SEPTEMBER 2015
matters Photo by Todd Bush
MEMBERSHIP
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
Did you know. . .
Your cooperative is available to answer questions about its vegetation management procedures and programs. Recently, cooperative staff and outside specialists met with the Watauga County Beekeepers Association to discuss herbicide use around beehives.
Funds available to help members convert rights-of-way to wildlife habitats Partnering to enhance the natural beauty of western North Carolina while ensuring reliable electricity is behind an option Blue Ridge Electric is offering to members: funding to help convert rights-of-way (ROW) to wildlife habitats.
contact one of Blue Ridge Electric’s vegetation management staff in advance and receive approval from the cooperative prior to the start of the project.
For members who have cooperative ROW on their property in wooded areas or other spaces that qualify, up to $500 is available. These funds are to help offset costs the member would incur to remove trees and plant certain types of grass, low-growing shrubs and other vegetation that would attract wildlife such as rabbits, turkeys, birds and deer.
Another option for Blue Ridge Electric members is a 20 percent discount and free shipping on wildlife seed when ordering from the Whitetail Institute! Seeds that produce low-growing vegetation such as chicory and clover are ideal for open corridors and can provide a food source for many wildlife species. To order, go to BlueRidgeEMC.com > GreenSmart > Environment > Purchase Discounted Wildlife Seed and type coupon code “Blue Ridge EMC” when prompted.
Members qualify for funds only if they
Programs such as these not only
BlueRidge-0915.indd 21
Two year’s growth . . .
benefit the environment and help improve appearance, they also help the cooperative with its goal of reliable electricity for members and give linemen a safe pathway when working on power lines. Large trees and limbs are the major cause of power outages. Programs that encourage low-growing vegetation near power lines can help reduce and prevent outages.
8/11/15 2:10 PM
the
perspective From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson
We all know that good jobs mean strong economies. In today’s world, keeping — and attracting — good jobs is challenging for a variety of reasons. The good news is that your cooperative and local communities are all working to build better job opportunities now and for future generations. Having people trained for the jobs that are available — and coming soon — is vital to both keeping existing jobs and attracting new ones. Otherwise known as “workforce development,” this initiative is designed to help us succeed in an era when technology and other factors are quickly changing career and job opportunities.
60 percent of these employers also say the shortage of trained workers is severe. How we deal with this issue locally could give us a competitive edge. By
across our service area. One example is Hired Education in Caldwell County. It’s a partnership between business, industry, education and economic development sectors to fill jobs such as the new high-tech, skill-driven manufacturing jobs available that offer high wage opportunities for prepared individuals. Modern jobs require more skills that come from a variety of education resources. Not all require advanced degrees, but they do require targeted education and training. Local leaders and our community colleges are using workforce development to prepare local residents and ensure economic success for our area.
On July 9, GE Aviation hosted a grand opening of its new 80,000-square-foot expansion in West Jefferson. This $65 million investment will employ 45 additional employees with plans Blue Ridge Electric is engaged Workforce development foto hire 60 more over the next few years. cuses on matching specific in many ways to support these skill sets with jobs in today’s Pictured l-r: Adrian Tate, GE Aviation director of workforce development; efforts. Helping local people Tim Tucker, West Jefferson plant manager; Dale Baldwin, Mayor of marketplace. In addition to work in jobs that provide a West Jefferson; North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (with scissors); keeping existing jobs, this inigood quality of life is part of Randy Hobbs, GE Aviation general manager of rotating parts and tiative also helps attract new our purpose as a community compressor airfoils; Secretary of Commerce John E. Skvarla, III; businesses looking to locate based cooperative. Our role in and Dr. Pat Mitchell, assistant secretary for rural development. where they will have a ready this effort is often “behind the workforce. scenes,” working in supportive rethinking how we prepare and train partnerships with community leaders, Consider this. A 2014 manufacturing for careers using workforce develop- organizations and education professwkills and training study cited there ment, we can address the talent and sionals. I believe supporting economic is a significant shortage of qualified skill shortages — and benefit local development to ensure access to good applicants for available jobs. Manu- residents. jobs is an extremely important work facturers now need skilled workers your cooperative does on behalf of its trained in specific expertises; however, Workforce development is occurring members! Page 22
BlueRidge-0915.indd 22
MEMBERSHIP matters
8/11/15 2:10 PM
Photo by Todd Bush
Good jobs equal strong economies
R c
Th bil Se th gy law Ca req an fro en th
Six su
W ca m sib in ab wh
M
ore ety Not es, ed cal ity rce cal m-
ed ese ple a of ity in he ve rs, esmic od rk its
ers
Please contact us any time you change your telephone number, e-mail or mailing address. This helps us provide you with the best member service experience, especially during outages or when you need us. It also ensures timely delivery of important items such as your capital credits refund!
Photo by Todd Bush
ple nss, deas uhat ies
For the best service . . .
Renewable energy charge increasing The NC REPS charge on your bill will increase beginning on September bills. This charge is for the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard law passed by the 2007 North Carolina General Assembly. It requires all utilities to generate and distribute more electricity from renewable resources and to encourage energy efficiency by their consumers.
This year, members will see the following monthly changes starting on September bills: the residential fee will move from 35 cents to 75 cents; the commercial fee will move from $1.57 to $3.31; and the industrial fee will move from: $10.17 to $22.01.
Expenses to comply with REPS will fluctuate annually according to renewable and energy efficiency projects by wholeSix percent of our electricity is sale power providers. supplied from renewable resources. Your cooperative is coordinating efforts with its wholesale While Blue Ridge Electric is dedi- power supplier, on these projects. cated to meeting the law in the As we work to positively impact most cost efficient manner pos- North Carolina’s environment sible, NC REPS requires meeting and energy future, our goal is to increasing standards for renew- implement effective ideas while able energy and energy efficiency, providing members with the best which in turn increases costs. value. MEMBERSHIP matters
BlueRidge-0915.indd 23
Do you have money waiting? To help our members or former members receive refunds due to them through the cooperative’s capital credits retirements, all unclaimed capital credits are listed on our website. To check the list, visit BlueRidgeEMC.com and click the “Residential” tab. Look for the “Member Benefits” heading and click the link for “Unclaimed Capital Credits.” Unclaimed capital credits are for those whose capital credits checks were returned to us as “undeliverable” by the post office. This is an important reason to always contact us any time your address changes. If you are on the list, please contact us, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proof of identity will be necessary to receive the refunds. Page 23
8/11/15 2:10 PM
For faster service . . .
Self-help service options Thousands of members are using our self-help service options to make payments, manage their account and more! No more waiting in line or on hold! Consider these easy options for your convenience:
Photo by Todd Bush
ÂMake doing business easy and convenient. Give me options.Â
•
Call us day or night to use selfhelp telephone options. You can make a payment, extend a due date, or check account balance.
•
Payment kiosks at each district office accept cash, credit or debit cards 24/7.
•
Online account information and payments available at BlueRidgeEMC.com under “My Account.”
•
“Chat” online with us Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Blue Ridge Electric members
Bank Draft and Budget Billing options are as easy as it gets! Sign up to have your bill securely drafted from a checking, savings or credit card account.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson
Shop locally and save more!
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
Blue Ridge Electric wants to express its appreciation to the businesses below for their continued support of the Co-op Connections Card® Program. We encourage you to shop at these and other fine retailers across our service area.
(800) 451-5474
• •
Una’s Naturals and Vintage: 10% discount (Sparta, NC) Riverside Canoe: 15% off canoe, kayak or tube rental; 10% off camping cabins (Crumpler, NC)
•
The Music Center: 5% off accessories (Lenoir, NC)
•
McKethan Brothers Barbecue (formerly Bandana’s): 10% off entire check (Boone, NC)
(PowerLine® is an automated account information and outage reporting system.)
Toll Free
(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 Night deposit available. Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEMC.com +
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Page 24
BlueRidge-0915.indd 24
Co-op Connections Card Program business spotlight
For a complete list of local and national businesses and the discounts they offer, go to BlueRidgeEMC.com/coop-connections-card. See how this card can save you money while you support our local economy. *Misplaced your card? Contact your local Blue Ridge Electric office for a replacement.
MEMBERSHIP matters
8/11/15 2:10 PM