OCTOBER 2014
matters MEMBERSHIP
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
Did you know... In February, we began offering members another easy way to support Operation Round Up® by donating all or a portion of their capital credits refund. More than 1,000 members donated nearly $30,000 using this option!
Members helping members Thanks to the generosity of Blue Ridge Electric members, thousands of local people are receiving crisis heating assistance and benefitting from community improvement grants awarded by the Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation.
us know you’d like to donate your capital credits refund in May. If needed, you can stop your contributions at any time.
“As a local cooperative, it’s important to help our communities and memBlue Ridge Electric covers administrative bers,” said Doug Johnson, chief execucosts of the Members Foundation, so evtive officer of Blue Ridge Electric. “The Foundation has two goals: providing ery dollar donated to Operation Round Up® goes directly back to members in crisis assistance to those who suddenly need or to benefit local communities. find themselves in a difficult financial situation; and to support You can now donate your capital credits longer-term efforts of refund to Operation Round Up. Every nonprofit organizations penny is used for crisis heating assistance that are helping improve and other community support. the quality of life for our members.” It’s easy to participate: simply contact Blue Ridge Electric to sign up. You can To join Operation Round Up, call your either “round up” your bill by a few cents local Blue Ridge Electric office or visit or donate any amount you wish. Or, let BlueRidgeEMC.com.
BlueRidge-1015.indd 17
9/9/15 8:45 AM
the
perspective From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson
What do our changes mean for members? Massive changes are occurring in the utility industry. Your cooperative is evolving to thrive in a new, emerging business environment while continuing to stay true to the reason we were founded: to provide reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost.
always promoted as the best way to save on your electric bill: energy efficiency. As we plan our new business model, we are considering a variety of new energy efficiency programs. And while six percent of your cooperative’s electricity already comes from renewable energy resources, our new model will also include initiatives in this area.
Currently, we are in the process of changing our business model. For you, our members, this means we will continue to be your trusted energy advisor and the people you count on for energy resources and information. As we evolve for the future, one of the most exciting things will be the ability to provide you with more innovative energy options and solutions!
Alan Merck, Director of Innovative Energy Solutions
Now, more than ever, technology is allowing consumers to be in control of their energy usage and the way they receive energy. It’s also enabling consumers to have more information than ever before.
This provides the foundation for your cooperative to be an even stronger resource for members in an area we have
Page 18
BlueRidge-1015.indd 18
Changing our business model will require an enormous effort, and for that reason I’ve assigned an employee team to help transform us into our “Utility of the Future” business model. Leading this team will be Alan Merck, whose title is now Director of Innovative Energy Solutions. In addition to his current duties in key accounts and business development, Alan will oversee strategy, planning, and execution of this new effort.
You’ll be hearing more in the near future about our transformation and new options to benefit you, our memberowners, now and in future years. Our promise to you is to continue as your trusted resource for reliable and sustainable energy solutions at the lowest possible cost.
MEMBERSHIP matters
9/9/15 8:45 AM
M in
W du pr ou na au pe Th is wi me tio Sa he me fro pr tha ve tri
M
ric dcy
ve’s ble so
an asrm ess erve ent opng,
nserto n-
ers
We want your feedback! Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to answer the call for our satisfaction survey! Through our ongoing survey process, we routinely contact a sampling of members to ensure we’re earning your highest satisfaction in all areas of service. As a member-owned cooperative, it’s our goal to make every member experience with Blue Ridge Electric the best possible!
In the most recent American Consumer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey, Blue Ridge Electric ranked among the top performing electric utilities with a score of 88. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.
Meter service inspections
National magazine features reliability accomplishments
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.
Transmission and Distribution World Magazine™ recently featured an article by our Chief Operating Officer Lee Layton on Blue Ridge Electric’s journey to dramatically improve reliability of electric service for its members.
MEMBERSHIP matters
BlueRidge-1015.indd 19
Using multiple tools and processes, average annual outage time has been significantly reduced - from 180 minutes per year in 2000 to 66 minutes in 2014. This is an outstanding result that caught national industry attention. The results are even more noteworthy considering the terrain Blue Ridge Electric serves compared to many other utilities. The cooperative’s service area includes some of the highest and most rugged terrain in the Appalachian Mountains. Winter winds routinely exceed 50 miles per hour with frequent ice and snow. As a member-owned utility, Blue Ridge Electric’s vision is to provide “nothing less than our very best” for members. This means the quest for better electric service reliability never ends. And efforts to improve reliability even further are ongoing to ensure the most reliable electricity for members. Transmission & Distribution World Magazine™ is for engineers and operating professionals in the electric power industry. Page 19
9/9/15 8:45 AM
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 their underground lines marked, including those of Blue Ridge Electric, before starting any project that involves digging. When you call 811, you’ll be speaking with a NC One Call Center operator who will ask for the location of your digging job in addition to several other important questions. Operators will then route your information to affected utility companies including Blue Ridge Electric. Blue Ridge will send a technician to locate your underground electric lines within a few days. Once 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
Toll Free
(800) 451-5474
(PowerLine® is an automated account information and outage reporting system.)
(for members outside of the service area.)
To report an outage at any time, call one of the numbers listed above. OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday Night deposit available. Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEMC.com +
Shop locally and save more!
Co-op Connections Card Program business spotlight 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. • •
CEnet: 20% off service/labor on computer service (Sparta, NC) Z Hollar Log Cabin Rentals: 10-15% off daily room rates (Advance, NC)
•
Anything Office: 15% off total retail store purchase (Lenoir, NC)
•
Los Arcoiris Mexican Restaurant: 10% off entire check - excludes alcohol and other discounts (Boone, NC)
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.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Page 20
BlueRidge-1015.indd 20
MEMBERSHIP matters
9/9/15 8:45 AM