embership M
01 TWENTY TWENTY FOUR
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 1-800448-2383, or by using outage texting. To report an outage, text OUT to 70216.
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THE
Perspective Powering our Communities f or the Future A new year is often associated with change and while the energy industry and what is happening at your cooperative is always evolving, one thing that has not changed is our focus and commitment to providing reliable electricity that you, our member-owners can count on – whenever you need it.
M c a p I s c O 1
From Blue Ridge Energy CEO Doug Johnson
20 years ago as our team recognized the need to upgrade an over 60-year-old 100 KV transmission line that was nearing the end of its useful life to serve our mountain counties. In 2022, work was completed to upgrade that line from 100 KV to 230 KV to increase capacity and to improve reliability to better serve the growing electricity demand in these areas.
As you are all aware, we work in some of the most rugged terrain in The final component the country, with a growing of the project, the membership, and steadily Rutherwood substation, “steps down” the increasing electricity demand. We know that as 230KV transmission line electric demand grows and to 100KV transmission technology evolves, the lines. The entire project electrical system designed is benefitting the cooperative’s electric system for the needs of yesterday through improving grid will not keep up with the resiliency and increasing needs of tomorrow. Careful capacity to manage system planning from our A large transformer being installed at the the ever-increasing engineering and operations Rutherwood Substation in 2023 challenges of handling team is required to continue high electricity demand, particularly during the delivering reliable energy. harsh winters. We are pleased to share with you that the final Operating an electric utility takes careful piece of our largest reliability project to date is planning for the needs of our members and now complete. As part of a 17-mile transmission upgrade to serve our mountain districts of ensuring that reliable energy is delivered. Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga, the Rutherwood Completing this project would not have been Substation, located in Watauga County, is now possible without the diligent work of our energized. This substation and the associated engineering and operations team from the transmission line upgrades will have a signifilinemen to the engineers planning and overseeing the project – and to them, I say cant impact on improving reliability now and in thank you for their outstanding work! the future. Planning for this project began over
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Membership MAT TERS
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A o t 5 s
N s m d e t
D a d t A r T t s a i
Q R l a B o
S t e q
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 Friday, March 1, 2024, when going through the Nominating Committee process, and by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024, 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. 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,
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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, (l) must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a felony
pursuant to state or federal laws, (m) must not have been a former regular full-time employee of the Cooperative or its subsidiaries, (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, and (p) Must complete a conflict-of-interest statement as part of the formal candidacy application process that includes disclosure of any nonmember campaign assistance.
Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson EDITOR Renée R. Walker 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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