Payment Options
Payments must be received in the office by the due date to be considered current.
Payments may be made either by:
US Postal Service
Mail bill payments in the return envelope provided, or to:
Big Bend Electric Cooperative, Inc.
PO Box 348
Ritzville, WA 99169-0348
Debit or Credit Card Payments:
Consumer must call office for each Visa or MasterCard transaction. Please call 509-659-1700 or 866-844-2363 during office hours. Office Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday - Friday except holidays.
Automated Payment from a Checking or Savings Account
This program allows the monthly electricity bill to be paid automatically from a checking or savings account.
Around the 1st of each month a regular monthly bill will be received by the consumers. The bill will show the amount due if paid by the due date. On the due date listed on the statement, the amount due will be transferred from the bank account on file to Big Bend Electric.
This is a simple way for our consumers to keep their account(s) current and reduce the hassle of writing and mailing a check each month. This program also works well with our Budget Billing Program. The Budget Billing Program allows consumers to pay the same amount each month.
An important point to remember is to have the funds available on the withdrawal date. If the funds are not available, the transfer will be treated as a returned check and incur fees from both the bank and Big Bend Electric Cooperative ($30.00). Two returns for non-sufficient funds constitute grounds for termination from the program.
Budget Billing
The Budget Billing Plan is an excellent way for consumers to equalize energy payments and pay the same amount each month. This process levels off winter heating peaks and spreads monthly payments evenly over the year, summer and winter.
Consumers may enroll in this program once a year in April so that they have an opportunity to build a reserve for the winter months.
Big Bend Electric's consumers are encouraged to contact the billing department at 509-659-1700 or 866-844-2363 during office hours to sign up for either of these programs or to get additional information.
Big Bend Electric Cooperative Drop Box
Ritzville, Washington Headquarters Office Drop Box
1373 N. Highway 261
Ritzville, WA
Click to see Map of Ritzville location
Mesa, Washington Operations Office Drop Box
102 E. Columbia
Mesa, WA
Click to see Map of Mesa location
Energy Assistance Programs Available
For Members in Adams County:
OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center)
phone: 509-765-9206
821 E Broadway, Ste. 13
Moses Lake, WA 98837
For Members in Franklin County:
Benton/Franklin CAC
phone: 509-545-4065
720 W Court St
Pasco, WA 99301
Opening/Closing Accounts
To open an account with Big Bend Electric Cooperative the person or entity whose name the account will be in must complete and sign a membership agreement form. A deposit or credit letter will be required.
Consumers must inform the Cooperative when they want their service terminated. Consumers are responsible for the bills until the Cooperative is notified to take the account out of the consumer's name and the Cooperative gets a final meter reading.
Deposit/Letter of Credit
Residential and Farm and General Service Accounts -- A deposit of up to two months highest usage in a twelve month period may be required if a letter of credit with good credit history for the past twelve months cannot be provided by the new consumer from their prior electric utility. The deposit may be applied to a consumer's account after twelve months of good credit history with the Cooperative is established. A deposit may be required for existing consumers who have an unsatisfactory payment history with the Cooperative.
Irrigation Accounts -- A deposit from new and existing consumers may be required on irrigation accounts. The deposit shall be in cash or security acceptable to the Cooperative. The deposit is in addition to the facility charge. Both the deposit and the facility charge must be paid in order for the account to be / remain connected.
Meter Readings
Consumers' billing statements are based on readings taken from the Cooperative's meters. It is important that meters be accessible. The meter must not be inside a building or blocked by bushes, trees, porches, decks, or stored items. If the meter is located inside a fenced yard where there are protective dogs, locked gates or other situations making the reading difficult, arrangements will need to be made with the Cooperative's office for monthly access by the meter readers. A condition of membership is the right of access to the meter.
Residential and General Service meters are read once a month. For consistency the Cooperative tries to read the meters the same time each month. Irrigation meters are read at a minimum in March and October of each year. If a meter fails, or weather conditions or some other problem prevents the Cooperative from reading the meter, an estimated bill will be generated based on prior usage history.
Billing Procedures
Bills are mailed the last working day of each month and shall be due and payable when mailed. Bills become delinquent if not paid by the close of business on the 20th day after the date the bill is mailed. A late fee of the greater of $5.00 or 1.5 % of the past due balance shall be assessed each month on all accounts with a past due balance greater than $10.00 on the delinquent date.
The bills may be paid by mail or in person at the Ritzville office located at 1373 N. Hwy 261, Ritzville, Washington, or at the Mesa drop box located at 102 E. Columbia, Mesa, Washington. When making payments by mail or in person, payment stubs must be enclosed. The Cooperative accepts cash, checks, money orders and cashier checks. Debit or credit cards payments can be made by phone. (There are drop boxes at both locations for after hour's business.)
Map to Ritzville Office Map to Mesa Office
Irrigation Billings
Facility (Horsepower) Charges:
Approximately the beginning of February, the Cooperative prepares and mails bills for summer season facilities (horsepower) charges. Bills not paid by the established and published due date become delinquent and are subject to disconnection for nonpayment.
Energy/Idle Charges:
Approximately the beginning of November, the Cooperative prepares and mails bills for energy used during the summer irrigation season, or if no energy has been used, idle service charges. The bills are due and payable when rendered and become delinquent if not received in the office or the drop box of the Cooperative by 4:30 PM on the third business day of January immediately following the irrigation season.
Winter Charges:
Approximately the beginning of April, the Cooperative prepares and mails bills for winter season irrigation charges. Bills for winter season irrigation charges are due and payable when rendered and become delinquent if not paid by the close of business on the 20th day after the bill is mailed.
Any disconnected irrigation account will not be reconnected until all past due balances on all of the consumer's accounts are paid and unpaid facility charges are paid in full.
Past Due Bills
When a bill is not paid by the due date, a delinquent notice will be mailed. If the bill is not paid after the notice has been mailed, the account is subject to be disconnected. If a consumer is having difficulty paying a bill please call before the final due date. A call may prevent additional fees and the inconvenience of having the power disconnected.
Credit and Collections
If payment is not received in the Cooperative's office by the Due Date shown on a bill, a Disconnect Notice will be created and mailed to the consumer. If a consumer is having difficulty paying the bill or has special circumstances, please call the Big Bend Electric's office before the due date and the Cooperative may be able to respond more quickly and helpfully knowing the consumer's situation and needs.
A disconnect/collect trip will be made to any account that has not paid the balance owed by the date listed on the disconnect notice, or if credit arrangements have been made and not honored. At the Cooperative's discretion the account will be physically disconnected or a notice left granting an extension to pay the bill. A fee of $50.00 will be assessed for each trip made for an account during regular work hours.
Should an account be disconnected for non-payment, it will not be reconnected until the entire amount owing up to the disconnect date has been paid including the disconnect trip fee of $50.00, and reconnect trip fee of $50.00 during regular working hours or $200.00 for after hours.
The Cooperative may terminate service without notice in dangerous or emergency conditions or for the theft or illegal diversion of electricity.
There will be a fee of $30.00 for each time a payment is submitted to the bank for payment and returned as non payable. After two returned payments, a consumer will be required to make payments by cash, cashier check, or money order.
Fees and Charges
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Credit Card Convenience Fee
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$5.00 fee for each $500 transaction
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Irrigation Penalty Charge
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5% of the unpaid balance at 4:30 PM on the third business day in January plus 1.5% of the unpaid balance at the end of January and at the end of each month thereafter that an unpaid balance remains
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Irrigation Pump Test
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Demand charge in the General Service Rate (convert pump horsepower to kilowatts)
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Late Fee
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$5.00 or 1.5% of past due balance, whichever is higher
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Payment Plan/Arrangement Fee
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$25.00
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Recording/Filing Fee
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Actual Cost
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Renewable Energy Incentive Program Application Fee
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$100.00
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Returned Payment Charge
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$30.00
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Trip Charge
During Normal Working Hours*
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$50.00
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After Hours* |
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$200.00
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Rate Information
Consumers may contact the Cooperative for information.
