AUnion Power Cooperative n September 2016

Proudly serving our Membership and Communities for 77 years

Members, come join us for our 77th Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, October

8th at Wingate University. Doors will open at 7:00 a.m. for Member Registration and a complimentary breakfast. The Business Meeting will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. where you will hear important Cooperative information relative to you as a member. Make sure you sign up for the cash door prize drawing in

the lobby of Austin Auditorium before the Business Meeting and stick around for the door prizes, to be given away immediately following the conclusion of the meeting. As a reminder, the Capital Credit distribution process has changed this year with margins being returned to you a month early. Be on the lookout this month for your check or bill credit.

COOPERATIVE REVIEW

SEPTEMBER 2016

Executive Perspective B

Heat Pump Advantages C

Power lines and Septic Tanks D

Copper Theft E

Bright Ideas Grant Deadline F

Techy Tools F

Giving from the heart G

ROW Crew locations H

Our offices will be closed on Monday, September 5th, for Labor Day.

...continued on page B

September 2016 n Union Power CooperativeB

Greg Andress Executive Vice President

and General Manager

ExecutivePerspectiveA s the 77th Annual Meeting

approaches, we continue to focus on what matters

most, you the member. As one of our strategic drivers, Member Satisfaction not only requires reliable electric service but also providing various ways to assist you with managing your energy use and costs. Some of the ways we work to achieve this is by:

§ Providing personalized, cutting-edge online home energy analysis tools and resources like My Energy Report and Pay Your Way, which help you save energy in the home and money on your electric bill

§ Connecting with you on social media to keep you up to date on important news, outage information and community initiatives

§ Offering a website that is easy to navigate and explains all the services and programs we provide

§ Continuously evaluating our programs and services to provide a best in class experience that allows you to be an energy conscious consumer and proactively take control of your energy use

§ Striving to continuously provide you with an exceptional member experience with each interaction

We are committed to do our part in providing a best-in-class experience whether in the community, ensuring system reliability, or in the office providing you with solutions to better help you manage your energy costs.

Another way we focus on our members is through the retiring of Capital Credits. Each year Union Power Cooperative allocates and retires excess revenue. As a member, you are entitled to a share of the margins generated by the cooperative

for the period of time you receive service.

This year instead of receiving your check at the annual meeting, in the mail, or through a bill credit in the month of October, Capital Credits will be distributed a month earlier. This change ensures we get your credit returned to you as quickly and efficiently as possible. It will also result in a significant cost savings to the Cooperative, which is ultimately passed on to our members. Be on the lookout this month for your check in the mail or credit on your bill. In everything we do, we focus on you, the member.

This is just another way that makes cooperatives different! On behalf of the employees and Board of Directors I invite you to at our upcoming 77th Annual Membership Meeting being held on October 8 at Wingate University.

Activities and EntertainmentWith plenty of activities and entertainment for adults and children alike, this year’s annual meeting proves to be informative and good for your overall well-being. Once again, we will offer our annual Health Fair with many health and wellness related services and vendors. Children will enjoy a bouncy house, face painting, door prizes and a DJ at the Kids Festival. Finally, providing you with music, comedy and a bit of magic,

The VW Boys are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face as this year’s entertainment performing in the Austin Auditorium. You may recognize band member, Tim White, as the host of the nationally syndicated concert series, “Song of the Mountains” seen on PBS each week. Be sure to join us for this informative and entertaining annual event!

Proudly serving our Membership...Continued from page A

Union Power Cooperative n September 2016 C

Heat Pump Advantages & Maintenance More and more homeowners are opting for the efficiency of electric heat pumps. The advantages of today’s electric heat pumps—in addition to efficiency—include comfort and convenience, cost-effectiveness, and they’re environmentally friendly.

If it’s time to replace your old heating system, consider making the choice for a new energy-efficient electric heat pump and taking advantage of Union Power Cooperative’s Heat Pump Financing Program. Qualified applicants may finance a complete heat pump or dual-fuel hybrid heat pump system for an existing residential home; loan payments will appear as a separate line item on the monthly power bill statement.

If you’re not in the market for a new system, there are things you can do to ensure that you are

getting the most out of the system you do have. The Cooperative recommends the following:

§ Call a professional: Each central air conditioning unit should be inspected, cleaned and tuned by a professional. A professional tune-up typically costs between $70 and $125.

§ Keep the filter clean: Clean and replace the air conditioner filter frequently (check the filter once a month). This is especially important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate. If the filter becomes clogged, your system will have to work harder to supply the same amount of cool air.

§ Made in the shade: Air conditioners with proper shading can be more efficient. Air in a shaded space is cooler than the surrounding air, meaning the A/C will have an easier time cooling the air.

§ Don’t take the heat: Don’t place lamps, TV sets, or other heat producing appliances near your thermostat. The thermostat senses the heat, causing the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.

§ Dial for dollars: Remember that each degree you dial below 78 increases your energy consumption by about 8 percent. If your monthly electric bill is about $100, you’ll save $8 a month with EACH degree you can stand above 78 degrees.

If you’re not in the market for a new system, there are things you can do to ensure that you are getting the most out of the system you do have

September 2016 n Union Power CooperativeD

Don’t Let Your Money Go To Waste Do you have a septic tank? Do you know where your septic lines run?

As we all know, summer storms often times mean downed limbs and branches causing loss of

electrical service. Heavy machinery and equipment is critical to restoring power or making necessary repairs and it is impossible to see buried equipment. As a result, septic tanks and lines running underground or near crews making repairs may likely be damaged causing homeowners costly repairs.

During a recent storm, a line truck attempting to restore power fell into a septic tank and crushed the lines leading to the septic field. This incident resulted in costly repairs to the member and the Cooperative. We would like to help members avoid these types of damaging situations by reminding you to let us know the location of your septic tank and lines. This can be accomplished by a simple call to the Right-of-Way department where your account will be notated, ultimately protecting your investment.

Further, if your property is bordered by a utility right-of-way, the Cooperative asks that if possible, septic tanks and lines be installed far away from the right-of-way as this area may be accessed by the power company or other utilities that need to perform maintenance or repairs. In working together we all remain safe and save money.

Get an A+ inBack to School Savings

Earn extra credit with Clark County REMC’s Co-op Connections Card.We’ll help you save on all the back to school basics from

backpacks and apparel to pencils and paste.

Get an A+ in Back to School SavingsEarn extra credit with Union Power Cooperative’s Co-op Connections Card. We’ll help you save on all the back to school basics from backpacks and apparel to pencils and paste.

Find all the ways to save at

Get an A+ inBack to School Savings

Earn extra credit with Clark County REMC’s Co-op Connections Card.We’ll help you save on all the back to school basics from

backpacks and apparel to pencils and paste.

Union Power Cooperative n September 2016 E

Copper theft is a crime that jeopardizes public safety and can lead to severe injury or even death. It can also result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in repair costs to the cooperative. Why is it so dangerous?

Copper thieves often target parts of the electric system that serve as the electrical ground. This is the part of the system that keeps us safe and serves as a return path for electric current. Without proper grounding, anyone who comes into contact with the electric system could suffer electric shock strong enough to cause death. This includes cooperative employees, law-abiding citizens and even children.

What can you do? § Be on the lookout for suspicious activity and call 911 if you think you’re witnessing a copper theft in progress.

§ If you witness a theft, make note of the suspects’ physical and vehicle descriptions, including license plate numbers.

§ Call us at 1-800-922-6840 if you see anything unusual in a substation or on the electrical system.

What to look for: § Cut fences or locks near electric substations

§ Holes dug under fences

§ Open substation gate

§ Open electrical equipment

§ Hanging wire or missing sections of wire

§ Suspicious vehicles and people lingering around equipment

Damage to your electric cooperative:

In addition to being a life-threatening safety hazard, copper theft compromises the electrical network and can cause outages that are disruptive for members and costly to businesses. And although the street value of stolen copper isn’t great, time and resources spent to repair damage caused to the system can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Remember, copper theft costs us all! Thank you for helping stop copper theft.

Copper TheftDangerous, Deadly & Illegal!

Call Union Power Cooperative if you see anything unusual in a substation

September 2016 n Union Power CooperativeF

Teachers: Apply for Bright Ideas grants by September 23, 2016Time is running out for teachers to apply for grants of up to $2,000 from Union Power Cooperative’s Bright Ideas education grant program.

Educators with creative ideas for hands-on classroom projects must submit their application by Friday, September 23, 2016. Interested teachers can find the application, grant-writing tips and more information on the Bright Ideas grant website at ncbrightideas.com.

“Since 1994, the Bright Ideas education grant program has provided more than $10.2 million for 9,800 projects benefitting more than 2 million students across North Carolina,” said Luanne Sherron, vice president of communications and key accounts for Union Power. “We are committed to local communities, and we believe there’s no better way to contribute than by investing in the education of our youth.”

Union Power and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives collectively have allocated close to $600,000 to give to educators across the state during the 2016-2017 school year.

The grants will be awarded in November for projects in all grade levels and all disciplines, including math, science, art, language, English and history. Last year, Union Power awarded more than $21,000 to fund 14 grants illuminating classroom projects.

The Bright Ideas grant application requires an outline of the proposed project, a detailed budget and a description of the benefit to students. Applicants are encouraged to highlight the innovative, creative elements of the project and to proofread carefully. Teachers, submit your application by September 23!

Techy tools help members take charge of energy useTechnology is putting consumers in control – of everything. Sometimes the changes are so gradual that it’s hard to notice how far we’ve come, but consider the way you watch TV. You no longer have to wait to watch your favorite show on a specific day in a specific location; technology has given you control of how, where and when you tune in.

As your energy provider, Union Power Cooperative thinks you should have say-so in how, where and when you use energy, too. Technology is allowing us to extend our services beyond providing energy to offer you tools to control the way you use that energy.

The innovations making this possible are occurring in two areas: within electric infrastructure and meters, as well within the development of sophisticated energy management devices for your home. The convergence of these two areas of innovation is allowing Union Power to offer cooperative members tools that enable them to interact with their energy use in real-time and take action to save money.

Examples include: § Weather Insights – Online energy management portal and cell phone app allows members potential savings by adjusting a “virtual thermostat,” where they can see potential savings. This interactive tool shows the precise dollar impact per degree by day.

§ Energy Usage Alerts – Members can set up email and text message alerts if energy use approaches a designated threshold. This keeps members on budget and eliminates any surprises that could come on the next bill.

§ Pay Your Way – This billing option provides tools to more closely monitor and adjust daily energy use. Members pre-pay for electricity and then track daily usage with online tools and email/text alerts that show daily use and account balances.

§ My Energy Report – This tool allows members to receive bill-specific savings recommendations based on actual energy use data.

As technologies evolve, we know there will be even more ways to put you in control of your energy use in the future. In fact, as a cooperative business, we are working with peer electric cooperatives around the state to study practical applications of all types of technologies, including connected water heaters and energy storage solutions. As we learn from these projects, we will continue to innovate and connect you, our members, with services and solutions that give you even greater control of how, where and when you use your energy.

Union Power Cooperative n September 2016 G

Co-op employees give from the heartOn July 19, Union Power employees presented a check for $47,288 to Hospice of Stanly County & Uwharrie during a reception held at the Cooperative’s district office in Oakboro.

S ince declaring Hospice as its charity of choice in 2009, Union Power Cooperative

employees have raised $295,934 for the Hospices of Union and Stanly counties. Accepting the check on behalf of Hospice of Stanly, Executive Director Lori Thayer stated “We appreciate each and every one of you and all you do for Hospice”.

Each year, Union Power Cooperative employees raise money for the Hospices of Union & Stanly counties, giving to each during alternate years. Hospice fundraising comes easy for employees as many have either known someone or have personally relied on their services for a family member. Employees are able to contribute in a variety of ways including payroll deductions and various events and fundraisers held throughout the year with 100% of proceeds being donated to Hospice. “Working for Hospice is a selfless thing to do, and to employees, Hospice is personal to a lot of us, your commitment and time dedicated to this cause is appreciated by the board and myself” stated

Executive Vice President and General Manager, Greg Andress, while addressing the audience.

Employees once again proved their “hearts” were with supporting Hospice as this year’s total exceeded last year’s total and plans are already underway for fundraising events.

Hospice is just another way Union Power Cooperative employees embrace the Cooperative Values as serving and giving back to their communities not only affects them at work but carries over into their personal lives too.

Fallen trees and limbs during storms are a major threat to power lines. Because of our aggressive right-of-way maintenance program, the Co-op has seen a 65% reduction in tree-related outages since 2005.

During the next month, you may see our tree-trimming crews in your neighborhood. ABC Professional Tree Services, The Arbor Experts, and Carolina Tree Care will be working in the following counties:

Cabarrus: Archibald Rd, Barrier Store Rd, County Line Rd, Hahn Scott Rd, Homestead Dr, Long Run Farm Rd, Mulberry Rd, Nance Rd, Pharr Mill Rd, Pine Bluff Rd, Pine Grove Church Rd, Rocky River Rd, Sandy Point Dr SW, Sequoia Hills Dr and Shamrock Rd

Mecklenburg: Albemarle Rd, Allen Station Dr, Apple Creek Dr, Ardley Park Way, Beaver Dam Ln,Albemarle Rd, Allen Station Dr, Apple Creek Dr, Ardley Park Way, Davis Rd, Lawyers Rd, Pine Lake Ln, Surface Hill Rd, Timber Ridge Dr, Tompkins Rd, Truelight Church Rd and Willowbend Ln

Stanly: Aquadale Rd, Barbees Grove Rd, Bethel Church Rd, Booger Hollar Rd, Brattain Rd, Browns Hill Rd, Coley Store Rd, Crestview Ln, Elder Eudy Rd, Griffin Hill Dr, Hazard Rd, Hillford Rd, Hills View Rd, Hinson Farm Ln, JD Dr, Joes Rd, Joy Rd, Liberty Hill Church Rd, Little Creek Rd, Mary Ln, McLester Rd, Meadowcreek Ch Rd, Montclair Dr, Nance Rd, No View Rd, Pond Rd, Quail Run Rd, Reed Mine Trail, Running Creek Ch Rd, Scout Rd, Smith Grove Rd, St Martin Rd, Stogner Little Rd, Stony Creek Ln, Sunrise Ln, Tucker Rd and Twin Oaks Circle

Union: Bearcliff Dr, Chaney Rd, Concord Hwy, County Land Ct, Cuthbertson Rd, Deese Rd, Fisher Ridge Rd, Harvey Ln, Maple Hill Dr, Mark Ave, Neal Boyce Rd, Newtown Rd, Old Camden Rd, Olive Branch Rd, Pressley Dr, Ridge Rd, Roanoke Church Rd, Sikes Mill Rd, Skyway Dr, Spring Lake Dr, Tomberlin Rd and Unionville Rd

For more information about Union Power’s vegetation management program or tree trimming practices, please call 704-289-3145 and speak with Wil Ortiz (ext. 3323) or Carrie Lorenz-Efird (ext. 3291). Visit our website, union-power.com, for monthly right-of-way clearing updates.

Right-of-way Clearing

Energy Saving TipsSet and go: If it’s hard to remember to tweak your thermostat before you leave for work, consider investing in a programmable thermostat or a timer for your window unit.

Feel the breeze: If your home has ceiling fans, switch your ceiling fan to run counterclockwise in the summer. That will push the cool air down. You can run a ceiling fan half the day for about $1.50 a month, compared to $25 for an air conditioner.

Don’t cool the whole neighborhood: Seal air leaks with caulking and weather-stripping. Add insulation around air conditioning ducts.

Watch the pavement: Avoid landscaping with lots of rock, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides of your home. If it’s not shaded, it will increase the temperature around the house and radiate heat.

Free from debris: Keep plants, shrubs and other landscaping about two to four feet away from your outdoor unit to ensure adequate airflow.

Union Power Cooperative provides safe and reliable power with exceptional value to more than 72,000 member accounts in Union, Stanly, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, and Rowan counties.

Greg AndressExec. Vice President & General Manager

Carrie C. Stroud, CCCEditor

Theresa ChanceAssociate Editor

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

B. L. Starnes, PresidentLee Roy Kirk, Jr., Vice PresidentJan Haigler, Secretary-TreasurerDent H. Turner, Jr., Asst. Secretary-TreasurerNeil W. Hasty, Jr.Carole P. JonesJim T. Hartsell

David G. HyattTom J. Caudle

Business Hours8 AM to 5 PM Monday–Friday704-289-3145 or 704-485-3335Toll-free: 1-800-922-6840union-power.com

24-Hour Outage Reporting Serviceand Account Information1-800-794-4423

Call Before DigNC One Call Center — Dial 811SERVICE CHARGES:Security Deposit(charges vary)$0, $175, $375

Connection Fee$25

Late Payment Charge$5 or 1.5% of past due balance, if greater

Returned Check Fee$25Meter Test$75 (refunded if not accurate)

Trip Charge$25 (checks or money orders only, no cash)

RECONNECT CHARGES:(collected in advance)

Normal Hours$50 (if called in before 4:00 PM)

After Hours$100 (if called in after 4:00 PM)

Weekends and Holidays$100

Call and ask us about the ‘Pay Your Way’ billing option

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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