Unplug and Reconnect with North Carolina 4-H Camps this

NC 4-H Camps offer a 6 day, 5 night residential camping experience completely TECH free starting at $525/week!

Activities include horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, team building and high ropes, swimming, arts & crafts, talent show and more.

summer!

We offer three unique and beautiful facilities in convenient locations across the state.

All camps are owned and operated by NC State University and are American Camp Association accredited, adhering to the highest standards for safety and quality.

NC Co-ops Represented, Recognized at National Meeting

In March, more than 9,000 electric cooperative representatives from around the country met in Nashville for the 2023 PowerXchange conference, the national annual meeting of electric co-ops. Among those were leaders from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, who took the opportunity to both learn from peers and share their own success stories.

“Electric co-ops have the knowledge and the tools to do more for our members than at any point in time since we turned the lights on,” said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the national trade association for electric co-ops. “We want our accomplishments to outlive us. We truly and deeply care about our communities. And cooperatives, like no other businesses, thrive on true and selfless leadership.”

Randolph EMC CEO Dale Lambert and Director of Innovative Energy Solutions Michael Trent joined NRECA Senior Director of Media and Public Relations Stephen Bell during a breakout session, “Telling the Co-op Story: Powerful Insights and Critical Tips.” The group discussed the importance of building trust and fostering credibility with members during a time of industry transition.

“Communications will play a critical role as our industry goes through this transition,” Trent said. “We will need to take advantage of every opportunity to lean in and tell our co-op story.”

During the closing general session, Jones-Onslow EMC Vice President of Communications & Business Strategy Steve Goodson received the Curtis Wynn Diversity Champion Award, presented for the first time this year to recognize co-op employees or directors for “outstanding contributions to lead and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI).

Goodson has been instrumental in building a DEI program at his co-op, treating it as a core business attribute akin to safety and customer service.

Madeline Hiteshue, Youth Leadership Council (YLC) representative and 2022 Youth Tourist sponsored by EnergyUnited, attended PowerXchange and served as a runner during breakout sessions, as well as working at various NRECAand Touchstone Energy-sponsored exhibit booths. In addition to making connections with fellow students from around the state and the country, Hiteshue noted how the program has created networking opportunities across the co-op family.

“This program has changed my life,” Hiteshue said. “It got me out into the adult world. It’s an experience that most people from my grade don’t have.”

Taking the Stage

At the TechAdvantage Conference, an event focused on co-op innovation and technology held in conjunction with PowerXchange, several representatives from North Carolina's electric cooperatives shared insights in breakout sessions.

Speakers included: Don Bowman, assistant general manager and vice president, Engineering & Operations, at Wake Electric; Marshall Cherry, CEO at Roanoke Electric Cooperative; David Thieman, line technician at Wake Electric; Brett Kinlaw, GIS supervisor at Lumbee River EMC; Josh Locklear, reliability engineer at Lumbee River EMC; Jordan Overbee, manager of Engineering at Brunswick Electric; Dennis Mabe, vice president of Engineering & Operations at Randolph EMC; Jennifer Eberhart, director of Member Engagement for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives; and Dale Lambert, CEO at Randolph EMC.

Big Questions About Our Brighter Future

Electric vehicle battery safety

Q:Do electric vehicle batteries create an increased fire risk?

A:There is limited data on this topic and more work needs to be done, but from the best data we have available, electric vehicles (EVs) are not more likely to catch fire compared to their internal-combustion engine counterparts. Lithium-ion batteries are not a new technology — they are in our phones, laptops, power tools and a growing number of other applications. EVs are a newer application for batteries, but we have a good sense of what they are capable of and how to use them safely. Like any technology, follow the manufacturers’ suggestions for charging and repairs to ensure safety.

When they do occur, EV fires can be more difficult to put out than internal-combustion engine fires due to “thermal runaway,” which occurs when temperatures within a lithium-ion battery increase rapidly, according to the Raleigh-based energy consultant Advanced Energy.

Most states (including North Carolina) and automakers are developing training programs for first responders so they are well-equipped for handling the EV transition. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives support these programs and host training sessions for first responders in rural areas.

Co-op CEO Appointed to NC Board Overseeing Safe Digging

Calling NC811 before digging can save lives

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative CEO and General Manager Jake Joplin was recently appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to the NC Underground Damage Prevention Review Board. The 15-person board, working with NC Utilities Commission, is responsible for enforcement of the Underground Utility Safety and Damage Prevention Act.

Joplin steps into the role following a tenure served by Surry-Yadkin EMC Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Puckett, who was first appointed to the board at its creation by Gov. Pat McCrory, later reappointed by Gov. Cooper.

“I’m honored to represent North Carolina’s electric cooperatives and follow Greg, who served on the board since it was created in 2014,” Joplin said. “I look forward to helping communicate the importance of notifying 811 before you dig and performing safe excavation.”

What is known today as NC811 was founded in 1978 as ULOCO (Underground Utilities Location Request) and is recognized nationally as the number to “call before you dig.” Electric cooperatives and other utilities fund the nonprofit organization, making it a free service.

Excavators are required by law to report any damages to the affected utility and NC811. Visit nc811.org to learn more.

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