Pioneer Electric Cooperative Privacy Policy

Last Updated: July 22, 2026

Our Commitment to Privacy
Pioneer Electric Cooperative (“Pioneer,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, protect, and retain information when you visit www.pioneerec.com (the “Website”), use our online services, or communicate with us electronically.

This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through our Website and related online services. It does not modify the terms of your electric service, membership, or any other agreements with Pioneer.

AGREEMENT TO THIS POLICY: By using our Website, you acknowledge and accept the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Note: Since Pioneer’s electric services are limited to Ohio consumers, this website is not intended for consumers in other states or countries. If you have questions or need support you may contact us at 800-762-0997 or privacy@pioneerec.com.

Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with Pioneer, we may collect the following types of information.

Information You Provide
You may voluntarily provide information when you:

• Contact us through our Website or complete an online form
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Register for an event or apply for a board position or scholarship
• Request information or report an issue
• Update your contact or communication preferences
• Submit questions, comments, or other inquiries

This information may include:

• Name
• Service address
• Mailing address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Account number
• Any other information you choose to provide

Please do not submit Social Security numbers, passwords, financial account information, or other sensitive information through general Website forms.

Member Account Information
Members who access SmartHub® may view or manage information associated with their electric service, including electric usage, billing and payment history, outage reporting, account information, and communication preferences. This information is collected and maintained to provide electric service and administer your account.

Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our Website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address
• Browser and device information
• Operating system
• Date and time of your visit
• Pages viewed
• Referring website
• General geographic region
• Website navigation information

This information helps us understand how visitors use our Website, improve functionality, and maintain security.

How We Use Information
We use information collected through our Website to:

• Provide and administer electric cooperative services
• Respond to inquiries and process requests
• Send newsletters and other requested communications
• Improve Website performance and user experience
• Analyze Website usage
• Maintain Website security
• Promote cooperative programs, services, and events
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

We collect only the information reasonably necessary for these purposes.

Additional Uses

SmartHub® and Online Member Services
Pioneer provides online account access through SmartHub, a secure portal provided by the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC).

Through SmartHub, members may manage their electric account, including viewing usage and billing information, making payments, reporting outages, updating account information, receiving outage notifications, and managing communication preferences.

Although SmartHub is accessible through our Website, it is operated by NISC on behalf of Pioneer. Information submitted through SmartHub is used to administer your account and is subject to applicable security and privacy practices. Payment information entered through SmartHub is processed by Pioneer’s payment service providers and is not stored by Pioneer through this Website.

Communications
Members may choose to receive service-related communications, including outage notifications, restoration updates, billing reminders, newsletters, energy efficiency information, safety information, community news, program updates, and other cooperative communications by email, text message, or telephone.

If you choose to receive these communications, we will use your contact information only to deliver the requested messages and administer your account. You may unsubscribe from marketing or newsletter emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in the email. Message and data rates may apply for text messages, depending on your wireless carrier.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

As you navigate through a website, certain information can be passively collected (that is, gathered without you actively providing the information) using various technologies and means, such as Internet Protocol addresses, cookies, Internet tags, and navigational data collection.

This Website may use Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. An IP Address is a number assigned to your computer by your Internet service provider so you can access the Internet and is generally considered to be non-personally identifiable information, because in most cases an IP address is dynamic (changing each time you connect to the Internet), rather than static (unique to a particular user’s computer). We may use your IP address to diagnose problems with our server, report aggregate information, determine the fastest route for your computer to use in connecting to our Website, and administer and improve services to our customers.

A “cookie” is a bit of information that a website sends to your web browser that helps the site remember information about you and your preferences.

“Session cookies” are temporary bits of information that are erased once you exit your web browser window or otherwise turn your computer off. Session cookies are used to improve navigation on websites and to collect aggregate statistical information. This Website uses session cookies.

“Persistent cookies” are more permanent bits of information that are placed on the hard drive of your computer and stay there unless you delete the cookie. Persistent cookies store information on your computer for a number of purposes, such as retrieving certain information you have previously provided (e.g., username), helping to determine what areas of the website visitors find most valuable, and customizing the website based on your preferences. This Website may persistent cookies.

“Internet tags” (also known as single-pixel GIFs, clear GIFs, invisible GIFs, and 1-by-1 GIFs) are smaller than cookies and tell the website server information such as the IP address and browser type related to the visitor’s computer. This Website uses Internet tags. “Navigational data” (“log files,” “server logs,” and “clickstream” data) and “Internet Tags” are used for system management, to improve the content of the site, market research purposes, and to communicate information to visitors. This Website may use navigational data.

Most browsers allow you to manage or disable cookies through browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect certain Website features. Unless you actively consent to the use of non-essential cookies, our website does not employ the use of them.

Google Analytics
Pioneer uses Google Analytics to better understand how visitors use our Website. Google Analytics may collect information such as pages visited, time spent on the Website, browser and device information, referral sources, and general geographic region.

This information is aggregated and helps improve Website performance and content. Google processes this information according to its own Privacy Policy.

Google reCAPTCHA
Certain Website forms use Google reCAPTCHA to help prevent spam and automated abuse. Use of reCAPTCHA is subject to Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Information collected through reCAPTCHA is used solely for security purposes.

Third-Party Services
Our Website includes links to or embedded services provided by trusted third parties, including SmartHub®, the NISC Outage Map, YouTube, and social media platforms.

These providers may collect information according to their own privacy policies. Pioneer does not control or assume responsibility for the privacy practices, content, or security of third-party websites or services. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

Sharing Information
Pioneer does not sell your personal information.

We may share information with trusted service providers that perform services on our behalf, including Website hosting, maintenance, analytics, information technology support, security, online payment processing, SmartHub services, and email communications. These providers may use personal information only as necessary to provide services for Pioneer or as otherwise permitted by law.

We may also disclose information when necessary to:

• Comply with applicable laws or legal obligations
• Respond to lawful requests from governmental authorities
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of Pioneer, our members, employees, or others
• Otherwise comply with applicable law

Data Security
Pioneer maintains reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the information we collect. While we strive to protect personal information, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Data Retention
Pioneer retains personal information only as long as necessary to provide member services, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, maintain appropriate business records, resolve disputes, and protect Pioneer and its members. Information is securely disposed of when it is no longer needed in accordance with applicable record retention requirements.

Privacy Rights
Depending on where you reside, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information under applicable law. These rights may include requesting access to, correction of, deletion of, or a copy of your personal information, subject to applicable legal exceptions.

Pioneer does not sell personal information or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

To exercise any applicable privacy rights, please contact us using the information provided below. We will respond to verified requests as required by applicable law.

Children’s Privacy
Our Website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through our Website. If we learn that personal information has been submitted by a child without appropriate consent, we will take reasonable steps to remove that information.

External Links
Our Website may contain links to external websites for your convenience. Pioneer does not control and is not responsible for the content, security, or privacy practices of those websites.

Your Choices
You may choose whether to subscribe to newsletters, receive certain electronic communications, and manage cookie preferences (where available). You may also contact Pioneer to update your account contact information or communication preferences. Please send us a request at privacy@pioneerec.com.

Changes to This Privacy Policy
Pioneer may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our business practices. Changes become effective when posted on this Website. The ‘Last Updated’ date above indicates when this Privacy Policy was last revised.

Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:

Pioneer Electric Cooperative

344 W. U.S. Route 36

Piqua, OH 45356

Phone: 800-762-0997

Email: privacy@pioneerec.com

PLEASE PRINT AND RETAIN A COPY OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY FOR YOUR RECORDS.