embership M
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MATTERS
Restoring power during a storm Step by step... Restoring power after an outage involves steps for safely getting the most members restored in the shortest amount of time. Our plan is based on these priorities: Step 1:Transmission structures and lines that supply power to one or more transmission substations are restored first. These main delivery lines receive first priority because they serve tens of thousands of people. Step 2: Next are distribution substations, which “step down” (reduce) voltage from transmission lines so it can be distributed to thousands of members. Step 3: Main distribution supply lines (the ones you see on poles along roads) that carry electricity away from substations are targeted next. Step 4: The final power supply lines to a member’s home, called “tap lines,” are restored. These carry power from utility poles or underground transformers. Step 5: Damage can also occur on the service line leading from the transformer pole into your home. This could be why your neighbors have power and you don’t — one reason all outages should be reported. Members should always report outages to the cooperative in one of several ways: Blue Ridge Energy’s mobile app; by calling our PowerLine at 1-800-4482383, or by using our outage texting. Sign up for outage texting by texting START to 70216 before you have an outage. Once registered, simply text OUT when you experience an outage.
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THE
Perspective Wholesale power cost adjustment coming
M c a t p a c O 1
From Blue Ridge Energy CEO Doug Johnson
As we enter the New Year, we continue to see the impact to your cooperative from unprecedented increases in fuel costs to generate electricity. We have worked diligently to control and reduce costs to keep your bill as low as possible and we will continue our efforts. However, these sustained, extreme increases are making it necessary to pass-on these additional costs to our members.
ble through our Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation which is primarily funded by Operation Round Up® (ORU). Our subsidiary companies are contributing additional funds to the foundation, employees are making special donations and many others are also making additional one-time contributions. We appreciate this support. It can mean the difference in helping more homes stay warm this winter.
Beginning on February bills, a Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment (WPCA) of $9 per 1,000 kWh monthly will be implemented to help cover the increases of generation related fuels. This is a direct pass-through charge to recover only the increased charges from our wholesale power provider. There is no markup from Blue Ridge Energy; the funds go directly to our power provider.
Finally, I want to recognize our Propane and Fuels subsidiary in helping keep the WPCA lower than it otherwise would need to be. Propane and Fuels has committed to give $2 million to the parent cooperative from the subsidiary’s reserves. This reduced the amount of the WPCA members would need to cover by $2 per month based on the average usage of 1,000 kWh.
While it is a temporary charge, we project the need for a WPCA throughout 2023. However, it will be reduced or eliminated if our wholesale power cost decreases. On the other hand, it could also increase if wholesale power costs rise above current projections.
As your cooperative, we are focused on serving our members with the lowest cost electricity possible in a rising cost environment. We’re also committed to providing the most reliable electricity delivered with the best member care. We will keep you informed of energy industry impacts and ways we’re working to help lessen these effects to make life better for those we serve.
We know this increase will be difficult for many. To help, we are working to distribute as much crisis heating assistance as possi-
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Membership MAT TERS
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Interested in becoming a candidate f or the board of direc tor s? Members wishing to be considered as a candidate for the Board of Directors have two application options: the nominating committee process or the nomination by petition process. Interested members must complete and submit a director application packet by contacting Julie O’Dell, Chief Administrative Officer, at jodell@blueridgeenergy.com or 1-800-451-5474, ext. 3202. All application information is due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, when going through the Nominating Committee process, and by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023, for those seeking nomination by petition.
(a) must be a natural person and a citizen of the United States, (b) must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, (c) must have been a member for a minimum of three (3) years, and such three (3) year period may include at the time of application by a director candidate, the membership duration of a spouse, as long as the director candidate applies for and becomes a joint member prior to being elected or appointed as a Director of the Cooperative, (d) must have a high school diploma or GED,
Nominations by petition must include signatures of 20 or more members with a minimum of five from each of the four directorate districts with a requirement that each signature is the name that appears on the member’s electric service bill. Directors are members of the cooperative and serve three-year terms, with three directors elected from each of the Cooperative’s four districts (Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany districts). Each director represents all members of the Cooperative. They attend Board meetings, Board committee meetings, and attend numerous training sessions throughout the year to be equipped and knowledgeable to serve in the best interests of the membership. Qualifications to serve as a director of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation are listed below from Section 3.02 of the Cooperative’s Bylaws and can also be found online at BlueRidgeEnergy.com or at any local district office. SECTION 3.02 Qualifications. In order to be eligible to become or remain a Director of the Cooperative, such person must meet the following qualifications:
(e) must be receiving electric service from the Cooperative at his primary residence which shall be for qualification purposes where a member is registered to vote and spends most of his time, (f) must not have had a membership that has been in a state of suspension as defined in Section 1.10, (g) must have and sustain the Cooperative’s most favorable credit rating as defined in the Service Rules and Regulations, as herein defined in Section 3.15, (h) must not have been involved at any time in meter tampering reported to law enforcement, (i) must be legally competent and available to attend regular Board meetings, committee meetings, training and other events. Directors who miss more than two consecutive regular Board meetings may be subject to removal action by the Board. It shall be the duty of the Board to develop additional policy guidelines on attendance requirements, Story continued on page 14...
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Vegetation management helps Blue Ridge Energy achieve one of the BEST reliability ratings in the country.
Continued...Interested in becoming a candidate for the board of directors? (j) must not in any way be employed by, financially interested in, or serving as an officer, director, trustee or equivalent for a competing enterprise with the Cooperative or its subsidiaries, or a business that sells products, services or supplies to the Cooperative or its subsidiaries, (k) must not have a close relative (as hereinafter defined in Section 3.14) who is in any way employed by, financially interested in, or serving as an officer, director, trustee, or equivalent for a competing enterprise with the Cooperative or its subsidiaries, or a business that sells products, services or supplies to the Cooperative or its subsidiaries,
(m) must not have been a former regular full-time employee of the Cooperative or its subsidiaries, and (n) must not have a close relative who is an employee or incumbent director of the Cooperative as defined in Section 3.14 of these Bylaws. (o) must comply with the requirements of the governing conflict of interest policies and guidelines as adopted by the Board. (p) Must complete a conflict-of-interest statement as part of the formal candidacy application process that includes disclosure of any nonmember campaign assistance.
(l) must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a felony pursuant to state or federal laws,
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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