Cooperative Responsibility & Sustainability Report
CR2024SR
CRSR
Leaving it better than we found it
Intro Video
This year’s theme for our Cooperative Responsibility & Sustainability Report is Leaving It Better Than We Found It, a slogan that reflects our sustainability philosophy at EnergyUnited. As a rural electric cooperative, this philosophy is inspired by our close connection to farmers – a connection that continues to shape our perspective on cooperative issues today.
If you know anything about a farmer, what you know is they believe in sustainability.
Their livelihoods depend on making sure they leave something in a better condition than they found it.
We have to make sure the pace of change toward sustainability is measured and managed to balance our goals for safety, reliability and affordability.
CEO
Thomas Golden
CRSR
Leaving it better than we found it
Trees Removed
line cleared
in outagescaused by trees inside rights-of-way
outage frequency
Our cooperative’s commitment to sustainability can be seen clearly in our Vegetation Management Program. Leaving It Better Than We Found It is no easy task when considering the expansive territory and electricity distribution assets that EnergyUnited maintains – more than 12,000 miles of energized power lines, 180,000 poles and 78 substations. Even still, we made significant progress in our efforts to improve sustainability and reliability through our Vegetation Management Program in 2024.
Headlining this progress, our Yard Tree Program boosted operational efficiency and power reliability for members. In 2024, we removed 4,689 trees that had the potential to cause ongoing service reliability issues in some areas.
Since the program was implemented in 2023, EnergyUnited has reduced the number of outages that were caused by trees within our rights-of-way by 72 percent. Additionally, we observed a 10 percent reduction in the average frequency of outages on our system.
The EnergyUnited Vegetation Management Team will continue to look for ways to improve service in 2025 with proactive communication to members. In addition to contacting members in advance of arriving in any work areas, we also publish our maintenance schedule for the year on our Vegetation Management page.
STATS
brush treated along
distribution lines
brush treated along
transmission lines
work requests
(service orders &
operations requests)
Improvement Jobs
Our cooperative has been in the process of replacing wooden poles with metal poles to further enhance reliability. We have partnered with a third party to assist in recycling old wooden poles and materials to ensure we truly are leaving our communities better than we found them. In 2024 EnergyUnited has:
EnergyUnited is committed to creating and strengthening the future of electricity by focusing on continuous improvement. This commitment extends into every facet of our cooperative and is reflected in strategic investments in our people, operations and systems.
In 2024, EnergyUnited invested $54 million in strategic improvements to the power grid. As part of this investment, we replaced more than 30 miles of copper wire with aluminum wire to provide enhanced reliability for members. We also upgraded three substations to plan for long-term energy supply needs and to increase the efficiency of future power restoration efforts.
These strategic system improvements will continue over the next four years as well. In 2025, we are beginning the first phase of a four-year, $216 million investment that will deliver enhanced reliability to several rural, economically disadvantaged communities.
Investments
security practices
Throughout 2024, EnergyUnited worked with a consultant to conduct an extensive review of all office facilities and substations. This process gleaned many insights and recommendations. We have proceeded with several updates to ensure the reliability and security of our physical assets. One future implementation that we have put into place for 2025 is the installation of new camera systems with AI capabilities for more efficient monitoring. We have also increased lighting around all our facilities and improved security systems overall.
Natural gas is an economical generation resource that emits less carbon dioxide in comparison to coal. Additionally, natural gas is available on demand, 24/7, making it a reliable energy source for members.
Nuclear power reactors do not produce any carbon emissions, which offers a huge advantage over more traditional energy sources. Plus, nuclear energy is incredibly reliable and has the ability to produce energy nonstop.
Coal is a highly abundant and affordable energy resource but also carries a greater environmental impact. Coal accounts for roughly a quarter of all energy-related carbon emissions, which is why we plan to phase out our use of coal by the end of 2025.
There are many environmental and economic benefits of using renewable energy. Like generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas emissions, reduces air pollution, diversifies energy supply and minimizes dependence on imported fuels.
EnergyUnited is committed to delivering safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to members. As we continue to increase our investment in solar energy, we remain focused on these four core service pillars as our top priorities.
Our future energy supply plans include a diverse mix of nuclear, natural gas and renewable energy resources. This supply mix is changing, with 9 MW of sustainable solar energy now in service for EU members. We expect this capacity to increase to 20 MW over the next year and to 100 MW by 2031.
All of our solar projects are being implemented in partnership with solar developers who will own, operate and maintain the new facilities while offering exclusive purchasing opportunities to EnergyUnited through strategic Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
By securing stable pricing through these exclusive PPAs, we are able to purchase power from these facilities when power is being produced.
As we continue to use this strategy, we will review all solar projects with the same four questions in mind. Is it safe? Is it reliable? Is it affordable? Is it sustainable?
perendale solar
Tropical Storm Helene impacted many members of our community in the fall of 2024, reminding us of the importance of resilience and unity in the face of adversity and uncertainty. As a cooperative, we hold a responsibility to our members first and foremost, but also to other co-ops in our state and beyond.
After the storm, our dedicated crews traveled to Western North Carolina to assist with restoration efforts, providing much-needed support to the areas hardest hit by Tropical Storm Helene. Our EnergyUnited employees collectively donated over $15,000 to assist with relief efforts. In addition, the EnergyUnited Foundation granted $25,000 to Samaritan’s Purse in Wilkes County, an organization that has been instrumental in helping Western North Carolina rebuild and recover.
One of the most critical pieces we worked on in this restoration effort was reestablishing infrastructure, specifically pole replacements. Given the terrain and the damage caused by the storm, this was no easy feat. Learn more about it in our Pole Replacement video:
POLE REPLACEMENT
Foundation
STATS
Another Landmark Year for the EnergyUnited Foundation
The EnergyUnited Foundation (EUF) marked a second historic year of giving in 2024, achieving record milestones in nonprofit support and community giving. A total of $850,000 was awarded to assist nonprofit organizations, individuals and families in meeting grave needs throughout EnergyUnited’s service area. In 2023, the EnergyUnited Foundation provided almost $900,000 in grants.
The Foundation is funded solely by donations made through Operation Round-Up. This program allows members to round up their bills to the nearest dollar with donations ranging from one to 99 cents per bill. These small donations result in life-changing grants for members and nonprofit organizations in need. More than 80,000 members participate in this program every month. Here are a few examples of donations made in 2024 by the EnergyUnited Foundation:
EnergyUnited Foundation Jake Hanes Story
The family of a medically fragile child received financial assistance from the EnergyUnited Foundation to help replace their roof.
A disabled veteran received financial assistance from the EnergyUnited Foundation to replace the septic system for his home.
A woman with a chronic health condition received utility bill assistance to help keep her home warmer during the winter.
EnergyUnited was named a Top Workplace 2024 award winner by USA Today newspaper for the second consecutive year! The list of Top Workplaces is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution and connection, just to name a few.
As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, EnergyUnited also credits the achievement to its unique business model and its strong, collaborative culture. The cooperative refers to its culture as The EnergyUnited Way, a slogan that represents its commitment to be safe, secure, present and member-focused.
2024 Top Workplace
Communities
EnergyUnited always looks for ways to stay active and committed to the communities we serve – and 2024 was no exception. Internally, our team was proud to sponsor and support the following events:
Juneteenth Celebration at the Ada Jenkins Center: The team was thrilled to participate in the fourth annual Juneteenth celebration in Davidson. As a freedom-level sponsor, we were proud to help make this event accessible and fun for the community.
Lexington BBQ Festival: Since 1984, the City of Lexington, Davidson County and the owners of the famous barbecue restaurants throughout the area have worked to make the Lexington BBQ Festival all it can be. This support, coupled with sponsorships provided by area businesses, has ensured the continued vitality and growth of the annual festival. EnergyUnited has been a sponsor of this event for many years, including 2024.
Earth Jam in Cornelius: Earth Jam is an event to celebrate Earth Day, eat delicious food, listen to live music, enjoy drinks from local breweries and most importantly, learn how to create change in our community to be a little kinder to our planet! EnergyUnited hosted an educational booth at the event and was proud to discuss sustainable initiatives with hundreds of curious community members.
Light Up Cornelius Tree Lighting: EnergyUnited sponsored the 13th annual tree lighting and holiday fun event in Cornelius. The event features carriage rides, visits with Santa and of course, the tree lighting. It is fun for the whole family!
Habitat for Humanity: EnergyUnited team members took time out of their busy schedules to volunteer their time and effort at a local Habitat for Humanity build site. We were thankful to be able to give back to our community as a team in this way.
Our responsibility to our membership extends beyond providing 99.9% reliable energy at a reasonable cost. It’s also moving forward with the cooperative’s best interests as we work with local leaders and businesses. In 2024, EnergyUnited supported commerce in communities across all 19 counties of our service area with involvement in:
Local
Economies
YADKIN COUNTY Chamber of Commerce
GREATER STATESVILLE Chamber of Commerce
WILKES Chamber of Commerce
LEXINGTON AREA Chamber of Commerce
MOORESVILLE-SOUTH IREDELL Chamber of Commerce
DAVIE COUNTY Chamber of Commerce
THE CHAMBER OF CATAWBA COUNTY Chamber of Commerce
LAKE NORMAN Chamber of Commerce
LINCOLNTON-LINCOLN COUNTY Chamber of Commerce
& Educators
EnergyUnited is committed to fostering education and leadership through a variety of scholarship and community initiatives. In 2024, the cooperative continued to support local youth through its Sports Camp, Scholarship, Junior Member Ambassador and Bright Ideas programs. Sports Camp provides young athletes with the opportunity to attend summer sports camp at either UNC-Chapel Hill or NC State, encouraging physical fitness and team-building skills. The Empowering the Future Scholarship program awards financial assistance to deserving high school seniors, helping them pursue higher education and career goals. EnergyUnited’s Junior Member Ambassador program nurtures future leaders by empowering students to serve as ambassadors for the cooperative, fostering understanding of energy-related issues and leadership skills. Additionally, the Bright Ideas Teacher Grants program supports educators by funding creative and innovative classroom projects, enriching the educational experience for K-12 students across the cooperative’s service area. These programs reflect the cooperative’s ongoing commitment to strengthening communities and providing opportunities for the next generation to thrive.
Being a member-owned electric cooperative means we rely even more on our members to remain active and up to date. In 2024, we made it even easier for members to access the Member Guide and the Service Rules & Regulations by digitizing these documents. By putting both on the website in a searchable format, our members are now able to look up key information and words simply and easily.
STATS
Spanning 19 counties, over 140,000 member connections and more than 260 employees, EnergyUnited is proud to be North Carolina’s largest electric cooperative. With roots reaching back over 80 years, EnergyUnited has become a community pillar to support its members and a 99.9% reliable energy utility to help keep Every Day Empowered. In 2024 EnergyUnited was named a Top Workplace by USA Today. We have shaped our cooperative culture around The EnergyUnited Way – a collection of principles that helps us be the best that we can be.
BeSafe
BeSecure
BePresent
BeMember-focused
EnergyUnited is a member-owned and democratically governed cooperative that is directed by a nine-member Board of Directors. These board members are elected by you, our members, and oversee the management of the cooperative. Get to know the board below.
Service
Area
Anderson
Cartner
Campbell
Pullis
Riggs
Raines
HarrisonSecretary
BlackTreasurer
WrightVice President
SissonPresident
As your energy service provider, we value the opinions of our members. MAC members act as sounding boards for changes in service processes and the development of new programs. In addition, they learn more about the activities of EnergyUnited and then share this information with other members. This allows MAC members to provide feedback to EnergyUnited about the needs and concerns of the co-op’s membership. This ongoing interaction helps serve as a communication link between the members and the leadership of EnergyUnited.
Safety is always first in everything we do. We have processes in place to ensure our employees, members and communities are safe no matter the circumstance. In 2024, our team visited several schools across our service area to teach them about electrical safety with fun visuals, demonstrations and a Q&A session.
ElectricalSafety
Additionally, 2024 offered another opportunity for our team to continue the “Good Catch” program. This is an internal initiative encouraging the EnergyUnited team to watch for potentially hazardous situations in our communities. Last year, we reported 159 “Good Catches” within our service area that could have otherwise resulted in an injury, equipment damage or a vehicle event. These shared learnings help spread awareness of potential dangers and the methods to avoid them. Take a look at some more safety by the numbers:
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worked
Completed
Catches 159
Achievement Program (RESAP)Highest score in five years
In 2024, we partnered with Synergy Electronics Recycling to enhance our electronic waste management practices. Synergy offers a comprehensive and sustainable solution, taking care of data destruction, equipment shredding and recycling outdated tech into valuable resources.
During our first pickup, Synergy filled a 26-foot truck with obsolete equipment, from circuit boards to unused devices. They recover valuable materials like gold from circuit boards and refurbish items for resale. This process not only helps reduce waste but also generates revenue for us after we cover the cost of the pickup.
Synergy stands out for its strong commitment to sustainability. All materials are responsibly recycled, helping to keep them out of landfills. The company is fully insured and holds all necessary certifications to ensure secure data destruction and eco-friendly practices.
As we track the financial returns from this partnership, we plan to expand Synergy’s services to other areas of our operations. So far, this collaboration has saved us money, advanced our sustainability efforts and turned old electronics into profit.
As an electric cooperative, EnergyUnited is owned by our members and operated with our members’ best interests always top of mind. Our commitment to member service extends beyond the time and energy that it takes to maintain the grid. We also look out for our members by advocating for smart energy policies in Washington, D.C. and Raleigh.
In 2024, our Legislative team met with state lawmakers, members of Congress and key staff to advocate for policies that help us continue providing safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to our members. This engagement included a special visit from Senator Thom Tillis to our headquarters in Statesville. During the visit, Senator Tillis toured our facility and spoke with the EnergyUnited Board of Directors and executive leadership about key energy legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
With each interaction, our team works proactively to address the needs of our members from a policy perspective. This work is a vital part of our vision of what is needed to deliver a brighter, sustainable future for our communities.
ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITY
GOVERNANCE
