Directors Elected, Environmental and Cost Impacts Discussed at Annual Meeting
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
West Jefferson, North Carolina (June 13, 2009) – In addition to updates on the state of the cooperative, four directors were elected today to the board of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation during the cooperative’s Annual Membership Meeting held at Ashe County High School.
Re-elected to serve three-year terms on the board representing the membership were: Kenneth Greene of Ashe district; Joy Coffey of Watauga district; Jimmy Hemphill of Caldwell district; and Charity Gambill-Gwyn, director-at-large who is also from Alleghany district.
During the business session, President Kenneth Greene welcomed the crowd of approximately 900 members. Joy Coffey, secretary-treasurer, reported that the cooperative is in sound financial condition and remains one of the strongest cooperatives in the nation.
In his update, Greene told the audience that while Blue Ridge Electric’s primary mission is to provide the most reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost, it is also very important “to deliver service in a way that puts people first and supports the area we serve.” Greene said the Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation is a good example as it provides crisis heating assistance to local households as well as funding of grants to nonprofit programs that enhance the quality of life and help make northwest North Carolina a better place to live and work. “This is your Foundation—led by members just like you,” he said, adding that the Foundation is funded through member contributions to Operation Round Up and the cooperative’s subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies.
In his address, Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson described the past year as one of “incredible challenges and changes.”
“I give credit to the employees for the tremendous results that were accomplished last year,” he said, noting that the cooperative achieved some of its best results ever in reliability of electricity for members, employee and public safety, subsidiary performance, technology implementation, and customer satisfaction.
Johnson said it’s important for Blue Ridge to deliver great service at an affordable cost. The cooperative is working in all ways to contain rising costs the electric utility industry is currently experiencing due to increasing fuel costs needed to generate electricity, modernizing the electric grid, and state and federal environmental legislation. Efforts to contain wholesale power costs—the most significant cost factor for the cooperative—have been successful in helping hold down electricity costs for Blue Ridge members to about 15 percent lower than what has been experienced on a national level. Improving operational efficiencies have also contributed to cost reductions, including a new employee program known as WorkSmart which is empowering employees to partner together in eliminating waste in any form and help save members money. WorkSmart includes a “green team” of employees charged with making Blue Ridge offices more energy efficient.
Automated Metering Infrastructure, or “smart meters” will also play a role in helping the cooperative contain costs by communicating energy usage and information over the power lines. Slated for full implementation on the Blue Ridge system by 2010, smart meters are a key to the foundation for developing a national “smart grid” that will help modernize the electric system. Smart meters also will enable the cooperative to soon offer a “pay as you go” electric service pilot program. This prepaid metering option will allow members to purchase electricity in quantities that is convenient for the member and also helps avoid fees.
Johnson reported the cooperative is working diligently to meet renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements set by the state and emerging on a federal level. “You’re hearing a lot from us about how to be more energy efficient in order to save energy and save money. One way we’re partnering with members in this effort is through our GreenSmart family of energy efficiency programs like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), water heater wraps, and a new solar thermal program coming this fall. While we’re working to incorporate more renewables into our wholesale power supply, we’re emphasizing energy efficiency first because it’s the ‘low hanging fruit’. Taking steps to become more energy efficient will have the least cost impact for our members and the cooperative,” he said.
Johnson also discussed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) now being considered by Congress. The cooperative and many others across the country are engaged in the discussion about how to develop a national energy policy that addresses environmental goals. “We believe there’s a way we can accomplish environmental goals without hurting the pocketbooks of consumers,” Johnson said. “These are difficult economic times. We’re seeing more members ask for time extensions and payment arrangements. We’re working with members who need help paying their bill, and Operation Round Up and the Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation are also helping.
“That’s why it will be very important to balance the cost consumers will incur with the environmental impacts this legislation will achieve,” he added. “Franklin D. Roosevelt said ‘electricity is a necessity, not a luxury’ and that’s still true today. Everyone should have access to electricity, not just the wealthy. You’ll see us working hard to meet the new environmental goals but we’ll also be working hard to ensure all Americans have affordable access to electricity,” Johnson said.
Blue Ridge Electric serves some 73,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Avery and Alexander counties. To learn more about steps you can take to support affordable electricity for the future while meeting environmental needs, visit www.FindABalancedSolution.com.
