Privacy Policy

Privacy Statement: MVEC has a responsibility to keep personal information safe, secure and confidential. MVEC will only collect, store, and use information for core business purposes. MVEC does not trade or sell personal information. This privacy statement describes the fair information practices that govern the collection, maintenance, use and disclosure of personal information on MVEC’s website. This Privacy Statement, along with Site Security and Terms of Use statements, is also publicly available at www.mvec.net.

Our public-facing website, www.mvec.net, receives basic, non-personal information about web visitors through Google and other analytic tools. This information includes Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, type of browser and operating system, date and time of access, pages visited and referring/exit pages. This information is typically used in aggregate form to help make the website more useful, such as which pages are popular and how visitors locate the site. MVEC may request identifying information in response to online surveys; however, we will not disclose or use information for any unrelated purpose, except where compelled by court order or similar legal process. Web logs may be used to identify visitors who seek to damage the website, use the site in unauthorized ways, interfere with operations or conduct illegal or dishonest activity. Information about users who try to engage in any unapproved activities may be shared with law enforcement agencies.

MVEC obtains personal information when members contact the cooperative with online inquiries, register for an online account or use any of the online service forms, including online bill payment services. MVEC may obtain personal information in connection with providing utility services. By using these services, members consent to MVEC’s use of personal information in accordance with this Privacy Statement, the Terms of Use and, if applicable, the Employment Application Terms. Personal information also includes any username or password selected or assigned when members register for an online account. Users must keep username and password confidential and let MVEC know immediately if someone else may have access to a password.

For billing, collecting payments, contacting members, resolving problems, providing or improving services, for marketing purposes, enhancing the website, and/or meeting legal concerns or obligations. When personal information is received for a specific reason, MVEC may use the personal information in connection with the reason for which it was provided, e.g., if a member contacts MVEC, the cooperative may use the personal information provided to answer a question or resolve a problem. MVEC may disclose personal information if required by law or if MVEC, in good faith, believes such action is necessary to: 1) comply with a legal obligation, 2) protect and defend MVEC’s rights or property, 3) act in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of users of the website or the public, and 4) protect against legal liability. MVEC may provide personal information to credit bureaus or collection agencies, if permitted or required to do so by law.

When using MVEC’s email addresses or website to send information or provide personal information in any other way to MVEC, MVEC may collect and maintain the information provided. The information may be shared among the Team Members of MVEC and others as necessary to respond. Routine email sent to MVEC is not necessarily secure against interception. If communication contains personal or sensitive information, email communication is not recommended. MVEC web forms that contain Personal Identifiable Information (PII), Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standards, and contain Personal Health Information (PHI) are protected with encryption.

MVEC’s website contains energy-related information and entertainment of educational value to children; no personal information has to be entered in order to use those features. MVEC does not knowingly permit persons under the age of 13 to register or provide PII (or any other personal information) through the website or other services, and the provision of personal information by children through the website or other service is strictly prohibited. MVEC encourages parents to supervise and participate in their children’s Internet activities, and the cooperative urges children to exercise caution and consult with their parents before providing any PII to any website on the Internet.

MVEC uses Google Analytics, which uses “cookies” and other, similar technologies to collect information about use of the service anonymously and reports website and mobile application trends, without identifying individual visitors.

MVEC’s website contains links to other industry-related sites, which are not owned or controlled by MVEC. MVEC is not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites, and this privacy statement applies only to MVEC’s website.

MVEC may interact with registered users of various social media platforms as indicated on its website. Any content posted to such social media platforms, e.g. pictures, information or opinions, as well as any personal information otherwise made available to users, e.g. a personal profile, is subject to the applicable social media platform’s terms of use and privacy policies. MVEC recommends this information is reviewed carefully in order to better understand the users’ rights and obligations with regard to such content.

MVEC maintains a website and its content with appropriate safeguards, including a secured https:// address domain, to protect against loss, misuse and similar events. MVEC takes prudent steps to ensure the information maintained about users is accurate. However, no computer system can ever be fully protected against every possible hazard. MVEC provides reasonable and appropriate security to protect against foreseeable hazards.