Membership MATTERS
Getting rid of vampire electricity is an effective way to save on your energy bill. Vampire electricity is “standby” energy used by many electronic devices and appliances that are still on, even when they appear to be turned off, as long as they’re plugged into an outlet. While these items may not seem expensive to keep plugged in, collectively, their cost adds up! You can start saving with a few easy steps:
• Unplug devices when not in use.
• Use power strips to unplug several items at once with the flip of a switch. Set strips to sleep mode after a few minutes of inactivity.
• Turn off screen savers on desktop computers. For laptops, disable screen saver mode.
• Smart plugs that work with a mobile app help you schedule appliances, and other items, to turn off and on automatically, which can help reduce energy usage.
• Consider disabling the “quick start” mode on your TV.
• When replacing appliances, look for new energy-efficient models with the Energy Star label.
For the average homeowner, vampire electronics can add 20% to monthly electric bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Fortunately, you can rid your home of vampire electricity by noticing how your home uses energy and taking simple steps to address it.
There is a Cooperative Difference: From Blue Ridge CEO, Doug Johnson
What do ACE Hardware, State Farm, REI, Land O’Lakes and Blue Ridge Energy have in common? We are all cooperatives.
We represent different industries, but we all share a passion for serving our members and communities. Cooperatives adhere to seven principles that reflect core values of honesty, transparency, collaboration and service. October is National Co-op Month — the perfect time to reflect on key cooperative principles that have stood the test of time and provide a framework for the future.
Then:
Cooperatives were created out of necessity, meeting a need that would have been otherwise unmet. In 1936, a group of neighbors banded together and organized our electric cooperative. For a modest membership fee, any farmer could get electricity. Neighbors worked together for the benefit of the whole community, and the newly established electric lines powered economic opportunity.
Now:
Improving our area remains a key responsibility for Blue Ridge Energy — driven by maintaining a modern grid and meeting the energy needs of now and tomorrow. We also support our members and communities in many other ways.
Last year our Members Foundation awarded nearly $300,000 to not-for-profit community projects and crisis energy bill assistance.
We support education by awarding over $25,000 in Bright Ideas Grants to educators for innovative classroom experiences. We also award over $32,000 in college scholarships annually and our Leadership Track helps high school students prepare for college and development leadership skills.
Electric cooperatives serve as liaisons to help qualifying local entities obtain zero-interest loans from a USDA Rural Economic Development program to fund critical community services and job creation through business expansion. Your cooperative helps our communities secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans each year for projects ranging from hospital expansions or equipment to improving local fire and rescue resources.
And today, we’re also helping bring highspeed internet to pockets of our service area lacking this service through our partnership with SkyBest Communications and the help of grant funding.
We celebrate all seven cooperative principles, but the heart of cooperatives remains the same. We have been demonstrating care for our communities since the 1930s and it is how we plan to “Power a Brighter Future” for tomorrow.
Did you know that co-ops are guided by seven common principles?
