SEPTEMBER 2015
matters Photo by Todd Bush
MEMBERSHIP
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
Did you know. . .
Your cooperative is available to answer questions about its vegetation management procedures and programs. Recently, cooperative staff and outside specialists met with the Watauga County Beekeepers Association to discuss herbicide use around beehives.
Funds available to help members convert rights-of-way to wildlife habitats Partnering to enhance the natural beauty of western North Carolina while ensuring reliable electricity is behind an option Blue Ridge Electric is offering to members: funding to help convert rights-of-way (ROW) to wildlife habitats.
contact one of Blue Ridge Electric’s vegetation management staff in advance and receive approval from the cooperative prior to the start of the project.
For members who have cooperative ROW on their property in wooded areas or other spaces that qualify, up to $500 is available. These funds are to help offset costs the member would incur to remove trees and plant certain types of grass, low-growing shrubs and other vegetation that would attract wildlife such as rabbits, turkeys, birds and deer.
Another option for Blue Ridge Electric members is a 20 percent discount and free shipping on wildlife seed when ordering from the Whitetail Institute! Seeds that produce low-growing vegetation such as chicory and clover are ideal for open corridors and can provide a food source for many wildlife species. To order, go to BlueRidgeEMC.com > GreenSmart > Environment > Purchase Discounted Wildlife Seed and type coupon code “Blue Ridge EMC” when prompted.
Members qualify for funds only if they
Programs such as these not only
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Two year’s growth . . .
benefit the environment and help improve appearance, they also help the cooperative with its goal of reliable electricity for members and give linemen a safe pathway when working on power lines. Large trees and limbs are the major cause of power outages. Programs that encourage low-growing vegetation near power lines can help reduce and prevent outages.
8/11/15 2:10 PM