19 minute read
More Power
from 2022-01-JAN
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
NEWSCentral JAN 2022
WPCA CREDIT on your December bill
As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, Central Monthly newsletter from Central Electric Membership Corp. Electric continually strives to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power for members. In order to provide the highest quality of electric service to members at the most competitive price, the cooperative operates as close to at-cost as possible, setting rates to generate enough revenue to purchase power and provide exceptional service.
An important part in determining rate schedules is predicting the future cost of wholesale power.
Wholesale power costs account for 59 percent of expenses and they significantly impact rates. These costs can be difficult to predict. Rather than doing frequent, costly rate studies, Central Electric and other cooperatives often use a wholesale power cost adjustment (WPCA) to adjust for actual costs of wholesale power. When costs are lower, you may receive a credit on your bill, and when they are higher, it may appear as a charge.
Due to favorable fuel and wholesale power costs, actual costs have been lower than budgeted costs for the past operating year. That’s why on your
December bill, you should have noticed a WPCA credit of $0.041 per kWh, or $41.00 for every 1,000 kWh used. This is one of the many benefits of being a member-owner of a not-for-profit electric cooperative like Central Electric. YOU, the consumer, reap the benefits and share in the financial success of the company rather than outside shareholders. That’s the “cooperative difference,” YOU are the priority. WHY YOU ARE GETTING A CREDIT
Wholesale power cost adjustment (WPCA):
A charge or credit applied to bills to adjust for the actual costs charged by our wholesale power provider.
HIGHER LOWER
ACTUAL COSTS ACTUAL COSTS
Passed along as Passed along as a charge on a credit on the bill the bill
59% of Central Electric’s expenses = wholesale power costs How about some Your December good news? bill CREDIT: Actual costs have come in lower than $0.041 per budgeted for the kilowatt-hour (kWh)
past operating year (due to favorable fuel and That’s $41.00 for wholesale power costs). every 1,000 kWh used!
One more benefit of being a member of your not-for-profit electric cooperative.
DEC. 30 & 31 The CEMC office will be closing at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30, and closed on Friday, Dec. 31, for the New Year’s holiday. Year-end closing will also take place during this time and payment systems will be down from 12 p.m. on Dec. 30 through midnight on Jan. 1. Crews will be oncall. Happy New Year and best wishes in 2022 from Central Electric.
POINT OF VIEW
The co-op is community
From the desk of CEO & General Manager Eddie Oldham
Over the years, you’ve probably heard or read about our core principle, concern for community. This is one of the many ways that set cooperatives apart from other types of utilities and businesses. We’ve always taken this mission and responsibility to heart. It’s who we are as a co-op. You’re probably aware of our Operation Round-Up program, where we take donations from generous members like you who have “rounded up” the amount due on their electric bill to help our most vulnerable neighbors pay their bills. Or our Youth Tour program, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action. You’ll also see our employees serving on local boards, coaching youth sports and volunteering at charitable events. Because when you work at a co-op, you understand how important a strong community is–the co-op is community.
A group of our employees recently lended a helping hand to Sanford Outreach Mission to build new ramps at both of their locations. We are grateful for all the nonprofits and all they do for our community! A group of our employees recently exemplified exactly what this principle means to us at the co-op. Sanford Outreach Mission, a local nonprofit in Lee County, needed assistance building ramps at both of their locations in Sanford.
Using their building and teamwork skills, employees ranging from lineworkers to our marketing and accounting groups, showed up to lend their time. Through the project, they were able to greatly assist accessibility at the shelters. Thank you to each of our employees for their hard work! We know that our core job is to keep the lights on, however, our passion is our community. We live and work here too, and we want to make it a better place for all. Concern for community is the heart and soul of who we are. And no matter what the future brings, you can count on your electric co-op to care about you.
Tips to ditch the space heater
Space heaters are energy hogs, and older models can be extremely dangerous. This winter, ditch the space heater and try these alternative solutions to stay cozy. £ Use an electric blanket to keep warm during the night. £ Caulk and weatherstrip around all windows and doors to prevent heat loss. £ Consider adding insulation to your attic and around duct work.
£ Have your HVAC system serviced by a professional at least once a year to maintain its performance. £ Invest in a programmable thermostat.
These can help you save money by automatically adjusting the temperature of your home during certain times, like when you are away during the day or asleep at night. That way your heat runs when you need it to, keeping you cozy!
Energy Advisor
In just a few clicks, our Energy Advisor analyzes energy use and areas for improvement. First, a quick survey gathers information about your home’s size, construction, and energy systems. Energy Advisor instantly produces an accurate, detailed breakdown of annual energy use. With recommendations for energy efficiency upgrades, you can immediately start taking low-cost or nocost actions to save money on utility bills. Visit the “Energy Advisor” page under the “Savings Tools” section at CEMCPower.com to get started.
Apply now for the 2022 Youth Tour to D.C.
Central Electric is seeking applications from high school students wanting to participate in the leadership opportunity of a lifetime: The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. Step out of your comfort zone, and join North Carolina’s future leaders as they explore the nation’s capital. The cooperative will sponsor two local students to join the June 2022 Youth Tour. The all-expense- paid, week-long Tour is hosted by electric cooperatives nationwide and is a tradition more than 50 years strong. Students who will be entering their junior or senior year in fall 2022 are eligible to attend and are encouraged to apply. Visit CEMCPower.com to apply or to find out more information on this incredible opportunity.
Students rewarded for classroom efforts
Five outstanding students earned a Visa® gift card for receiving at least one “A” on their recent report cards. The reward is in connection with Central Electric’s “Give us an A” program.
Kendra Baldwin Ascend Leadership
Briar Hartness Sandhills Farm Life Joseph Quesnel N.C. Virtual Acad. Nathan McGehee Lee County High
Rebecca Kangas New Century Middle
128 Wilson Road P.O. Box 1107 Sanford, NC 27331
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CONTACT
Phone: (919) 774-4900 Bill Payment: (866) 488-5011 Eddie Oldham CEO & General Manager
DIRECTORS
Rebecca G. Cogan, President Tommy Dalrymple, Vice President James B. Brooks, Secretary-Treasurer W. Phillip Thompson, Asst. Secretary Frank Comer III, Edith C. Cox, Dr. Nancy G. Holmes, Henry Outz, Tim Priest and Henry Randolph. James Taylor, Editor This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
OUTAGE REPORTING
(877) 766-6769 24-hours a day
(800) 446-7752 Text ‘PWR’ to opt-in and ‘OUT’ to report an outage
FOLLOW US
CEMCPower.com
Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction
Centuries ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear. On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed. We found a limited supply of C. turquoise from Arizona and snatched it up for our Sedona Turquoise Collection. Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today!
Jewelry Specifications: • Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings Sedona Turquoise Collection
A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200 B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain $149 C. 1 1/2" Earrings (10 ctw) $299 * $149 +s&p Save $150
Complete Set** $747 * $299 +s&p Save $448
** Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings. Call now and mention the offer code to receive your collecion.
1-800-333-2045
Offer Code STC588-05
Rating of A+
You must use the offer code to get our special price.
* Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code. Stauer ®
26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise ONLY $99
“With depleting mines, turquoise, the most sacred stone to the Navajo, has become increasingly rare.” –– Smithsonian.com
Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color
