OCTOBER 2016
matters MEMBERSHIP
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
Did you know... Renewable energy currently makes up six percent of Blue Ridge Electric's wholesale power supply? Community solar gardens will add to that percentage while giving members easy, accessible and affordable options for supporting cleaner, renewable energy.
Solar for EVERYONE! Members will soon have the choice to receive a portion of their electricity directly from four local community solar gardens in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany counties being constructed by Blue Ridge Electric this fall.
the amount of energy production from the number of panels in their subscription.
Community solar gives members a way to more easily and affordably utilize locally produced, clean energy. While open to any member, solar gardens also provide access to members who may otherwise be excluded from owning their own system due to circumstances such as excessive roof shading, restrictive homeowner association requirements or landlord prohibitions.
Cumulatively, the four solar gardens will generate 625,000 kWhs that will power 60 average households.
How does it work? Instead of installing, maintaining and owning their own rooftop solar system, members subscribe to the energy produced by the community solar garden panels. Subscriptions will be available on a first come, first served basis and members may subscribe to as many panels as they wish. Subscription and payment options are being considered, with details to be announced soon. Participants will see a monthly credit on their bill reflecting
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Blue Ridge is investing in the solar gardens to help make clean, renewable energy accessible and affordable for all of our members. Community solar is just one of many
programs coming your way through Members who want to our Powerful Solutions initative! go solar can find the latest updates on pricing and availability at BlueRidgeEMC.com/solar.
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the
perspective From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson
Making life better Making life better for the people we serve is more than a slogan — it’s how we approach every decision, every plan and every employee’s daily work here at Blue Ridge.
to integrating your entire home with the Internet — we have some very exciting news to announce in the near future!
Our Powerful Solutions area, for example, was born from the desire to help lower electric bills and make homes and businesses more comfortable through energy efficiency programs and services. Powerful Solutions has developed partnerships with local energy auditors and contractors to make a difference in the quality of your home comfort. We’ve also eased some of the financial burdens associated with the needed upgrades through energy loans that you can pay back on your monthly electric bill.
Another way we’re improving lives is by using the profits of our subsidiary companies to help keep rates down — which keeps your bills lower. Members are directly benefitting from the $3.7 million in net benefit produced last year by our propane and heating fuels unit, Blue Ridge Energies, as well as our businessto-business high capacity dark fiber subsidiary, RidgeLink. These subsidiaries create much needed, quality jobs in our area.
Another exciting area of Powerful Solutions is coming this fall with our community solar gardens! Soon, you’ll be able to directly purchase green, renewable energy from solar resources that Blue Ridge will build and maintain. This relieves a burden for members not wishing or unable to purchase or maintain their own solar systems. And, it meets a growing desire for renewable energy in our area. Look for details in this issue of Carolina Country! More exciting services and products will be coming soon from Powerful Solutions! From security and monitoring Page 22
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A portion of subsidiary profits are also donated each year to the Members Foundation and used for crisis heating assistance and community grants. Making lives better is about looking ahead to anticipate and meet not only your needs, but just as importantly, your desires for comfortable, efficient, integrated homes! We’re evolving with technology and a changing society so that we’re here for you with the solutions you need — to make life better. Keep in touch with us as we continue to announce a growing family of Powerful Solutions! MEMBERSHIP matters
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WEATHER STRIPPING DOORS Capturing Energy Savings by Sealing Air Leaks
Save energy and seal air leaks by weather stripping exterior doors. How do you know if you need to weather strip? If you can see any amount of light between the door frame and the floor, weather stripping should be applied to eliminate energy waste. This DIY energy-saving project is relatively easy and inexpensive depending on the type of materials selected. The most common weather stripping material is self-adhesive foam strips, although rubber, vinyl, metal, or a combination of materials may also be used.
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2 MEASURING DOOR & DOOR JAMBS – To ensure greater accuracy, measure your space twice before cutting the material. It is best to plan for one continuous strip for each side of the door and door jamb. 3 CUTTING FOAM – Cut long pieces of self-adhesive weather stripping material (foam, vinyl, etc.) for each side of the door jamb and door.
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1 CLEANING SURFACES – Clean the door 1. and door jamb to be weather stripped. For best results, weather stripping should be applied to clean, dry surfaces above 20°F.
4 APPLYING WEATHER STRIPPING – Peel back the self-adhesive foam. Apply one continuous strip of material snugly along each side. Make sure the weather stripping meets tightly at the corners and is pressed firmly onto the door and door jamb. The material should compress tightly between the door and door jamb, without making it difficult to shut. SOURCE: Department of Energy
Meter service inspections
Attaching signs to utility poles presents safety hazards 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.
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While automated meters are greatly reducing the need to be on members’ properties, 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.
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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.
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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 with a NC One Call Center operator who will ask for the locaYou must notify all utilities tion of your digging job in addition three days before digging to several other important questions. underground. Dial 811 for Operators will then route your information to affected utility companies fast, one-stop reporting including Blue Ridge Electric. Blue to all utilities! Dial 811— Ridge will send a technician to locate for your convenience your underground electric lines and safety. 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!
It’s the law!
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 +
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Details on how to sign up coming soon! MEMBERSHIP matters
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