embership M
04 TWENTY TWENTY TWO
MATTERS
T ime is money! Beat The Peak Time IS money when it comes to electricity usage each day. Blue Ridge Energy’s Beat The Peak program is helping members join together to keep costs low for all members by simply lowering your usage during a few key periods. Peaks occur when the majority of people are using electricity all at once. Power suppliers must generate enough electricity to meet this high usage requirement. Leveling out these peaks help control the costs. Summer peaks typically occur on the hottest afternoons, from 2 - 6 p.m., when people are arriving home and using more air conditioning and large appliances for cooking, washing clothes and dishes. Peaks can also occur on our coldest winter mornings. What can you do to help? Sign up to receive Beat The Peak alerts by text, email or the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app. When you receive an alert, plan steps to reduce your electricity usage during the specified times. Easy but helpful tips include: • • • • • •
Raise your thermostat as high as comfortable in the summer. Shift the time you wash and dry clothes. Wait to run the dishwasher. Turn off unnecessary lights. Grill outdoors or use the microwave instead of the oven or stove. Postpone hot water use until after the peak.
Every action helps! Keep electricity costs low by signing up today at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP, or text “BTP” to 70216.
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Perspective THE
T hanking our line technicians
You’ve likely noticed Blue Ridge Energy’s crews working on power lines and other electrical equipment in our community. It’s no secret that a line technician’s job is tough—but it’s a job that’s essential and must be done, often in challenging conditions. This month, as we celebrate Line Technician Appreciation Day on April 11, I wanted to recognize the outstanding individuals who serve their community in this role—one that’s in the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S. Their work can be heavy, in more ways than one. Did you know the equipment and tools that a line technician carries while climbing a utility pole can weigh up to 30 pounds? They’re also required to climb poles ranging anywhere from 30 to 90 feet tall. It’s not a job for the fainthearted! They often work non-traditional hours, outdoors in difficult conditions. The job requires technical skills, years of training and handson learning. Becoming a journeyman line technician can take more than 7,000 hours of training (about four years). That’s because working with high-voltage equipment requires specialized skills, experience and an ongoing mental toughness. Shortcuts are not an option and there is no room for error in this line of work.
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From Blue Ridge CEO, Doug Johnson
Despite the many challenges, Blue Ridge Energy’s line technicians are committed to powering our communities. They must be ready to leave the comfort of their homes and families unexpectedly when severe weather strikes, and they don’t return until the job is done, often days later. That’s why the line technician’s family is also dedicated to service. They understand the importance of the job to the community. Our Blue Ridge Energy line technicians maintain over 8,000 miles of power lines across seven counties. Today’s line technicians are also information experts who can pinpoint power outages from miles away. They use laptops, tablets, drones and other technologies to map outages, survey damage and troubleshoot problems. Line technicians are essential to the quality of life in our communities. Without their exceptional dedication, we simply would not have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life. So, the next time you see a line technician, please thank them for the work they do. Afterall, they’re the power behind your power. Please join us as we recognize them on April 11th by sharing your appreciation on our social media channels or whenever you see a line technician in your community!
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Educators, get your Bright Ideas ready!
ge CEO, son
It’s that time again! Blue Ridge Energy kicks off its Bright Ideas Education Grant program and begins accepting applications from innovative educators for the 2022-23 school year on April 1. Teachers with ideas for creative classroom projects that bring learning to life can learn more and apply online at ncbrightideas.com.
The Bright Ideas grant program is part of our continued commitment to building a brighter future for the people, businesses and communities we serve. In addition to ensuring the delivery of reliable, affordable and sustainable power, this vision emphasizes the importance of innovation and ongoing community support. Learn more at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BrightIdeas.
Grants are available for projects across all grade levels and subject areas, and educators can apply for grant funding individually or as a team. This program has supported projects focused on improving classroom instruction using innovative and creative teaching methods. Applications will be accepted until September 19. As an added incentive to apply early, educators who submit their applications by August 15 will be entered into a drawing to receive a Visa gift card. Since 1994, electric cooperatives in North Carolina, including Blue Ridge Energy, have partnered with K-12 teachers statewide to provide Bright Ideas grants for unique classroom projects that would not otherwise be funded. Over the program’s history, more than 2.8 million students across North Carolina have benefited from 13,536 Bright Ideas-funded projects totaling more than $14.3 million.
Membership MAT TERS
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Blue Ridge Energy is celebrating its 28th year of offering Bright Ideas grants as part of our support and commitment to education. To date, Blue Ridge Energy has awarded more than $568,000 in its service area and provided direct funding assistance that has impacted over 100,000 students.
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Want your director election kit emailed? Get rid of the paper! Sign up now to receive your cooperative’s Board of Directors election kit by email and vote online! On May 26, the Annual Meeting notice and director election kit will be sent to members. If you’re signed up to receive the kit electronically, you can quickly and easily vote online by using the link in the email you’ll receive! Those not signed up to receive the kit by email will receive a paper kit in the mail that includes a proxy and postage-paid return envelope to cast your vote. Simply go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com/OnlineVoteSignup to sign up for your emailed director election kit and avoid the paper. The deadline to sign up is April 20, 2022.
Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson EDITOR Renée R. Whitener PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Jacob Puckett
Membership MAT TERS
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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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