Why Electric Vehicles Are Part of Our Brighter Future - Randolph EMC
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SEPTEMBER 2021
Watts Working
Why Electric Vehicles Are
Part of Our Brighter Future
As a member of Randolph EMC, you may be familiar with our
Brighter Future vision of serving this community by providing
safe and reliable access to affordable, increasingly sustainable
energy. As we work toward this vision, it is critical that we
appropriately stay ahead of trends to ensure we meet the
emerging power needs of our member-consumers.
A significant emerging trend experience for drivers locally
across the nation is consumer while making sure our region
adoption of electric vehicles. remains open for tourism,
In 2020, a survey provided commerce, and economic the summer and early morning
exclusively to members of development opportunities. in the winter. Nighttime EV
electric cooperatives across the Randolph EMC currently has charging spreads the load across
nation showed that 1 in 6 co-op four Level 2 Charging Stations the 24 hour-day cycle and helps
members are likely to consider installed at the N.C. Zoo and one to flatten the expensive, peak
an electric vehicle as their next DC Fast Charger at the McDonald’s demand times. This is an area
car. Although that may not near Randolph Mall in Asheboro. we will continue to research.
seem like a critical mass, our Soon, we will install a DC Fast We hope that you join us in
engineers are planning for this Charging Station in Montgomery celebrating National Drive
increased electric demand to County near Lake Tillery, as well. Electric Week September
ensure continued reliability. 25–October 3 this year. Follow
And just as importantly, we’re If charging is managed
appropriately, electric vehicles Randolph EMC on social media,
preparing to provide solutions to where we will share lots of
our members making the switch. can significantly benefit the
electric grid in ways that will information about electric
Because we know interest in not impact reliability and vehicles and Drive Electric
these vehicles is on an upward affordability of electricity. When events happening locally. In
trajectory, we are making charged at night, EVs add load the meantime, you can learn
investments now to build to the grid when it is historically more at NCDriveElectric.
public charging stations in our most underused. Power is the com/RandolphEMC.
local community. Doing so will most expensive at peak demand
facilitate the electric vehicle hours, like late afternoon in
B A New Way
to Pay C My Youth Tour
Experience D Community
Grant Winners E Let’s Beat the
Peak Together F Dale Lambert’s
AWARE
Column
H Electrical
Safety on
the Farm
A newsletter for the member-owners of
CheckOut a New Way to Pay Your Bill
Randolph EMC’s new program To get your CheckOut by
CheckOut by PayGo allows PayGo barcode online, visit
members to pay their electric RandolphEMC.com/CheckOut and:
bill with cash at their favorite f Enter your REMC account
local convenience shops, like number without any dashes
Dollar General, CVS Pharmacy, f Press “Get Your Barcode”
Walgreens, Family Dollar and f Press ‘Find Your Account’
f Print, email or snap a
more! Simply ask the cashier to f Verify the house number picture of your barcode
scan your PayGo barcode, tell them of your street address
how much you’d like to pay towards
your bill and the payment will post
to your account immediately. A
$1.50 convenience fee applies.
Three easy steps to use
CheckOut by PayGo!
1 Get your barcode on the back
of your bill or online—Print it,
email it to yourself, or save it as a
picture on your mobile device.
2 Find locations–Look for the
closest participating retailer that
can scan your barcode to post a
payment.
3 Scan barcode at cashier–
When you are ready to pay your
Happy Labor Day!
REMC bill, simply have the cashier
scan the barcode and tell them how
Randolph EMC offices will be closed
much you want to pay. It’s that easy! Mon., Sept. 6, 2021, for Labor Day.
Educators, the Bright Ideas Application
Deadline is Approaching—Apply Now!
K–12 teachers, the 2021 Bright To apply, teachers need to include
Ideas education grant program a proposed budget, outline a
application deadline is almost plan for implementation and
here! To apply for project funding evaluation, as well as have
for the 2021–22 academic school a stamp of approval from
year, submit your application the school’s principal. All To learn more about the program
on or before September 15, 2021. applicants must meet eligibility and apply online, visit
This year, Randolph EMC will requirements. For more NCBrightIdeas.com. Stay up to date
award $14,000 in grant funding to information and to check your with the Bright Ideas Education
teachers with innovative, hands- eligibility status, please contact Grant program by following
on learning experiences that will Nicole Arnold, Communications NCBrightIdeas on Facebook!
enrich the lives of students. and Public Affairs Manager, at
Nicole.Arnold@RandolphEMC.
com or 336-625-5177.
B Watts Working | September 2021 | RandolphEMC.com
Report from the Field: My Youth Tour Experience
With Kristen Jensen, 2021 REMC Youth Tourist
Each year Randolph EMC joins other cooperatives around the nation to select 1,600 of our
brightest and best students for the annual Youth Tour. Traditionally in this educational
program, students travel to Washington, DC, for a week of educational programming.
Communications and Public Affairs Manager Nicole Q: What did you learn about during the
Arnold interviewed our 2021 winner, Kristen Jensen, a virtual Youth Tour sessions each day?
rising senior at Uwharrie Charter Academy, to get some A: We learned a great deal about our country’s
insight into her experience at this year’s virtual Youth capital and about the representatives who make
Tour. Kristen is a student athlete and is especially the decisions for us. I was beyond thankful for
fond of the subjects of English and History. She also the opportunity given to me by Randolph Electric
demonstrates leadership in her community through Membership Corporation to spend a short time
her service with the Ulah Volunteer Fire Department. learning about a myriad of important topics
including different types of cooperatives, political
Q: When was the Youth Tour this year? information, financial guidance, and planning.
A: The tour began Sunday, June 20, and
met through Saturday, June 26. Q: What are your top two takeaways
from the programming this year?
Q: How did you participate in the A: Each of the subjects discussed opened my eyes
Youth Tour this summer? to the importance of sharing the knowledge we
A: My youth tour experience varied from the possess to create a better world around us. I also
typical opportunity to visit Washington, DC, and really valued that the speakers emphasized the
meet in person. Rather, due to the coronavirus importance of voicing our opinions to create change
pandemic, we were hosted on a virtual platform within in our environments and communities.
in which we met other youth tourists throughout
North Carolina and multiple different speakers via
Zoom. Although this platform was not the original Thank you, Kristen, for
concept of the Youth Tour, the organizers greatly being an outstanding
adapted to the circumstances and still provided representative of
us with the best and safest alternative possible. Randolph EMC’s youth!
1·800·672·8212 | September 2021 | Watts Working C
Randolph EMC’s
PHP Board
Announces
Community
Grant
Winners
PHP gave a $1,000 grant to Spirit Horse Ranch Education Center to support a
In August the People Helping children’s reading program centered around therapeutic interaction with horses.
the People (PHP) Board of
Directors announced awards Habitat for Humanity of Sandhills Student Association:
totaling $20,000 in Community Randolph County: $1,000 to $1,000 to purchase food, clothing,
Grants to benefit charitable assist with home-building costs and hygiene items for at-risk
nonprofits in Randolph, for a single mother and child. students in Moore County schools.
Chatham, Moore, Montgomery,
Randolph Senior Adults Montgomery Community College
and Alamance Counties.
Association: $2,000 to provide Foundation: $2,000 to purchase
“For seven years, People Helping additional funding to meet the equipment for the Success Studio, a
People has given back to the increased need for senior adults place where residents and students
community through this grant to receive a nutritious meal. can learn free of cost how to
program,” said Communications conduct a virtual job interview.
Boys and Girls Club of the
and Public Affairs Director Nicole
Sandhills: $1,250 to fund Summer Chatham Literacy Council: $2,000
Arnold. “The Board is excited
Brain Gain, a STEM and literacy program to provide instructional materials
to announce an increase in the
that fights against learning loss and for Transforming Lives, an English
total amount awarded, $20,000,
provides quality learning experiences. to Speakers of Other Languages
up from $15,000 last year. This
program that helps adult learners
amount represents a significant Jordan Memorial United Methodist
improve their job opportunities
investment in the organizations Church: $1,250 for a Back to School
and become self-sufficient
that help the members in our Bash, an event open to the public in
members of their communities.
five-county service area.” which students receive backpacks
filled with school supplies. Robbins Area Christian Ministries:
The Board of Directors for
$2,000 to purchase food for residents
PHP, a nonprofit program of West Chatham Food Pantry:
in need in the Robbins area.
Randolph EMC, awards grants $2,000 to purchase food for Chatham
that contribute to the health County residents in need. This is the seventh year that
and well-being of individuals, Randolph EMC has partnered with
Arts Council of Moore County:
financial support for income- CoBank, a cooperative lender,
$2,000 to provide arts education
challenged families, or education to fund the Community Grants
for the most vulnerable youth at
advancement through enriching initiative. Through its Sharing
six economically disadvantaged
learning opportunities. Each of Success program, CoBank awarded
schools in the REMC service area.
the recipient organizations below $10,000 to People Helping
exemplify a mission that aligns Three Rivers Land Trust:
People. Randolph EMC matches
with one more of these goals: $500 to build a trail shelter on the
this donation annually to fund
Uwharrie Trail, which runs through
Spirit Horse Ranch Education its Community Grants program.
Montgomery and Randolph Counties.
Center: $1,000 to support a The PHP Board of Directors then
children’s reading program that Randolph County Family oversees the grant-awarding
provides a unique, outdoor learning Crisis Center: $2,000 to replace process. Since 2015, Randolph
environment centered around window blinds at a shelter for EMC’s PHP program has invested
therapeutic interaction with horses. the protection and privacy of $86,700 in Community Grants.
victims of domestic violence.
D Watts Working | September 2021 | RandolphEMC.com
Let’s Beat
the Peak
Together
As a member of Randolph EMC,
you know how to make smart
energy choices that help you save
money. But did you know that
when you use electricity can be just
as important as how much you use?
Throughout the day, energy use
fluctuates based on consumer
demand. Typically, most
households use larger amounts
of electricity in the morning
when most people are getting
Wash full loads of clothes in cold water during off-peak hours.
ready for their day, and in the
evenings when people return
from work, cook dinner, wash
clothes and watch television. degrees during peak hours.
When people in our community f Wash full loads of clothes in cold Extend your
water during off-peak hours.
use more electricity at the same
time, we call these intervals f Run the dishwasher right before
summer daylight
“peak” hours. These are typically you go to bed, or air-dry dishes by hours with
between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. in opening the dishwasher instead
winter and 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. in of using the heated dry cycle. an outdoor
summer. The cost for Randolph f Turn off lights and electronics security light
EMC to provide power is higher when not in use. (Try to make
during these times because of the Fall is coming soon, but that
this a daily habit, whether during doesn’t mean you have to
additional demand for electricity. peak or off-peak hours.) give up your evening outdoor
By shifting some of your energy f There are many ways to save activities. Randolph EMC’s
use to hours when demand is energy and money by making a few outdoor security lights provide
lower, also known as off-peak minor adjustments to your daily a safe environment around
hours, you can save money on routine. You can even be rewarded your home in a variety of
your energy bills and help keep for this behavior by switching to options for an affordable fee
rates lower for our community. Randolph EMC’s Time-of-Use rate! added to your electric bill.
Here are a few easy ways you can We’re here to help. Contact our Call your local office or
shift energy use to off-peak hours: Energy Use Advisors if you have visit RandolphEMC.com
f Adjust your thermostat. questions about your energy bill or for outdoor security light
During summer months, for additional energy-saving tips. styles and pricing.
raise the thermostat a few
Energy Efficiency Tip
Energy used for cooling and heating your home makes up the largest portion of your monthly
energy bills. By combining regular equipment maintenance and upgrades with recommended
insulation, air sealing and thermostat settings, you can save about 30% on your energy bills while
helping our environment.
Source: energy.gov
1·800·672·8212 | September 2021 | Watts Working E
A Word About
Randolph Electric
From CEO Dale Lambert
SAFETY ON THE FARM
Dear Members, The week of September 19th through f Use a spotter when operating large
The instant a serious accident 25th is National Farm Safety and machinery near power lines.
happens, it seems the world stops Health Week. In the spirit of this
f Keep equipment at least
turning and what was considered important nationally designated
10 feet from lines at all
important five minutes earlier week, I would like to offer you
times, in all directions.
becomes irrelevant. Most of some vital tips to keep in mind.
Randolph EMC is a member of the f Look up and use care when moving
us have been in this situation
Safe Electricity program. They any equipment, such as extending
at some point in our lives.
provide safety information to assist augers or raising the bed of grain
At Randolph EMC, safety is the top us in promoting safety awareness in trucks around power lines.
priority among our employee team. a number of ways. Here are some
My message communicated regularly f Inspect the height of farm
recommendations from them.
is, “The most important part of equipment to determine clearance.
your job is working safe and going f In equipment with auto-guidance
f Always set extensions to the
home to your families every day.” systems, drivers can place less
lowest setting when moving
focus on steering, and this can loads to prevent contact with
This month, I want to hit on a topic
lead some drivers to think that overhead lines. Grain augers
that relates to the safety of our
they do not need to be as aware should always be positioned
members, and in particular, our
of navigation issues. But even horizontally before being moved.
farmers. With the increasing size
while using a GPS with auto-
of farm equipment, augers, and f Never attempt to move a
steering, farmworkers need to
spray booms, we are seeing more power line out of the way
incidents of farm machinery coming keep safety in mind and stay
or raise it for clearance.
into contact with our power lines focused on their surroundings.
f If a power line is sagging
and electrical equipment. This is a f Putting safety first requires
or low, contact Randolph
significant safety hazard that can alertness, attention, and EMC immediately.
result in serious injury or death. understanding of potential
hazards and safety steps. Potential f If equipment does make contact
I still have a tractor that requires
with a power line, do not leave
you to shift into a higher gear if issues, such as power poles not
the cab or equipment. Call
you want air conditioning. But being correctly plotted in the
Randolph EMC immediately,
many farmers reap the benefits system, reinforce the need for
or 911 if you do not have our
of advancements in agricultural drivers to stay focused on the
number handy, and warn others
technology. With the help of GPS- location of the farm equipment
to stay away until a crew arrives
guided auto-steer devices, farmers can while in the field and to be ready to
to safely disconnect the power.
decrease driver error and maximize take action if necessary.
productivity. Yet, despite these f The only reason to exit any
advances, many safety risks remain. equipment in contact with power
F Watts Working | September 2021 | RandolphEMC.com
Randolph Electric Membership
Corporation provides safe and reliable
power with exceptional value to
more than 32,000 member accounts
in Randolph, Moore, Montgomery,
Chatham and Alamance counties.
This institution is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
Electric Service
Asheboro.................... (336) 625-5177
.................................. (800) 672-8212
Robbins: ..................... (910) 948-3401
.................................. (800) 868-7014
Report Outage........... (877) REMC-OFF
.................................. (877) 736-2633
Account Info
& Bill Payments:.......... (877) 534-2319
Business Hours:..........8 am – 5 pm, M-F
Board of Directors
lines is if the equipment is on it with a much broader audience Jerry Bowman......................President
fire. If that is the case, jump off than we ever could in person.
Tammie Phillips............ Vice President
the equipment with your feet This and other safety videos are
together, without touching the Billy Maness..........Secretary-Treasurer
available to view at Vimeo.com/
ground and machinery at the same RandolphEMC. After you view the Lee Isley.............................. Assistant
time. Then, still keeping your feet Secretary-Treasurer
safety demonstration, I encourage
together, bunny hop or shuffle you check out the other videos in Scott Cole Larry Routh
to safety as you leave the area. our library. Here you will find all Delbert Cranford Sue Spencer
Many of you have watched our Live- sorts of informative content—from Steve Harris
Line High Voltage Demonstration at storm safety guides to energy
efficiency tips. There are also videos Senior Staff
past annual meetings or community
events. To expand our ability in that highlight the cooperative’s Dale F. Lambert.....Chief Executive Officer
promoting this safety message, the community involvement, as well. Jay Albright........... District Vice President
Randolph EMC team has developed Always remember when performing Adam Hargett.....Vice President of Finance
a new video of that demonstration. any job or task, safety should be the Dennis Mabe................... Vice President of
I commend their good work in top focus. If a serious incident occurs, Engineering & Operations
putting together this top-notch it certainly becomes the top priority at Fred Smith....................... Vice President of
video demonstration so we can share that time. Prevention is the key. We Economic Development & Compliance
want our members and farmers to go
home safe to their families every day. Jill Vanness................................ Editor
Cooperatively Yours,
Visit Randolph EMC Online
Dale F. Lambert RandolphEMC.com
Live-Line High Voltage Demonstration Chief Executive Officer
1·800·672·8212 | September 2021 | Watts Working G
REMEMBER
ELECTRICAL
SAFETY ON
THE FARM
Farming equipment’s wider and
taller reach can increase the chances
of making contact with an overhead
power line or a utility pole.
Keep these safety tips in mind
to stay safe on the farm:
TRAIN OTHERS
Train anyone working on your farm, including family
members and seasonal workers, about electrical hazards.
SAFETY FIRST
Have daily meetings to review the day’s work and discuss
safety implications. Know and review where the power
lines are, the clearance required, and the proper position
of extensions as they are transported.
WAIT TO UNFOLD
Remind workers to fold or unfold extensions well into the
field, not close to the field’s edge where power lines are
typically located.
USE A SPOTTER
When working in the vicinity of power lines, always have
a spotter on the ground.
DO NOT EXIT YOUR CAB
If your machine or truck makes contact with a power line,
pole, or guy wire, you could become electricity’s path to
ground and become electrocuted if you step out of the cab.
CALL 9-1-1
Call 9-1-1 to have your electric utility dispatched to
deenergize the power source. Only exit the cab is if your
equipment is on fire. If that happens, make a solid jump
out and hop away with feet together as far as you can.
View Randolph EMC’s safety video library at
Vimeo.com/RandolphEMC for more tips!
You can also read
