matters MEMBERSHIP
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ENERGY
January 2018
Timing is everything when it comes to saving Make reservations to escape the winter cold with an island vacation, and you’ll find it’s more expensive to go during the winter than the summer. Lots of people want to enjoy some tropical sun. But when demand is high, the price goes up.
You can help your cooperative manage the cost it pays for electricity during these peaks by shifting the time you use electricity.
When more people demand electricity at once, it’s more expensive to produce. These times are called “peaks.” They occur in both winter and summer. Winter peak times typically occur weekdays during the early morning hours, between 7 and 9 am.
By changing when you use electricity, you’ll help reduce the need for power during peak times. And that helps keep power costs stable, which in turn helps keep your rates lower. As the saying goes, timing is everything.
For example, you could start your washer and dryer any time after 9 a.m. this winter. You could do the same for Energy, including electricity, works the same way. dishwashers. Newer versions even allow you to program the time they run. You can also help by simply switching off unnecessary lights or lowering When you use electricity directly impacts the costs your thermostat a couple of degrees during associated with providing it. these hours.
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the
perspective From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson
Coming in 2018 Many great member and customer solutions are coming in 2018! First, this spring we’ll introduce a new program that gives members the ability to join together in helping us manage power costs and keeping rates affordable. All you’ll have to do is take simple steps to reduce your electricity usage during expensive “peak demand” times, such as hot summer afternoons or extremely cold winter mornings. The program is voluntary, but we’ll be asking you to sign up to be notified when a peak will occur. Second, an additional community solar site is being planned. That’s good news for members who missed participating in our first four sites that were fully subscribed in less than a year! You can sign up for our waiting list at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/solar. Third, as electric vehicles become more popular, we’ll be a resource for members. We’re working to ensure good access to charging. This includes plans to make home Level 2 charging more affordable with a member rebate.
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Fourth, we’re improving access to technology that makes it easy for members and propane and fuels customers to do business with us. This includes our IVR, or interactive voice response telephone system. Our IVR is integrated into our system to handle requests and process information for automated service, available 24/7. Bill payment is the most popular use of the IVR as well as our kiosks, which are located at our offices and a growing number of community locations.
Go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com and learn more about these and other great customer solutions for electric members and propane and heating fuels customers.
Finally, a new propane tank monitoring app will be available soon. This app will solve the problem of wondering how much propane is left in your tank and reduce the chance of running out. More details are coming soon.
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I hope you’re excited about the member and customer solutions coming in 2018! I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months. We wish our members a very happy and prosperous New Year!
MEMBERSHIP matters
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om ut at or nd ng
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Through snow, ice or gloom of night Mother Nature can present all kinds of challenges to the power delivery system. Here are a few tips to help prepare for extreme weather events and what to do if an outage occurs. Remember that through it all, Blue Ridge is on call for you.
GATHERING SUPPLIES AHEAD OF TIME
Have these supplies on hand in case of a power outage: •
Water: one gallon daily per person
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Flashlights
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Canned food/non-perishable items and manual can opener
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Radio: battery-powered, solar or hand-crank
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First-aid kit
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A charged cell phone
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Blankets
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Extra batteries
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Multipurpose tool that can act as a knife, file, pliers and screwdriver
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Medicines: 7-day supply
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Use the new Blue Ridge mobile app
outage reporting options •
Call PowerLine at 1-800-448-2383
p werline
Search for “Blue Ridge Mobile App” and download it for free on your smartphone or tablet!
to report an outage. 1-800-448-2383
MEMBERSHIP matters
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2018 director candidate nominee options Members wishing to be considered as a director candidate nominee have two application options: the Nominating Committee process or the nomination by petition process. Interested members must complete and submit a director application packet by contacting Julie O’Dell-Michie, chief administrative officer, at jmichie@blueridgeenergy.com or 1-800-451-5474, ext. 3202. All application information is due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018, when going through the Nominating Committee process and by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 2, 2018, for those seeking nomination by petition. Nominations by petition must include signatures of 20 or more members with a minimum of five from each of the four directorate districts with a requirement that each signature is the name that appears on their electric service bill. For a complete list of qualifications to serve as a director of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, please refer to the cooperative’s Bylaws available at any district office or online at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com.
Resolutions deadline CHIEF 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 PowerLine at (800) 448-2383. OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday Kiosk available 24/7 + Night deposit Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com +
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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The deadline for members to submit resolutions to be considered for presentation at the cooperative’s 2018 Annual Meeting is Friday, February 23. Resolutions should be addressed to Doug Johnson, PO Box 112, Lenoir, NC, 28645. Proposed resolutions should clearly state their relevance to the cooperative’s mission, objectives and operations as well as how they relate to the membership. A Resolutions Committee will review submissions for their compliance
with the Resolutions Policy. At the Board’s regular March meeting, the committee will make recommendations to the Board for any resolutions. Resolutions approved by the Resolutions Committee and the Board of Directors will be provided to members for consideration and vote. The Resolutions Committee is composed of chairpersons of the cooperative’s district Member Advisory Committees and members of the Board of Directors’ Policy and Member Relations Committee.
Service anytime! At BlueRidgeEnergy.com you can: • • • • • •
Pay your bill Lower your bill with tips and tools Check outages See gas logs and heaters before you visit our showroom Find rebates on energy efficient products Learn about energy efficiency loans, electric vehicles and more!
MEMBERSHIP matters
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