Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives on how COVID-19 pandemic has impacted rural Ohio

Ohio’s electric cooperatives are committed to the health and safety of our members and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

All 24 Ohio-based electric cooperatives are temporarily suspending disconnects for non-payment of electric service due to the current challenges.

Please understand each member is still responsible for paying the balance on their account, and continuing to pay what you can will help you avoid a larger balance in the future. 

Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives can offer commentary on:

• How the pandemic has impacted rural Ohio
• The need for broadband (high-speed) internet accessibly for rural Ohio citizens—notably for access to news, information, health care, as well as for economic development
• Power plant operations as an essential service
• Electric linemen safety precautions amid the pandemic
• General inquiries re: the electric cooperative industry as a resource for rural America
• International impact of COVID-19 (as the pandemic crested, we had 16 linemen return from a Guatemalan mission trip to install electricity in a remote village, only to find that borders were closed and flight grounded; permission to depart Guatemala required high-level governmental intercession)

For more information please contact:

Patrick O’Loughlin

President & CEO

Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives (made up of Buckeye Power and Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives)

[email protected]

Cell:  614.204.9695

Office: 614.430.7803

Expert engineer with extensive industry experience in power generation and power plant operations.

 

Doug Miller

Vice President of Statewide Services

Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives

[email protected]

Cell: 937.597.6948

Office: 614.430.7804

For expertise in rural electric distribution cooperative management and operations, government affairs, community outreach, communications, and lineworker safety.

 

Patrick Higgins

Director of Communications

Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives

[email protected]

Cell:  614.929.4962

Office: 614.430.7872

For expertise with media relations, crisis communication, and community outreach.

 

Magen Howard

Manager of Communications

[email protected]

Cell:  419.901.6600

Office: 614.430.7833

Expertise with distribution electric cooperatives, crisis communications, community outreach.

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