By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – Corn Belt Energy Rate 11 customers are concerned they will not have power for their sump pumps for Thursday’s predicted rain.
Corn Belt said a power shutoff is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The rolling shut offs are usually scheduled during the June to September months to save energy when demand is highest.
More than 2,200 McLean County residents enrolled in Corn Belt’s rate 11 plan are worried their homes are about to get flooded again. With the power shutoff, some sump pumps will also go offline.
Bloomington resident Donald Sur is a 25 year Corn Belt customer. He normally does not mind the periodic power shutoffs because the discounted plan saves him money.
But after flooding damaged 1,600 homes in McLean County, Sur thinks the shut off is a bad idea.
“It could be an issue if there’s a lot of water back up that could happen,” Sur said. “I’m concerned for the 2,200 other people that may not have a backup system.”
Corn Belt Energy’s Director of Communications and Public Image Hillary Cherry said the company sends out notifications about the shutoffs in advance. She said the shutoff will not be rescheduled and customers should find an alternative.
“Some of them have back up generators, some of them have back up sump pumps,” Cherry said. “And if they are not able to do that, that’s why we offer an opt out.”
Sur said he hopes Corn Belt Energy would reschedule the power disruption for another day when it’s not raining. He said if the power disruption takes place, he is considering cutting ties with the company.
“Depending on the whole outcome of this whole situation, I might have to call tomorrow morning sometime and cancel my Rate 11 program.”
Customers can avoid the shutoffs by opting out of the Rate 11 plan, but if they choose to opt out, Cherry said they are no longer eligible to return.
Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].
