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matters MEMBERSHIP

AUGUST 2015

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION

Did you know...

While trees contribute to the beauty of our region, we encourage members to work with the cooperative to ensure we balance beauty with reliable, safe electricity?

Balancing beauty with reliable, safe electricity Blue Ridge Electric takes great pride in providing our members with the most reliable electricity possible. Tree contact with power lines is the single leading cause of outages and that’s why we have a carefully planned vegetation management program.

brush growth for the 7,760 miles of distribution lines and 280 miles of transmission lines delivering electricity to our members.

Keeping trees away from power lines is a safety measure. Trees and other objects that come into contact with power lines can become . . . keeping trees away from energized, leading to shock or power lines is a safety measure. electrocution. So keeping trees away from power lines creates a safer environment for chilWe’re also committed to protecting the dren climbing trees or homeowners natural beauty of our landscapes and trimming trees near power lines. Even being good environmental stewards. fallen power lines can still be energized, which is why no one but a Blue Blue Ridge Electric helps ensure reliRidge Electric line technician should ability by controlling large tree and ever go near a downed power line.

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A clear path for power lines also ensures a safer working environment for line technicians performing routine maintenance or working during outages.

Members can help ensure safe, reliable electricity by avoiding tree planting near power lines. Blue Ridge has two certified arborists to assist members with choosing the right tree for the right place or removing trees that could be hazardous. A planting guide can also be found under the “GreenSmart | Environment” tabs on BlueRidgeEMC.com. Finally, Blue Ridge offers a tree voucher program to assist members in tree replacement and/or stump removal.

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the

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perspective From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson

High member involvement continues Since adding convenient mail and Internet voting options for director elections, thousands of members are making their voices heard in each election.

These results tell us that you, our member-owners, like easy ways to be involved in the most important business of this cooperative - your Board of Director elections. Members are informed of the director nomination and election process and how you can participate throughout the year in this newsletter and at BlueRidgeEMC.com.

One of the great things about Blue Ridge Electric’s Board of Directors is that they’re members just like you. They live in our communities and care about the same things you do.

Something you may not know is how much time and effort they devote to help guide Blue Ridge Electric. Your Board sets policies, rates and strategic direction so that the best interests of the entire membership are met. Their most important job is helping ensure your cooperative is positioned to meet your needs for reliable and affordable electricity, now and in the future.

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Every member of your Board takes this responsibility very seriously.

Your cooperative’s Board encompasses a good cross-section of backgrounds, skills, and knowledge to represent the membership. They are on a continuous path of training and learning because the utility industry is very complex and is undergoing transformational change.

Each director achieves their director credentials and Board Leadership Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

These curriculums, as well as additional training by national and state associations, provide critical knowledge of industry issues that affect cooperatives and our members.

As a cooperative, we exist to serve your energy needs by providing an outstanding service experience at the lowest possible cost. Thank you for being involved in one of the most important member responsibilities: election of representatives to serve on your Board of Directors. Member participation is a cooperative principle and one of the many benefits of being a member of an electric cooperative!

Board Update Nearly 6,500 members voted in this year’s director elections, thanks to convenient options of voting by mail or Internet.

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Members also have the option to vote during the Annual Meeting, which is now a business format to help save costs for members. It was held Thursday afternoon, June 11, at the cooperative’s corporate office meeting room in Lenoir.

Video updates are online at BlueRidgeEMC.com.

Directors elected to serve three-year terms were: Kelly Melton, Caldwell district; Joy Coffey, Watauga district; Kenneth Greene, Ashe district; and Mitch Franklin, Alleghany district.

At the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting in June, the following Board members were elected as officers: Kenneth Greene, president; Jeff Joines, vice president; Joy Coffey, secretary-treasurer; and David Eggers, assistant secretary-treasurer.

MEMBERSHIP matters

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Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation accepting Impact and Community Grant applications The Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation is once again accepting grant applications from local nonprofit organizations that serve the members of Blue Ridge Electric. Funding for these grants comes from members who voluntarily round up their electric bills on the Operation Round Up® programs as well as a $100,000 donation contributed by Blue Ridge Electric’s subsidiaries, Blue Ridge Energies and RidgeLink.

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In 2014, Communities in Schools received a $10,000 Impact Grant to fund an annual “Reality Store” program to teach 8th graders how to make good decisions now and how those decisions will impact their future later.

Save money by saving energy when you're away Going on vacation? Even if you plan to be away just a few days, you can save energy in your home — and lower your electric bill — when you travel by following these suggestions: •

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Local nonprofit organizations can apply for community grants up to $10,000. Larger Impact Grant applications are now accepted by invitation only. More information about grant availability and an application can be found at BlueRidgeEMC.com under the Community tab. The deadline for the Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation grant applications is August 31. Grant awards will be announced in early December.

MEMBERSHIP matters

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Water heater: If you turn down the thermostat on your water heater it won’t need to work as hard — nor use as much electricity — keeping water heated while you’re away.

Thermostat: During hot weather, turn up the temperature on your air conditioning system. That way, you’ll save energy while ensuring that your home doesn’t get too warm.

Refrigerator: Depending on food stored in your refrigerator, you may be able to turn the thermostat higher without risking spoilage. Storing water-filled bottles in your refrigerator can prevent temperature fluctuations, which will save energy. Food in the freezer compartment will stay frozen if the temperature remains at minus 5 degrees.

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Lights: Turn off all lights in your home.

You may want to install timers on one or two lights for security.

Electronics: Unless you’re recording something while away, unplug all of your electronic devices like your computer, monitor and printer, TV and cable boxes, DVD player, microwave, and digital clocks. Any electronics with digital displays, instant-on features, or remote controls consume energy even if they’re not in use.

Curtains/Blinds: Close curtains and blinds to keep the sun’s rays away and your home cooler. This is also good for security!

For more tips on how to save money by saving energy visit the GreenSmart section of BlueRidgeEMC.com or call us for a free energy efficiency tips booklet at your local Blue Ridge Electric office.

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Deadline is September 15

Bright Ideas grants help teachers teach and students to learn This year, Blue Ridge Electric will celebrate 21 years of helping teachers teach and students learn with the help of classroom grants called “Bright Ideas.” Bright Ideas grants are designed to help provide teachers with specific opportunities to enhance their classroom educational experiences.

Bright Ideas grants totaling approximately Blue Ridge Electric provides up to $17,000 will be awarded $17,000 annually to fund several grants

by Blue Ridge Electric in each of our four primary districts as in 2015-2016. well as some Wilkes and Avery County schools. Grant awards range from a few hundred dollars up to the maximum of $1,500 and are awarded each November for innovative classroom projects that benefit students and are not able to be funded by regular school budgets.

Teachers and administrators are encouraged to access the Bright Ideas application through the Blue Ridge Electric website at BlueRidgeEMC.com or directly at ncbrightideas.com. The deadline for all applications is September 15.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson

Need to

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.

?

Did you know you can talk online with a member services representative? When you don’t have time to wait on the phone or in the office, simply click our “chat” button at BlueRidgeEMC.com!

A member representative is on standby 8-5, Monday-Friday.

Give it a try! Visit BlueRidgeEMC.com and click the “Chat” button at the top of the page for fast, friendly service.

Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEMC.com +

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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MEMBERSHIP matters

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