matters MEMBERSHIP
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
NOVEMBER 2016 Did you know... you can get a personalized plan of action to lower your usage and energy bills with your free online Energy Advisor available at BlueRidgeEMC.com? You can also call or drop by your local Blue Ridge Electric office for a free Energy Savers booklet.
Prepare now for winter heating bills Cold weather is coming! That means heating needs increase and more time is spent inside using lighting, appliances and electronics. To lower your winter electric bill, Blue Ridge Electric offers tips to help you reduce usage while staying comfortable during colder weather and shorter days. Be energy efficient Simple steps help! Get a plan of action customized to your home that the whole family can follow by clicking on “Energy Advisor” at BlueRidgeEMC.com. Other quick tips to help: set thermostats to the lowest comfortable level (try 68 degrees for winter); limit space heater use; open curtains to let in the sun’s heat, but be sure to close
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them at night; only run full loads in your dishwasher and clothes washer; reduce shower times. Budget Billing Equalize your payments for 11 months. In the 12th month, your account is “evened up” with a final payment billed or credit applied. Combine this with bank draft for convenience. FlexPay “Pay as you go” to make it easier by paying smaller amounts, on your own schedule — even daily or weekly, by phone, kiosks or online. There are no deposits or late fees. Simply keep a positive balance on your account to keep electricity flowing.
If you need help paying your bill
• Get a three-day extension by using our self-help telephone service, our new app, or online at My Account > BlueRidgeEMC.com. For $10, you can avoid late or reconnection fees accumulating on unpaid bills. • If you need more time, call us to discuss an individualized payment arrangement plan. • For more extensive help, call your local social services agency to see if you qualify for special assistance such as Operation Round Up® or state and federal crisis assistance programs.
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From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson
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How members benefit from subsidiaries As we look to the future, providing the best value to the people we serve is the driving force behind every action we take.
members and consumers in several ways by providing local jobs and contributing to the local economy. In fact, in 2015, Blue Ridge Energies produced a net benefit to the cooperative of $2.6 million. RidgeLink produced a net benefit of $1.1 million. This combined $3.7 million went 100 percent to benefit our members!
When your cooperative first diversified in 1998 by adding our propane and heating fuels subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, it was to benefit memberowners and keep your Blue Ridge Enerbills as low as possible. gies and RidgeLink That was also the goal also give to help with our diversification the communities in 2009 with RidgeLink, which leases high Blue Ridge Energies donates one cent per we serve and to gallon delivered by our pink trucks. More make life better for capacity fiber to broadband and wireless than $37,000 has been donated to local our local people. organizations across our service area. Last year, a total service providers. of $50,000 was donated to the Members Foundation from the profits of As a not-for-profit cooperative facing rising wholesale power costs and the two subsidiaries. This enabled not government and regulatory pressures only higher levels of crisis heating asin the late ’90s that continue into today, sistance, but also funds for community grants in education, elder and youth our subsidiaries were formed because services, health care and economic we began to envision ways to help development. offset rising cost pressures. Our goals then — and today — are to ensure our members enjoy electricity as affordably We are excited about our future direction and the positive results being as possible, and to continue providing the best service anywhere in the achieved for our member-owners. We will continue to aggressively pursue country! growth in our subsidiaries and provide In addition to helping keep rates low, more innovative products and services our subsidiaries are benefiting our to meet all of your energy needs. Page 22
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Did you know we’re offering a growing selection of energy solutions to help you lower your bill and make your home more comfortable and efficient? Many are available in your local district office showrooms! Visit one today and in the future as our options expand! Or, go online to find even more options such as home energy loans, community solar, and more under the Powerful Solutions tab at BlueRidgeEMC.com!
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Showrooms are located in Blue Ridge Electric district offices, our new Morganton office and our Independence, Va., location.
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New Blue Ridge APP available! Want service at your fingertips—any time of the day or night? Try our new app available for free in app stores! Simply search for Blue Ridge Electric and download the app for all you can do on our website—and more! Services include: •
Pay or check your balance
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Get your due date
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Call, chat or email us
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Map directions to our offices
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Connect to our Facebook page
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View outage map
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You can even report an outage!
Get a headstart on your holiday shopping! Somebody Gave You a “HUG” this Christmas “Holiday Utility Gift”
Gift Certificate Presented to __________________________________________________
Are you looking for a meaningful gift to give this holiday season? Why not give something the entire family will benefit from? Purchase a Holiday Utility Gift (HUG) certificate. The value of the certificate will then be applied to the Blue Ridge Electric member’s account.
In the amount of $ _____________________ Compliments of
_________________________________________________
The amount listed above has been applied to your account at Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp.
Contact your local Blue Ridge Electric office and give somebody a “HUG” this holiday season!
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation is an equal opportunity provider. In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
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(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
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Order from App State by November 14: 828-262-2079
Member Benefit: Half-Price Tickets to ASU vs UL Monroe Blue Ridge Electric members can score an exclusive promotional price of $20 per ticket to the Appalachian State University vs University of Lousiana Monroe football game on November 19! In addition, you’ll receive a voucher for a 2016-17 men’s or women’s home basketball game for each ticket purchased. You must call the App State Ticket Office to order: 828-262-2079. You must also use the promotional code: BREMCO. Limit of four (4) tickets per transaction. *Promotion ends November 14 and is subject to availability.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson
Safety with outdoor lighting
EDITOR Renée R. Whitener
(828) 754-9071 (828) 264-8894 (336) 846-7138 (336) 372-4646 (800) 451-5474 (800) 448-2383
Provide a safe environment around your home with outdoor security lights. Select from a variety of lighting styles, including LED options! Attractive outdoor lighting also adds to curb appeal as well as safety and can be added directly to your monthly electric bill.
(800) 451-5474
For more information, go to BlueRidgeEMC.com/outdoor-lighting.
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Susan Simmons
DISTRICT OFFICES
Caldwell Watauga Ashe Alleghany Wilkes PowerLine®
(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 numbers listed above. OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday Kiosk available 24/7 + Night deposit Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEMC.com +
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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