your lights back on quickly. If you experience a power outage and have already checked your main breaker, please call PowerTouch at 1 (866) 374-1234 or text: 352667