2026-10-BRE MM

embership M

10 TWENTY TWENTY SIX

MATTERS

Rising Costs L ead to 5 Percent Rate Adjustment Average member will see additional $7.25 on their monthly bill beginning in November

Continued rising costs for wholesale power and electric system materials is the key driver behind the need for a 5 percent rate adjustment, approved by the Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation (d/b/a Blue Ridge Energy) following a thorough cost of service study.

Beginning in November, the typical Blue Ridge Energy member using 899 kWh monthly will see an additional $7.25 on their monthly electric bill.

Explaining the need for the rate adjustment, Chief Executive Officer Katie Woodle said: “As a cooperative operating to provide at-cost electricity in the best interests of our member-owners, it is never easy to pass along a rate adjustment even when it’s necessary. However, we have experienced sustained significant increases in our largest expense — the cost of wholesale power that we purchase to reach homes and businesses.”

“Additionally, the equipment, materials, technology and other resources required to maintain our electric system to provide reliable electricity for our members have also experienced sustained rising costs,” she said.

Woodle said Blue Ridge Energy has worked extensively to control expenses. “We are very fortunate to have our Propane and Fuels and RidgeLink subsidiaries, which play an

Blue Ridge-1026.indd 11

important role by contributing earnings that are then used to help offset costs for our electric members,” she said. For example, in 2025, the subsidiaries generated $6.7 million in after-tax net benefit back to the parent cooperative, which helped mitigate some of the cost challenges and help keep rates lower than would otherwise be needed.

“We also have recently renewed our employee-led WorkSmart program to identify additional savings opportunities throughout the organization in our day-to-day operations,” Woodle said. “Since the program began in 2009, over $56 million has been saved through targeted efforts by employees to identify processes and technology that allow us to work more efficiently and in a more cost-effective manner.

Blue Ridge Energy wants to help members keep their bills as low as possible. Tips and energy efficiency information are available on BlueRidgeEnergy.com, where members will also find programs such as Budget Billing, the cooperative’s “pay as you use” FlexPay option and the Usage Tracker, which shows daily electricity usage that help members make changes if needed to get ahead of high bills.

Look for more details in the Perspective on the next page and on the cover of this magazine.

9/9/26 3:28 PM

THE

Perspective Managing the Impac t s of a Rising Cost Environment As a cooperative, we exist to provide atcost electricity and work hard to shield our members from the rising-cost environment in wholesale power, and inflationary pressure we’re seeing impact crucial equipment required to deliver reliable energy.

What’s happening To ensure Blue Ridge Energy remains financially strong and continues operating at cost, we recently completed a comprehensive review of rates in response to rising wholesale power and electric system costs.

Providing reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost remains our mission. That is why rate adjustments are never easy to implement or communicate. However, effective with November bills, rates will increase by five percent, or, $7.25 per month for the average residential member using 899 kWh of electricity.

Why it’s happening Wholesale power, or the power we purchase from electric generation facilities to serve our system, makes up a majority of the costs your cooperative faces on a yearly basis. Across the energy market, demand for electricity continues to increase while supply remains tight. As a result, the cost of purchasing the energy needed to power homes and businesses continues to rise.

In addition to rising wholesale power costs, we’ve found no relief in the prices for equipment needed to maintain reliability that’s critical to our communities. From the poles, wires and transformers, down to the nuts and

Page 12

From Blue Ridge CEO Katie Woodle

bolts to hold it together, increases have continued from already historic levels.

What we’re doing in response As a member-owned cooperative, we have a responsibility to manage these challenges carefully and look for every reasonable opportunity to control costs. We continue working to secure the best possible wholesale power arrangements on behalf of our members. Over the past 20 years, strategic wholesale power decisions have helped Blue Ridge Energy members avoid approximately $369 million in costs that would have otherwise impacted rates. We continue to evaluate additional opportunities to strengthen our power portfolio while maintaining the high level of reliability our members have come to expect.

Our revitalized employee-led WorkSmart program remains another important tool for controlling expenses. Since its inception, the program has generated millions of dollars in savings through workplace efficiencies. Our subsidiaries also play an important role. In 2025 alone, Blue Ridge Energy Propane and Fuels and RidgeLink returned $6.7 million in after-tax net benefits to the cooperative, helping offset some of the cost pressures impacting our electric operations.

We never take rate adjustments lightly. We are committed to providing reliable electricity and doing so at the lowest possible cost. Most importantly, we remain committed to working on your behalf and seeking every opportunity to lessen the impact of rising energy costs on our members.

Membership MAT TERS

Blue Ridge-1026.indd 12

9/9/26 3:28 PM

e CEO le

Clean Energy Charge Changes

The “NC CEPS” charge on your bill is changing, effective on November bills. This charge is to comply with the state’s Clean Energy and Renewable Energy portfolio standard requiring all utilities to generate and distribute more electricity from renewable, nuclear and clean energy resources and to encourage energy efficiency among consumers.

Members will see the following increased changes: the residential fee will move from

$1.89 to $1.92, the commercial fee will move from $10.52 to $10.60, and the industrial fee will move from $67.92 to $70.12.

Expenses to comply with the clean energy law fluctuate annually based on the cost of energy and energy efficiency projects determined by the cooperative’s wholesale power provider. State law requires that a portion of renewable energy be generated from swine and poultry waste.

Stop Energy Vampires — Save Money Did you know some of your electronics continue to use energy even when they’re turned off? These so-called “vampire” or “phantom” electronics can quietly add up on your energy bill each month.

Devices like TVs, gaming consoles, printers, microwaves and other appliances, phone chargers and computers draw small amounts of electricity anytime they’re plugged in— whether you’re using them or not. Multiply that across your home, and it can account for 5–10% of your monthly electricity use.

Here’s how to fight back: Unplug devices when not in use — especially in guest rooms, home offices, and entertainment areas.

Page 17

Blue Ridge-1026.indd 13

•

Use smart power strips that cut power to multiple devices at once when they’re not in use.

•

Enable energy-saving modes on your TV, computer, and game systems.

•

When buying new electronics, look for the ENERGY STAR® label to ensure higher efficiency.

Taking just a few of these steps can help reduce waste, manage your energy costs, and make your home more efficient — without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

For more money-saving tips, head to: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Save

Page 13

9/9/26 3:28 PM

Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Katie Woodle EDITOR Renée R. Walker PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Jacob Puckett

Membership MAT TERS

Blue Ridge-1026.indd 14

DISTRICT OFFICES Caldwell Watauga Ashe Alleghany PowerLine* (PowerLine* is an automated account information and outage reporting system)

TOLL FREE (828) 754-9071 (828) 264-8894 (336) 846-7138 (336) 372-4646 (800) 451-5474 (800) 448-2383

(800) 451-5474

OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday Kiosks available

9/9/26 3:28 PM