A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ENERGY
matters MEMBERSHIP
DECEMBER 2016
Temporary rate reduction continues three more months Blue Ridge is announcing an additional three-month extension of a temporary rate reduction that began in 2014. The temporary rate reduction will continue through March 2017 when rates will return to 2013 levels. On January, February and March bills in 2017, members will receive a savings of $9 per 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity used, which is the typical monthly usage of a Blue Ridge residential member. Member savings will total $26.8 million from the temporary rate reduction implemented over the past three years and into 2017. The most significant savings occurred from December 2015 and continues through December 2016 as members received a rate reduction of $18 per 1,000 kWh used. In February through April 2014, and again in January through March 2015, members received a $9 per 1,000 kWh reduction.
BlueRidge-1216.indd 17
“Keeping our members' bills as low as possible is important to us as a cooperative,” said Doug Johnson. “We’re pleased that the cooperative has been able to reduce rates over the past three years and significantly lower members’ bills, especially during the winter months when usage and bills are higher due to heating needs.” Blue Ridge was able to provide members the rate reduction after industry forecasts for rising wholesale power costs did not occur. One factor was the effect lower electric generation fuels prices have had on the market. Another factor was reduced operating costs achieved by the cooperative. Member rates are expected to remain stable until 2018 with only modest increases for later years forecasted in our wholesale power cost.
11/9/16 3:10 PM
the
perspective From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson
Benefitting members: Looking to the future Being the best energy company possible for our members, now and in the future, has required forward thinking and change over the years. Now, Blue Ridge is evolving again as your trusted, full service energy resource.
However, it is important to understand that Blue Ridge Energy will remain a member-owned cooperative — and you’ll retain all of your member benefits including capital credits. Blue Ridge Energy, LLC, will also remain the cooperative’s separate, for-profit propane and fuels subsidiary. We will, however, be coming together under the new name of Blue Ridge Energy to move forward as an energy
Next month, CEO Doug Johnson will share more details about our expanding menu of innovative energy solutions.
Between now and next April, you’ll notice one of the most visible changes as your cooperative, Blue Ridge Electric, and our subsidiary, Blue Ridge Enerhelp hold down member gies, gradually tranrates. Every dollar we make at sition to a single these two subsidiary comname and identity: panies is a dollar you don’t Blue Ridge Energy. have to pay on your electric This change will bill! reflect an expansion of energy prodAs your electric cooperative ucts and services, and its propane and fuels Moving forward as your trusted energy solutions company includes change, including energy but the one thing that never changes is the fact we remain your cooperative! company begin doing busiadvisors who can ness as Blue Ridge Energy assist you with your over the coming months, we’re energy needs. It also offers efficien- solutions company for all of our excited about what the future cies that benefit our consumers consumers. holds for our members and all and help better integrate our two our consumers. This change repAs a member, it’s also important companies to move forward as your resents the opportunity to better innovative energy solutions source. to know that your cooperative’s serve you as a fully integrated subsidiaries play a strategic role and expanding energy solutions in helping keep your rates lower We want to make you aware becompany and as your trusted than otherwise would be possible. cause you could see our current Subsidiary profits from our propane energy advisor. While this change names used as well as our new is good, the best thing is that our and fuels company, as well as from single brand name of Blue Ridge company remains true to our coRidgeLink, which leases high capacity Energy until we are fully transifiber to broadband wireless providers, operative roots, spirit and values! tioned next April. Page 18
BlueRidge-1216.indd 18
MEMBERSHIP matters
11/9/16 3:10 PM
G f
Lo wh fam ce pli tri
Sim En
MEM
First steps in director elections
g e
epter
ns
nge our coues!
ers
Nominating Committee This committee of nine cooperative members reviews and nominates qualified candidates to run for all open seats on the Board of Directors in the upcoming election. They may not be employees, agents, officers, directors, close relatives, or known candidates to become directors. The makeup of the committee reflects an equal number of members from each district, in addition to one representative from any district.
Credentials & Election Committee Made up of members from across the cooperative’s service area, this committee ensures director elections are conducted in compliance with Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation's Bylaws. Responsibilities include: selection of a professional election administration firm, review of petition candidate qualifications, approval of proxy and ballot forms, validation of all proxies and ballots, and certification of election results.
The Board appointed the following committee members: Caldwell district: Keith Money and Cora Jones and alternates Scott King and Lynn Pennell; Watauga district: Traci Royster and Susanne Winebarger and alternates Richard (Rick) Clark and Susan Norris; Ashe district: Melanie Miller and Terry Williams and alternates Ralph Jones and Joy McClure; and Alleghany district: Kaye Royall, Bob Edwards and Greg Bare and alternates Robert (Tony) League and Tom Smith.
Members of your Board of Directors who are not up for re-election next year appointed the following members: Caldwell district: Jason Carpenter and alternates Jeff Roland and Candace Tippett; Watauga district: Ray Reid and alternates Curtis Main and Stacey Miller; Ashe district: Andy Sexton and James Young and alternates Glenna Wilcox and Brantley Price; Alleghany district: Cindy Atwood and alternates Steve Mason and Linnea Miller.
ke at n’t tric
tive s siy e
Members have the opportunity to vote for their Board of Directors each June. To keep you informed of election governance processes that take place throughout the year, your cooperative updates you in this newsletter. Two of the first steps in the director election process include appointing a Credentials and Election (C&E) Committee and a Nominating Committee. The Board appointed these committees for one-year terms at their October Board meeting.
Candidates nominated by this committee as well as candidates running by petition will be posted in each Blue Ridge Energy district office and on the website. Information about all candidates will be included in director election information mailed or emailed to all members in early May. Information will also be provided in Carolina Country magazine sent to all members.
*Any member interested in becoming a candidate for the Board of Directors should contact Julie O’DellMichie at jmichie@blueridgeemc.com or (828) 759-8902 to request a director application packet.
Give a ÂHUGÂ this holiday: Gift certificates Somebody Gave You a “HUG” this Christmas for electricity Looking for a meaningful gift for the person Gift Certificate who has everything — or to help the whole “Holiday Utility Gift”
family? Consider a HUG (Holiday Utility Gift) certificate! The amount you purchase will be applied to the recipient’s Blue Ridge Energy electric service account.
Presented to __________________________________________________ In the amount of $ _____________________ Compliments of
_________________________________________________
The amount listed above has been applied to your account at Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp.
Simply call or come by your local Blue Ridge Energy district office in Lenoir, Boone, West Jefferson or Sparta! MEMBERSHIP matters
BlueRidge-1216.indd 19
Page 19
11/9/16 3:10 PM
Bylaws, Service Rules and Regulations updated At their October Board meeting, the cooperative's Board of Directors approved the following summarized updates to the cooperative’s Bylaws and Service Rules and Regulations. Members may obtain a full copy of the document at BlueRidgeEMC.com or at their local Blue Ridge Energy district office. Bylaws In Section 3.02, regarding Qualifications for Directors to become or remain a Director of the Cooperative, the following addition was made to the qualifications: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson
n. must comply with the requirements of the governing conflict of interest policies and guidelines as adopted by the Board. Service Rules and Regulations
EDITOR
Renée R. Whitener
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Several clarifications were made to sections 402 and 406 in the definitions of the appendix for the Service Rules and Regulations.
Susan Simmons
DISTRICT OFFICES
Caldwell (828) 754-9071 Watauga (828) 264-8894 Ashe (336) 846-7138 Alleghany (336) 372-4646 Wilkes (800) 451-5474 PowerLine® (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 numbers listed above. OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, MondayFriday Kiosk available 24/7 + Night deposit Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEMC.com +
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Page 20
BlueRidge-1216.indd 20
Meter service inspections 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 Energy's electric staff 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 Energy. As a safety precaution, members should be aware that authorized contractors and their vehicles have official Blue Ridge Electric (or soon, Blue Ridge Energy) identification.
Call 1-800-451-5474
NEVER give out
personal, financial or electric account information if someone contacts you demanding payment.
Immediately
Always report
suspicious calls to law enforcement authorities in addition to us.
call Blue Ridge Energy. Someone is always available to check your account status.
MEMBERSHIP matters
11/9/16 3:10 PM