FAQs

If you have ever wondered what happens between the time when your power goes out at night and when it’s restored, check out this Q&A article with Serviceman Jeff Young.

Since Piedmont Electric is a nonprofit cooperative owned by our members, we do not earn profits like investor-owned utilities. Instead, any money remaining after our expenses are paid is returned to our members and are called capital credits.

Since 1975, Piedmont Electric has returned more than $23 million in capital credits to members. To learn more about capital credits, read this Q&A article featuring Lisa Kennedy, VP of Financial Services.

Severe weather conditions, such as lightning, wind, ice, or even extreme cold, are the most common reasons for power outages. Lightning can damage our electrical equipment and the wind and ice knock trees and branches onto the lines and equipment. Also, extremely cold temperatures increase the load on our electric system due to more energy being used to heat all our members’ homes.

Animals and vehicle accidents are other frequent causes for outages. Squirrels, birds and snakes are the usual culprits that chew on the power lines or crawl into substation equipment. Vehicles and tractors occasionally hit poles or pull down overhead power lines. These are causes of outages and are also incredibly dangerous. If a downed power line comes in contact with your vehicle, remain in your vehicle and call 911 as the ground around your vehicle may be energized.

To learn more about why power outages happen, read this Q&A article with Camryn Batchelor, System Engineer at Piedmont Electric.

Remember these three things when choosing where and what to plant before you start!

1. Trees and shrubs can grow into overhead powerlines
Choose the right tree for the right place. If the wrong species is planted, this could result in the tree growing into power lines or becoming too tall and falling onto power lines.

2. Root growth can affect underground power lines
Do you have a pad-mount transformer in your yard? That green metal box is a vital part of your electric service and there are high voltage wires underground leading to the box!
Before planting, follow the instructions on your transformer box for shrub distance specifications and always call 811 before you dig to avoid a potentially serious injury.

3. Landscaping can help your home be more energy efficient
North Carolina summers can be hot! Trees and shrubs shade your home, patios, driveways and can even shade your air conditioner to help keep it cooler and running more efficiently.
Even shading the area around your home can help reduce radiation and cool the air before it reaches your home’s walls and windows.

To learn more and reference our planting guide graphics, read this Q&A article with Mike Johnson, Right-of-Way Supervisor.

The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program (REDLG) provides zero-interest funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to local electric cooperatives who in turn lend the money to local entities for projects  that support rural areas. These loans promote rural economic development and job creation projects.  As the funds are repaid to the co-op, a portion of the funds can be re-loaned to assist with future projects in our communities.

Read this Q&A article featuring Susan Cashion, Vice President – Chief Compliance and Administrative Officer, to learn more about the REDLG program.

Phone call instructions: If you are without electricity, please call 800.449.2667 or 800.222.3107. Voice instructions will direct you through the reporting system. Rotary dial telephone calls are accepted.

Text message instructions: You can also report outages via text message. To opt into the program, text “pemc” to 800.222.3107. Then text “#out” to report an outage. For outage updates, text “#status”.
Standard text messaging rates may apply. Piedmont Electric will never sell your contact information to third parties. Your personal information will always remain confidential.

For more information, visit our storms and outages page.

Welcome to Piedmont Electric!

If you are moving into a residence with existing electric service, please complete this online form so we can help you set up your account. If you are establishing service at a location that does not have electric power in place, such as new construction, please contact us at 800.222.3107.

We have a number of easy and convenient ways for you to pay.

• Online with SmartHub.
• Call our secure payment line at 800.222.3107. You’ll need your account number on hand for this option.
• Drop it in the mail. Send to: PO Drawer 1469, Hillsborough, NC 27278
• Stop by one of our offices: Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday except for Piedmont Electric holidays. Payments can be left in our drop boxes at each office at any time.
  • Hillsborough Office: 2500 NC Highway 86S
    Hillsborough, NC 27278
  • Roxboro Office: 1125 Oxford Road
    Roxboro, NC 27573
  • Caswell County Office: 64 Rascoe Dameron Road
    Burlington, NC 27379

We also have great options like paperless billing, prepay, auto draft and budget billing. Learn more on our payment options page or call us at 800.222.3107.