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As full transparency, we would like to make you aware that a cybersecurity incident was recently discovered in our network. Thanks to the quick response of our IT department, the incident was immediately contained. While these types of situations have become all-too-common nationwide, we recognize the significance of this event and have quickly taken the appropriate steps to address it.
We have been working with a team of outside forensic experts to fully understand the extent and implications of this incident. That investigation determined that an unauthorized third party potentially acquired files containing certain individuals’ personal information. We then performed an extensive and comprehensive review of the data set to identify those persons whose information may have been included.
On September 27, 2024, we mailed notification letters to those individuals whose personal information may have been impacted. As part of our ongoing commitment to information privacy and the security of information, the impacted individuals will receive 24 month complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft services provided by Cyberscout through Identity Force, a TransUnion company specializing in fraud assistance and remediation services, including $1 million in identity theft insurance.
We have also set up a dedicated call center with representatives who have been educated on this incident and who are ready to answer your questions. The call center is live at (844) 428-1115 and available 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. We ask you please direct any questions to the call center, as they will be in the best position to provide correct answers.
At Aiken Electric, we take our responsibilities to protect personal information very seriously. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused by this incident.
Thank you for being a valued member.
In rural areas across the state, Aiken Electric and other not-for-profit cooperatives spend -thousands of dollars per year repairing equipment, power lines and fiber optic cables that have been struck by a stray shot. Repairs can be very costly, and we strive to keep operating expenses down for all members by making every effort to recover costs from any party responsible for facility damages. We need your help – please join us in this collaborative effort to keep “unplanned” maintenance and repair costs for our members as low as possible. Read More.
As part of our ongoing advancements and enhancements to our service system, Aiken Electric Cooperative has been upgrading electric power meters. We have completed the residential portion of this process and will be working to upgrade commercial meters for the next several months in an effort to improve our outage monitoring system and increase our responsiveness out in the field. All metering personnel will have Aiken Electric Cooperative uniforms and be in a truck clearly marked with our logo. They will also have official Aiken Electric Cooperative wallet identification. Thank you for your patience as we continue our efforts to better serve you, our members.
CEO's Message
Navigating changes and celebrating resilience
AS WE APPROACH the end of the year, I want to share some important updates regarding our cooperative and our community.
First, I want to inform you that the Santee Cooper rate freeze will expire at the end of December 2024. This rate freeze was put in place to stabilize costs during a challenging period, but its expiration will lead to increased rates for our members. We understand that using energy wisely is important, but we also need to remember that as rates go up in the future, Santee Cooper will take charge of navigating that change. As your cooperative, we are closely examining our budget to identify ways to save money and minimize the impact on our members, including potential budget reductions. We are committed to advocating for your interests as we navigate these changes.
Next, I want to address the recent impact of Hurricane Helene. This historic storm brought unprecedented challenges and caused lasting damage to our area. Our service territory alone faced the worst recorded damage, with more than 1,500 poles down across our 5,700-mile service area. To put the size of this area into perspective, that’s the equivalent of a trip to Seattle and back. The widespread destruction required immediate restoration efforts and significant rebuilding of our infrastructure.
I am proud to report that we exceeded our original restoration timelines thanks to the remarkable teamwork of crews, employees and contractors from 15 states. For the first time in our co-op’s history, we set up a Tent City to house our dedicated workers, providing meals, showers and laundry services. Their hard work and commitment made all the difference, and we are incredibly grateful for their support.
I also want to extend my heart-felt thanks to you, our members. Your patience and understanding during this challenging time have been invaluable as we navigated the aftermath of the storm. Your cooperation made it possible for us to restore services swiftly and effectively. Many of you took the time to donate to our crews and send cards of thanks and cheer. We are incredibly grateful for your kind gestures, support and understanding.
As we look ahead to the holiday season, I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Your membership is not just valuable to us; it is the heartbeat of our cooperative. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you in the coming year.