24 minute read
More Power
from 2022-01-CCEC
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
MEMBERNews
CARTERET-CRAVEN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Powered by our members!
Mike Garner Line Service Technician
How can we better serve you in 2022?
Because we are owned by you, our member-owners, it is imperative that we learn by listening to you. Listening improves understanding, builds trust, strengthens relationships and fosters cooperation. It's also crucial to collaboration and success.
That's why CCEC's employees and directors still love face time with our members and we are excited to be able to host our annual meeting in person this year. We hope you'll make plans now to join us on May 5 at Glad Tidings Church in Morehead City for an evening of co-op business, entertainment, fun and prizes.
We have found that new products and services, when coupled with time-honored and time-tested traditions, are more likely to gain the satisfaction of our members.
In late 2020, we launched Connect to Save (CTS), our smart thermostat program. Since then, more than 1,500 cooperative members have made the decision to save energy by enrolling in CTS. The program gives CCEC members the ability to purchase smart thermostats for as little as $25.
Participating members allow CCEC to adjust their thermostat's temperature setpoint by no more than three degrees during times of peak demand.
That action in aggregate across the electrical system displaces the need for peak power generation and saves the cost of premium electricity, leading to savings for all members. To learn more
visit, connecttosavenc.com. Last October, we added a new pay-by-phone account inquiry and payment system to our member account solutions, allowing you to manage your bill securely, conveniently and quickly. Available 24/7, payments can be made by credit card, debit card or e-check. To make a payment over the phone, just dial 252.777.5150 and you will be guided through the process. We recognize that one size does not fit all, and that's why we have a variety of payment methods and account management options. To choose the payment option that best fits your needs, visit ccemc.com/PaymentOptions. New programs and more avenues of communication only complement our traditional values, helping us to deliver the quality services you expect. We will continue to provide you with valuable information in our newsletter and personalized customer service while delivering affordable electricity to your homes and businesses. So, how do we serve you better in 2022? The same way most of us try to serve our families, businesses and communities better each day — by listening, in our offices, on the phone, through social media exchanges, by email and in our face-to-face meetings, we're always ready to listen. We know that learning from individual members help us to better meet the needs of the membership as a whole. When you have questions about energy efficiency, new technologies, solar, or any of our products or services, just on the web ask us. We want to hear from you. Your input will help us to better serve our members this year and for years to come.
WPCA Credit
The wholesale power cost adjustment credit has been set for 2022. Learn more at: ccemc.com/WPCA
Happy New Year!
Our offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 31. You can contact us 24/7 at 252.247.3107 or online at: ccemc.com. We look forward to serving you in 2022!
Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative Competition tests lifesaving skills
On Thursday, Nov. 4, North Carolina’s top electric cooperative line workers 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 pits line workers against the clock and each other as they demonstrate essential lifesaving skills and provide 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. Apprentice Line Technician Justin Williford represented CCEC in the competition.
During the competition, each line worker executed a rescue scenario of retrieving an unconscious coworker from atop a utility pole. The competitor, dressed in full climbing gear, must radio for help, scale 20 feet up the utility pole, lower a 105-pound rescue dummy and begin lifesaving procedures.
All North Carolina electric cooperative line workers must complete this same scenario in less than five minutes to maintain their certification to work on co-op lines. Williford completed the competition with a time of two minutes and fifty seconds. "This championship highlights just how rigorous and challenging it is to be a line worker," said CCEC CEO and General Manager Jake Joplin. "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."
The competition was held for the first time at Nash Community College thanks to the valuable partnership maintained with North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives. Nash Community College offers critical degree and certificate programs in Electric Lineman Technology that help support the vital line workforce across rural North Carolina.
At right, Apprentice Line Technician Justin Williford secures Kool, the rescue dummy, and creates a pulley to lower him to the ground. Below, Williford begins CPR, delivering five chest compressions, to complete his turn in the competition.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
CCEC serves 44,000-plus meters in Carteret, Craven, Jones and Onslow counties, with roughly 63 miles of transmission line, 1,200 miles of overhead line and 1,229 miles of underground line.
CCEC serves 17 consumer-members per mile of line.
1 mile of power lines
A resolution with a big impact
Eat more vegetables. Eat less chocolate. Exercise three times per week. Read a book each month.
New Year’s resolutions give us the opportunity to start fresh and consider changes to our habits that lead to personal improvement. But what if our personal resolutions had a bigger impact?
There’s one that can — a resolution for a more energy efficient 2022.
Collectively, small changes add up to big savings, and a resolution for improved efficiency at your home could benefit not just your personal budget but also the environment.
Consider these low- and no-cost tips to increase your home energy efficiency. Ò Change your water heater setting: Turning the temperature of your water heater down to the warm setting (120°F). You'll save energy, and avoid scalding your hands. Ò Turn the thermostat down a few degrees: Reducing the temperature by 5-10 degrees when you're asleep or at work can help you save big on your heating costs. The inverse is true in the summer. A smart thermostat can make it easy, and have the temperature back to where you want it when you wake up or return home. Purchase a smart thermostat for as little as $25 through our Connect to Save program and start saving today!
Visit connecttosavenc.com or call 844.577.SAVE for details.
Ò Make power strips work for you: Plugged-in appliances and electronics use small amounts of power even when they are turned off. This is called phantom energy use, and it can be eliminated — in the flip of a switch — if your electronics are plugged into a power strip. You can save $100 per year by using power strips to reduce phantom load. Just be careful to never overload a power strip. Ò Cover drafty windows: Using a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on window frames or taping clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the winter months will help keep the cold air outside. Ò Use the power of the sun:
On bright, sunny, winter days, open your blinds or curtains to let the natural light from the sun warm up your home. Be sure to close your window treatments as the sun begins to set.
High school seniors: Your future is bright
CCEC and the Carteret-Craven Electric Foundation want to make college finances a little easier for five high school seniors heading to college in the fall of 2022 by providing scholarships valued at $4,000 for four years of study.
One student each from East Carteret, West Carteret, Croatan and Havelock high schools will be selected, with the fifth being the next highest scoring applicant and may include students from Jones Senior High School, early colleges, Gramercy and home schools.
The scholarship program is open to students whose primary residence is on the co-op's lines. The judges weigh the following in determining the scholarship winners: need, 50 percent; academic achievement, 25 percent; and extracurricular activities, 25 percent.
Deadline for applications is March 1. Additional requirements and the application can be found at ccemc.com/Scholarships.
Send us your photos!
We want to feature our members' best photos in our 2023 wall calendar. Submit high-quality digital photos taken in our service area. The winning photographers will be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card. Visit ccemc.com/PhotoContest for details. Pick up your 2022 wall calendar at our offices in Newport and Havelock— while supplies last!
Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative Stay warm and safe during winter outages
We don't usually have winter storms that knock out power in our area, but they can happen. Just as you might prepare during hurricane season, you need to prepare for cold weather outages, too. We care about your safety and want you to be ready for whatever Mother Nature brings this winter.
Heavy snow and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without power. During extremely low temperatures, this can be dangerous. During a power outage, our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself.
Ò Stay warm — Plan to use a safe alternate heating source, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove during a power outage. These are great options to keep you and your loved ones warm, but exercise caution when using, and never leave the heating source unattended. If you are using gasoline-, propane- or natural gas-burning devices to stay warm, never use them indoors. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning sources of heat should always be properly ventilated. Always read the manufacturer’s directions before using. Ò Stay fed — The CDC recommends having several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked handy. Crackers, cereal, canned goods and bread are good options. Five gallons of water per person should also be available in the event of an extended power outage. Ò Stay safe — When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down. It is best not to travel during winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit along, and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are live.
Stay as far away from the downed lines as possible, and report the situation to our dispatchers by calling 252.247.3107 when it is safe to do so.
Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and planning ahead can often be the difference between life and death. CCEC is ready for what Mother Nature has in store, and we want you to be ready, too.
Visit ready.gov/winter-weather for more winter safety tips.
You don't need to call if your lights go out during widespread power outages. We have a substation monitoring system that indicates when outages occur, and an automated metering infrastructure (AMI) system that sends us a signal when the power goes out at each meter. Track outages and restoration progress at outage.carteretcraven.coop.
Summer basketball camp scholarships available
Do you know a middle schooler who loves basketball and wants to gain experience training alongside real college basketball players and coaches? We have great news for you.
We are accepting applications for full scholarships to basketball camps at two North Carolina universities this summer. Middle school boys can apply for a scholarship to attend the Carolina Basketball School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and middle school girls can apply for a spot at the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp held at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. These camps will take place in June 2022.
To apply, students must be a rising sixth or seventh grader. Applicants will be judged on their academics, extracurricular activities and an essay. The application period begins in January and applications must be submitted by March 31. Scholarship winners are expected to be announced in May.
To learn more and apply, visit ncelectriccooperatives.com/sports-camps.
Offices
1300 Highway 24 Newport, NC 450 McCotter Blvd. Havelock, NC
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