Plans are moving forward to hold the 82 nd Annual Meet- ing of Otero County Electric Cooperative! Mark your cal- endar to attend Saturday, August 7 in Cloudcroft. See you there! During the pandemic, there has been a moratorium on electric shutoffs, but that will be ending soon and disconnects for non- payment will resume. OCEC understands the financial hardship COVID-19 has had on our members so there are options avail- able to those needing assistance. If you are struggling to pay your electric bill, call our Credit Department at 575-682-7607 to set up a payment plan. Representatives will be happy to work with you to find an arrangement that fits your situation. You may also qualify for other types of as- sistance that are available from other pro- grams. Below is a list of additional organi- zations offering assistance to those affect- ed by the pandemic. RENTHELPNM.ORG Offering assistance for the following: • Rent • Utility bills, including electric and gas • Water and sewer • Trash removal, fuel oil, wood and pel- lets LIHEAP Complete the on-line application through the Yes NM portal at www.yes.state.nm.us or call your local New Mexico Human Ser- vices Office. Otero County—575-437-9260 Lincoln County—575-378-1762 Southeast NM Community Action Corp. Otero County—575-437-1364 Lincoln County—575-887-3939 Cloudcroft 575-682-2521 Alto 575-336-4550 Carrizozo 575-648-2352 www.ocec-inc.com LOBBY HOURS 8 AM - 4 PM Monday - Friday TO REPORT AN OUTAGE, CALL 1-800-548-4660 FOR BALANCE INFORMATION OR TO PAY YOUR BILL, CALL 1-844-846-2695 May 2021 Safety around electricity is always a good idea, but when spring comes—and we finally get to spend more time outside—it’s essential to revisit some of the dos and don’ts. It only takes one careless moment for tragedy to strike. Electricity constantly seeks a path to ground. A tall piece of machinery, a metal ladder, a long-reach pruner, a tree or—worst of all—a human body that touches both an energized wire and the ground will complete the circuit with devastating results. To prevent yourself or a loved one from be- coming a victim of an electrical accident, fol- low these safety tips: • Never go near a downed power line, whether you think it is energized or not. • If a power line falls on your vehicle, your safest option is to remain inside the vehi- cle unless there is a fire. The vehicle acts as a path for the electrical current to reach ground. You could get electrocuted if you attempt to get out. Call 911 so our highly trained line crews and emergency re- sponders can help you remain safe. • Never fly drones, model airplanes or rock- ets, mylar balloons or kites near power lines. If something gets caught in the pow- er line, do not try to remove it yourself. Call our dispatch center at 800-548-4660.