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DECEMBEr Quick Hits

Fun Festivities Celebrate the holidays with your community. Check local town calendars to find light festivals, Christmas markets and more.

Merry & Bright As you put up your holiday lights, remember not to overload one outlet or extension cord with plugs.

Blanket your Home Winter officially starts on Dec. 21. Make sure your house is well-insulated to keep the warm air in and cold air out.

Safe Trees Always place live Christmas trees away from heat sources and keep the base filled with water.

Co-op Members in Need Benefit From Energy Efficiency Partnership

Several of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have partnered with Advanced Energy, the Raleigh-based nonprofit energy consulting firm, to establish a program that provides energy efficiency upgrades to reduce home heating and cooling costs for members in need. Supported by federal funding, selected members use the program to connect with energy experts and resources to make upgrades that result in long-term energy savings.

Called the Enhancing Electric Cooperative Rebate Program (EECRP), participating cooperatives were selected based on a variety of factors, including existing home energy rebate programs. While the program may expand in the future, cooperatives participating in the initial wave included Brunswick Electric, Pee Dee Electric, Piedmont Electric Cooperative, Randolph EMC, Roanoke Electric Cooperative and South River EMC.

“Brunswick Electric aims to be more than just an energy provider; we want to be part of the community,” said Brookes Versaggi, communications and member engagement manager at Brunswick Electric. “We’re always proud when we can make a difference in our members’ lives, and we hope for the opportunity to do similar initiatives in the future.”

Since the program’s inception in 2021, 71 cooperative members and their families have received new or upgraded HVAC systems. Heating and air conditioning typically accounts for more than half of total annual energy use in homes, so inefficient systems can lead to higher costs for homeowners.

Beyond HVAC system installations and upgrades, some electric cooperatives were able to fund other efficiency projects using their existing programs. For example, Piedmont Electric’s Helping Hand Foundation funded plumbing and weatherization improvements for participating

Aire Serve Heating & Air Conditioning

A new HVAC system is installed for a Brunswick Electric member. members. Pee Dee Electric gave eligible members a one-time bill credit for the installation of high efficiency heat pumps. Additionally, many homeowners who participated in the program received new smart thermostats “By increasing energy and upgraded insuefficiency in eligible homes, lation from their cooperative. we can help reduce energy Advanced Energy burden and provide safer, worked with the healthier environments for cooperatives to identify members residents who need it most.” with inefficient HVAC systems living in counties classified as economically distressed. “This program expands Advanced Energy’s service to the local community and makes a positive impact through partnerships with electric cooperatives and local HVAC installers,” said Onté Johnson, project manager at Advanced Energy. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) State Energy Office provides the grants for the energy efficiency upgrades, with funding from the CARES Act in 2021 and the American Rescue Plan in 2022. “This project is an extension of DEQ’s commitment to addressing equity and energy affordability for low-income North Carolinians,” said Beth Schrader, director of the NCDEQ State Energy Office. “By increasing energy efficiency in eligible homes, we can help reduce energy burden and provide safer, healthier environments for residents who need it most.” —Chris Nault, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

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Electric Co-ops Support NC State Fair’s ‘Field of Dreams’

In October, approximately 20,000 children from across the state visited the Field of Dreams exhibit at the NC State Fair, where they learned about the positive impacts of agriculture in North Carolina. Field of Dreams, a partnership between North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and the NC Department of Agriculture, highlights the role of the state’s agriculture industry in our everyday lives. The exhibit featured gardens full of dozens of NC-grown crops, helping kids make the connection between the food they see growing and the food they see on their plates.

“There are few organizations out there that have had as big of an impact on rural North Carolina as the network of North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives,” said North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Without their foresight, rural electrification would have been a long time coming, and the progress we have made would have been even more hard wrought. I can’t stress enough the importance of what they have done to help make agriculture a $92.9 billion industry in North Carolina, and we are proud to have them partner with us to educate the next generation on how much agriculture means to this state.”

Field of Dreams, which marked its 18th year in 2022, is staffed by local FFA chapters and 4-H clubs as well as employees from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Sarah Ray, public information officer for the NC State Fair, noted that “since its inception, Field of Dreams has helped educate almost half a million kids on the importance of knowing where their food comes from and the positive impact buying local has on our state.”

It’s beginning to look a lot like Santa

Wayne Lanning exudes Christmas cheer year-round

By Leah Chester-Davis

veryone can sense that jolly ol’ Saint Nick is near. Wayne Lanning never considered playing Santa until about 20 years ago. At the time, he was enjoying holiday festivities in his hometown of Lexington with his wife, Jeanie, and young granddaughter, Haley, when she spotted Santa Claus and started calling her grandpa, Santa. His wife looked at Wayne and acknowledged that he, indeed, looked like Santa and encouraged him to grow out his beard.

As his beard grew, his boss, North Carolina’s renowned artist Bob Timberlake, and co-workers at Bob Timberlake Gallery began saying, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Santa.”

When Wayne’s birthday rolled around, Bob, who Wayne considers not only his employer but a dear friend, gifted Wayne a trip to the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan.

“Bob sent me to Santa school, paid for my flight there and back, my hotel room, my tuition fee, and bought my first suit,” Wayne says. The school stresses the importance of being Santa and helping contribute to the magic of childhood and special memories, the traditions and customs, and how to interact with children and parents. The weeklong school started an adventure that both men seem to relish and share, and they have collected many stories through the years. Wayne, who has worked with Bob Timberlake for 30 years, makes an appearance as Santa every

year at the Timberlake Gallery Open House in Lexington, and the two often enjoy portions of the season together in Blowing Rock.

“He is the epitome of Santa,” Bob says. “He is jovial, happy, outgoing, friendly. He brings joy wherever he goes. We can be in a restaurant in the mountains in July, and little kids can sense his joy and his realism. They can sense he is really Santa Claus. He exudes Christmas to anybody that’s around him — and he does it year-round.”

Wayne loves people and acknowledges he receives comments throughout the year that he looks like Santa but it’s when he dons the Santa suit (he now owns seven) that he feels a transformation take place.

“My whole attitude, everything about me, changes when I put my suit on,” he says. “It seems like a miracle, something happening to you, where you’ll be able to talk to these children and love them. It’s just hard to describe.”

Wayne makes appearances at numerous places every holiday season—working from just before Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, where you’ll find him at Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church in Thomasville.

But it’s the Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem that also holds a special place in his heart. He acknowledges it is his toughest assignment, but the most touching. He tears up thinking about valiant little fighters, who may be quite ill, getting delight out of Santa’s visit. Not only does he take time to visit with children and families, he takes time for photographs with them all.

He often reads the children the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (more commonly called “The Night Before Christmas”), and joy is added to his appearance when his wife appears by his side as Mrs. Claus.

R evi val C reat i v e

He exudes Christmas to anybody that’s around him—and he does it year-round.”

Revival Creatives

Wayne Lanning (left) with Bob Timberlake

When Wayne walks away from interacting with children, his heart swells when he inevitably hears a young voice declare: “That IS the real Santa Claus!”

Revival Creatives

Carolina Country Contributing Editor Leah Chester-Davis loves to explore North Carolina. Her business, Chester-Davis Communications (chester-davis.com), specializes in food, farm, gardening and lifestyle brands and organizations.

A Carolina Christmas

By Lori Grossman

Red Bird candy puffs. Thin, crunchy, Moravian cookies. And of course — Santa rappelling down Chimney Rock. Here are a few local sights, sounds and shops to make the holidays special. Call or check websites for the latest times and admission requirements.

Speedway Christmas

Concord | charlottemotorspeedway.com 800-455-FANS This is one of the largest drive-through holiday lights displays in the Southeast. And don’t miss the drive-in Christmas movies shown on the Speedway’s 16,000-square-foot TV!

25th Annual Santa on the Chimney

Chimney Rock State Park chimneyrockpark.com | 828-625-9611 This 315-foot-tall rock formation draws over a quarter million visitors each year — including Santa Claus! Watch Santa rappel down Chimney Rock on the first two Saturdays in December.

Christmas Town USA

McAdenville mcAdenville-christmastown.com 704-824-3190 Throughout December, this small town glows with red, green, and white lights and resounds with seasonal music. Drive through or walk.

National Gingerbread House Competition

Asheville | bit.ly/omni-gbread 800-438-5800 No, these aren’t your Nana’s gingerbread houses — they’re amazingly detailed works of art at the annual contest hosted at the Omni Grove Park Inn.

Don McKenzie

House of Morgan Pewter

Kinston | houseofmorganpewter.net 252-526-1605 Stuck for gift ideas? This family-owned company offers over 800 handcrafted pewter items. They have something for everyone, with free shipping on all U.S. orders.

Weaver’s Department Store

weaversdepartmentstore.com 256-650-5999 Weaver’s is based in Alabama, but this store’s website is bliss for any fan of the Andy Griffith Show. Collectibles, food items, clothing and more can all be purchased online.

Mrs. Hanes’ Hand-Made Moravian Cookies

Clemmons | hanescookies.com 888-764-1402 Everyone loves them — even Oprah! Indulge your cookie craving with your choice of six flavors: sugar, chocolate, ginger, lemon, butterscotch and black walnut.

O.P. Taylor’s Toy Store

Brevard | optaylors.com | 828-883-2309 John Taylor is the big kid who owns this store, plus locations in Hendersonville and Greenville, South Carolina. No video games here. Show your kids the toys you loved.

Red Bird Peppermints

Lexington | piedmontcandy.com 336-248-2477 It wouldn’t be an NC Christmas without these yummy candies from Piedmont Candy Company. They’re allergen-free, kosher, non-GMO, and 100% cane sugar.

Freelance writer Lori Grossman currently lives in Texas, but carries memories of North Carolina in her heart.

Digital Extra Visit carolinacountry.com/extras for more details about each listing.

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THE MODERN SOLUTION

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Connection

PIEDMONT ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE MEMBER NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 2022

Capital Credits: Coming to a Mailbox Near You!

IMPORTANT DATES

As a not-for-profit cooperative, we return margins back to our members. This year we will be returning $1.2 million to those who were members in 1995 and 1996. This completes the return for 1995 and covers half of 1996. Each year, our member-elected board of directors decides whether our co-op can return capital credits, how much will be returned and which years are returned. Holding capital credits helps keeps our rates low as it reduces the amount of money we need to borrow in a given year.

How to Receive Your Capital Credits Consider Paying It Forward

December 23 & 26

Christmas

Piedmont Electric offices will be closed and employees will be on call. December 30

New Year’s

Piedmont Electric offices will be closed and employees will be on call.

If you were a member in 1995 or 1996, and your capital credit is less than $20, you’ll receive your capital credit as a credit on your December bill. If your capital credit is $20 or more, then you’ll receive a check with the full amount in the mail by the end of December.

Checking for Unclaimed Capital Credits

If you know someone who has moved out of our service area over the last few years, they may have money waiting for them in the form of capital credits. If we don’t have their new address when a member moves, we’re not able to send their capital credits to them. You can check pemc.coop/capitalcredit to search for unclaimed capital credits for friends and family members who may have moved. While we always attempt to contact former members, capital credits that go unclaimed after four years must be turned over to the state treasurer’s office. Your friends and family can claim that money by visiting nccash.com. Want to give back during the holiday season? Consider donating your capital credits to our Helping Hand Foundation. The money you donate will directly support energy assistance efforts for individuals in need, grants that support teachers and community safety. If you’d like to support the Helping Hand Foundation visit pemc.coop/donate to give any amount at any time. Thank you for your generosity as you help strengthen your local community! 12 Lighten the Load for Your

Mailbox this Holiday

Season 13 Maintaining Rates Despite

Rising Costs 14 What Happens When

Piedmont Electric Property

Sustains Damage?

Hunters Be Aware

We have had several recent instances of hunters unintentionally damaging our equipment. When shooting, please be aware of electric or other infrastructure that may be damaged as a result. See page 14

paperless billing

Lighten the Load for Your Mailbox This Holiday Season

It’s the holiday season and many of us are bustling around town, shipping off packages and cards to our loved ones around the country. During this time of year especially, the post office delivery tends to slow down with the influx of so much mail. If you still receive or pay your electricity bill through the mail, there’s a greater risk it could arrive late or get lost. What if there was a way you could ensure that you always receive your bill on time and lighten the load for local postal workers at the same time? With our paperless billing option, you can!

How Paperless Billing Works

By default, our members receive a paper bill in the mail each month. However, in an effort to offer greener solutions, we also offer paperless billing to members who only want to receive a digital copy of their bill. Once you sign up, you can access your monthly bill online by logging into your SmartHub account. With this option, gone are the days of waiting around for your bill to arrive. Instead, you can view it at your own convenience and refer back to it as needed.

How to Sign Up

Go to “My Information” and then “Update My Paperless Settings” and change the “Printed Bill Status” slider to the “OFF” position and you’ll start receiving online bills going forward.

Why Members Love Paperless Billing

Aside from helping out the post office and eliminating the risk of your bill getting lost in the mail, paperless billing has a few other perks. Not only is it a green option, but it helps your co-op save money by reducing the amount of paper and postage we have to buy. As a not-for-profit cooperative, these savings are then passed on to our members.

Consider Making Paperless Payments

Are you worried about your check payment getting to us on time during this busy post office season? We recommend sending it at least two weeks early to give it extra time to arrive. Or, consider making a paperless payment through a bank draft, online payment through your SmartHub account or by calling our automated system at 800.222.3107.

Budget Billing

With budget billing you pay the same amount each month. This is a great option for those on a fixed income. Call us at 800.222.3107 to learn more.

Annually, the American Dialect Society announces the Word of the Year Award. For 2022, I would like to nominate the word “inflation” for consideration.

Inflation has been a topic of conversation over the price of a dozen eggs at the grocery store, a gallon of gas at the pump or on our social media feeds as we consider our next Amazon purchase.

Your local electric cooperative is no different. The electric industry requires a lot of money to be spent on poles, wires, meters, transformers, trucks and dozens of other things that enable us to provide you with the reliable, affordable power at the quality service you expect.

For example, a 15 kVA transformer that we paid $693 for in 2020, cost $896 in 2021 and then rose further in 2022 to $1,058. That’s a 29 percent increase in cost from 2020 to 2021 followed by another 18 percent increase from 2021 to 2022.

Much of our equipment has followed the same pattern. Our 350 underground wire was $1.99 per foot in 2020, $2.71 per foot in 2021 and then $3.30 per foot in 2022. Those are increases of 36 percent and then an additional 22 percent.

While the per unit cost of wire may not sound like a lot, this adds up quickly. Piedmont Electric built about 20 miles of new line in 2021. Because of cost increases, Piedmont Electric paid about $76,000 more for those wires in 2021 than we would have in 2020. That doesn’t even include the cost increases of other equipment needed to build those 20 miles of line.

Despite these pressures, Piedmont Electric Cooperative has been able to maintain consistent rates through our ongoing cost containment practices including seeking multiple bids for projects, automation of processes, load management and technology optimizations.

I believe that we have continued to be fiscally responsible with our member’s money and that our staff has continued to thrive under the slogan of “do more with less.”

However, if current trends continue, we may need to adjust rates at some point. If it comes to that, we will proceed with direction from our member-led board and will consult with a third-party service that will study how much additional revenue we need to collect to cover our costs.

We will continue to be an at-cost provider, seeking to provide you with the best service at the best rate we can manage.

Stephen B. Hamlin President and General Manager

THE VALUE OF ELECTRICITY

Electricity continues to be a bargain, especially when compared to other consumer goods. The daily cost of powering your home and everyday life is less than the cost of one McDonald’s Big Mac meal. That’s the value of electricity.

$5.10*

Air Conditioning, Heat, Hot Water, Food Refrigeration, Cooking, Entertainment, Lighting, Communication and More McDonald’s Big Mac Meal

$7.99

What Happens When Someone Damages Piedmont Electric Property?

Thanks to the nature of our business as an electric co-op, we use a lot of equipment out in the community to ensure our members are receiving safe and reliable electricity. Sometimes, despite the best intentions, our members accidentally damage our equipment. What happens in that case?

Responsibility of Members for Damage to Piedmont Electric Property

Any meters, service connections or other equipment furnished by Piedmont Electric is the property of our cooperative. As such, members are not permitted to interfere with or alter any of this equipment. You may also not permit anyone other than a Piedmont Electric authorized agent to interfere with or alter this equipment.

Any damage caused or permitted by members to Piedmont Electric’s equipment or property will have to be paid for by the member.

For example, if you or someone you know damages your meter, you’ll be responsible for paying to replace it. The same rule applies to poles, wires and any other Piedmont Electric property you may come across in our service area. Similarly, you may not install or attach any wires, signs or other materials to any of our equipment, including electrical poles.

While we understand that this may be inconvenient, we rely on this equipment to serve our members. Additionally, interacting with electric equipment can be dangerous so it is important that the public stay away from it. We appreciate you taking the time to be careful around our equipment so we can continue to power our community.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about the Piedmont Electric service rules and regulations, please visit pemc.coop/bylaws.

PIEDMONT ELECTRIC CONNECTION

Published monthly for the members of Piedmont Electric Cooperative. Piedmont Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Hillsborough and Roxboro Drive-Thru Hours: Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Caswell Drive-Thru Hours: Wednesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Offices are closed except for scheduled appointments. Available by phone Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Report outages, make payments and access account information by phone 24-hours-a-day by calling 800.222.3107. Voice instructions will direct you through the system. 2500 NC Highway 86 South PO Drawer 1179 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Stephen B. Hamlin President & General Manager

DIRECTORS

Bill R. Barber, Chair Randy Kinley, Vice Chair David Poythress, Secretary Richal Vanhook, Treasurer Steven P. Bailey, Stephen C. Long, V. Kay Scurlock-Ferguson, Elizabeth Townsend & Cyrus Vernon

IF YOUR POWER GOES OUT, CALL OR TEXT 800.222.3107

Opt in for text alerts by texting “pemc” to 800.222.3107. Once you’ve opted in, report an outage by texting “#out” to 800.222.3107 or "#status" for an update on your outage. Our automated outage reporting system uses your phone number to determine your service location. Update the phone number connected to your account online through SmartHub, by completing the form on your monthly bill or by calling 800.222.3107.

Use the SmartHub app to report an outage or online at pemc.smarthub.coop/#reportanissue:. Please note that it may take up to 24 hours for our system to recognize new cell phone numbers in the text outage alert program.

Your co-op membership gives you the power to

ACHIEVE

As a member of an electric cooperative, you’re part of something bigger. Beyond powering the everyday, we’re committed to building a brighter future through impactful support for education, economic development and energy innovation – always in service to you.

Connect with your local electric cooperative to learn more.

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