2015 07 bre mm

JULY 2015

matters MEMBERSHIP

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION

Did you know?

Members who closely monitor their energy consumption and take action to modify usage habits save an average of 10 percent each month on their electric bill.

Take charge and reduce your bill.

Check out this powerful new tool!

NEW! Lowering your electric bill is a click away We can all agree that a lower energy bill is a good thing! That’s why we’re excited to announce a new tool to help lower your electric bill. “Energy Advisor” is a powerful new online tool that’s easy to use, and best of all, can help you start saving instantly. And, it’s all for free at BlueRidgeEMC.com.

Who hasn’t at times wanted their own personal energy advisor who can tell them — quickly and simply — exactly what to do to reduce their bill? Now, members have their own personal “energy advisor,” . . . online, anytime, 24/7!

Energy Advisor is customized to your

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specific household. You can change or adjust your settings as your household size or factors change to always be in charge and on top of your energy savings.

All you have to do is sign up under “My Account” at BlueRidgeEMC. com where you’ll see a redesigned landing page with all the same information you’re used to seeing PLUS a new area called “Energy Advisor.” Click “Launch Energy Advisor” to get started today. It’s FREE, it’s easy — and it’s all about you! Get your free report and take easy steps to start seeing savings on your very next electric bill!

It’s our goal to help members keep their bill as low as possible, so we’re excited to offer Energy Advisor to our residential members. Simply go to BlueRidgeEMC.com to get started today!

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From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson

Helping members keep bills low: No rate increase I’m very excited to announce that for the second consecutive year, members will see no rate increase from Blue Ridge Electric in 2015. Our goal as a cooperative is to benefit our members with the lowest cost possible while providing reliable, safe electricity.

In a time when rising costs from growing government regulations and other impacts are putting cost pressures on utilities, keeping rates stable is especially good news for our members. As a member, it’s important for you to know the three key factors responsible.

efficiency benefits to offset rising costs and help avoid rate increases. The net benefit in 2014 was $2.7 million from our two subsidiaries: Blue Ridge Energies, which provides consumer and business propane, heating fuels, gas hearths, water heaters and other appliances, and RidgeLink, which works solely with other businesses like hospitals, schools, cellular and Internet providers to improve broadband connectivity in our area and beyond.

. . .through our internal WorkSmart program, Thirdly, through our employees have implemented internal WorkSmart program, employideas worth $5 million

ees have impleFirst, our power annually in avoided costs. mented ideas worth $5 million annusupply agreement negotiated with Duke Energy Carolinas ally in avoided costs. These ideas range continues to provide the best value in from increased use of technology the marketplace. Since wholesale power to improve efficiencies to not replacing represents 60 percent of your coop- retiring employees when possible. erative’s expenses, managing wholesale power — especially in the current ris- As we do everything we can at Blue ing costs environment — is the most Ridge Electric to influence these major significant way we can help keep elec- drivers of costs to keep your bill as low tric bills lower. as possible, we hope you feel and appreciate the value we seek to provide to Secondly, your cooperative’s two you, our members! subsidiaries are providing income and Page 22

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New Member Savings Tool!

A powerful new tool has arrived to help you reduce your electric bill! “Energy Advisor” gives members the information needed to lower their usage — which in turn lowers your electric bill.

It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s right at your fingertips anytime night or day at BlueRidgeEMC.com.

Best of all, you can see immediate savings if you follow the tips.

MEMBERSHIP matters

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ALWAYS

Think safety: Call 811 before digging Homeowners can make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call — even small projects like planting trees and shrubs.

The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area. Digging without calling to mark all underground facilities can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, cause harm to you and others, and potentially result in fines and repair costs.

For your convenience and safety, please call “811” at least two business days before any digging project. In fact, it’s required by law to notify local utili-

CALL BEFORE YOU

DIG

ties regarding digging projects. This one call will get all participating utility underground lines marked for free and help prevent problems or injuries.

Simply call 811 and answer a few questions about your location and the type of work to be done. The work from each utility will be completed in a timely manner. Then you’ll be ready to safely begin your project!

Be sure to keep the ticket number 811 gives you in case it’s needed for future references. You can also use it to track your request online at: www.ncocc.org.

Remember, safe digging is no accident.

Know what’s below before you dig − always call 811!

One free, easy call gets your utility lines marked AND helps protect you from injury and expense.

Know what’s below. Always call 811 before you dig.

Visit call811.com for more information.

Explanation of capital credits allocation on your bill

Your allocation is one of the first steps in the annual capital credits process. A refund back to members will follow next May if a capital credits retirement is approved next year by your Board of Directors.

Each members’ fiscal year 2014 capital credits allocation of the cooperative’s total margins is listed on their July bill. Members are not receiving a refund at this time; the allocation is simply one of the first steps in the annual capital credits process. A refund back to members will follow next May should a capital credits retirement be approved next year by your cooperative’s Board of Directors.

Allocations are based on the amount of electricity purchased the previous year.

This amount is added to each members’ total, ongoing capital credits account balance.

Be aware that capital credits are not held as funds or

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set aside in an account. Instead, capital credits are first used for expenses to keep electricity flowing reliably to members: building and maintaining power lines, poles, and substations. In later years, these funds are “retired” over time and given back to members in the form of a capital credits refund which has occurred annually for several years.

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Capital credits are a benefit of belonging to a cooperative.

This not-for-profit business model is used by thousands of cooperatives to balance debt and equity to help keep member rates low. It also ensures money comes back to the local consumers using the cooperative’s services.

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Blue Ridge named a “Best Place to Work for Millennials” Blue Ridge Electric has been named one of the best places to work for millennial employees in America according to a study by The Center for Generational Kinetics and the workplace excellence research firm Best Companies Group.

mational times in our industry’s history! We’re providing training and mentoring to our growing base of younger

The list, which comes on the heels of news that Millennials are now the largest workforce in America, is the first of its kind to identify companies that excel at recruiting, developing and retaining top millennial performers. Millennials are the generation born from 1981 to 1997, currently 18 to 34 years old.

“We’re very honored to receive this award,” said Blue Ridge Electric Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson.“As we evolve into the utility of the future, this is one of the most exciting and transforCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson

EDITOR Renée R. Whitener

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Susan Simmons

DISTRICT OFFICES Caldwell Watauga Ashe Alleghany Wilkes PowerLine®

(828) 754-9071 (828) 264-8894 (336) 846-7138 (336) 372-4646 (800) 451-5474 (800) 448-2383

Toll Free

(800) 451-5474

(PowerLine® is an automated account information and outage reporting system.)

(for members outside of the service area.)

To report an outage at any time, call one of the numbers listed above.

OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday Night deposit available.

Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEMC.com +

employees and to all employees to help us reach new heights in member care, community involvement and service reliability,” Johnson said.

Co-op Connections Card Program business spotlight Blue Ridge Electric welcomes Anytime Fitness in Lenoir to the Co-op Connections® Card family.

We also want to express our appreciation to the following businesses for their continued support of the Co-op Connections Card Program. We encourage you to shop at these and other fine retailers across our service area.

• •

RiverCamp USA: 10%-20% off canoe/kayak rentals; 20% off camping Sunday - Thursday (Piney Creek, NC) RL Roten Woodworking: 10% off bathroom vanity with purchase of kitchen cabinets (Crumpler, NC)

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Town and Country Greenhouses & Florist: 10% off entire retail purchase (Lenoir, NC)

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Makoto’s: 10% off entire bill - not valid with any other discount offers (Boone, NC)

For a complete list of local and national businesses and the discounts they offer, go to BlueRidgeEMC.com/coop-connections-card. See how this little card can save you money while you support our local economy.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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