22 minute read
More Power
from 2022-01-BEMC
JANUARY Quick Hits
Winter Weather Icy out there? Stay off roads if possible. Find driving tips and other ways to prepare for winter weather at
Soup’s On National Soup Month has arrived, perfect for chilly nights. Get a jump on it with our stew recipe on page 32.
Day of Service This Martin Luther King Day (January 17), find a community group near you that needs volunteers to lend a hand.
Energy Tip Are your fans winter-ready? Make sure they’re switched to turn clockwise to circulate warm air around the room.
StormCenter.coop
Speed Under Pressure: Lineworkers Test Lifesaving Skills
Pole Top Rescue Competition held at Nash Community College
In November, North Carolina’s top electric cooperative lineworkers assembled at Nash Community College in Rocky Mount to compete for the title of State Champion in the 2021 Pole Top Rescue Competition.
The biennial competition pitted lineworkers against the clock and each other as they demonstrate essential lifesaving skills and provided an up-close look at the speed, technique and safety knowledge required to maintain the lines that power the lives of electric cooperative members. To advance to this state championship, each competitor had to win a similar competition at their local cooperative.
During the competition, each lineworker executed a scenario in which a coworker is unconscious atop a utility pole. The competitor, dressed in full climbing gear, had to radio for help, scale 20 feet up the utility pole, lower a 105-pound mannequin (nicknamed “Kool”) and begin lifesaving procedures. All North Carolina electric cooperative lineworkers must complete this same scenario in less than five minutes to maintain their certification to work on electric co-op lines.
“This championship highlights just how rigorous and challenging it is to be a lineworker,” said Louis Duke, spokesperson for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “These highly trained individuals play a critical role in co-op operations, and we can’t thank them enough for the vital service they provide to our members and communities.” Meet the 2021 Pole Top Champs Pictured, top to bottom First Place: Levi Fagan, EnergyUnited, Time: 1:53.37 Second Place: Jason Helms, Union Power Cooperative, Time: 1:57.90 Third Place: Cody Buck, Brunswick Electric, Time: 1:59.83 Not pictured: Chris Griffin of Union Power maintains the overall record with his 2014 time of 01:33.47. carolinacountry.com/extras These guys are fast — this is a competition you have to see to believe! Watch them in action on our website. The competition was held for the first time at Nash Community College thanks to a valuable partnership maintained with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. Nash Community College (nashcc.edu) offers critical degree and certificate programs in Electric Lineman Technology that help support the vital line workforce across rural North Carolina.
Roanoke Electric CEO Honored with NC Rural Leadership Award
Recognition comes as Wynn is named CEO of Fla. co-op
Curtis Wynn, CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative, has received the 2021 Larry Wooten Rural Leadership Award, presented by Governor Roy Cooper and Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler each year to an outstanding leader who has worked to advance North Carolina’s rural communities. The award is a milestone recognition for Wynn, who, after leading Roanoke Electric for more than 24 years, was recently named the incoming CEO at SECO Energy, an electric cooperative serving more than 200,000 members in central Florida.
At Roanoke Electric, headquartered in Ahoskie, Wynn earned national accolades for his commitment to implementing services and programs that help local communities and members thrive.
“Curtis Wynn has brought opportunity and innovation to rural North Carolina, making rural communities an even better place to live and work,” said Gov. Cooper. “Thanks to his work, more families, schools and businesses have access to high-speed internet, a critical tool to help rural communities thrive. We are working hard to build on the great work of our rural co-ops and other partners to get even more North Carolinians connected to broadband.”
Wynn has spearheaded a variety of cutting-edge, high-impact initiatives in the co-op’s long-standing efforts to empower member-owners in a region facing economic challenges.
“Curtis Wynn has built a transformative legacy of leadership, from efforts to bring broadband connectivity to rural communities and raising more than $10 million to support economic development projects, to encouraging wealth creation through land ownership and sustainable land management,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
A Florida native, Wynn began his career washing trucks for his rural hometown electric co-op in Graceville, Fla., and his decision to make a career transition stems, in part, from his desire to be closer to his family and home, where he plans to eventually retire.
The impact of Wynn’s leadership on Roanoke Electric and its consumer-members is lasting. During his tenure, the co-op developed the Upgrade to $ave program, which provides energy efficiency and smart energy upgrades to homes and businesses that financially benefit both the member-consumers and the cooperative.
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the co-op established its sustainable forestry program. It has helped hundreds of local landowners by providing information and resources to help them better manage and retain their land for the purpose of building generational wealth.
The Roanoke Connect initiative is bridging the digital divide by bringing broadband connectivity to the region for the first time. After years of laying the groundwork, connections to high-speed internet service are now underway.
The impact of Wynn’s vision and legacy stretches beyond the borders of North Carolina. As immediate past president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Wynn had the distinction of being the first Black board president in the organization’s history and leading the organization through the unprecedented disruptions of the global pandemic. During his tenure, he was a tremendous voice for the nation’s electric cooperatives to embrace the tenets of diversity, equity and inclusion, and the NRECA membership passed a diversity, equity and inclusion resolution in 2020.
In addition to leadership roles at Roanoke Electric and NRECA, Wynn has served on various local, state and national boards of directors. His greatest sense of achievement, however, comes from Roanoke Electric.
“I would say my proudest accomplishment is the growth I have seen in our team, and how they have stepped up to address the many challenges the industry has thrown our way over the years,” Wynn said. “They did so by embracing our core values beyond anyone’s expectations, really wanting to make a difference in the community we serve. Leaving that behind makes me feel good about what lies ahead for Roanoke Electric.”
Wynn’s last day at Roanoke Electric was December 13. The board of directors has appointed the co-op’s chief operating officer, Marshall Cherry, to serve as interim CEO.
Wynn has advocated on behalf of electric co-ops throughout his career, including during 2017 testimony to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.
—Louis Duke, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives
Scenes CAROLINA COUNTRY A GALLERY OF YOUR BEST PHOTOS
A Mountain Rainbow
Taken from the Clingman’s Dome parking lot in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the camera was pointing toward Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and Cherokee National Forest. Rodney Hendrickson, London, KY Thanks to everyone who submitted pictures to our annual photo contest! The judges chose from hundreds of photos of people and places throughout North Carolina. In addition to these images, we’ll run more in our “Carolina Creators” magazine feature. And even more selections will appear as the “Photo of the Week” on our website (carolinacountry.com/potw), where there’s an archived collection. Our Facebook and Instagram pages also routinely showcase reader photos.
Gone Turtlin’?!
We had a slow afternoon of fishing off of Moccasin Creek, but we were able to catch this large snapping turtle while attempting to catch a catfish. You can tell by my nephew’s expression that he was rather large. After snapping a few photos, we removed the hook and let him swim away. Jon McReynolds, Wake Forest, Wake Electric
Mud Minis
These are my sons, Gabe (age 5), and Grant (age 2), having the time of their lives in Lewiston. Chelsie Blowe, Ahoskie , Roanoke Electric Photographer Casey Byrum
Casting Cousin
My cousin casted into the Atlantic Ocean on a beautiful fall evening in Pine Knoll Shores. Emily Bedsworth, Pine Knoll Shores, Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative
In Memory of “Cap”
On my Deddy’s birthday, my oldest son, Jace, my youngest son Ryker and I went to the Pee Dee River to spread some of his ashes. “Cap” was everything to Jace as he was to me. Jason Bud Sweet was a true wonder, a man of nature with a heart of gold! Kaylee Sweet, Hamlet, Pee Dee Electric
All Decked Out
Sunrise at the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse on the Manteo waterfront. Winter sunrises at the Outer Banks are the best. Alan Trammel, Chapel Hill
Many Mouths To Feed
Bluebird feeding time in my backyard. Nhat Vu, Mint Hill, Union Power Cooperative
Dapper Champ
My “grand-dog” Champion is a 3-year-old pit bull and quite dapper in his hat and shirt. The sweetest, most laid-back pitbull you’ll ever meet, he gets his feelings hurt easily and will go pout in the corner when he does! Lisa Reeves, Hickory, Rutherford EMC Photographer Hilary Reeves
Tunnel Travelin’ Tot
My grandson Mason having fun at Stokes Family Farm. Rebecca Lewis, Troy, Randolph EMC Photographer Amy McLawhorn
Stetson and Fred
Our 2-year-old grandson, Stetson Lail, with Fred the cow. This picture was taken by K. Smith Photography. Taylor Lail, Hickory, Rutherford EMC
Cape Lookout Moonrise
This photo was taken at a unique moonrise at Cape Lookout. Late in the year, the full moon will rise further north than it normally does, giving an interesting angle on the lighthouse—an incredible sight to witness! Wick Smith, Beaufort, Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative
Winterscape
Mount Carmel Road, Lexington. William Deal, Lexington, EnergyUnited
Sweet Girl
One of our sweet girls laying her egg in the nesting boxes. She gives us an egg each day, and is the only one of our Barred Rock girls left. She’s a beautiful, active lady who loves worms, bugs, chicken scratch (corn especially), and taking dust baths in the warm sunshine! Micah Junket, Mount Pleasant
Falling for Fall
Tiny World My neighbor’s daughter came over and I love to wander around my yard and find all the hidden offered to help me gather leaves. Her smile worlds that exist if you slow down enough to see them. was exactly the “pick me up” that I needed This is one tiny example. to finish one of my least favorite fall chores! Chris Rodermond, Hillsborough, Piedmont ElectricLisa Hall, Waxhaw, Union Power Cooperative
The Importance of Farming
My wife’s uncles were digging ditches in the field to allow water to drain so that crops do not drown. Spending time around family I have learned a lot about farming and how much it means to parts of North Carolina. It is something we should continue to educate others on. Ian Slade, Wake Forest, Wake Electric
Flower Children
Best friends sharing a tender moment in the sunflower field at Dorthea Dix Conservatory Park in Raleigh. Alya Jakubowicz, Raleigh, Wake Electric
Nature Finds a Way
I took this photo while walking through the woods behind my house in late March while looking for deer antler sheds. Austin Heine, Eastover, South River EMC
Room with a View
We escaped the heat and headed up to Round Bald, straddling the border with NC and TN, for a night out under the stars for my birthday. Adventures are the best birthday gifts. Kate Kedzierski, Morganton, Rutherford EMC
JANUARY 2022
You Can Do a Basic Home Energy Audit and Save!
So you’ve turned the thermostat down a few degrees, only run full loads of laundry, and are generally conscientious about your energy use. But taking the time to methodically perform a DIY energy audit can help you save even more. Start with the areas that make sense for you.
Air Leaks: Check for gaps along the baseboard or edge of flooring, and where the walls and ceiling meet. Check windows and doors, lighting and plumbing fixtures and electrical outlets. Seal any leaks you find with caulk or weather stripping, and consider foam gaskets for electrical outlets.
Attic Insulation: Make sure your attic hatch is insulated, weather stripped and closes tightly. In the attic, determine if pipes and ductwork are sealed, and close any gaps with an expanded foam caulk or similar permanent sealant. Check to see if there is a vapor barrier under the attic insulation, such as tarpaper or a plastic sheet. If not, consider painting the interior ceilings with vapor barrier paint. This will reduce the amount of water vapor that can pass through the ceiling, preventing structural damage and improving the effectiveness of the insulation. Make sure that attic vents aren’t blocked by insulation, and that the entire attic floor is covered with insulation with an R-value of 38.
Crawl Space or Basement: If yours is unconditioned and open, you should have insulation under the living area flooring with a recommended R-value of 25. If your sub-space is enclosed with heating and cooling appliances and ductwork, you should probably insulate the sub-space perimeter rather than the living room floor. The insulation at the top of the foundation wall and first floor perimeter should have an R-value of 19 or greater. If the basement is intentionally conditioned, the foundation walls should also be insulated to at least R-19. Your water heater, hot water pipes and furnace ducts should all be insulated.
More detail on conducting your home energy audit is available at energy.gov, and as always, BEMC energy experts are available to answer your questions at (800) 842-5871.
Because You Want to Know...
Each month we’ll answer a question that has been on a member’s mind, because we bet you might also want to know. Send your questions to brookes.versaggi@bemc.org.
è QWhat is the current breakdown of the sources of electricity delivered by BEMC?
– Mary in Leland
è A We’re starting from a good place to reach our sustainability goals.
The current energy mix is more than 55% nuclear, 25% natural gas, 5% coal, and the rest is market purchases and renewables. And we look forward to adding more renewables in the future.
– Corey Thurlow, COO
Misc.*
Coal
Natural Gas Nuclear BEMC' s El ect ri c i ty Sources
numbers Power in
*Renewables and Market Purchases
If every member turned off one lightbulb during a three-hour Beat the Peak event, we could potentially save $100,000 on our wholesale power bill for that month.
An Update From our College Scholarship Recipients
Austin Booth, who graduated from West Columbus High School, and Helen Rippy Roehner, who graduated from North Brunswick High School, were the recipients of college scholarships from BEMC last spring. We thought we’d check in with them.
“I’m at NC State, working towards a major in Civil Engineering,” Austin reports. “Classes are really interesting, and not unexpectedly, it requires a lot of studying to stay on top of things. Coming here from a small town was a little bit of a culture shock, but it’s been easy to make friends, and everyone wants to help each other, kind of like a big family. When we’re not studying my friends and I play intermural soccer, which really helps to blow off stress, and go to Bible study. In my future career I want to be involved in big construction projects, making a difference in how people move around and work. I want to say thank you to BEMC for the scholarship. It really shows that, by investing in the next generation, you are committed to seeing youth succeed.”
“I am loving UNC Chapel Hill,” Helen reports. “The independence is great, and there is so much going on, so many opportunities to meet people. I came in with my Associates degree, which gives me the chance to explore different majors, and right now I’m focusing on Biology and Exercise and Sports Science. I’m hoping to go to dental school and one day practice pediatric dentistry. Classes are about what I expected, and I’m pretty good at time management so I’m still able to do other things. I was really excited to be selected to serve on the Hospital and Family Relations Committee for Carolina for the Kids, a university organization that works with UNC’s Children’s Hospital. Thank you, Brunswick Electric, for helping to make this happen.”
Booth Roehner
Austin enjoying a break from studies.
Helen sporting her college sweatshirt.
Want to Apply?
Brunswick Electric will award two scholarships of $5,000 each to two high school seniors, one from Brunswick County and one from the Columbus County area, in the spring. The scholarship awards will be based on a combination of academic achievement, participation in community or school-related activities, SAT scores, letters of reference and submission of a 1,500-word essay. Completed applications must be submitted through the student's guidance counselor by March 17. For more information visit bemc.org/scholarship-highway.
Five Reasons to Consider PrePay Power
PrePay Power, our pay as you go payment system, offers a variety of advantages!
1You pay for power in advance of when you need it. PrePay Power gives you control over your energy usage and provides flexibility, allowing you to choose when and how much to purchase.
2There’s no monthly bill or deposit; you always know how much you’re spending on electricity.
3It’s easy to add money to your account any time of day or night; through the free SmartHub app, by calling the automated payment system, or at a Bill Payment Terminal.
4As you become more aware of your energy consumption, you become a smarter energy consumer. You naturally become familiar with the activities that use the most energy, and which use less.
5You receive email alerts through SmartHub when your account balance reaches a certain level that you preset, with a link to a payment portal for your convenience. You can check your current account status anytime and view, in a layout of your choosing, your energy consumption by hour, day, week, and month. You also receive high energy use email notifications to help you control your usage.
PrePay power gives you freedom from a monthly bill, the knowledge and control to become a smarter energy consumer, and the ability to know exactly how much you are spending on electricity in real time. To learn more and to sign up call (800) 842-5871 or stop by one of our offices.
If you can, it’s a good time to make a Warm Homes, Warm Hearts donation
If you’re looking for a way to help fellow members who need a hand, please consider giving to the Warm Homes, Warm Hearts utility assistance program. Each year Brunswick Electric matches donations up to $50,000, so your generosity works twice as hard. Funds are distributed through Brunswick Family Assistance and the Columbus County Department of Aging, and they determine eligibility to receive assistance.
Please make your check payable to Warm Homes, Warm Hearts and mail it to: WHWH Campaign, c/o BEMC, PO Box 826, Shallotte, NC 28459. Please do not enclose your donation with your electric bill payment. And, thank you.
ATTENTION: BEMC recently reduced the number of Districts and associated Directors from 10 to 9, and retained the one at-large Director for Brunswick County. View the full map and listing at bemc.org/directors.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Sherry Skumanick
Istarted working in the Call Center six years ago; the training for that position is extensive because you have to be able to answer members’ questions about anything related to the co-op. Three years ago, I transferred to Member Engagement and Communications, which I love because it allows me to get out into the community and see the good that Brunswick Electric does, like Bright Ideas Education Grants. Over the past three years, with support from the co-op, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Liberty University Sherry shooting an internal interview with the help of Kevin Gore, Human Resources Specialist. and also became a Certified Cooperative Communicator. I want our members to know that we are so much more than a power provider. Our economic development efforts and our support of local non-profits are just a few of the ways we work to improve where we live. We’re your friends and neighbors, we want to help you, that’s why we’re here. And please know, we don’t like it when your bill is high either. It’s our job to help you lower it.
BEMC offices will be open on December 31 and closed on January 3 for the New Year's holiday. Offices will also be closed on January 17 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Electric Cooperative Youth Tour Applications Due January 15
Rising high school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 can apply now through January 15 to attend the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, taking place in Washington, D.C., from June 18-24, 2022. BEMC will be sending two students on an all-expense-paid trip, joining students from across the country to meet elected representatives, visit historic sites and museums, and learn about our nation’s history and the cooperative business model. Extensive COVID-19 precautions will be in place. Applications and more information are available at bemc.org/electric-cooperative-youth-tour.
Community Grants Applications Due February 15
Eligible groups may apply for grants up to $2,500 each year for projects that fall into these five key areas: è Family services è Civic and Community Programs è Cultural and Arts Programs è Emergency Services è Economic Development
For more information and to apply, visit bemc.org/ community-grants.
CUSTOMER SERVICE (800) 842-5871 | OUTAGE REPORTING (800) 682-5309
Shallotte (910) 754-4391 Southport/Oak Island (910) 457-9808 Whiteville (910) 642-5011 P.O. Box 826, Shallotte, NC 28459 www.bemc.org email: newsletter@bemc.org
AUTO BILL PAYMENT 24/7 (866) 934-6830
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Frederick Tedder David Gore
PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER
John Ward
VICE PRESIDENT Larry Fowler
ASST. SECRETARY TREASURER Deborah Ahlers
Calvin Duncan
Moses Herring Glenn Humbert
Perry Sellers Dan Strickland
This institution is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
Joshua L. Winslow
CEO/GENERAL MANAGER Dennis Worley
ATTORNEY
Bad to the Bone
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