2024-04-BRE MM

Membership MATTERS

Time is Money!

Sign up for Beat The Peak

Time IS money when it comes to electricity usage each day. Blue Ridge Energy’s Beat The Peak program is helping members join together to keep costs low for all members by simply lowering your usage during a few key periods.

Peaks occur when the majority of people are using electricity all at once. Power suppliers must generate enough electricity to meet this high demand for power. Leveling out these peaks will help control the costs.

Summer peaks typically occur on the hottest afternoons, from 2 - 6 p.m., when people are arriving home and using more air conditioning and large appliances for cooking, washing clothes and dishes. Winter peaks tend to occur on the coldest winter mornings, from 5 - 9 a.m., when most people are awakening, turning up the heat and using more electricity as they get ready for work and school.

What can you do to help? Sign up to receive Beat The Peak alerts by text or email.

When you receive an alert, plan steps to reduce your electricity usage during the specified times.

Easy but helpful tips include:

• Raise your thermostat as high as comfortable in the summer or as low as possible in winter.

• Shift the time you wash and dry clothes.

• Wait to run the dishwasher.

• Turn off unnecessary lights.

• Grill outdoors or use the microwave instead of the oven or stove.

• Postpone hot water use until after the peak.

Every action helps! Keep electricity costs low by signing up today at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP, or text “BTP” to 70216.

Perspective

Giving Thanks for our Line Technicians From Blue Ridge Energy CEO Doug Johnson

If you were asked to associate an image or a person with Blue Ridge Energy, I bet you would picture a line technician. One of the most visible employees of the co-op, line technicians work tirelessly to ensure our communities receive uninterrupted power 24/7.

“Lineworker” is listed as one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S. This is understandable as they perform detailed tasks near high-voltage power lines. Regardless of the time of day, having to brave stormy weather and other challenging conditions, line technicians must climb 40 to 90 feet in the air, often carrying up to 30 pounds of equipment to get the job done. Their work also includes high-voltage substations at times and reaching some of the most remote locations in our rough, mountainous terrain.

Being a line technician is not a glamorous or easy profession. It takes specialized training, ongoing education, dedication and equally important, a sense of service and commitment. How else can you explain the willingness to leave the comfort of your home to tackle a challenging job in difficult conditions, when most are sheltering comfortably at home? This servant’s heart to the community is truly what sets line technicians apart. That’s why we set aside the second Monday in April to celebrate and recognize those who work around the clock to keep the lights on.

While line technicians may be the most visible employees at Blue Ridge Energy, it’s important to note that there is a team of highly skilled professionals working behind the scenes.

Engineers provide ongoing expertise and guidance on the operations side of the co-op. Member service representatives are always standing by to take your calls and questions. Our information technology (IT) experts are continuously monitoring our system to help safeguard sensitive data and support the technology used for operations. And these are just a few of the folks who work together to ensure we can deliver the service and reliability you expect and deserve. Without them, our line technicians wouldn’t be able to keep our communities powered.

On April 8, and any time you see a line technician, I hope you’ll join me in thanking them for their exceptional service. I also hope you’ll remember that you have a dedicated team of professionals working behind the scenes at your cooperative whose commitment to service runs just as deep.

Educators, get your Bright Ideas ready!

It’s that time again! Blue Ridge Energy kicks off its Bright Ideas Education Grant program and begins accepting applications from innovative educators for the 2024-25 school year on April 1. Teachers with ideas for creative classroom projects that bring learning to life can learn more and apply online at ncbrightideas.com

Grants are available for projects across all grade levels and subject areas, and educators can apply for grant funding individually or as a team. This program has supported projects focused on improving classroom instruction using innovative and creative teaching methods.

Applications will be accepted until September 15. As an added incentive to apply early, educators who submit their applications by August 15 will be entered into a drawing to receive a Visa gift card.

Since 1994, electric cooperatives in North Carolina, including Blue Ridge Energy, have partnered with K-12 teachers statewide to provide Bright Ideas grants for unique classroom projects that would not otherwise be funded. Over the program’s history, over 3.5 million students across North Carolina have benefited from 14,200 Bright Ideas-funded projects totaling over $15 million. The Bright Ideas grant program is part of our continued commitment to building a brighter future for the people, businesses and communities we serve. In addition to ensuring the delivery of reliable, affordable and sustainable power, this vision emphasizes the importance of innovation and ongoing community support. Learn more at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BrightIdeas

Blue Ridge Energy is celebrating its 30th year of offering Bright Ideas grants as part of our support and commitment to education.

To date, Blue Ridge Energy has awarded more than $618,700 in its service area and provided direct funding assistance that has impacted over 110,000 students.

Prefer to vote online? Sign up for your electronic director election kit now.

New this year:

A Chance to Win 5 Exciting Prizes!

Members who vote in director elections this year, will be eligible to win one of five exciting new prizes! You must vote online or by paper ballot following the directions on your director election kit. Prizes include: a Blackstone Griddle, a Solo Stove, Ooni Pizza Oven, Visa gift card and Yeti Cooler.

Sign up NOW to receive your cooperative’s Board of Directors election kit by email:

Go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com/OnlineVoteSignup:

• Fill out a few details we need to send you the kit by email

• Be sure to sign up by the deadline of April 15, 2024, at 11 p.m.

On May 29, the Annual Meeting notice and director election kit will be sent to all members by email or mailed hard copy. Both include voting instructions, candidate biographies and a proxy to use for voting.Members may vote for Board candidates in all districts, not just the district in which they live.