A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ENERGY
matters MEMBERSHIP
December 2020
Serving our community Blue Ridge Energy is committed to building a brighter future by not only providing reliable, affordable and sustainable power, but also by partnering with our members to give back to our local community. This concern for community has always been one of our core cooperative principles, but it has become all the more important over the past months as many have faced unprecedented challenges. Through the generosity of our members who participate in the Operation Round Up ÂŽ program, we have contributed over $200,000 to support our neighbors and communities. The impact of this program was especially far reaching as we provided a hand up to those struggling to pay their electric and fuel bills as part of our In this Together COVID-19 Relief Fund. This fund was created to provide extra help for the hardships our members and communities are facing due to COVID. We also undertook efforts to provide extra support
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to our communities through programs like Bright Ideas and the Blue Ridge Energy Leadership Track that invest in the education and advancement of local students. We continue to support our hospitals and emergency responders through donations and facilitating zero interest loans from the USDA REDLG program. Finally, Blue Ridge Energy is committed to growing our local economy by assisting in the creation of new jobs and investments through economic development initiatives. This year and always, we appreciate your membership and ongoing partnership as we join together to strengthen our communities and demonstrate the cooperative difference. Thank you again for your support and we wish you all a safe and joyous holiday season!
11/10/20 9:35 AM
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From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson
Why do we help members use LESS electricity? That’s a question we often get. Especially now that we offer more programs and tools than ever to help you track and reduce your energy usage, get rebates or loans for home energy efficiency improvements and even go solar! The short answer is: we’re your cooperative! That means our purpose is bigger than simply selling electricity. We’re owned by our members, so our only goal is to do what’s best for you. Helping you be energy efficient and reduce your energy costs is one way we help our members. That’s why we developed our Energy Solutions programs. This growing family of programs includes on-staff energy advisors, energy options, and support for improving your home’s comfort while reducing energy usage and costs. Energy SAVER loans available to members through ElecTel Federal Credit Union are a great example. These make energy efficiency investments like replacing a heat pump or adding insulation easier, while also helping lower your monthly energy bill and adding to your home’s comfort.
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While our five community solar gardens are now completely subscribed by members, we’re looking forward to building a utility scale solar facility in 2021! This new facility will benefit all members and allows us to produce much more solar power to make a larger impact on carbon reduction goals. It also helps us better control the cost of wholesale power purchased during more expensive “peak” periods of electric usage.
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I hope you’ll take time to check out the Energy Solutions programs that can benefit you at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/ Solutions! We’re pleased our Energy Specialists are helping many members enjoy a more comfortable and affordable home environment and we are looking forward to adding additional energy solutions in the future!
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Looking for easy ways to save energy and money? Visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com/101 for a list of tips that will make your home more energy efficient!
Our Smart Rebates can give you a credit on your bill when you buy certain appliances. These also apply for weatherization options such as home air or duct sealing or even building an Energy Star® home! Page 18
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MEMBERSHIP matters
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Stay on Santa’s Nice List with These Energy Efficiency Tips 1.
Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Don’t use more lights or lamps than you need.
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Don’t leave any electronics, including televisions and video game systems, turned on after you’ve finished using them.
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Instead of turning up the heat, put on a sweatshirt or sweater. At night, use an extra blanket or comforter to stay warm.
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When going outside, make sure to shut the door behind you to keep heat in. Keep windows down and locked. It’s also a good idea to close the refrigerator door as quickly as possible, instead of standing in front of an open fridge while deciding what you want.
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Keep doors inside the house open to let heat move freely through the house.
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Bylaws, Service Rules & Regulations updated At their regular board meeting held on September 24, 2020, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation’s Board of Directors approved a small number of updates to the cooperative's Bylaws and Service Rules and Regulations.
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Redline versions indicating changes as well as final documents are available online at BlueRidgeEnergy.com > Company > Corporate Documents.
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MEMBERSHIP matters
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11/9/20 3:07 PM
First steps in director elections Members have the opportunity to vote for their Board of Directors each year. To keep you informed of election governance processes that take place throughout the year, your cooperative updates you in this newsletter. Two of the first steps in the director election process include appointing a Credentials and Election (C&E) Committee and a Nominating Committee. The Board appointed these committees for one-year terms at their October meeting. Credentials & Election Committee Made up of members from across the cooperative’s service area, this committee ensures director elections are conducted in compliance with Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation’s Bylaws. Responsibilities include: selection of an independent election administration firm, review of petition candidate qualifications, validation of all proxies and ballots, and certification of election results. The Board of Directors appointed the following committee members: Caldwell district: Robert Marshall Watauga district: Allison Jennings Marty Norris and Andy Sexton Ashe district: Norman “Chris” Jones Alleghany district: Nominating Committee This committee of nine cooperative members reviews and nominates qualified candidates to run for all open seats on the Board of Directors in the upcoming election.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson
EDITOR
The Board appointed the following committee members: Caldwell district: Libby Killian and Jackie Bradshaw Watauga district: Junior Gragg and Curtis Main Ashe district: Melanie Miller and Shawn Horton Alleghany district: Randy Miles, Charles Rudy, and Lisa Bottomley
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.
Members of both committees may not be employees, agents, officers, directors, close relatives or known candidates to become directors. The makeup of the committee reflects an equal number of members from each district, plus one representative from any district. Candidates nominated by this committee as well as candidates running by petition will be posted in each Blue Ridge Energy district office and on the website in April. Information about all candidates will be included in director election information mailed or emailed to all members in May. Information will also be provided in Carolina Country magazine sent to all members.
OFFICE HOURS:
8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday Night deposit available. Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com +
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*Any member interested in becoming a candidate for the Board of Directors should contact Julie O’Dell at jodell@blueridgeenergy.com or call (828) 759-8902 to request a director application packet.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
MEMBERSHIP matters
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