Sawnee Electric Membership Corp. is offering another way to help customers remember to pay their power bills.

The utility has launched a courtesy email service that will remind those whose power bills may soon be past due.

According to a news release, the feature is meant to help Sawnee EMC members avoid having their service cut off, which can lead to reconnection fees.

If they have a valid e-mail address on file, Sawnee EMC will send a courtesy e-mail alert.

The e-mail is in addition to written notices included on customers’ most recent electric bills, as well as telephone calls for those with a valid phone number on file.

Blake House, vice president of member services, said in a statement that the email service will help customers avoid added fees and inconvenience.

"It is our hope that by providing them with this reminder we can avoid a potentially uncomfortable situation for them and us," he said.

He also encouraged all Sawnee EMC members to keep their phone numbers and e-mail addresses current.

"These are used not only for better communication, but it also speeds up service and response times if we have the most current information for our members."