2019-11-BRE MM

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM

matters

MEMBERSHIP

November 2019

Tips to manage winter bills Cold weather is coming! Higher bills can result from heating as well as increased use of lighting since more time is spent indoors as the days get shorter. To manage your winter electric bills, Blue Ridge Energy offers the following tips:

FlexPay: You control your payment schedule and amounts with FlexPay! Pay as you use by phone, kiosk or online. No late fees or deposits, but you must maintain a positive account balance to keep electricity flowing.

Budget Billing: Equalize your payments for 11 months. In the 12th month, your account is “evened up” with a final payment billed or credit applied.

Free to members: Usage Tracker! This daily electricity tracker alerts you to high electricity usage, which can help you avoid a high bill!

Go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com > My Account > Usage Tracker or click “Usage Details” on the Blue Ridge mobile app to view your usage.

Be energy efficient: Simple steps help! Set your thermostats to the lowest comfortable level (try 68 degrees for winter). Open curtains on sunny days to let in natural heat; close them at night. Only run full loads in dishwashers. Use cold water for washing clothes. Limit shower times to reduce hot water usage. Turn off unnecessary lights.

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Help paying your bill: • Get a three-day extension with our self-help telephone service, mobile app or online at BlueRidgeEnergy.com > My Account. For $10, you can avoid late or reconnection fees.

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For more help, call your local social services agency to learn if you qualify for special assistance such as Operation Round Up® or state and federal crisis assistance programs.

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If you need more time, call us to discuss a payment arrangement plan.

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From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson

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Why your co-op is preparing for electric vehicles As an electric cooperative, Blue Ridge Energy exists to benefit members and local communities. Since its inception in the 1930s, we continuously plan and prepare to ensure you have the most affordable, reliable electricity.

Ultimately, this is why your cooperative is preparing for a growing adoption of electric vehicles, otherwise known as “EVs” and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or “PHEVs.” As our nation tackles the issues of fuel emissions and clean energy, automakers are adding EVs to their offerings. The introduction of new EV models, including SUVs and trucks, teamed with lower prices and increased range are contributing to rising consumer demand.

Your cooperative is monitoring consumer adoption of EVs and PHEVs and how to leverage this growing trend with managing our rising wholesale power cost to help keep your rates low and to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuel vehicles. Teamed with Duke Energy’s recent goal announcement of 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and zero carbon by 2050, we can make a substantial difference in carbon reductions.

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Clearly, overnight charging of EVs in homes will lead to a more efficient electric grid. This creates demand for power at a time when the grid has historically been the most underutilized and electric power is less costly. Electricity is most expensive when demand is highest — such as the coldest winter mornings or hottest summer afternoons. Spreading demand across nighttime hours can help fill demand valleys and create new revenue to keep rates lower for all members.

We are currently working to develop a special EV rate and incentives to encourage overnight EV charging.

EVs also contribute to a healthier environment due to zero tailpipe emissions, which improves air quality. Even when accounting for generation of the electricity that powers EVs, emissions are lower than those of traditional vehicles. Visit ncdriveelectric.com/co-ops/blue-ridge-energy to learn how much you can reduce emissions by switching to an EV. Even better news for you: more than half the power that comes to you from Blue Ridge Energy already comes from emissionsfree sources!

As we work to hold down members’ rates by leveraging the growing EV trend, we hope you agree: we’re making life better in the Blue Ridge area.

Looking for more information about EVs? Visit our blog: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Blog

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Staying Safe:

Portable Generators Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they can be hazardous.

The primary hazards? Carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock or electrocution, and fire.

These rules of thumb will help keep you and your family safe around portable generators: CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARDS:

Always use generators outdoors.

NEVER use generators in homes, garages, basements, or any enclosed areas, even with ventilation.

Install battery-operated or plug-in (with battery backup) carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home, and follow manufacturer's instructions.

Test alarms often and replace batteries when needed.

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS:

If you connect a portable electric generator improperly, it could be fatal for you and for line technicians! Have a qualified, licensed electrician install a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch between the generator and utility power in compliance with all state and local electrical codes.

Do not damage your appliances or generator by operating more appliances and equipment than the generator can handle according to its operating instructions.

For more information, go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com/generators

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STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION

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In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

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To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

MEMBERSHIP matters

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Call 811 before digging companies including Blue Ridge For your safety and convenience, Energy. Blue Ridge will send a techBlue Ridge Energy is a part of the nician to locate your underground 811 NC One-Call system. This allows members to call a single electric lines within a few days. (This technician may come number, 811, to from Blue Ridge Energy get all of your underground lines or USIC, an underYou must notify all marked, includground utility locatutilities three days before ing those of Blue ing service operating digging underground. nationwide.) Once ALL Ridge Energy, Dial 811 for fast, one-stop before you start of your underground reporting to all utilities! any project that lines have been marked, involves digging. you can dig safely, 811. For your convenience protecting you and your and safety.

When you call 811, family from injury and you’ll be speaking expense. It’s fast, it’s with a NC One Call easy, and it’s FREE! Center operator who will ask for the location of your digging job in Remember to keep your 811 assigned addition to several other important ticket number handy in case you need questions. Operators will then route it for follow up calls or to track your your information to affected utility request online at ncocc.org.

It’s the law!

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson

Outdoor lighting: security and beauty

EDITOR

Reneé 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.

Outdoor lighting available from Blue Ridge Energy can enhance the safety, curb appeal, and landscaping of your home! Select from a variety of lighting styles, including LED options.

Outdoor security lights can be added to your monthly electric bill. For more information, visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com/ outdoor-lighting.

OFFICE HOURS:

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

Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com +

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

MEMBERSHIP matters

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