What Pedernales Electric Cooperative Is
Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) is a member-owned utility that serves parts of central Texas, primarily in the Hill Country region west of Austin. Unlike a traditional power company owned by shareholders, PEC is owned by the people it serves — you become a partial owner when you sign up for service. The cooperative is governed by a board of directors elected by members, and any profits are returned to members as capital credits rather than going to outside investors.
PEC serves roughly 230,000 members across a large rural and suburban area. Because it's a cooperative rather than a for-profit utility, the structure means member concerns have a direct voice in how the organization operates. You'll pay for the electricity you use, but the way the business is run is fundamentally different from investor-owned utilities.
Key Takeaways
- Pedernales Electric Cooperative is owned by its members and serves central Texas, primarily in the Hill Country and surrounding areas.
- You become a member when you request service, and the cooperative returns profits to members as capital credits on your bill.
- PEC handles billing, outage response, and meter reading for residential and commercial accounts in its service territory.
- Member services include payment options, outage reporting, and account management through the PEC website or by phone.
- Capital credits are the member-owner benefit — PEC distributes a portion of annual profits back to members based on how much electricity they used.
How to Start Service with PEC
To receive electricity from Pedernales Electric Cooperative, you contact PEC directly to request service at your address. You'll need to provide your name, the service address, and information about the property (whether it's residential, commercial, or agricultural). PEC will tell you whether your address is in their service territory — they don't serve all of Texas, only their defined area in central Texas.
Once you're approved for service, PEC installs or activates a meter at your location. You'll receive a welcome packet with your account number, billing information, and details about how to pay your bill. There is typically a one-time membership fee (the amount varies and should be confirmed when you call), and you may be asked to provide a deposit depending on your credit history and the size of your account.
You can request service by calling PEC at 1-888-554-4732 or visiting their website at pedernalesec.com. Have your service address ready and be prepared to answer questions about the property and your intended use.
Understanding Your PEC Bill and Capital Credits
Your monthly bill from PEC shows the kilowatt-hours (kWh) you used, the rate per kWh, and your total charges. The bill also lists any capital credits that PEC is returning to members that month. Capital credits are your share of the cooperative's annual profits, distributed back to members based on how much electricity you purchased during the year.
PEC retires (pays out) capital credits periodically — typically once per year, though the timing and amount depend on the cooperative's financial performance. When credits are retired, they appear as a credit on your bill, reducing what you owe. This is one of the concrete benefits of membership: you're not just a customer, you're receiving a share of the profits.
Your bill will also show any taxes, fees, and adjustments specific to your account. If you have questions about a charge or want to understand your usage, PEC's website has a tool to view your usage history, and you can call member services to discuss your account.
Payment Options and Account Management
PEC offers several ways to pay your bill. You can pay online through their website using a bank account or debit card, by phone at 1-888-554-4732, by mail, or in person at PEC offices. The website also allows you to set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same date each month, which can help you avoid late fees.
You can manage your account online at pedernalesec.com by logging in with your account number and password. From there, you can view your current bill, payment history, usage data, and make changes to your account (such as updating contact information or setting up paperless billing). If you prefer not to use the website, you can call member services during business hours to handle these tasks.
If you're having trouble paying a bill, contact PEC to discuss your situation. The cooperative may have programs or payment arrangements available, though you'll need to speak with them directly about what options explore to your account.
Reporting Outages and Getting Help During Power Loss
If your power goes out, you can report it to PEC through their website, by calling 1-888-554-4732, or through their mobile app. When you report an outage, have your account number ready. PEC will confirm whether the outage is affecting other members in your area and provide an estimated time for power restoration.
PEC maintains an outage map on their website showing current outages and restoration progress. You can check this map to see if an outage is already reported and how many members are affected. For large outages, PEC may post updates on social media or send text alerts to members who have signed up for notifications.
During extended outages, PEC opens warming or cooling centers in affected areas if needed. Information about these facilities is posted on the website and shared through local media. If you need when ready information during an outage (for example, if you rely on medical equipment), call PEC directly rather than waiting for power to return.
Understanding PEC's Service Territory and Rates
Pedernales Electric Cooperative serves a specific geographic area in central Texas, primarily Blanco, Burnet, Gillespie, Llano, and parts of Travis and Williamson counties. Not all addresses in these counties are served by PEC — some areas are served by other utilities. Before you move or request service, confirm that your address is within PEC's service territory by checking their website or calling member services.
PEC's rates are set by the board of directors and are designed to cover the cost of generating, transmitting, and delivering electricity, plus operating expenses and maintaining infrastructure. Rates vary depending on whether you're a residential, commercial, or agricultural member, and they may change periodically. You can view PEC's current rate schedules on their website.
Because PEC is a cooperative, rate decisions are made with member input. If you have concerns about rates or want to understand how they're set, you can attend member meetings or contact the board. This is one way membership gives you a voice in how the utility operates.
Membership Rights and Responsibilities
As a PEC member, you have the right to vote in annual elections for the board of directors, attend member meetings, and receive information about how the cooperative operates. You also have the right to receive reliable service, fair billing, and prompt response to outages and service issues. PEC's bylaws and policies outline these rights in detail.
Your responsibility as a member is to pay your bills on time, use electricity safely, and follow PEC's rules about how meters and lines can be used. If you damage PEC equipment or use electricity in an unsafe way, you may be liable for repairs or face service disconnection. If you have questions about what's expected of you as a member, PEC's website has information, or you can call member services.
If you have a complaint about service or billing, you can file a formal complaint with PEC. The cooperative has a process for reviewing complaints and working toward resolution. Details about how to file a complaint are available on the website or by calling member services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my capital credits if I move or stop service?
If you move out of PEC's service territory or stop service, your capital credits remain in the cooperative's records. PEC will continue to retire (pay out) your credits in future years based on the cooperative's financial performance. You don't lose them — they're yours as long as you were a member when they were earned.
Can I choose renewable energy or a green power option with PEC?
PEC offers a program called GreenChoice that lets members support renewable energy projects. You can choose to have a portion or all of your electricity come from renewable sources for an additional monthly charge. Details about the program, including the cost and how much renewable energy is included, are available on PEC's website or by calling member services.
How do I read my PEC meter?
Your meter displays your kilowatt-hour usage. If you have a digital meter, it shows a number that increases as you use electricity. PEC reads meters remotely, so you don't need to read it yourself for billing purposes. However, if you want to track your own usage, you can read the meter and compare it to your bill to see how much you've used since the last billing date.
What should I do if I think my bill is wrong?
Contact PEC member services and explain what seems incorrect. They can review your account, check your meter readings, and compare your usage to previous months. If there's an error, PEC will correct it. If you disagree with their explanation, you can file a formal complaint with the cooperative.
Does PEC offer budget billing or information programs?
PEC may offer programs to help members manage their bills, such as budget billing (spreading costs evenly across the year) or information for members facing hardship. Contact member services directly to ask what programs might be available for your situation. Availability and terms vary.