Energy Sense

Manager ' s Message | GreG Puckett

The power behind your power

Dear Valued Member,

You’ve likely noticed Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation’s crews out and about, working on power lines and other electrical equipment in our community. It’s no secret that a lineworker’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 Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 11, I thought I’d share some interesting facts about electric lineworkers with you.

The work can be heavy, in more ways than one. Did you know the equipment and tools that a lineworker carries while climbing a utility pole can weigh up to 50 pounds? That’s the same as carrying six gallons of water. Speaking of utility poles, lineworkers are required to climb poles ranging anywhere from 30 to 120 feet tall. Needless to say, if you have a fear of heights, this likely isn’t the career path for you.

Lineworkers must be committed to their career — because it’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. The long hours and ever-present danger can truly take a toll. In fact, being a lineworker is listed in the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S.

Lineworkers often work non- traditional hours, outdoors in difficult conditions. While the job does not require a college degree, it does require technical skills, years of training and hands-on learning. Did you know that becoming a journeyman lineworker can take more than 7,000 hours of training? That’s because working with highvoltage 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.

Despite the many challenges, Surry-Yadkin EMC’s lineworkers are committed to powering our local community. During severe weather events that bring major power outages, lineworkers are among the first ones called. They must be ready to leave the comfort of their home and families unexpectedly, and they don’t return until the job is done, often days later. That’s why the lineworker’s family is also dedicated to service. They understand the importance of the job to the community.

Nationwide, there are approximately 120,000 electric lineworkers. Here in the Yadkin Valley, SYEMC’s operations team is responsible for keeping power flowing 24/7, 365 days a year. To do this, they maintain 4,119 miles of power lines across five counties and 1,093 square miles. In addition to the highly visible tasks lineworkers perform, their job today goes far beyond climbing utility poles to repair a wire. Today’s lineworkers are information experts who can pinpoint power outages from miles away. Line crews now use laptops, tablets, drones and other technol-

ogies to map outages, survey damage and troubleshoot problems.

Being a lineworker may not seem like a glamorous job, but it is absolutely essential to the life of our community. Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of these hardworking men and women, we simply would not have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life.

So, the next time you see a lineworker, please thank them for the work they do to keep power flowing, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. Afterall, lineworkers are the power behind your power. Please join us as we recognize them on April 11, and follow “#ThankALineworker” on social media to see how others are recognizing lineworkers.

In addition to our lineworkers, April also plays host to Administrative Professionals Day on April 27, and we would like to recognize the professionals in our office who help keep us going behind the scenes. Our administrative professionals work in a variety of departments, including member services, accounting, member support and energy services, information technology and GIS mapping, dispatch, communications, human resources, inspections, staking and engineering.

Cooperatively yours,

Greg Puckett Executive Vice President & General Manager

Returning money to our members

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, any margins, or profits, made beyond our operating costs are returned to our members as capital credits. The following names include former members of SYEMC for whom there is no current forwarding address.

To claim their capital credits, these former members must contact SYEMC at Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation 336-356-8241. If you recognize someone on the list, please have them contact us.

D J Abt Douglas D Adams Howard J Adams Luther D Akers Paul Alexander Polly M Allen Edna B Alley Steve C Anders Patricia A Anderson Clarence C Anthony III Robert F Antone Eddie Arnder Ellis D Atkins Rocky L Atkins Wilveria B Atkinson Kenneth P Avery Ronald Ayers Jonathan Bailey Leslie K Bailey Michael Bailey Jay W Baldock L I Ball David Barber David Barfield Anthony Barnabei Harold L Barnette Michael L Bartelson James A Bauguss Adam Beamer Allen Beasley Leonard Beasley Theodore Beck George Becker Beechnut Park Jessie E Belton Allen J Bennett Parks H Benton Carlton E Best Janice C Bingman Gary D Bledsoe Jerry W Blevins Blue Ridge Foothills Bennie L Bolin Barry W Bottoms Stephen L Bowles Opal Bowman Richard C Bowman Russell K Boyd James G Boykin Larry D Brim Emma G Brinson Bobby G Brooks Toni P Brooks James D Brown Roy K Brown Timothy P Brown Peggy G Bruner Earl R Bryant Michael D Bryant Steven Bryant Jerry F Bundy Curtis Butcher David M Byrd Ezra M Byrd Jr Richard H Byrd Billy C Calhoun Dale E Carpenter Betty Carter Terry Carter I Keith Casey Cynthia G Cassels Jason L Casstevens Linda S Caudill David W Caudle Bernice T Cave Mickey Cave Shante R Ceasar Cedarcreek Farm Nursery Cellular One Genene J Chamberlain Dennis L Chambers Kenneth D Chandler Melvin E Chandler Chappell’S Body Shop Cynthia D Chattin Shirley J Childress Steven J Childress Robert W Chrismon Kathy L Clark Tommy T Cline Robert B Cobb Tabitha T Cole Alexis S Coleman Constance P Collins Duke Collins Richard F Collins Donald W Combs Hadley Combs James C Combs Communications 3600 Paul E Comstock Cleo C Cook Darlene H Cook Jenny A Copple Sheila Core Charles G Couch Linville Couch Sara L Cox Levonda R Craft Vickie Cress Sandra H Cromer Michael A Cross Paul Crouse Francisco J Cruz David Culler Keith B Danner Annette Darnell Donald G Darnell Michael Darnell Richard E Davidson Charles Davis George G Davis Harold W Davis Raymond R Davis Tomas P Delgado Patricia B Dennis Bobby R Dickson Jr Jeffrey P Dixon David E Dobson Karen A Dodson Shelby J Donathan Edgar E Dotson D Michael Draughn Russell R Duerr Jr Deborah L Dunbar William Dunham Richard E Durgin Jr Gary W Eades William T Eanes Daniel J East Eco Knit Inc Frances G Edwards Keith A Edwards Michael D Edwards Robert L Edwards Edwin Ellis Georgia Ellis Falcon Cable Media Bill H Farmer Suzanne M Faulk William H Felty Parthene T Ferguson Omar D Fischer Howard W Fletcher Jill U Foster Ruby L Foster Johnny F Frady Kenneth G Frazier D A French Annette Frost Johnny R Frye Marty Fulk Michael R Fulk Marty B Fuller Tony Gainous Patricia E Galileo Alex Garza Bobby J Gentry Cathy D Gentry James S Gibbs III James L Gillespie Hilda W Gilley Dale R Gilliam Leona M Gilliam I R Goco Matthew W Godfrey Katrina G Godwin Joe Gonzales James W Gordon David M Graham Gino Grandinetti Stanley D Gray Daniel T Greene Mario Gregorio Leland R Gregory Charles L Griffith Nina E Gwyn Michael S Hale Joey Haley Dale Hall Mark T Hall Scott R Hall Thomas V Hall Thelma F Hancock Deborah M Hanks Everette Hanks Benjamin A Hardin Danny E Hardy Judy Hardy Jack S Harlowe Dorothy H Harp Patrick Harper Crystal H Harrell Carl D Harris Dale R Harris Ronnie L Harris Linda Harrison Teresa M Harrison Richard R Harrold Kenneth R Hartley Vestal Hauser Larry Hawkins Linda Hawkins Susan D Hawkins Peggy J Hawks James E Hayes Jr Henry D Haynes Michael D Healy Eugene Heath Lisa R Hedric Joe D Hege Carol G Hemric Brenda B Hicks Bruce W Hicks Nancy H Hicks Richard C Hill Nancy M Hilton Kathy J Hines Barbara H Hitchcock Claude G Hodge Jr Frances Hodge Hardin R Hodges Jack L Hodges Jr Martha E Hodges Brenda J Hooker William J Hopkins Rassie S Hunter Keith D Hutchens Terry M Hutchens Timothy L Hutchens Michael W Hutcherson John E Hutchison Harry C Inman Carol M Johnson Charlene B Johnson Cindy P Johnson Ira B Johnson Jr James L Johnson Jimmie L Johnson Michael D Johnson Nora Johnson Raymond Johnson Tammie L Johnson Terry W Johnson Charlie F Jones Mildred B Jones Mike Joyce Speas Joyce Andres Juarez Serge Kalognomos Kimberly L Kaper Craig E Karns Delmar G Keaton Maxcine G Kelley Betty L Kennedy Audrey R Key Bobby D Key Danny L Key Larry B Key Linda F Key Dorothy T King Gary K King Jr Leander King Timothy A King Charles R Kirkman Anthony M Krause Keene K Kruckenberg L & L Grocery Alicia Landaverde

Robert R Lane Eric J Lapradd Donnie J Large Howard H Lawrence Brenda S Lawson Bryan L Lawson Charles C Lawson Raymond E Ledford William P Leftwich Ethelyn H Lewis Pamela M Lewis Robert Lewis William Lillard Larry W Lineberry Robert E Linquist Jr David E Lusk Loyd Lyons Paula A Mabe Steven E Mabe Richard A Macdonald Cynthia J Mack Maple Grove Grocery Ella M Marion Donald W Marshall James M Marshall Sheila T Marshall Douglas E Martin Gregory D Martin Jerry W Martin Ramon Martinez Steven T Mathis Jerry W Matthews Jim A Matty James M Mauldin Robert I Mccarthur Paula H Mcdowell Thomas M Mcguire James R Mcknight James R Mcknight Jr Jonathan Mclellan Joseph R Medley Kevin B Michael Hewson A Michie Cynthia Milano Donald W Miller Leslie J Mills Vernon J Mininger Harley G Minnich Ted Minton Kenneth Misenheimer Paul M Mitchell Sherri A Mitchell Kenneth W Moncus Brian Monk Terry A Morrell Patricia L Morrison Paul J Morton Mourning Dove Ranch Mt Airy Stockyards Inc Paul W Mullins Marilyn Mullis Denise Murphy Fern M Myers Jerry W Myers Robert T Myers Norma R New Jerry L Newman Phillip Nicholas Donald Norman Arlene B Nunn Frances C Nunn Pauline S Oldham Gwenda Oldson On The Way Stores #6 James C O’Neal Julie H Owens Ronald G Pack Ronnie Pack Grace O Padgett James Page David Palocios Daniel Pardue Danny W Pardue Sheila L Pardue Tambra D Paredes John B Paris Michael S Parks Terry Patterson Janene S Payne James K Penn Ricky E Perdue Nancy C Perry Julius H Petty Harry S Phillips Jimmy L Phillips Laura W Phillips Robert L Phillips Roger Phillips Tom J Phillips Shirley J Pickett Daniel S Pierce Pilot Graphic Corp Lester G Pinnix Randall D Pitts Sr Bobby Poindexter Ernesto Ponce J L Porter Premier Rack & Mfg Thomas L Puryear Craig M Quesenberry Jose H Ramos Nancy M Randolph Jack Rasnick Beverly J Ratcliff Blanche H Ratliff Madgalene Reavis Vernie M Reece Ronnie Renegar Forest N Rice Jimmy L Riggs Larry D Ring Michael S Ring Perry L Roberson Gary L Robertson Patricia A Robinson Christoph Rocco Rockford Industrial Comp Lloyd C Rose Connie M Routson James C Rowe Grace Russell Bernice Sales Betty L Sapp Betty L Schugg Kathy W Schuh Merlin Scofield Robert Scofield Donald R Scott Jimmie R Scott Mary L Scott Earl M Seaver George R Seeley Dorothy A Senter Charles Setar A N Setzer David S Shaw David K Shelton Dwight H Shelton Michael J Shelton Mabel B Shore Henry Shores Edra J Shreve Paul E Shrewsberry Jr Rick L Shropshire Jeffrey M Shumate Larry R Shumate Jesus L Silva Robert Simmons William H Simmons Kenneth L Simpson Singletree Inn Maxton R Sink Phillip D Sizemore Raymond Sizemore Tara M Sizemore Cindy Smith Connie L Smith Delmer L Smith James R Smith Jim Smith John W Smith Kenneth E Smith Larry N Smith Rachel G Smith Richard A Smith Terry L Smith Chadwick D Snow David J Snow Joseph F Snow Sarah T Snow Scott E Snow Mary E Solana Sorensen-Gross Inc Marvin L Speaks Norman L Speas Jr Oscar L Speas Inez W Spease Sprint Mid-Atlantic Pamela M Stack Glenda Stalvey Charles C Stanley Joyce Stanley Rosalind L Stanley Thomas E Stanley Timothy J Starkey Stevens Roofing Systems Thomas R Stevens Garrett Stewart Sherry L Stewart Vicky G Stone William O Storms Arthur L Stowers Jr Arthur R Stowers Surry Inn Surry Water Company Surry Yadkin Mental Health Robert Sutphin E H Swaim Vernon J Tackett Jesse M Tate Sr David Taylor Jack Taylor Jeffrey S Taylor Nellie Taylor Teresa S Taylor Nell P Templeton Lisa E Terry Jean Thomas Larry D Thomas Roger D Thomas Arvil E Thompson Diana Thompson James P Thornton S W Thrasher Jr Ronald T Tickle Mary R Tilley Timothy W Tilley Tobaccoville Grocery Inc Gabriel R Torres Juanita T Torres Mary L Treptow John Tuit Alfredo Urquiza James E Utley Jr Donald Utt Timothy R Vaden Joel R Valentine William H Van Eaton Jimmy Varner Ray A Veach Elisa Vega Francisco Vega Robert Venable Michael Vestal Terry D Vestal Virginia-Carolina Paving Thomas C Wagoner Tommy Joe Wagoner Bill Waldrup Keith P Walker Gary W Walkup Martin E Wall Teresa A Wallace Thomas G Wallace Brian P Webb Thomas M Weber Betty S Whitaker Jimmy R Whitaker Billy White Jarvis R White Mitzi G White Mary M Whitman Erlene Whitney Robert H Wiles Shane B Wilkins Jeffrey A Willard Ronald L Willard Brenda Williams Della M Williams Gary L Williams Ronnie L Williams Bobby D Wilmoth Jackie R Wilson Susan E Wilson Mildred S Wishon James R Wood Timothy D Wood Christopher W Wooten John L Worth John C Wright Zelle Wyatt William H Yates Jr William D Young

Receive up to $50 in bill credits

when you sign up for our energy savings options

Sign up for our Time of Day rate and receive a $25 bill credit Shift your energy use to o -peak hours

On-Peak Hours: April 16 - October 15 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM October 16 - April 15 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM Bring Your Own Thermostat

BYOT incentives are available to any member signed up for our Time of Day rate

For additional information on how to receive a $25 bill credit, visit www.syemc.com

ers, customer service representatives, accountants, recruiters, human resources staff, safety coordinators, mechanics, and general shop employees.

Ken Kaelin joined the Bottomley staff two years ago and serves as the company’s president. When asked what makes Bottomley stand out above his competitors, he said, “We are a family-owned business and everyone is treated like family, so employees never feel like a number. We ensure the best driver-experience possible for our drivers by providing excellent equipment, no-touch freight (with a majority being drop and hook), above market pay, a variety of delivery destinations, and our drivers are home weekly.”

In addition to taking care of their staff, Kaelin also ensures the company covers the consumer’s needs, as well. “We haul what everyone needs. I walk into a supermarket and see the product that we brought from across our country. It is amazing to see how our economy works through what is hauled in our trucks,” said Kaelin.

For additional information on Bottomley Enterprises, visit their website, bottomleyenterprises.com.

Paying the price of power theft

Thieves sometimes think of it as a crime that won’t hurt anybody. Someone illegally hooks into a power supply, hooks up a line that has been disconnected, or tampers with a meter to avoid recording electricity usage. The truth is that tampering with electrical equipment or attempting to steal electric power carries the potential to harm many people. The innocent consumers on the same line and utility personnel who work on those lines are all at risk when someone tampers with electricity or electrical equipment.

An overload of electricity could result in extremely high voltages that may damage the appliances of paying customers. Excessive current that is not safeguarded by a fuse is especially dangerous. In emergency situations such as fires, power has to be shut off to help firefighters and emergency medical personnel to enter a building safely. If lines have been interfered with illegally, the lines could remain energized, endangering the lives of the first responders.

From a reliability standpoint, illegal connections to power sources and attempts to divert metering devices can overload the system, cause interruptions, and compromise power quality.

Surry-Yadkin EMC and its partner at Safe Electricity urge everyone to help prevent and reduce power theft: • Notify your electric utility immediately if you know of an illegally connected consumer. • Do not cut the seal on your meter base or tamper with your own meter for any reason. • Apply for a legal connection if you do not have one. • Remain aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activities to your electric utility.

Most electrical theft crimes occur through meter tampering, bypassing meters, and tapping power lines. Other less frequent crimes include tapping into neighboring premises, using illegal lines after being disconnected, selfreconnection without consent, and electrifying fences. Possessing fraudulent electricity bills is also a federal crime and is punishable by law.

If illegal connections were curbed, more power would be available to consumers who obey the law, power quality and safety would increase, and people would experience fewer service interruptions. Everyone is affected by power theft, and detecting and reporting illegal activity will help reduce the price paid.

For more electrical safety information, visit syemc.com or SafeElectricity.org.

Teachers, apply for a Bright Ideas grant

Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation is partnering with outstanding educators to bring creative learning to life! Starting this month, teachers can apply for a Bright Ideas education grant of up to $1,000 to fund projects that enhance student success in K-12 classrooms and would otherwise not be possible. Applications and more information about the program can be found at www.ncbrightideas.com.

Grants are available in all curriculum areas including art, science, history and mathematics.

Bright Ideas grant applications will be accepted through Sept. 15, but teachers are encouraged to apply early. Those who submit their application by Aug. 15 will be entered to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards.

Supported by all 26 electric cooperatives in North Carolina, Bright Ideas grants have contributed $14.3 million to N.C. classrooms, funding a total of 13,536 projects that have benefited well over 2.8 million students statewide since 1994.

Support for youth and education is part of our continued commitment to building a brighter future for the communities we serve. To learn more, visit syemc.com.

Member Connections is a monthly publication intended for the members and friends of Surry-Yadkin EMC.

Board of Directors

Lee Von (Toby) Speaks, President Willard Swift, Vice President Karoline Overby, Secretary David Miller, Treasurer

Board Members

Brenda Hardy Stephen Hutson David Pendry Alvin Reid, Jr. Eddie Campbell Stephen Joyce

Greg Puckett, Executive Vice President and General Manager

Wendy Wood, Editor

Surry-Yadkin EMC 510 South Main Street Dobson, North Carolina 27017 336.356.8241 | 800.682.5903 www.syemc.com Office Hours Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. To report an outage, day or night 336.356.8241 | 800.682.5903 An Equal Opportunity Employer

Connect with SYEMC

syemc

@SurryYadkinEMC

SurryYadkinEMC

Do You Know About Lineworkers?

Every April, we celebrate lineworkers and the hard work they do to make sure we have electricity to power our lives.

How much do you know about them?

Take the quiz below to find out! (Use the answer key to check your work.)

1. Lineworkers have to wear a lot of gear to do their jobs. A lineworker’s gear can weigh up to a. 15 pounds b. 50 pounds c. 80 pounds

2. Lineworkers maintain and repair electrical lines, but they do not install them a. True

(no installation) b. False (They maintain, repair and install lines.)

3.There are approximately a. 50,000

lineworkers in the United States. b. 90,000 c. 120,000

4. Lineworkers must wear clothing to protect them from a possible electric arc while working. a. fire resistant b. extra thick c. leather or rubber

5. Lineworkers must wear special conductive boots when climbing a steel structure. a. True b. False

True 120,000 4. A fire resistant 5. A 3. C 2.B False 50 pounds 1. B Answer Key: