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Vegetation management Balancing power reliability with scenic beauty The single major cause of power outages is damage to power lines from trees and limbs during severe weather such as high winds, heavy snow, ice, or lightning. With over 8,000 miles of power lines to protect, Blue Ridge Energy works year-round on vegetation management to ensure members have the most reliable electricity possible. Blue Ridge ranks among the most reliable electric providers in the nation, and in recent years, has added another method to help achieve reliability in a safe, environmentally friendly manner: aerial tree pruning. This method utilizes specially trained helicopter pilots who carefully conduct pruning along rights-of-ways. Trained “spotters” are located on ground level and are in constant communication with the pilot. Used by utilities across the nation for years, aerial tree pruning is approved by the American National Standards Institute. The process is less intrusive to member property and the environment than traditional methods. As with all vegetation management, members are notified in advance of pruning. Debris is removed from maintained areas, while in non-maintained areas, debris is either left or bushhogged to the ground. Our vegetation management program combines several growth control methods that balance scenic beauty with safe, reliable power. For more information about rights-of-way and reliability, visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Resources/Trees-Rights-ofWay-and-Reliability.
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THE
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Blue Ridge Energy Member s Foundation From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson
This year, we’re celebrating the 15th year of your Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation! The Members Foundation was formed in 2007 to expand commitment to the members and communities we serve. It is funded by member donations to Operation Round Up® (ORU) and our subsidiaries; Blue Ridge Energy Propane and Fuels, and RidgeLink, LLC both contribute a portion of their annual profits. Your Foundation is unique in that 100 percent of all donations go directly to help members in need of crisis energy bill assistance, as well as funding community grants to small, local not-for-profit organizations that help our members and improve the local quality of life. Another unique quality of the Members Foundation is its Foundation Advisory Committee made up of 12 rotating cooperative members from across our service area. The committee helps our board of directors provide oversight and reviews community grant applications. Over its lifetime, the Members Foundation has assisted some 20,000 members with crisis energy bill assistance. More than 1,000 families who need a helping hand receive this crisis assistance each year.
These contributions, combined with those from our subsidiaries, make a huge difference in providing a helping hand to those needing it right here in our own communities. If you haven’t joined ORU, we encourage you to do so now, if you can. If you are already contributing and want to do more, Operation Round Up Plus® allows members to give an extra monthly amount that you determine. Others find the easiest way to help is to donate all or a portion of their capital credits return (see the cover and insert). Giving back is a cooperative tradition. The Members Foundation and ORU reflect the power of partnership between members and their electric cooperative. Working together, I’m proud to say that we’re making life better for the people and communities we serve!
To learn more about the Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation visit: BlueRidge Energy.com/members-foundation. To learn more about ORU, see the insert and cover wrap on this issue of Carolina Country or visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com/ community/operation-round-up.
The Members Foundation, with approval from your board of directors, has also awarded $1.4 million in community grants. These grants have helped provide a variety of services for the aging adults, youth, economic vitality, health care and education. Member donations to our ORU program have made this possible. I want to thank those of you who are already participating in ORU.
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Attention youth! Scholarship and leadership opportunities are available as part of Blue Ridge Energy’s support of local communities. To qualify for these opportunities, high school students must join Blue Ridge Energy’s Leadership Track in their freshman or sophomore years, or as early as possible during high school. To join or learn more, visit: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/ LeadershipTrack. In February, qualifying seniors involved in Blue Ridge Energy’s Leadership Track will be invited to apply for up to eight $4,000 renewable scholarships for students seeking a four-year degree. Awards are based on leadership performance, resume
development and a personal interview. Additionally, for students in Caldwell County, Blue Ridge Energy helps administer the Charles and Lucille Suddreth scholarship, which awards $800 for a student seeking a vocational degree including the Electrical Lineworker Institute. Financial need and academic performance are the primary criteria and the deadline for applications is April 15. Apply at: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/ scholarships. Leadership camp opportunities as well as college bound workshops are also available to high school students in the Blue Ridge Energy Leadership Track. Learn more at: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/LeadershipTrack.
Scammers targeting members Blue Ridge Energy members have reported being targeted through various scams, many where someone claims to be a co-op employee and demands immediate payment. These scammers threaten to shut off power if the payment is not received in a certain amount of time. Scammers often ask for personal account information and/or demand that payment be made with a prepaid card. Scammers are even “spoofing” telephone numbers to make it appear to be coming from Blue Ridge Energy. If you doubt the identity of someone claiming to represent the co-op, hang up and call Blue Ridge Energy at 1-800-451-5474 or use the phone number listed on your bill. Here are a few tips to take control of the situation if you’re ever targeted by a scam: •
Take your time. Scammers try to create a sense of urgency so that you’ll
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act fast and hand over personal information, especially by phone. Take time to think before acting. •
Be suspicious. Scammers typically request immediate payment through prepaid debit cards or third-party apps. Unusual requests like this should raise red flags. If the request seems strange and out of the ordinary, you’re likely being targeted by a scammer.
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Confirm before you act. If you’re contacted by someone claiming to represent Blue Ridge Energy but you’re unsure, just hang up the phone and call the utility directly. Never use the number they may give you. Remember to call the cooperative by using the number on your bill or call 1-800-451-5474. We can verify your account at any time.
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Use portable electric generators safely Portable electric generators can offer benefits should an extended outage occur. However, if you connect a portable electric generator improperly, it could be fatal for you and for line technicians! Follow these tips to prevent misuse of portable electric generators: •
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Have a qualified, licensed electrician install a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch between the generator and utility power in compliance with all state and local electrical codes.
extension cords to carry the electric load. Make sure the cords are rated for outdoor use, have a grounded, threepronged plug, and are in good condition. •
Do not run extension cords under rugs.
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Never connect generators directly to your home’s wiring. The reverse flow of electricity can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.
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Never plug a generator into a household outlet.
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Do not refuel a generator while it is running.
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Only store fuel outside of living areas and away from heat sources like water heater pilot lights.
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Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.
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Keep children and pets away from generators.
Operate electric generators or other fuel-powered machines outside where deadly carbon monoxide fumes cannot enter the home. Use the generator only in a well-ventilated and dry area located away from air intakes to the house. Do not use a generator in an attached garage. Do not overload the generator by operating more appliances and equipment than the generator is sized for. The operating instructions should have an output rating for the generator. Individual appliances should be plugged directly into the receptacle outlet of the generator using appropriately sized
Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson EDITOR Renée R. Whitener PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Jacob Puckett
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DISTRICT OFFICES Caldwell Watauga Ashe Alleghany Wilkes PowerLine*
TOLL FREE (828) 754-9071 (828) 264-8894 (336) 846-7138 (336) 372-4646 (800) 451-5474 (800) 448-2383
(800) 451-5474
OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday Kiosks available
(PowerLine* is an automated account information and outage reporting system)
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