Winter’s chill can drive up your energy bills—but a few smart moves can keep your home cozy and your costs down. Here are five easy ways to boost efficiency and fight the freeze:
1. Set It Smart. Keep your thermostat at 68°F or lower when you’re home. Dial it down when you’re sleeping or away—no need to heat an empty house.
2. Seal the Leaks. Drafts around windows and doors waste energy. Caulk and weather-strip to keep warm air in and cold air out.
3. Use the Sun. Let sunlight in during the day by opening blinds and curtains. Close them at night to block out the chill. Heavier window coverings can help insulate.
4. Rethink Appliances. Run dishwashers and washers only with full loads and use cold water when possible. Small changes add up.
5. Layer Up. Instead of cranking the heat, wear warm clothes, use blankets, and consider adding insulation to your home.
Heating drives up winter energy use, but proactive steps can boost comfort and control costs. If you’re taking steps to manage your energy usage but still see significantly higher bills, please contact our energy specialists to pinpoint possible issues and find solutions.
Perspective THE
Service To You: The Heart Of What We Do
From Blue Ridge CEO, Katie Woodle
As 2025 comes to a close, I’m proud to share that your cooperative’s mission to make life better for those we serve is alive and better than ever. In the face of adversity, our team of employees has shown resilience and strength in the months following Helene, including overcoming a major ice storm in the early part of the year, by supporting recovery efforts around our service area, and being a local resource that our members can count on for their energy needs.
Marking another successful year starts with the most important goal – serving you Throughout this year, our team has achieved excellent results and received great feedback from our members. ACSI scores consistently rank us among the top electric utilities in the nation when measuring consumer satisfaction.
2026 will be the 90th anniversary of your cooperative. While our role across the service area has evolved with technology, advancements, and growth, our identity hasn’t changed. Our members remain at the center of what we do. This starts with a team of local employees - your neighbors – offering quick response times to outages, and battle-tested knowledge of our terrain and electric grid. It also starts with careful planning for future energy needs, as well as a team of dedicated energy specialists who
prioritize helping you find savings, and make it possible for our members to receive unparalleled service for your home energy needs.
Making life better also goes beyond being a trusted energy provider. We support local schools, businesses, and organizations, helping our region thrive. As we prepare for our 90th year, we’re investing in new technologies and advocating for policies that keep energy affordable and reliable for you.
I’m proud to share that our Operation Round Up® program continues decades of success in providing critical crisis heating assistance for those who need it. This became even more important in early 2025 after we set up our Mountain Strong Hurricane Helene Relief Fund to provide additional resources to the many members affected by the storm throughout our service territory. We appreciate the continued support from members who round up their electric bill each month to help with this critical need.
Through every challenge, our greatest source of strength is you—our members. Thank you for your trust and partnership. The future of your cooperative is bright, and together, we’ll make 2026 our best year yet.
First Steps: Director Elections
Members have the opportunity to vote for their Board of Directors each year. To keep you informed of election governance processes that take place throughout the year, your cooperative updates you in this newsletter. Two of the first steps in the director election process include appointing a Credentials and Election (C&E) Committee and a Nominating Committee. The Board appointed these committees for one-year terms at their October meeting.
Credentials & Election Committee:
Made up of members from across the cooperative’s service area, this committee ensures director elections are conducted in compliance with Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation’s Bylaws. Responsibilities include selection of an independent election administration firm, review of petition candidate qualifications, validation of all proxies and ballots, and certification of election results.
The Board of Directors appointed the following committee members:
Caldwell district: Joan Miller McGee; alternates Carolyn Icard and Dennis Suddreth.
Watauga district: Laramie Combs; alternates Angela King and Johnny Lentz.
Ashe district: Pam Barker; alternates Rene Shuford and Jody Brown.
Alleghany district: Beth Phillips and Robin Gambill; alternates Ben Gatton and Brandt Burgiss.
Nominating Committee: This committee of nine cooperative members reviews and nominates qualified candidates to run for all open seats on the Board of Directors in the upcoming election.
The Board appointed the following committee members:
Caldwell district: Paul Duncan, Glenda Wright and Felicia Stewart; alternates L.G. (Grayson) Beane and Titus Yoder.
Watauga district: Scott Elliott and Tracey Heiss; alternates Jason Funderburk and Billie Rogers.
Ashe district: John Maloney and Marty Norris; alternates Tracy Lynn Schuster and Misty Shatley.
Alleghany district: Dwayne Bright and Warren Taylor; alternates Becky Miller and Dale Caveny.
Members of both committees may not be employees, agents, officers, directors, close relatives or known candidates to become directors. The makeup of the committee reflects an equal number of members from each district, plus one representative from any district.
Candidates nominated by this committee as well as candidates running by petition will be posted in each Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation district office and on the website in April. Information about all candidates will be included in director election information mailed or emailed to all members in May. Information will also be provided in Carolina Country magazine sent to all members.
Looking for a meaningful gift for the person who has everything — or to help the whole family? Consider a HUG (Holiday Utility Gift) certificate! The amount you purchase will be applied to the recipient’s Blue Ridge Energy account. Simply call or come by your local Blue Ridge Energy district office in Lenoir, Boone, West Jefferson or Sparta.
