Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Service Availability” charge listed on the bill?
It is the minimum monthly charge your account is billed, regardless of usage. This charge is the minimum amount it costs the corporation to have electric facilities available to serve you and to maintain your account. For more information about your bill, click here.
Are there additional fees to pay by credit card?
No, CEC does not charge extra for any of its payment options. For more information about other payment options, click here.
When will Citizens Electric trim trees around my property?
CEC will send a contracted crew to trim a tree if its limbs could potentially fall onto a primary power line and create a power outage. For more information about vegetation management, click here.
When does Citizens Electric charge a security deposit?
A security deposit may be assessed at the time of a new connect, depending on the results of a credit verification. In addition, a deposit can be charged if a member pays late at least three times within a 12-month period or if two or more insufficient checks have been presented for payment on an account.
When will the deposit be refunded?
A deposit on a residential account will be refunded (with interest) whenever payments are made by the due date of the original bill for 12 consecutive months. A business deposit will be refunded when payments are made on time for 36 consecutive months.
Does CEC have rebates available?
Citizens Electric offers different energy-efficiency incentives each year. Please click here to find out details of our current programs.
What should I do if I can’t pay my electric bill?
You may be eligible to receive energy assistance from East Missouri Action Agency (EMAA) or local charities. Call your local EMAA office for details: Cape Girardeau County, 573-334-5533; Perry County, 573-547-2014; St. Francois County, 573-431-0103; Ste. Genevieve County, 573-883-7252.
Can I pay my bill at any off-site locations? Payments made at CEC’s remote payment sites (RPS) are applied to your electric bill in “real” time. RPS locations include: Rozier’s Food Centre, Perryville; Cape Regional Credit Union, Fruitland; Rozier’s Country Mart, Ste. Genevieve; and Bank of Bloomsdale, Bloomsdale. Click here for more information.
How does Level Pay work?
Level Pay allows members to pay a rolling average of the most current 12 months, and it includes 1/12th of the actual balance. Therefore, there is never a catch-up month unless you discontinue the payment option or move. The monthly amount is an even dollar amount but varies slightly each month according to the current average.
How does Auto Pay work?
Your monthly electric bill can be paid automatically from your bank account or by credit card on the bill due date. You still will receive a bill each month (approximately 21 days before the due date), but you never have to worry about late fees.
Have another question?
Email us at citizens@cecmo.com or call 877-876-3511.