37 minute read
More Power
from 2021-06-CHEC
Four County EMC’s Mitchell Keel Retiring
Keel dedicated 27 years of service to electric co-ops
Keel (right) at a Poletop Rescue competition for NC electric cooperatives
Four County Electric Membership Corporation’s CEO Mitch Keel will retire effective June 30, following a 27-year career serving electric cooperatives.
“Working here at Four County EMC has been the highlight of my career,” Keel said. “We have a great board of directors to work with and very capable employees. They want to move the co-op forward, and that makes a big difference.”
A native of Eastern North Carolina, Keel joined Four County EMC in Burgaw as CEO in 2004. During his time with the co-op, he has focused on innovation and deploying new technology as a means of better serving members and the communities they call home.
Under Keel’s leadership, Four County EMC deployed an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project, allowing two-way communication between the co-op and its meters. More than 200 miles of fiber optic cable, connecting substations and co-op offices, also improved communication between co-op systems and allowed for faster response times during outages.
Four County EMC and its members weathered several storms during Keel’s tenure, including devastating effects from Hurricane Florence in 2018. Nearly 90 percent of the co-op’s members lost power following Florence, and widespread flooding slowed restoration efforts. Building on that experience, the co-op recently enhanced a storm response process that includes partnerships with five strategic locations throughout its service territory – camps and community centers where visiting line crews can rest and recuperate during restoration efforts.
“With the unpredictability of Mother Nature, it’s crucial that we continuously improve our emergency plans to ensure that power is restored to our members as quickly and safely as possible,” Keel said of the initiative.
Keel has served North Carolina’s electric cooperatives on several statewide boards and committees throughout his career, including as president, vice president and secretary- treasurer of the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Four County EMC, Keel was general manager of Lewis County Rural Electric Cooperative in Missouri for 10 years. He also managed electric utility systems for the cities of Kinston and Ayden, and was an electrical engineer for the Greenville Utilities Commission. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and was an honor graduate of the U.S. Army’s electrical engineering school. Keel also studied electrical engineering at NC State and earned his business degree from Mt. Olive College.
In retirement, Keel and his wife, Cindy, look forward to spending time with their three children and nine grandchildren.
“While we will miss his commitment and leadership, we are in a better position due to his many contributions,” said Four County EMC Board President Franklin Williams. “He has paved the way for the cooperative’s future.”
Keel at a Four County EMC annual meeting
Don Gatton Named Incoming CEO for Four County EMC
Don Gatton, who currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources for Four County EMC, has been named incoming CEO through a unanimous vote by the co-op’s board of directors. Gatton will assume the role July 6 following CEO Mitch Keel’s retirement. Gatton has served the co-op for a combined 13 years, both as director of Safety, Training and Loss Control and in his current role. From 2016 through 2018, Gatton served as Job Training & Safety Specialist with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Olive College and a Master of Business Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology.
NC State: Hurricane Season Could Be Above Average
The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season could see 15 to 18 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin, according to researchers at NC State University. The Atlantic basin includes the entire Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
That number would put the season above average, even given a recent redefining of what “average” means. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced its current measure for average, based on the 30-year period between 1991 and 2020, is 14 named storms, with three major hurricanes. The previous measure for average, between the years 1981–2010, was 12 named storms.
Of the predicted storms this season, seven to nine may become hurricanes, with two to three possibly being major storms.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Visit ncstormcenter.coop for tips on how to prepare.
Pee Dee Electric CEO Elected to National Board
Donnie Spivey, CEO and executive vice-president of Wadesboro-based Pee Dee Electric, was recently elected to represent North Carolina on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Board of Directors. NRECA works on behalf of more than 900 local electric co-ops across the country.
“I am honored to have been selected to represent the electric cooperatives of North Carolina,” Spivey said. “I look forward to serving as a voice for North Carolina on the national level, as well as gaining perspective that I can bring back and apply here at home.”
Spivey began his career at Pee Dee Electric in 1985 as a staff assistant, and was promoted to District Manager in 1993. In 1999, he was promoted to CEO and executive vice-president. He is a past president of the NCEMC board of directors and currently serves as chair of the Power Supply Committee. In addition, he is a member of the boards of directors of NCAEC and ACES Power Marketing. Spivey also serves as secretary of the Board of Directors of Sandhills Utility Services, Inc., which owns, maintains and operates the electric distribution system on Fort Bragg Army Base.
In 2013, Spivey was appointed by Governor Pat McCrory to serve on the NC Rural Electrification Authority Board of Directors and currently serves as Chairman of that Board. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Wingate University.
Spivey’s two-year term will begin with the adjournment of the NRECA Board of Directors’ 2022 annual meeting, currently scheduled for March 6, 2022, at which time Roanoke Electric Cooperative President and CEO Curtis Wynn will step down from his current role on the national board (see “Reflections on Two Years of National Service,” April 2021, page 6).
Donnie Spivey
Has it Been 75 Years Already?
Carolina Farmer first hit mailboxes this month in 1946 A lot happened back in June 1946. The Blue Angels made its first performance in the sunny Florida skies. The BBC began broadcasting for the first time since the start of World War II. And
Carolina Farmer—the precursor to Carolina Country magazine—was first mailed out to members of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives. In 1969 we debuted our new name (see “A Look Back at 50 Years of Carolina Country,” January 2019, page 8). Through it all, we’ve taken pleasure in sharing stories about the people and places that make North Carolina home. We’re looking forward to what the next 75 years will bring.
Building a Brighter Future Nimble and Reliable: Natural Gas Plants
Most may be familiar with natural gas as an option, where available, for heating homes and lighting stovetops and fireplaces. But North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are using the resource for a much bigger job: generating power while helping to ensure reliability across the power grid.
The North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), which supplies power to 25 NC electric co-ops, owns two natural gas plants. The Anson and Hamlet plants, located in Anson and Richmond counties, respectively, use combustion turbines — large jet engines similar to what you’d find on a plane — to quickly ramp up power when it’s needed.
Plant facts ■ Both plants came online in 2007. ■ Each plant has six units; the Hamlet Plant’s sixth unit was added in 2014. ■ Combined, the plants provide a capacity of 672 megawatts. ■ The plants use a 1:1 mixture of demineralized water and natural gas for fuel, a mixture that helps reduce emissions. ■ Each plant stores a total 900,000 gallons of water onsite in two above-ground tanks. ■ The plants are heavily automated, and can be run with few employees or even started remotely from on offsite control center. A reliable resource ■ The plants are used as “peaking” units, providing power during times of high demand.
■ Natural gas generation can also be used to supplement renewable sources of power when not available, such as solar on a cloudy day. ■ Backup batteries provide power to control the turbines should the plants themselves lose power.
The Anson Plant
Main parts of a natural gas plant
(Anson Plant shown)
Combustion turbine units
Fuel tanks
Water tanks Switchyard
Control building
Thermal Valley
Aerotow hang gliding with Sara Sardano and pilot Craig Pearson at Thermal Valley Hang Gliding
Sometimes you just need to raise your sights for a different perspective. There are plenty of ways to take to the wide open skies above our state — from hot-air ballooning and paragliding to hang gliding where the Wright Brothers launched aviation. Whether in the mountains, Piedmont or along the coast, North Carolina has plenty of options to get a view from above.
Dancing with the wind
Aerotow hang gliding and paragliding
In the mountains, thermals — rising, heated air — serve as your passage for flight. At Thermal Valley Hang Gliding (thermalvalley.net or 828-292-7473), situated between Morganton and Lenoir, the pilot for the tandem hang-gliding experience knows exactly where those thermal columns push up, leading to an exciting flight.
Owners Craig and Laura Pearson want to share their joy of free flight with the public, and hope some participants catch the flying bug and return for advanced training to become solo pilots. After a 15-minute ground school session on flight expectations, then helmet and safety glasses fittings, the passenger on this tandem ride slips into a body hammock nestled under the glider’s canopy and above the pilot. The tandem hang glider is towed into the air behind a light aircraft. At about 1,500 feet, the tow rope is released, freeing the glider to swerve and move up and down with the wind and thermals as fuel.
The 360-degree scenery of the mountains and foothills stretches to a view of the downtown Charlotte skyline on clear days. The quiet is punctured by just the wind and fun chit-chat with the pilot (and a few loud “woo-hoos”). Passengers also learn basic controls of the glider. The flight can range up to a mile high and lasts on average 10–35 minutes, before descending and landing on the runway like an airplane.
Aerotow hang gliding is “a way families can share a memorable experience and walk away with a positive feeling for hang gliding,” Laura says. And feel the freedom of flight.
Thermals also fuel the fun north of Wilkesboro at the Sky Retreat’s Blue Ridge Paragliding Center (theskyretreat.com or 704-907-6963). Owners Dima and Merin Sazinas have traveled all over the world as professional ballroom dancers and paragliders, but, thanks to Google Earth, found a home overlooking the Blue Ridge valley where their passion for paragliding (and dancing) could be shared.
Located at 3,300 feet, an engine isn’t needed for flight here, just patience (or “para-waiting,” as Dima quips). For a “butter smooth” safe
VisitNC.com
Powered paragliding at Kitty Hawk, Outer Banks tandem flight, a steady south to southwest wind is ideal. But that isn’t a daily occurrence. With the ever-changing weather conditions, Dima and his crew fly just shy of 100 tandem flights a year. He provides a two-week window to interested flyers, then a two-day notice once conditions look good for flight. When conditions are right, the tandem paragliding experience is worth the wait.
Once in the air, Dima and his tandem partner lift to about 3,800 to 4,300 feet. To go higher, he says, will give you a view of just the treetops. At this elevation, gliders go sightseeing at the nearby Cascades waterfall and to the Dark Sky Observatory in Ronda, as well as gain a bird’s eye view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
When talking to Dima about paragliding and the freedom it provides, you notice why he has a passion for it. Dima smiles and explains that with every maneuver, the air is your partner, you are “dancing with the wind.”
A view of the Piedmont
Hot air ballooning
For a quiet, leisurely float above the verdant landscape in Iredell County, check out Big Oh! Balloons in Cleveland (bigohballoons.com or 704-872-7761). For the past 40 years, Big Oh! owners Charles Page and Kristie Darling have been taking folks on hot-air balloon rides to cross an item off their bucket list, celebrate birthdays, become engaged or even get married.
“People have so many fantasies about hot-air ballooning, and many different reasons for wanting to soar,” says Kristie. “Our rides feature smaller baskets — where passengers stand with the pilot during the flight — so the rides can accommodate two to three people for the one-hour journey.”
The couple can also coordinate rides for larger groups.
“Statesville and Iredell County are home to balloon manufacturer FireFly Balloons; we have about a dozen balloon pilots that partner with each other. We’ve had as many
VisitNC.com Sky Retreat
Ballooning over Candler
Paragliding near Wilkesboro
Kitty Hawk Kites
Hang gliding with Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks
as 21 balloons launch at one time for group rides.”
Even if you’re not into taking flight, visit Statesville for the 47th Annual Carolina BalloonFest from Friday, October 15, through Sunday, October 17. That’s when the county celebrates the colorful sport with dozens of hot-air balloonists offering tethered and free-floating rides, plus arts and crafts and entertainment. The event raises funds for charity.
Sailing over the dunes
Hang gliding and parasailing
Coastal North Carolina’s fame as the birthplace of aviation carries on through the Kitty Hawk Kites Flight School, with multiple locations on the Outer Banks. Offering hang gliding along the same sandy dunes where Wilbur and Orville Wright took their first flight, the school replicates the experience in modern terms.
“We’re not just offering rides, we’re offering full-fledged hang-gliding instruction,” says Wolf Gaidis, flight park manager and lead instructor at the Kitty Hawk Kites Flight School at Jockey’s Ridge. “Everyone does ground school for the first 25 or 30 minutes, then we take them out to the dunes for a couple hours and several attempts at flying a hang glider.”
Harnessed-in students fly solo, launching their hang gliders with the wind in their faces, running along the dunes.
“During flight you’ll feel like you’re suspended in space, gently supported by a cloud — a wow experience — before gently landing on the sand,” Wolf says.
Parasailing is also available, providing a peaceful, bird’s-eye view while being towed by a boat below. For longer rides at higher altitudes, Kitty Hawk Kites has inland sites for tandem hang gliding, where a student and instructor fly together.
“The gliders are pulled up by an ultralight via a tow rope and when they reach an altitude of around 2,000 feet the instructor releases the glider from tow for a 10- to 15-minute ride back to the ground,” Wolf says. “It feels just like flying in your dreams … an unforgettable, dynamic experience.”
Renee Gannon is the senior associate editor for Carolina Country. Pamela A. Keene is a freelance journalist who writes for magazines and newspapers across the Southeast and nationally.
Tubin ’ the Tar
Go with the flow on NC’s lazy rivers
By Tara Verna
Tara’s daughters, Isabella (background) and Rosalina, tubing the Tar River in 2017.
Margarita Galvan
Most of the tubing crew (left to right): the Verna’s: Lino, Isabella, Tara, Rosa and Leo. And their cousins, the Galvan’s: Sandro (blue shirt) and Marco.
Birding chirping … turtles sunning themselves … feet dangling from a bright orange tube into water the color of sweet tea … kids laughing and splashing … a cold sip of a drink … the silvery flip of a speckled perch … jeez it’s hot! ... bouncing off the tube for a quick cool, dip … clambering awkwardly back on … gazing up into a canopy of kaleidoscopic greenery … oh, look! A heron! Ah, the magic of tubing a lazy river in North Carolina!
Something for everyone
I’ve been tubing down the Tar River in northeastern North Carolina a few times. Each trip has been a welcome respite from stress, the pandemic, daily life — in other words, magic. You’d have to work hard to be unhappy on a lazy river, as it offers something for just about everyone. My kids found joy in splashing and dunking one another; beaching their tubes on large rocks along the way for a picnic; leaping from said rocks or half-submerged trees to cool off. I loved watching their antics, feeling the pull of the gentle current and the water flowing over my feet — closing my eyes to drink in the sun and feeling goosebumps while passing under the shade of a towering oak. My sisterin-law took a continuous stream of photos with her phone, tempting fate by holding it over the river, straining to get that “perfect” selfie or action shot. My husband kept the cooler tube close, indulging in snacks and drinks and sun with a little too much abandon, until his skin was approaching lobster-done.
Although our trip lasted about three hours and only covered 1.5 miles, the Tar River is actually 215 miles long and averages 3–6 feet deep. It winds its way southeast, from Roxboro through places like Louisburg, Rocky Mount, Tarboro and Greenville.
In the past, it was used as a major route for tar-laden barges as they headed to the sea, hence its “tar” moniker. Today, it’s home to an amazing number of species that rely on this river ecosystem, including bald eagles, osprey, beavers, deer and more.
Loafers Glory Rafting & Tubing
Getting ready to float down the Toe River
Miles of adventure
The Tar River is one of more than 40,000 miles of rivers and streams in North Carolina, so there is certainly plenty to choose from. You can go it alone or rent your equipment from a company like Tar River Life (tarriverlife.com). Most of these companies offer tubing as well as kayaking or canoeing. A few allow children as young as 3, but most encourage ages 5 and up. They’ll typically have you park your car at the end point and bus your group to the start. After you finish, you’ll have a short walk back to your car.
You’ll find something unique about all of them. The Tar River trip offers a high bank at the end and if the water is deep enough, my kids love running and cannon-balling into the river. I love the stone, graffiti-covered wall at the end where we take our “after” shot, imagining we look like a rock band rather than simply drippy, tired and sunburned — but happy.
After coping with the stresses of a pandemic for more than a year, it might be just what the doctor ordered to capture a little vitamin D and downtime on a lazy river. Megan Greer, general manager of Tar River Life, finds her own version of healing in the river.
“As a staff, we tend to take the river for granted,” she says. “But after this past year, it has rekindled our passion to see people enjoy it so much — we feel so much gratitude.”
Tara Verna is the creative director for Carolina Country.
Plan your trip
With thousands of miles of river to explore across the state, there’s likely a lazy float waiting to be had not far from you. Here are a few outfitters to help get you on the water — call ahead to confirm availability.
MOUNTAINS
Deep Creek Smoky Mountain Tubing, Bryson City bit.ly/deepcreektubing | 828-488-6055 French Broad River Zen Tubing, Asheville zentubing.com | 855-936-8823 Green River Silver Creek Tubing, Saluda silvercreektubing.com | 828-894-2331 New River High Mountain Expeditions, Boone bit.ly/hme-tubing | 828-202-1981 Oconaluftee River Smoky Mountain Tube & Raft, Cherokee cherokeetubeandraft.com | 828-497-4545 Toe River Loafers Glory Rafting & Tubing, Bakersville bit.ly/toerivertubing | 828-688-9290 Tuckasegee River Dillsboro River Company, Sylva bit.ly/tuckasegeetubing | 828-507-2428 Yadkin River North Carolina River Riders, Ronda northcarolinariverriders.com | 336-244-6220
PIEDMONT
Dan River Dan River Adventures, Stoneville bit.ly/danrivertubing | 336-548-0080 Tar River Tar River Life, Bunn tarriverlife.com | 919-496-9237 Tubing rapids on the Tuckasegee River
Tubing tips
Leave your keys in your car, or attach a spare in your wheel well with a magnetic clip.
Make a day of it by arriving late morning. Bring your own rope to tie off of a bank for lunch.
Take your time and be “lazy.”
Rent a cooler tube. You’ll supply the cooler and munchies. But you can attach it to your tube and have a ready supply of drinks (no glass) and sandwiches along the way.
Rent a dry pouch for your phone.
Wear sunscreen and sunglasses.
Keep a set of dry clothes in your car.
Cousin Sandro leaps off the Tar River’s banks, at the end of our journey.
carolinacountry.com/extras Watch videos from rivers around the state to get a feel for what tubing has to offer.
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Silver Sees 8-Year High
The American Eagle Silver Dollar is the most widely secured silver bullion coin on the planet. Also known as the U.S. Silver Eagle, this legal-tender Silver Dollar contains one Troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver backed by a U.S. government guarantee. And if you’ve been watching the markets, you know that in the last year, silver is up, up, UP...
Silver Up 80% In Last Year
Take a look at this chart. Since the spring of 2020, silver has gone up more than 80%! And as recently as February 2021, silver has set a new eight-year high. This skyrocketing value has taken the precious metals world by storm. But what caused such a drastic increase in silver’s value, and what does it mean for you?
$28 $27 $26 $25 $24 $23 $22 $21 $20 $19 $18 $17 $16 $15
FEB 2020MAR 2020APR 2020MAY 2020JUNE 2020JULY 2020AUG 2020SEPT 2020OCT 2020$14 NOV 2020DEC 2020JAN 2021FEB 2021 Silver Trend Chart: Price per ounce based on monthly averages.
Uncertainty Drives Demand
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, the stock market crashed, then set new records; cryptocurrencies became all the rage; and the U.S. national debt reached an all-time high.
To pay back that debt, some experts are warning that the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policies may increase inflation—meaning your hard-earned dollars not go as far as they do right now. And in times of uncertainty, people often turn to precious metals to weather the storm.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Mint has also been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to struggle with producing enough pure, U.S. silver to satisfy demand. They’ve even had to strike multiple “Emergency Production” runs to keep up!
What This Means for You
Silver values are up, and silver is in high demand. In addition, many experts believe that the price of silver could continue to increase in the next 12 to 24 months. And while no one can accurately predict the future, there are two questions you should be asking yourself right now: 1) Do I own enough physical silver? 2) Which silver coins are right for me?
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Cordless drill
String trimmer
Mikita Tools
Drilling Down
4 cordless tools for Father’s Day gifts
Leaf blower
By Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen
Finding a useful gift for dads and husbands can be tricky. Ideally, you want them to use it and to enjoy using it. If your dad or husband likes to work on home projects, getting him a rechargeable cordless tool can be a great choice.
Rechargeable cordless tools can be easier and more convenient to use than corded versions. For example, a power drill is something you usually use often and walk around with. On the other hand, a table saw is usually not the first choice of cordless tools because it doesn’t need to be moved repeatedly.
Quality cordless tools are usually less expensive if you buy them as part of a set. And since each line of tools uses a unique battery, you can’t mix and match between brands. You can of course, buy one rechargeable tool or you can also buy him a cordless starter kit with a few helpful tools and a battery, then he can add tools as needed. Here are a few cordless tools to consider as gifts: String trimmer A string trimmer is a quick way to trim weeds and grass near walls, bricks and rocks. If your father or husband uses an old gas trimmer around the yard, it’s time for a change. Two-stroke engines pollute the air and require regular maintenance. Electric trimmers are more energy efficient and quieter. You can find a variety of models between $50 and $150, and it’s worth paying a little more to get a highly rated model that will last longer.
Power drill As one of the most-used power tools, a drill should be everyone’s first cordless tool. Using a corded drill can mean constantly moving the cord around furniture, other tools or your own feet, which can be dangerous. Cordless drills are easy to use, and the technology has improved so they have more power and hold a charge longer. Lightduty drills are smaller and less powerful but easy to use for smaller projects.
Leaf blower If your father or husband uses a gas-powered leaf blower, you can do him (and the neighbors!) a favor by giving him a cordless leaf blower, which is more energy efficient, much quieter and less polluting.
Flashlight Today’s LED flashlights can produce 20 times as much light as the old incandescent ones. And they come in a variety of options, from tiny keychain lights to headlamps to waterproof spotlights. A flashlight can usually give better light than a cell phone, especially if you’re working in a tight space like under a sink. A flashlight often comes as part of a cordless tool set, or you can buy a single unit that recharges using a USB port on a charger, a USB wall socket or a mobile phone battery.
Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of Collaborative Efficiency write on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric co-ops.
Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative June 2021, Vol. 52, No. 6 www.chec.coop
Building a Brighter Future
How Renewables and Natural Gas Team Up in Diverse Energy Portfolio
To meet the needs of our local members now and into the future, CHEC and electric cooperatives statewide are adapting our energy sources and services. As the price of solar and other renewable resources is coming down, integrating more renewables is part of that transition. But outside of cost, renewables still present some challenges – for example, that solar does not generate consistent power overnight, under clouds, or in the early or late parts of the day. So how can CHEC enhance reliability with new energy technologies, while also keeping electricity affordable and sustainable? It takes a diverse energy portfolio that combines powerhouse “always on” generation sources – like nuclear and natural gas – with the technologies and sustainable resources of the future.
Matching supply and demand
To keep the grid reliable, co-ops must deliver exactly the right amount of power needed by members at every moment of the day. The supply of electricity on the grid must match demand at all times. If that balance isn’t met, members could lose power and the system could be damaged.
Abundant, low-cost, consistent power
To ensure the needed amount of power is always available, CHEC through its power supplier has invested in a diverse energy portfolio that incorporates power from a variety of sources. Emissions-free nuclear provides more than half of the power we deliver, and is a steady, low-cost source that can run almost constantly.
Natural gas is another important piece of the energymix puzzle. It provides abundant power at a low cost, and with lower emissions than other fossil fuels. It also has the flexibility to be dispatched quickly at any time, day or night.
This makes it an important pair for renewables that may generate power intermittently. As more renewables are added to the grid, cooperatives can quickly ramp up natural gas generation and support those resources to keep the grid stable. It is a critical source of flexible, low-cost generation as renewables grow.
The flexibility of natural gas is also critical for meeting the power needs at times when members are using the most power, called peak demand, and to respond immediately if capacity dips.
Innovation for the future
Across the grid, electric cooperatives are working together to add smart new resources, including batteries for energy storage, microgrids, and controlling technologies that enable all of these resources to work together to provide the most value.
By coordinating new energy resources as they are added to the grid, electric cooperatives can further increase reliability and save costs, especially at “peak” times when electricity use is highest and wholesale power is most expensive. Because CHEC is a not-for-profit, community-owned organization that provides power to members at cost, savings directly benefit you, our co-op members.
Looking ahead, we will continue to work to exceed your expectations by pursuing our vision to build a brighter local future with reliable, affordable and sustainable power, and by coupling a diverse energy portfolio with smart energy innovations.
To learn more about the ways we are working to power a brighter future on Hatteras Island, visit chec.coop.
Natural gas generation is a flexible, low-cost power generator that pairs with renewables such as solar to keep the grid stable.
CHEC Linemen Recognized through U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Apprenticeship Program
CHEC recently took steps to align its Lineman Job Training and Safety Program with the U.S. Department of Labor’s ApprenticeshipNC Program through the NC Community Colleges system. The rigorous program requires 8,000 hours of documented on-the-job training and 603 hours and courses taken at Nash Community College. CHEC’s eight First Class Linemen were recognized on Lineman Appreciation Day and presented with their new Journeyman Lineman’s card and framed certificates from the U.S. Department of Labor. CHEC has four additional linemen working their way through the ApprenticeshipNC Program.
Top photo from left: Richard Augustson, Gary Tolson, Jamie Midgett, Jonathan Vernesoni, Earl Fountain, Mark McCracken. Bottom photo: Donnie Farrow with CHEC EVP and General Manager Susan Flythe. Not pictured: Josh Austin.
Prepare now for Hurricane Season
June 1 marks the official start of the hurricane season.
At CHEC, we’re preparing for storm season now. And we want you, our members, to be prepared, too. Keep your family safe by taking action now:
• Make a plan: Identify the safest spots in your home and know the elevation level of your property and whether it is flood-prone. • Make an emergency kit: Include water and food, batteries, flashlights, a first aid kit and other items your family might need. • Sign up for Dare County Emergency Alerts by visiting DareNC.com. • Know your evacuation routes and be prepared to leave, should Dare County issue a mandatory evacuation. • Review storm safety tips: Learn how to prepare for hurricanes and adverse weather at ready.gov/hurricanes. • Connect with us: See the latest outage updates and important info on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and chec.coop. Tune into Radio Hatteras (99.9FM/101.5FM) during events for up-to-date information.
No matter what this year’s hurricane season brings, CHEC stands ready to respond. Prepare yourself and your family now, too!
Published by:
Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative
PO Box 9, 47109 Light Plant Road, Buxton, NC 27920 Office Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Phone: 252-995-5616 Toll Free: 800-454-5616 Outage Report: 866-511-9862 Fax: 252-995-4088 www.chec.coop Board of Directors:
Richard A. (Richie) Midgett, president; John R. Hooper, vice president;
Dan G. Oden, Jr., secretary-treasurer; Elvin L. Hooper; C.A. Duke;
Bryan Mattingly; Tami J. Thompson Susan E. Flythe, executive vice president & general manager Laura Ertle, editor
Cooking Your Favorite Seafood
Stumped on timing? Use the 10-minute rule.
Crab legs for a birthday. Scallops for an anniversary. Salmon for when family are in town. Many people enjoy eating seafood at restaurants as go-to celebratory meals.
However, cooking seafood at home can be intimidating. But seafood dishes are surprisingly simple to prepare.
“Whether it is shellfish or a fillet of your favorite fish variety, seafood makes any day special,” said Linda Cornish, president of Seafood Nutrition Partnership. “Plus, you can feel good about enjoying immune-boosting food rich in vitamins A, B and D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and minerals such as calcium, selenium, iron, zinc and more.”
Seafood Nutrition Partnership and its partners from the Eat Seafood America! campaign offer these kitchen tips:
The 10-minute rule Measure the fish at its thickest point. Cook it on medium-high (about 375 degrees) for 10 minutes per inch, turning halfway through the cooking time. A thin fish like sole or pollock cooks in about 4 to 5 minutes, while a thicker tuna steak might be 15 minutes.
The flake test Insert a fork at an angle at the thickest point and twist gently. The fish will flake easily when it’s done, and it will lose its translucent or raw appearance.
Create foil packets Foil makes cleanup extra simple. You can use shrimp or a piece of fish, and veggies such as bell pepper, green beans, cherry tomatoes and zucchini. Layer fish on top of veggies onto a large piece of foil, season to taste, add some lemon slices and a drizzle of olive oil. Fold it up before cooking it in the oven, on the grill or even campfire.
Steam on the stovetop Fill a deep pot with 1 to 2 inches of water, add wire rack and bring to a boil. Add seafood and cover to cook. Seafood like lobster, crab legs and shrimp will turn pink or red when done, so look for the bright color and then enjoy.
This delicious salmon recipe only takes about 15 minutes of preparation. For additional seafood recipes, visit seafoodnutrition.org.
Pesto Salmon Sheet Pan
½ acorn squash, cubed ½ medium red onion, chunked 2 cups baby. multicolored potatoes, halved ½ cauliflower head, chunked 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste 1 side of salmon or 4 fillets
½ cup pesto
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
On a large sheet pan, place acorn squash, red onions, potatoes and cauliflower. Salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with olive oil. Stir to coat well and place in single layer around the edges of the pan.
Add salmon to the sheet pan and spread with about half the pesto. Roast at 400 degrees for 15–20 minutes, depending on thickness, until salmon is fork tender and fully cooked through.
Top with the remaining pesto and serve.
Yield: 4–6 servings
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Jewelry shown is not exact size
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