The Enlightener

November 2006

Steps to Restoring Power

Whether we’re building new substations, replacing aging power poles, or trimming trees too close to power lines, Blue Ridge Electric works every day to keep your power reliable. Yet, no matter how well we maintain our electric infrastructure, severe weather sometimes damages our system, leading to power outages for members.

The major cause of outages is harm from fallen trees. That’s why we have an ongoing right-of-way maintenance program to protect over 7,000 miles of power lines serving the cooperative’s 70,000 member accounts.

Restoring power after a major outage involves much more than simply throwing a switch or removing a tree from a line. The main goal is to restore power safely – for members and linemen – in the shortest amount of time possible.

Even before an outage occurs, Blue Ridge Electric employees continuously monitor weather conditions and are prepared with a plan of action. Our plan for quick, safe power restoration includes:

Step 1: Transmission structures and lines that supply power to one or more transmission substations are restored first. These main delivery lines receive first priority because they serve tens of thousands of people.

Step 2: Restored next are distribution substations, which “step down” or reduce voltage from transmission lines so it can be distributed to thousands of members.

Step 3: Main distribution supply lines are restored next if the problem cannot be found at earlier check points. Primarily, these are the lines on power poles along roads.

Step 4: The final power supply lines, called “tap lines” are restored next if needed. These lines “tap off” the main distribution lines.

Step 5: Damage can also occur on the service line leading from the transformer pole into your home. This can explain why your neighbors have power and you don’t.
The fastest way to report an outage is by calling our automated PowerLine® at 1-800-448-2383.

Members Only News
- For Members of Blue Ridge Electric

Thank You for Your Patience

Thank you in advance for your patience as we begin using a new computer software system for billing and member information soon. We’re working to serve you better by upgrading to a new software system with many benefits for member service and internal efficiencies.

Our new technology also includes a new design, or “look” for your bill from Blue Ridge Electric. Included in the mailing of your new bill will be a helpful tips guide on understanding your new bill. As always, we’re here to answer any questions you may have.

As an added measure to ensure prompt service, please remember to always have your bill with you when visiting or calling our offices.

Thank you again for your patience as we begin using new technology to better serve you!

Service Rules and Regulations Updated

The board of directors approved changes to the cooperative’s Service Rules and Regulations at their September board meeting. For a complete copy, contact your local office. Highlights of the changes include:

The Discover® credit card has been added to the list of credit cards accepted by the cooperative. Members can make payments by credit card up to $1,000 per month.

Changes in the Schedule of Fees and Charges
(effective 1-1-07):

Account Security (deposit) interest rate: 1.0 percent per year
New construction for single or multiple meter building/residence: $75; maximum fee per multiple meter building: $150
Aid-to-Construction loan application fee: $100
Vaughn Water Heater and ETS service call fee: $50 for the first hour and $45 for each additional hour
Conversion of outdoor lighting from overhead to underground; actual cost plus $75 engineering fee
Delinquent fee: $40
Meter re-read at the member’s request: $40
Meter test: $55
Time extensions: $10 each, one per month; maximum 12 per year
Power diversion: $300 plus kwh/kw usage and damages
Meter tampering (cut seal): $100 plus kwh/kw usage and damages
Field service trip: $40
Reconnect and delinquent reconnect: $40 during regular operating hours; $60 after operating hours
Reconnection facilities charge: $40
Security light reconnect: $40 plus 9-month maximum facility fee.
A three percent sales tax is included in all fees where applicable.

The Perspective

An Editorial by Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson

Energy Update

As I’m writing this column gasoline prices have made a steep slide downward. Many of you are asking how this will impact energy prices overall and want to know what’s ahead for Blue Ridge. Let’s look at these questions and discuss what the current price trend may mean for us.

First, there are many factors that influence the price of energy: the weather – extreme temperatures or damaging hurricanes, unprecedented demand for limited supplies of natural resources created by emerging economies such as China, and other global factors like unrest in the Middle East. The issue of “supply and demand” and other market factors are also significant players in the price of energy.

The price of fuels such as natural gas, propane, and home heating oil has also declined significantly over the past 60 days. This is good news for consumers, but upward price volatility will likely return for these fuels once colder weather arrives.

At Blue Ridge, one way we’re working to control volatile energy costs is through our long term wholesale power contract with Duke Energy. Members will benefit with a reliable source of power as well as more stable rates because Duke’s generation portfolio is substantially made up of coal and nuclear plants.

We’ve also worked to help shield our members from extreme price spikes incurred over the last year. We chose not to pass along those dramatic increases to our members all at once by taking a longer term approach to recovering them. Plus, the cooperative absorbed about $4 million of these costs in 2005. We believed that costs would decline from these unprecedented levels, allowing us to reduce the wholesale power cost adjustment on your bills. We made a small reduction this spring and if natural gas prices hold at present levels, we will evaluate another reduction later this year.

Finally, one of the most important ways to control your monthly energy costs is through energy conservation. Our goal is to help you use energy wisely. Please contact us for an “Energy Savers” booklet for ways to save money and energy in your home. There’s also a wealth of tips as well as a home energy audit on our web site at www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.

We all have a role to play in the effort to control rising energy costs. And by working together, we have the power to make a difference.

Energy Efficiency Tips

We use energy at home, school, work and play. Unfortunately, some of the energy we use is wasted due to inefficiency. There are a number of simple steps we can take to be wiser energy users and help reduce monthly power bills this winter:

Turn down your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting.
Use electric blankets or quilts to allow a lower nighttime thermostat setting.
Turn down the temperature of your water heater to 120°F. (Turn off power to the unit before making adjustments).
Only use dishwashers, washing machines and dryers when you have a full load.
Open window shades on south- and west-facing windows to take advantage of the heat from natural sunlight.

Visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com for more tips and to use our online home energy audit. Or contact your local Blue Ridge Electric office for a complimentary booklet on more ways to save energy and money at home.

Some information from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) www.aceee.org

Holiday Closing

Blue Ridge Electric offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 23 and 24 in observance of Thanksgiving.
Have a safe and happy holiday!

Published monthly by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation for its 52,746 members