embership M
04 TWENTY TWENTY ONE
MATTERS
Beat T he Peak
Time IS Money! Time IS money when it comes to when you use electricity each day. Blue Ridge Energy’s Beat The Peak program is helping members join together to keep costs lower for all members by simply lowering your usage during a few key periods. Peaks occur when the majority of people are using electricity all at once. Power suppliers must generate enough electricity to meet this high usage requirement. Leveling out these peaks helps control the cost. Summer peaks typically occur on the hottest afternoons, from 2 - 6 p.m., when people are arriving home and using more air conditioning and large appliances for cooking, washing clothes and dishes. Peaks can also occur on our coldest winter mornings. What can you do to help? Sign up to receive Beat The Peak alerts by text, email or the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app. When you receive an alert, plan steps to reduce your electricity usage during the specified times. Easy but helpful tips include: •
Raise your thermostat as high as comfortable in the summer.
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Shift the time you wash and dry clothes.
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Wait to run the dishwasher.
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Turn off unnecessary lights.
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Grill outdoors or use the microwave instead of the oven or stove.
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Postpone hot water use until after the peak.
Every action helps! Keep electricity costs low by signing up today at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP, or text “BTP” to 70216.
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E
THE
Perspective A ppreciating our Line Technicians From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson
If you were asked to associate an image or a person with Blue Ridge Energy, I bet you would picture a line technician. Our line technicians, the most visible employees of the cooperative, work tirelessly to ensure our communities receive uninterrupted power 24/7. Line technician is one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S. This is understandable as they perform detailed tasks near high-voltage power lines. Regardless of the time of day, having to brave stormy weather and other challenging conditions, line technicians must climb 40 feet, often on steep mountainous terrain, while carrying heavy equipment to get the job done. Being a line technician is not a glamorous or easy profession. It takes years of specialized training, ongoing education, dedication, and equally important, a sense of service and commitment. How else can you explain the willingness to leave the comfort of your home in the middle of the night to tackle a challenging job in difficult conditions when most are sheltering comfortably at home? This dedication and sense of service to the community is truly what sets them apart. That’s why we set aside April to celebrate and recognize the people who work around the clock to keep our lights on. While line technicians may be the most visible employees at Blue Ridge Energy, it’s important to note that there is a team of
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highly skilled professionals working behind the scenes. Engineers provide ongoing expertise and guidance on the operations side of the cooperative. System operators monitor our electric grid around the clock, dispatch and work in close communication with our line technicians to ensure safety and efficient power restoration and electric system maintenance. Energy specialists are always standing by to take your calls and questions. Our information technology (IT) experts are continuously monitoring our system to help safeguard sensitive data. These are just a few of the folks who work together to ensure we can deliver the service and reliability you expect and deserve. Without them, our line technicians wouldn’t be able to “bring the light” to our communities. Our dedicated and beloved line technicians are proud to represent Blue Ridge Energy. They deserve all the appreciation and accolades that come their way during April, especially on April 12, which is the date electric cooperatives officially recognize as Lineman Appreciation Day. In April, and any time you see a line technician, I hope you’ll join me in thanking them for their exceptional service. I also hope you’ll remember that you have a dedicated team of professionals working behind the scenes at Blue Ridge Energy whose commitment to service runs just as deep.
Membership MAT TERS
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Ridge hnson
Educator s, G et Your Bright Ideas Ready!
It’s that time again! Blue Ridge Energy kicks off its Bright Ideas Education Grant program and begins accepting applications from innovative educators for the 2021-22 school year on April 1. Teachers with ideas for creative classroom projects that bring learning to life can learn more and apply online at ncbrightideas.com.
The Bright Ideas grant program is part of our continued commitment to building a brighter future for the people, businesses and communities we serve. In addition to ensuring the delivery of reliable, affordable and sustainable power, this vision emphasizes the importance of innovation and ongoing community support. Learn more at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BrightIdeas.
Grants are available for projects across all grade levels and subject areas, and educators can apply for grant funding individually or as a team. Over the past year, the program has supported educators as they seek new ways to engage their students in modified classroom environments during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to provide resources to facilitate innovative learning no matter what the upcoming school year holds. Applications will be accepted until September 15. As an added incentive to apply early, educators who submit their applications by August 15 will be entered into a drawing to receive a Visa gift card. Since 1994, electric cooperatives in North Carolina, including Blue Ridge Energy, have partnered with K-12 teachers statewide to provide Bright Ideas grants for unique classroom projects that would not otherwise be funded. Over the program’s history, more than 2.7 million students across North Carolina have benefited from nearly 13,000 Bright Ideas-funded projects totaling more than $13.6 million.
Blue Ridge Energy is celebrating its 27th year of offering Bright Ideas grants as part of our support and commitment to education. To date, Blue Ridge Energy has awarded more than $544,000 in its service area and provided direct funding assistance that has impacted over 100,000 students.
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Sign up for outage texting! Use the mobile number listed on your account and text “START” to 70216
Get rid of the paper! Sign up now to receive your cooperative’s Board of Directors election kit by email and vote online! On May 26, the Annual Meeting notice and director election kit will be sent to members. If you’re signed up to receive the kit electronically, you can quickly and easily vote online by using the link in the email you’ll receive! Those not signed up to receive the kit by email will receive a paper kit in the mail that includes a proxy and postage-paid return envelope to cast your vote.
Want Your Direc tor Elec tion Kit Emailed?
Simply go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Online VoteSignup to sign up for your emailed director election kit and avoid the paper. The deadline to sign up is April 17, 2021.
Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson EDITOR Renée R. Whitener PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Jacob Puckett
Membership MAT TERS
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DISTRICT OFFICES Caldwell Watauga Ashe Alleghany Wilkes PowerLine*
TOLL FREE (828) 754-9071 (828) 264-8894 (336) 846-7138 (336) 372-4646 (800) 451-5474 (800) 448-2383
(800) 451-5474
OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday Kiosks available
(PowerLine* is an automated account information and outage reporting system.)
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