matters MEMBERSHIP
OCTOBER 2014
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
Did you know...
in addition to helping over 8,600 individual members since 2007, Operation Round Up has awarded 141 community grants totaling $545,634 to fund local programs and projects?
Members helping members Thanks to the generosity of Blue Ridge Electric members participating in Operation Round Up® (ORU) and Operation Round Up® PLUS, thousands of local people are receiving crisis heating assistance and benefitting from community improvement grants awarded by the Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation. With Blue Ridge Electric covering administrative costs of the Members Foundation, every dollar donated to the ORU programs goes directly back to members
is 50 cents. If needed, you can stop your contributions at any time. It’s the growing number of members volunteering to participate who make these “member helping member” programs successful. Since the Foundation was formed in 2007, more than 8,600 families have received more than $975,000 to help with electric bills and 141 grants worth $545,634 have funded community improvement programs and services.
Every dollar donated to the programs goes directly back to members in need . . . in need and the communities served by the cooperative. It’s easy to participate: simply contact Blue Ridge Electric to sign up. The average monthly “rounded up” contribution
BlueRidge-1014.indd 25
ORU donations flow through to the cooperative’s nonprofit Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation, and it is the Foundation’s advisory committee made up of cooperative members who recommend how and where funding will be awarded. Funding decisions are reviewed and given final approval by
the cooperative’s board of directors. “The Foundation was formed because we believe it’s important to help our communities and members significantly impact the local quality of life,” said Doug Johnson, chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Electric. “The Foundation has two key goals: to provide crisis assistance for those who suddenly find themselves in a difficult financial situation where a hand up can make a huge difference; and to support longer-term efforts of organizations seeking to sustain and build local communities and improve the quality of life for our members.” To join Operation Round Up call your local Blue Ridge Electric office or visit BlueRidgeEMC.com.
9/10/14 9:15 PM
the
perspective From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson
Tell us the facts:
Ask the EPA for full details
Nothing can raise your electric bill faster than governmental regulations. That’s why we’re asking members to join us in asking for all the facts regarding proposed regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a cooperative, we’re looking out for our member’s best interests by balancing cost with environmental stewardship. Taking care of the environment is important— but so is the price you pay for electricity. We’re simply asking the EPA to share key information with the public before costly, far-reaching regulations become law. Join us in asking the EPA for the following information: • •
•
•
What are the specific, measureable benefits to the environment? What is the cost impact for electric bills, especially for consumers in North Carolina where reduction goals are higher? How will North Carolina’s economy be affected — especially the ability to keep existing jobs and attract muchneeded new jobs? What’s the total cost of the regulations?
This is basic information to consider so that good laws are passed that benefit not only the environment, but also consumers’ pocketbooks.
Page 26
BlueRidge-1014.indd 26
I don’t know many members who can afford dramatically higher electric bills — or the loss of any more jobs. However, the higher reduction goal for North Carolina could impact both electric bills and jobs since coal plants would be shut down. These plants have produced cheap electricity for decades, helping offset more expensive generation sources included in our state’s mix of power supply. One option would be to fund emerging technology for clean coal generation, which isn’t being considered or included at all in the current regulations. There is a small window of time available for public comments. The EPA must consider each comment, so I encourage every member to visit www.TellEPAnc.com or call your local Blue Ridge Electric office to submit your comment. It’s fast, simple and easy to tell the EPA we need all the facts — and we need to balance the environment with pocketbook issues to keep electric bills affordable.
Proposed EPA Regulations The EPA is proposing a national 30 percent reduction goal for greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 — and a 39 percent goal for North Carolina. These are very aggressive goals given the timeline, and could significantly increase electric bills. Ask the EPA for full details — and to keep electric bills affordable while helping the environment — at TELLEPAnc.com.
TellEPAnc.com MEMBERSHIP matters
9/10/14 9:15 PM
M in
W red be ca ma co co fac da tio en be ab vic Ri a tio sh tra fic
M
Landscaping: a beautiful way to save energy You’ve upgraded your appliances, insulation, and lighting to help lower your monthly electric bill. What else can you do? The U.S. Department of Energy claims landscaping with energy efficiency in mind, on average, could save enough energy to recoup your investment in less than eight years. Climate Clarity - Climate determines the direction your landscaping planning should take. The Southeast offers a hot and humid climate, so summer breezes are welcome. Residents in these areas should make the most of summer shade, but use trees that will eventually lose leaves (deciduous) to let winter sun shine through. Simple Shading - Shading a home with trees could drop the surrounding air temperature by as much as 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Since cooler air sinks closer to the ground, the air under trees may be up to 25 degrees cooler than the air over the driveway.
ns
a naeduce gas and a North y agtimeantly sk the nd to dable iron.com.
ers
Different trees serve unique purposes. To block summer solar heat but let the winter sun through, use deciduous trees. Evergreen trees and shrubs are ideal to provide continuous shade and block heavy winds. Windbreaks - Shrubs and trees create windbreaks — essentially walls to keep the wind chill away from a home. A windbreak reduces wind speed nearby saving your home from even higher heating costs. Ready, Set, GROW! Remember, your landscaping plan depends on your climate and how your home is situated. Find out more about your climate, microclimates, shading dos and don’ts and windbreaks at energysavers.gov. To learn more ways to save energy around your home, visit TogetherWeSave.com. Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Meter service inspections
Attaching signs to utility poles presents safety hazards
While automated meters are greatly reducing the need to be on a member’s property, we must still periodically check our equipment and perform maintenance. Blue Ridge Electric or a contractor authorized by the cooperative conducts periodic inspections of service facilities. This inspection is in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Safety Code and helps ensure our members receive reliable electric service from Blue Ridge Electric. As a safety precaution, members should be aware that authorized contractors and their vehicles will have official Blue Ridge Electric identification.
Although seemingly innocent enough, putting signs or other items on utility poles creates serious safety hazards. Staples, nails, and tacks used to hang signs — as well as the signs themselves — pose dangers to our line technicians who must climb poles when either restoring power following storms or while performing routine maintenance to ensure system reliability.
MEMBERSHIP matters
BlueRidge-1014.indd 27
Posters or other objects (birdhouses, balloons, flags, and even basketball nets) can create dangerous obstacles. Also, the nails and tacks left behind from signs can snag utility workers’ boots or puncture safety clothing, making line technicians vulnerable to slipping or even electrocution. Thank you for helping ensure the safety of our line technicians and avoiding damage to our poles by refraining from posting anything on utility poles. Page 27
9/10/14 9:15 PM
Think safety: Call 811 before digging For your convenience, Blue Ridge Electric is a part of the “811” NC One Call system. This allows members to call a single number — 811 — to get all of your underground lines marked, including those of Blue Ridge Electric, before you start any project that involves digging. When you call 811, you’ll be speaking NEW LAW! with a NC One Call Center operator Beginning October 17 you who will ask for the location of your must notify all digging job in addition to several othutilities three (3) days er important questions. Operators will then route your information to affectbefore digging undered utility companies including Blue ground. Dial 811 for fast, Ridge Electric. Blue Ridge will send a one-stop reporting to technician to locate your underground electric lines within a few days. Once all utilities! ALL of your underground lines have been marked, you can dig safely, protecting you and your family from injury and expense. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s FREE! Remember to keep your 811 assigned ticket number handy in case you need it for follow up calls or to track your request online at ncocc.org. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson
EDITOR
Renée R. Whitener
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Susan Simmons
DISTRICT OFFICES Caldwell Watauga Ashe Alleghany Wilkes PowerLine®
(828) 754-9071 (828) 264-8894 (336) 846-7138 (336) 372-4646 (800) 451-5474 (800) 448-2383
(PowerLine® is an automated account information and outage reporting system.)
Toll Free
(800) 451-5474
(for members outside of the service area.)
To report an outage at any time, call one of the number listed above. OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday 24-hour night deposit and kiosks available. Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEMC.com
Page 28
BlueRidge-1014.indd 28
Check out BlueRidgeEMC.com and find easy, no-cost/ low-cost options to help you control your energy costs. You'll find helpful videos, audit options and energy efficiency tips under the ÂGreenSmart tab. It's easier than you think to take control of your monthly electricity costs.
Your satisfaction is our goal! Our employees are working hard to earn a top “10” rating from you on member satisfaction. We want to thank you in advance for taking a few moments to give feedback on how we’re doing if you receive a call asking you to take a brief survey. This provides information that helps us better serve you! A professional research firm administers our survey so that results are accurate and fair. The surveys are conducted between 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and last 10 to 15 minutes. As a member-owned cooperative, it’s our goal to give you exceptional service — whether it’s keeping the power on, maintaining the right-of-way, setting up your service or any other member service you need. We’re here to serve you, our members! MEMBERSHIP matters
9/10/14 9:15 PM