manager`s message

JULY 2016
MANAGER’S MESSAGE
Summer weather has many of us thinking about how we
can stay comfortable and still keep our electric bill as low
mean that you can access the electricity you need when you
need it, without paying peak demand rates.
as possible. So I thought this might be a good time to let
These are just a few examples of how we at BEMC work
you know how we work to keep our rates as low as possible.
hard every day, balancing the needs of reliability, safety and
Truly, it is all about balancing competing needs. Reliability
growth, with the need to keep rates as low as possible. We
is critically important, so we focus important resources on
collaborate with several electric cooperative organizations
everything from infrastructure to Right-of-Way maintenance
and use our collective power to lobby for sound legislation
to
and
that keeps rates low as well. So on all levels, from the field
environmentally aware as we include renewable energy into
to the finance department to the board room, we are always
the mix is a necessity today, and this too takes resources.
working to keep your rates as low as possible. And we know
And building infrastructure for an ever-growing membership
you should expect nothing less.
maintain
99.99%
reliability.
Being
compliant
is a responsibility we take very seriously as well.
So how are we proactive in keeping costs down? Here are
some examples. We are diligent in our safety procedures.
Our excellent safety record directly results in savings on our
insurance rates, helping to keep rates as low as possible. Our
sound financial practices have earned us a superior credit
rating, and lower interest rates. We are always planning ahead
in building the infrastructure needed to serve our rapidly
growing area, allowing us to save during the management of
those projects. And our superior load management practices
Don Hughes,
CEO/General Manager
July 2016 | Page 17
Plan to have a great time at your Annual Meeting!
C E L E B R AT E !
77th Annual BEMC Membership Meeting
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Odell Williamson Auditorium
at Brunswick Community College
50 College Road, Bolivia, NC (off Hwy 17)
Join your friends and neighbors for some fun, and get the
latest information on your co-op
8:00 am to 10:30 am
Registration, festivities and food
Arts, crafts & baked goods
Sausage dogs, snacks and beverages
Auction, health fair, kids’ activities, entertainment
Warm Homes, Warm Hearts campaign & raffle
10:30 am
Business meeting & prize drawings
Look for your registration form in the mail,
and we’ll see you there!
Page 18 | July 2016
We have a Bright Idea – teachers,
get your applications in early!
Now’s the time for local educators
to submit ideas for creative, handson classroom projects that otherwise
would not be funded through the
traditional school budget. Teachers
may apply individually or as a team for
a Bright Ideas grant up to $2,000 each,
and must apply online. Those who
submit applications by the early bird
deadline of August 15, 2016, will be
entered into a drawing for a $100 Visa
gift card. Applications and additional
information may be found online at
ncbrightideas.com or bemc.org.
Fact or Myth?
Don’t insulate your home too well
because it needs to ‘breathe’.
Myth. Of all the energy efficiency myths, this one might
be the most inaccurate.
Though your home feels like part of the family, it is not
a living being – it does not need to breathe. Small gaps in
insulation lead to big losses of heated or cooled air. Even
places where there are no gaps, but the insulation wasn’t
installed correctly, leak air out of a home. Every part of
your home, including the attic, basement, and crawl
spaces, should be insulated properly and thoroughly.
Thinking about making some
energy efficient improvements to
your home, business or church?
It’s time to consider a BEMC
Weatherization loan!
Your co-op makes loans
ranging from $200 to $6,000 for
residential projects; businesses and
churches may borrow up to $10,000.
You pay off the loan over time with small payments to your
monthly bill. Sometimes the energy savings may offset the
loan payment, leaving you with a long term improvement
and long term savings.
Call us at (800) 842-5871 or visit bemc.org to download
a brochure.
Energy Tips
Try these easy, low cost or no cost
ways to save money every month
1.
Wash your clothes in cold water, and air-dry them
when it makes sense. They’ll still get clean and may
even last longer.
2.
Air-dry your dishes by turning off the ‘heat drying’
cycle on your dishwasher. Especially if you run a
load overnight, you won’t notice a difference at all.
3.
Replace bulbs with CFLs and LEDs – starting with
the five fixtures you use the most. Then, after you
see how easy it is, do the next five.
4.
Make sure your chimney flue is closed when your
fireplace is not in use. This keeps your conditioned
air from going right up the chimney.
5.
Clean your dryer lint filter every time you use it.
Clean that filter! Your dryer is one of your home’s
biggest energy users, and a clean filter helps
clothes dry much more efficiently.
July 2016 | Page 19
Generator, DeVilbiss 5000 watt, 6250 surge, $300;
Poulan 14” chain saw, $100; Poulan 8” pruner w/trimmer
attachment, $75; 842-4390
Sailboat & trailer, 16’ Hobie Cat, rainbow sails $1,950;
523-0713
Mercury Monterey, 2004, 7 passenger luxury model, full
power, very good condition, 111K miles, $5,200; 612-1863
Hoveround, MPV5, $1,300; 579-4832
Truck cap, fits Chevy Silverado, blue, $150 OBO; 754-8559
Treadmill $90; inversion table, $80; Longaberger baskets;
363-7239 after 4pm
Freezer, Frigidaire 18 cu.ft. upright; 1½ yr. old, nondefrosting, $400; 545-5814
Couch, leather sectional; 2 swivel chairs, wicker w/pillow;
457-0190
Computer monitor, Hewlett Packard 19” color monitor,
excellent cond., $55; 975-7591
Sailboat, 16 ft. Hobie Cat with trailer and sails; any offer
accepted; 579-1427
Cutting boards, handmade, exotic wood, 754-3295
Fishing lures, 150 small, medium, large, extras; $150
firm; 579-1162
Shotgun, break action 12 gauge Browning BT99, unsingle
32” barrel, w/Browning hard case, $950; 616-4147 before 8pm
1988 Monte Carlo SS, black w/red stripes, one owner,
very good condition, $6,000; 579-3980
Oak dining table w/2 leafs, 2 arm chairs, 4 side chairs,
6’ china cabinet, 2 glass doors, will sell separately, $700
together; 842-7350
TV, 19” color, with remote, old style, works perfectly, $10;
454-0244
Chickens, large and small; 508-7709
Draperies and valances, assorted sizes and colors, $10
to $25; 575-5363
Lots on Maple Creek Rd, 3 @ 100x150; ,842-8784
Washer/Dryer, Roper made by Whirlpool, top loading
washing machine & dryer, very good condition, $250 for pair;
443-3397
Dining room glass top table w/4 fabric chairs, rocker/
recliner, living room swivel chairs, TV wall mount, make
offer; 579-6105
TV, 22” old style, works well, any offer accepted; 253-3153
BEMC offices will be closed
Monday, July 4
Facebook contest
Stay in the loop with energy tips,
outage updates, things from behind
the scenes at your co-op and more.
“Like” Brunswick Electric by July 31 for
a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card.
HOW TO SUBMIT AN AD: Ads must be received via email or fax no later than the first of each month. Ads will then appear in the following month’s publication due
to the printing schedule. Example: If ad is received by May 1, it will appear in the June issue of Carolina Country magazine. This is a free service for BEMC members
to advertise non-commercial items for sale. Ads run ONE TIME, are limited to three lines, and only one phone number. We reserve the right to edit or refuse ads due to
content, length or AVAILABLE SPACE. Please no email addresses, names or repeat ads. All numbers are 910 area code unless otherwise listed. Some mobile providers
require 10-digit dialing. BEMC does not endorse items advertised and is not responsible for reliability of items.
E-MAIL: watts4sale@bemc.org MAIL: BEMC, Attn: Watts For Sale, PO Box 826, Shallotte, NC 28459. FAX: (910) 755-4299
Page 20 | July 2016