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Perspective T he impac t of rising energy costs As we come to the close of 2022 and prepare for the new year, we want to also prepare members for what we’re seeing in the energy industry and how this will impact us all.

Geopolitical activity and issues with Russia and the Ukraine have sent energy prices across the globe skyrocketing to levels we haven’t seen in many years. Fuels used to generate electricity such as natural gas have almost tripled in cost in the past year. This prolonged disruption to world energy markets is leading to predictions that we should expect to see higher prices until the end of next year.

We’re concerned about what this means for our members’ monthly energy bills. The impact from significantly increasing generation fuel costs will likely force us to begin a monthly wholesale power cost adjustment charge (WPCA) on your bill, beginning in February 2023. This is not a rate increase, which would be permanent, but rather a pass-through charge that captures only the additional wholesale power costs being charged by our supplier, Duke Energy Carolinas. Because fuel costs can fluctuate up or down, these charges are best captured through a WPCA that can be adjusted to reflect fuel costs or eliminated if no longer needed.

We are reviewing these cost impact projections as we plan how to help members deal with this cost pressure.

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From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson

Here are a few initiatives underway: 1. Working with our Members Foundation to evaluate providing more member assistance dollars for crisis heating needs.

2. Achieving maximum value from our subsidiaries to keep rates affordable and to help offset some of the wholesale power cost increases.

3. Diligently managing operating costs, which is very challenging considering high inflation and material supply disruptions.

4. Engaging members to help us reduce peak demand for electricity when wholesale power cost is at its highest.

5. Pursuing innovative programs such as electric vehicle overnight charging during off-peak hours when wholesale power cost is lowest and other Distributed Energy Resources programs to make our grid more efficient.

As your cooperative, we are always focused first and foremost on serving our members with the best care, helping you manage your costs and supporting local communities.

That includes keeping you informed. I’ll be updating members here and in other ways to keep you apprised of energy industry impacts and ways we’re working to help lessen these effects to make life better for those we serve.

Membership MAT TERS

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Ridge hnson

First steps: Director elections Members have the opportunity to vote for their Board of Directors each year. To keep you informed of election governance processes that take place throughout the year, your cooperative updates you in this newsletter. Two of the first steps in the director election process include appointing a Credentials and Election (C&E) Committee and a Nominating Committee. The Board appointed these committees for one-year terms at their October meeting.

Nominating Committee: This committee of nine cooperative members reviews and nominates qualified candidates to run for all open seats on the Board of Directors in the upcoming election.

The Board appointed the following committee members: Caldwell district: Libby Killian and Ron Kiziah; alternates Ron Vance and Greg White

Credentials & Election Committee: Made up of members from across the cooperative’s service area, this committee ensures director elections are conducted in compliance with Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation’s Bylaws. Responsibilities include selection of an independent election administration firm, review of petition candidate qualifications, validation of all proxies and ballots, and certification of election results.

The Board of Directors appointed the following committee members: Caldwell district: Robert Marshall, Joan McGee; alternates John Hawkins and Glenda Wright Watauga district: Angie Gregg; alternates Billie Rogers and Heather Martin Ashe district: Marty Norris; alternates Andy Sexton and Judy Bare.

Alleghany district: Dwayne Bright; alternates Steve Mason and Charles Rudy

Watauga district: Grant Mastin, Kelvin Gryder and Jimmy Friley; alternates Jessica Hicks and Laramie Combs.

Ashe district: Melanie Miller and Shawn Horton; alternates Patricia Calloway and Jim Parson.

Alleghany district: Randy Miles and Heather Andrews; alternates Tommy Maines and Tom Smith.

Members of both committees may not be employees, agents, officers, directors, close relatives or known candidates to become directors. The makeup of the committee reflects an equal number of members from each district, plus one representative from any district.

Candidates nominated by this committee as well as candidates running by petition will be posted in each Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation district office and on the website in April. Information about all candidates will be included in director election information mailed or emailed to all members in May. Information will also be provided in Carolina Country magazine sent to all members.

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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 PowerLine*

TOLL FREE (828) 754-9071 (828) 264-8894 (336) 846-7138 (336) 372-4646 (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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