ComplaintsforBeauregard Electric Cooperative, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  08/30/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I would like to know why my power goes out in ****** every time it rains. This has gone on for years. We had light rain, and I lose power, yet my rates keep climbing... it is absolutely insane that you can't keep power coming to my house in 2024. I invite you to look at all of the outages for my house just in the last year.

  Business response

  09/19/2024

  BECi has run an outage report at your location.  

  Here are the causes of your 2024 outages:

  Power Supplier

  Weather

  Public Mishap

  Dead Trees located out of the Right-of-Way

  Green Trees located out of the Right-of-Way

  Lightning

  I do have a report on the number of outages for the past seven years at your location.

• Initial Complaint

  07/25/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We first contacted Bearegaurd electric the last week of June 2024. We informed them that they would need 2 permits. 1 for the electric and 1 to run a line across the highway. We contacted them again in July before we moved into our property we were told they needed to file for the 2nd permit to run the line across the highway. July 6th we moved into our property under the assumption that they had filed for the permit the previous friday. The next Friday comes we are still without electricity running on a generator and they are telling us that they filed the permit on the 2nd. July 24th 2024. I reach out to the state **** (BEci has been informing us that the state is required to come out from baton rouge to run our lines) The State **** tells me that the Lake Charles **** is who should be handling the permit for this utility work order. I call the number for ****** ****** and he informed me that he does NOT in fact have any permits on file for Beauregaurd electric. I speak again with ****** the engineer for BEci that has been telling us what is supposedly causing the delays. He says again that the state must come and measure for the permit, after just previously stating that the state must of not received the application for permit yet. Then that he measured the site himself and placed a stake with a marking flag on it. The stake he refers to was olaced by my husband ***** **** and is NOT the allowable location of the pole that is to be placed on the property. July 25 2024 My Husband ***** **** reached back out to The Engineer with BEci ****** and is told "the permit is filed under ****** ******" ***** calls ****** ****** and confirms that he still does not have any utility permits filed under that name either. We are currently 2 days shy of having reached out to Beauregaurd electric to install our permanent residence electric services and 3 weeks having moved onto our property spending $60-$70 a day to fuel a generator.

  Business response

  07/25/2024

  When BECi provides service across a state highway, they are required to get engineered drawings from certified engineers.  BECi uses *** of Baton Rouge to provide pertinent information (i.e., height, length, distance from road, etc.).  Once this is obtained, the information is routed to the Louisiana Department of Transportation (LaDOTD) to be permitted to allow road crossing. *** should have results completed by Friday, July 26, 2024, and sent to La**** for approval.  Finally, when this process is approved, it is sent back to BECi to build the job. BECi has communicated this to the member.

  Business response

  07/25/2024

  When BECi provides service across a state highway, they are required to get engineered drawings from certified engineers.  BECi uses *** of Baton Rouge to provide pertinent information (i.e., height, length, distance from road, etc.).  Once this is obtained, the information is routed to the Louisiana Department of Transportation (LaDOTD) to be permitted to allow road crossing. *** should have results completed by Friday, July 26, 2024, and sent to La**** for approval.  Finally, when this process is approved, it is sent back to BECi to build the job. BECi has communicated this to the member.

  Business response

  07/31/2024

  BECi just received the approval from the state a few minutes ago - July 31, 2024 at 4:39 pm.  BECi will build as soon as we can.  Thank you for your patience.  

  Business response

  07/31/2024

  BECi just received the approval from the state a few minutes ago - July 31, 2024 at 4:39 pm.  BECi will build as soon as we can.  Thank you for your patience.  

  Customer response

  08/01/2024

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 22042767, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 

  I have also spoken and confirmed action has finally been taken. I personally confirmed all information to be accurate as of Monday July 29,2024 with the project taking the final steps towards completion.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ****

  Customer response

  08/01/2024

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 22042767, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 

  I have also spoken and confirmed action has finally been taken. I personally confirmed all information to be accurate as of Monday July 29,2024 with the project taking the final steps towards completion.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ****

• Initial Complaint

  07/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Yesterday, 22 July 24, I observed a work crew cutting hedges on my property. I approached them and ask you there were. They stated that they were contracted by BECI to cut bushes underneath power line I assume on my property. I understand that there is an easement for service organizations like BECI to come on private property. What I want to file a complaint about is that as home owner they give me no respect as the one who's making mortgage payments and buying the property they're coming on. They don't don't call, there is no prior notice of their arrival nor any explanation as to what they're doing. It's as if they own my property and they bully the legal owner. The contract crew I spoke with said they came to my home to let me know. I reviewed my security camera footage and saw no one approach my home. My chief complaint is that after cutting the trees and branches the just threw everything towards the fence line and didn't remove any of the trees, bushes, etc. from my property and they just left. As homeowner am I expected to pay someone clean up the mess BECI made or am I personally expected to clean up behind BECI. I think not! This is wrong on all fronts.  Lastly BECI did the same thing to me several months ago after a storm that hit our area cut off power to the area. They saw off trees and left everything on my property. Bottom line I'd like to see BECI policy that give them the right to leave debri they cut down on my policy and they are alleviated for any responsibility for debri removal. I will wait to hear a response from BECI before seeking legal assistance in this matter. Thank you.

  Business response

  07/31/2024

  BECi has employed a contractor for trimming who is currently working in your area.  We have experienced rain which delays the return to clean up what the contractor has trimmed.  Once the area is dry, the crew will return to perform clean-up.

  When a storm occurs, BECi's priority is to make utility repairs to its system and does not perform clean-up from any storm-related damage.  

  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call our office and ask for operations.  Thank you for your patience.

  Business response

  07/31/2024

  BECi has employed a contractor for trimming who is currently working in your area.  We have experienced rain which delays the return to clean up what the contractor has trimmed.  Once the area is dry, the crew will return to perform clean-up.

  When a storm occurs, BECi's priority is to make utility repairs to its system and does not perform clean-up from any storm-related damage.  

  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call our office and ask for operations.  Thank you for your patience.

  Business response

  07/31/2024

  BECi has employed a contractor for trimming who is currently working in your area.  We have experienced rain which delays the return to clean up what the contractor has trimmed.  Once the area is dry, the crew will return to perform clean-up.

  When a storm occurs, BECi's priority is to make utility repairs to its system and does not perform clean-up from any storm-related damage.  

  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call our office and ask for operations.  Thank you for your patience.

  Customer response

  08/01/2024

  I am rejecting this response because: BECI failed to state or provide the issue of not communicating with the home owner when work is required on their. They did not provide the document that gives them the right to come onto a home owners property at their will and do what they want to do. I understand when acts of nature cause debris such as trees being blown down the owner must take of debris but BECI cut down tree limbs limbs from their lines and just left them on my property. It wasn't an act of nature. BECI again show their arrogance and disregard for me as a home owner in that in their response the gave no date, no time when they would have their contractors return to clean up the mess they made on my property. BECI if they cared could at least say they will notify the home owner when they will send someone to remove debris from my property.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

  Customer response

  08/01/2024

  I am rejecting this response because: BECI failed to state or provide the issue of not communicating with the home owner when work is required on their. They did not provide the document that gives them the right to come onto a home owners property at their will and do what they want to do. I understand when acts of nature cause debris such as trees being blown down the owner must take of debris but BECI cut down tree limbs limbs from their lines and just left them on my property. It wasn't an act of nature. BECI again show their arrogance and disregard for me as a home owner in that in their response the gave no date, no time when they would have their contractors return to clean up the mess they made on my property. BECI if they cared could at least say they will notify the home owner when they will send someone to remove debris from my property.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

  Customer response

  08/01/2024

  I am rejecting this response because: BECI failed to state or provide the issue of not communicating with the home owner when work is required on their. They did not provide the document that gives them the right to come onto a home owners property at their will and do what they want to do. I understand when acts of nature cause debris such as trees being blown down the owner must take of debris but BECI cut down tree limbs limbs from their lines and just left them on my property. It wasn't an act of nature. BECI again show their arrogance and disregard for me as a home owner in that in their response the gave no date, no time when they would have their contractors return to clean up the mess they made on my property. BECI if they cared could at least say they will notify the home owner when they will send someone to remove debris from my property.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

  Business response

  08/15/2024

  We have your signature on the utility application dated 02/25/2022 if you would like to get a copy of that application that states if there is a power interruption, BECi is not held liable for damages.  Mr. ******, I would be happy to sit down and discuss any paperwork that we have on file for you.  Please call our office at 1-800-367-0275.  Thank you and have a nice day.

  Business response

  08/15/2024

  We have your signature on the utility application dated 02/25/2022 if you would like to get a copy of that application that states if there is a power interruption, BECi is not held liable for damages.  Mr. ******, I would be happy to sit down and discuss any paperwork that we have on file for you.  Please call our office at 1-800-367-0275.  Thank you and have a nice day.

  Business response

  08/15/2024

  We have your signature on the utility application dated 02/25/2022 if you would like to get a copy of that application that states if there is a power interruption, BECi is not held liable for damages.  Mr. ******, I would be happy to sit down and discuss any paperwork that we have on file for you.  Please call our office at 1-800-367-0275.  Thank you and have a nice day.

  Customer response

  08/21/2024

  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  The business still did not address my chief complaint nor provide the documental information request I made. Thank you. I will attempt to address my issue through a different channel.
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

  Customer response

  08/21/2024

  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  The business still did not address my chief complaint nor provide the documental information request I made. Thank you. I will attempt to address my issue through a different channel.
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

  Customer response

  08/21/2024

  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  The business still did not address my chief complaint nor provide the documental information request I made. Thank you. I will attempt to address my issue through a different channel.
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

• Initial Complaint

  08/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The electric company is charging us 100 per day for pay-as-you go electricity. I paid the company 400 dollars this week with 100 dollars just yesterday and they sent me a disconnection notice today.

  Business response

  08/17/2023

  Ms. ************ has an average usage of $15.66 per day since July 25, 2023. Since July 30, 2023, Ms. ************ has paid $409.50 and currently has a credit of $56.21 on her account.  On August 4, there was a returned check in the amount of $30 charged back to her account.  She has never been charged $100 per day.  Please advise Ms. ************ to call our office so we can explain how our PrePay Plan works.  Our toll-free number is 1-800-367-0275.

• Initial Complaint

  01/10/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I own a 3 bedroom mobile home that I've had for 10 years...beci has continually raised my bill from 160 to almost 400 a month over the time period from 2015 to present...I have been shut off for huge bills multiple times while never receiving a bill or if I had I was shut off the day after receiving it in the mail...during this time of covid and its variants making things excessively difficult on everyone this company for its customers has kept me out of my home for months at a time...forcing me to make other arrangements to live...I need a cpap to sleep otherwise I choke due to severe dr verified sleep apnea...they have no pity nor mercy of any sort and are rude when I talk to them via phone...I am 40 years old not 5...my home does not use that much power and also when asked if they could come check my meter hands on they refuse and checked it via their office which is not what I asked as a customer...

  Business response

  01/11/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/01/11) */ BECi has spoken to Mr. ********* numerous times and offered a one-time extension in 2019. On 8/20/20, Mr. ********* signed a CARE Agreement form to spread his past due balance over a 12-month time frame, a program created to assist those in need during the COVID19 shutdown. However, Mr. ********* failed to make any payments from March 2020 until September 2020. His average utility bill is $250 per month, but by not paying each month, the bills mounted. BECi has given Mr. ********* a reasonable amount of avenues to catch up on his bills. At this point for Mr. ********* to reconnect this account, he must reapply for service and pay $962.79. Consumer Response /* (3000, 11, 2022/01/26) */ Per customer; I would like a more reasonable amount or broken up into payments to owe to have my services restored. And to have an inspection done on meter. Business Response /* (4000, 13, 2022/01/31) */ Based on your previous history and discussion, BECi is not able to make additional arrangements.

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