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Sep '24
In this issue:

A Letter from Our CEO

Thomas Golden

As we enter September, we recognize the Labor Day holiday and its relevance to our cooperative community. This holiday commemorates not only the nation’s workers and their contributions, but also serves as a reminder of our commitment to keeping our members informed, empowered and engaged with issues important to our cooperative.

September is the peak of hurricane season, and a great month to reiterate the importance of preparedness. At EnergyUnited, we are committed to ensuring that our services remain reliable and that our members have access to the resources they need to prepare for and recover from natural disasters. This month also marks National Preparedness Month and we encourage you to review your emergency plans and stay informed about potential weather events through reliable sources. Our website offers valuable tips and resources to help you stay prepared, such as evacuation planning: if advised to evacuate, do so immediately and go to a safe place.

I am excited to share our new series, Legislative Corner, which will provide quarterly articles and updates to help you stay informed and have a voice in our energy future. Working cooperatively, we can ensure a sustainable and resilient energy future.

Our 2024 Board of Directors election begins August 9, and as a reminder, all ballots are due on September 9 by 5 p.m. This process ensures our cooperative is governed by individuals dedicated to representing your interests and guiding EnergyUnited toward continued success. We encourage all members to participate in the election process, as your vote helps shape the future of our cooperative. Winners will be announced at the Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 19, at 4 p.m. at our EnergyUnited office in Statesville.

Lastly, I am pleased to announce that the EnergyUnited Foundation is now offering a large grant opportunity open for nonprofit organizations, with awards of $25,000 and $50,000. These grants support initiatives aligned with our mission to strengthen and support our community. If you are involved with a nonprofit or know one that could benefit, I encourage you to apply or share this opportunity with others. We are proud to lend a helping hand to our neighbors while partnering with organizations in our community. Detailed information about the application process is available on our website.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient community and a sustainable energy future.

Sincerely,
Thomas Golden, CEO

Last call
FOR BRIGHT IDEAS

K-12 teachers with great classroom initiatives still have time to apply for a Bright Ideas Education Grant.

This program was created to help fund classroom projects that would not normally have funding. For more information and to apply, please scan the QR code below. But hurry – the application deadline is September 15!

EnergyUnited.com/bright-ideas.

Wishing you
A happy Labor Day

Our offices will be closed on Monday, September 2, recognizing Labor Day. Our line crews will still be on call to respond to any outages and issues.

Board of Directors
Election

The last day to submit your ballot for the Board of Directors election is September 9 at 5 p.m. We rely on your vote to help guide our cooperative successfully. Election winners will be announced at the Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 19, at 4 p.m. at our Statesville office.

Learn more about the nominees by clicking here

Energyunited’sStorm-ready plan To keep the lights on

September is Hurricane Preparedness Month. As we enter a new storm season, it is important to learn how to stay safe when big storms hit. EnergyUnited, your local electric cooperative, works hard to keep your lights on, even during hurricanes.

Planning Ahead

EnergyUnited has a storm plan ready to respond to severe weather events. As part of this plan, we monitor weather forecasts and perform regular equipment inspections. We also check to see how many extra poles and transformers we have stored. This way, if something breaks during a storm, we can fix it quickly.

 

Safety First

Safety is the most important thing for EnergyUnited. Before, during and after a storm our co-op is focused on sharing important safety reminders. For example, members should stay away from downed power lines and have an emergency kit ready at home to stay safe during a storm.

Staying Connected

Good communication is important during a major storm. EnergyUnited stays in touch with every member of our team who helps us restore power. We also communicate frequently with members so you can prepare, plan and stay safe. If it is a major storm, other cooperatives may send crews to help us restore power.

Surge
Protection

EnergyUnited and TESCO’s Surge Guard Protection is a revolutionary system that offers protection against high-voltage power surges where they most commonly occur – at your electric meter. We strongly recommend a second layer of protection, such as a high-quality breaker panel and plug-in surge protection, for the most effective coverage, as your meter device does not provide 100 percent protection.

To learn more and read about some frequently asked questions, click here

Why you should use a vpnFor personal use

In today’s digital age, protecting your online privacy and security has never been more important, especially with students leaving for college or working from a coffee shop or bookstore. A virtual private network (VPN) is a powerful tool that can help you achieve this. Here are some key reasons why you should consider using a VPN for personal use:

1. Enhanced Privacy & Anonymity

A VPN masks your IP address, making your online actions virtually untraceable. This means that websites, advertisers and even your internet service provider cannot easily track your browsing habits or location. By encrypting your internet traffic, a VPN ensures that your data remains private and secure from prying eyes.

2. Secure Public Wi-Fi Connections

Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in cafes, airports and hotels, are notorious for their lack of security. Using a VPN on these networks encrypts your internet connection, protecting your personal information from hackers who might be lurking on the same network.

3. Safe Online Shopping and Banking

When conducting financial transactions online, security is paramount. A VPN provides an additional layer of encryption to your online banking and shopping activities, protecting your sensitive information like credit card details and bank account numbers from cybercriminals.

4. Protection Against Cyber Threats

A VPN can protect you from various cyber threats, including phishing attacks, malware and other malicious activities. Many VPN services include additional security features like ad blockers, further enhancing your online security.

In summary, a VPN is an essential tool for anyone who values their online privacy, security and freedom. By encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address, a VPN ensures that your personal information remains safe from ISPs and potential threats such as hackers. Whether you’re using public Wi-Fi, accessing restricted content or conducting online transactions, a VPN provides the peace of mind you need in the digital world.

New series:Legislative Corner

EnergyUnited is pleased to introduce a new series this month called Legislative Corner, which will feature a quarterly article to provide information about ways you can participate in and stay aware of key energy legislation. As a member, you always have a voice, so we appropriately kick off this series with Voices for Cooperative Power (VCP).

VCP is:

• A network of electric co-op members working together to influence elected officials who are making energy policy decisions that impact our co-ops and, by extension, our way of life.

• A platform that gives cooperative members a means to talk about the many ways their electric cooperative supports their community.

To learn more about VSP,

click here

VCP makes it easy to have a say in energy policy decisions that affect you, as a member. VCP members stay informed and take action on policy decisions that shape their family’s and community’s access to affordable, reliable local energy for decades to come. There are five issues specifically that VCP focuses on:

1. Access to reliable, affordable, responsible power

2. Supporting co-op communities

3. Building for the future

4. Environmental stewardship

5. Protecting reliable and affordable energy

EnergyUnited encourages you to check out more about Voices for Cooperative Power (voicesforcooperativepower.com) and to consider joining to have a voice in the energy future of our region.

Thank you!

Coming in Q4:
What does the energy future look like?

StayingPrepared

In honor of National Preparedness Month, we want you to have all the information you need to stay ready for hurricane season. Our website offers a wealth of information on what to do before, during and after a storm. One thing to do ahead of time is to create an emergency kit. This should include:

• Important documents sealed in a watertight plastic bag
• Cash
• Enough nonperishable food, bottled water and medication for at least three days
• First-aid kit/medicines
• Battery-powered radio
• Flashlight and manual can opener
• Extra batteries
• Personal hygiene items
• Extra clothes and blankets
• Food and other supplies for pets

To learn more about storm preparedness,

click here

Supporting ourCommunities

The EnergyUnited Foundation is opening a limited grant application opportunity for $25,000 or $50,000 awards for nonprofits who provide housing, utilities support or humane needs across our 19-county service area. Meeting these needs matches the core pillars of the EnergyUnited Foundation’s mission and purpose: shelter, utilities, emergencies and other humane needs. The timeframe for receiving applications to be considered for this special grant opportunity is 8/9/24 – 9/25/24. The EnergyUnited Foundation will grant $100,000 as part of this limited grant application opportunity!

To apply,

click here

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