COOPERATIVE REVIEW...2016/06/05  · Union Power Cooperative n June 2016 C 2016 Basketball Camp Winners Announced Congratulations to three outstanding local students who are attending

AUnion Power Cooperative n June 2016

COOPERATIVE REVIEW

JUNE 2016

Pay Your Way Program B

Sports Camps Winners C

Summer Storms D

Ceiling Fans E

Reporting an Outage F

Downed Power Lines G

ROW Crew Locations & Storm Safety Info H

Congrats 2016 Youth Tourists

Union Power congratulates Hannah Harvey, Brennan Halkidis, and Miles Shen, who have been chosen

to represent Union Power on the 2016 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, held June 11-17, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

Hannah, a junior at Weddington High, is the daughter of John and Amy Harvey. Brennan is a junior at Porter Ridge High and is the son of Bob and Stacy Halkidis. Miles, a junior at Stanly County Early College, is the son of Debora Shen. These delegates will join hundreds of other high school students from across the country on an all-expense-paid trip to the nation’s capital.

What’s Youth Tour? The nation’s electric cooperatives have sponsored Youth Tour since 1964. This annual event is coordinated by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives. While

in our nation’s capital, students have the opportunity to meet with congressional representatives, and visit government agencies and historical sites as they learn more about government and cooperatives.

The Union Power Youth Tourists are excited about this once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity. Hannah shares, “I

lived in the D.C. area when I was younger, but I’m looking forward to getting back and exploring things in detail that I will have more appreciation for now.” Brennan says, “This will be my first trip to Washington, D.C. and I’m excited to

see everything!” Miles adds, “I don’t really know what to expect. I’m sure there will be lots to do and it will all be fun!”Visit union-power.com/youthtour or YouthTour.coop for more about Youth Tour. Be sure to follow NC Youth Tour on social media to keep up with the latest, especially during Youth Tour week:@NCYouthTour on Facebook.

Visit union-power.com/youthtour today

Union Power’s Youth Tourists: Brennan Halkidis, Hannah Harvey and Miles Shen

Union Power Lineman Dustin Fugate

June 2016 n Union Power CooperativeB

Can Prepaying for Electricity Save Energy?

A ccording to Electric Co-op Today, ‘consumers like prepaid electricity for

several reasons, including ones that’s sometimes overlooked: They’re saving energy.’ Research shows that co-op members who use prepay are reporting energy savings between 5 and 10 percent, with some going a little above 10 percent.

The WhyMost consumers on prepay add money to their account weekly, and reasons they are seeing decreased energy use include:

§ Getting more frequent notifications about their energy use

§ Making little changes in behavior to adjust their energy use

§ Seeing the difference these changes are making week to week

Pay Your WayUnion Power offers Pay Your Way, an option that allows members to prepay for electricity. Many of our members who are participating in this program have had only positive things to say about it. Here are some other great benefits of our Pay Your Way program:

§ No surprise bills — monitor your consumption and manage your energy use, receiving alerts for daily usage and account balances

§ Flexible and convenient payment method for your budget — pay when YOU want and in the amount YOU choose

§ An alternative for security deposit or guarantor requirements

§ Great for seasonal or rental properties

To sign up, call 704-289-3145 or 800-922-6840 to speak with one of our Customer Service representatives.

Check out our Billing Options page to hear what one especially pleased member says about how Pay Your Way saves her family energy and money each month at union-power.com/billingoptions

SOMETIMES KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES IS ABOUT KEEP YOUR ELECTRIC BILLS DOWN.

When you save energy, it helps our entire co-op lower its costs. Find out what you can do at TogetherWeSave.com, and spread the word throughout your co-op.

Union Power Cooperative n June 2016 C

2016 Basketball Camp Winners AnnouncedCongratulations to three outstanding local students who are attending summer basketball camps at two of the state’s largest college campuses, thanks to the Co-op’s Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarship program.

Kayli Cleaver of West Stanly Middle School will attend the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp at NC State University June 12–15 in Raleigh. Kayli is the daughter of Jeremy and Nikki Cleaver.

Gavin Boutwell of Weddington Middle School will attend the Roy Williams Carolina Basketball Camp June 18-22 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Gavin is the son of John and Hilary Boutwell.

Luke Cain of Richfield Elementary will also attend the Roy Williams Carolina Basketball Camp June 18–22 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Luke is the son of Seth and Anna Cain.

“Our Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships are competitive,

and so it is a tremendous accomplishment to earn this opportunity,” said Carrie Stroud, the Co-op’s manager of communications. “Kayli, Gavin and Luke are remarkable students and community members. We are proud to offer them this chance to experience life on a college campus and learn from college coaches and student-athletes.”

Staff at both camps will work closely with each camper to develop fundamental basketball skills and practice playing hard while working cooperatively. Leading the NC State Wolfpack Women’s camp is head coach Wes Moore, the 2014 ESPNW Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year, his coaching team, and current and former NC State women’s basketball players. The Carolina camp is led by two-time NCAA national championship coach Roy Williams, his staff, and current and past Tar Heel basketball players.

Congratulations to Kayli, Gavin and Luke. Thank you to all who applied!

Kayli Cleaver, West Stanly Middle

Gavin Boutwell, Weddington Middle

Luke Cain, Richfield Elementary

Celebrate Dadwith Savings

This Father’s Day, let’s find the perfect gift for our hardworking dads and grandpas. Your Co-op Connections Card helps you save on presents that are perfect

for outdoorsmen and gearheads, Do-It-Yourselfers and tech wizards.

Instead of Another Tie, Let’s Get Dad Something

He’ll Really Enjoy.

Find gifts for Dad at more than 100 local business that offer discounts to Union Power members through the Co-op Connections Card Program! In addition, there are hundreds more discounts offered by national retailers and businesses. See which ones are on the list, then show up, show your card and save!

Visit union-power.com/coopconnections to learn more and find discounts on the perfect gift for that special Dad in your life! It’s one stop shopping you both will love!

June 2016 n Union Power CooperativeD

Summer Storms & Power Surges

S ummer heat brings thunderstorms, and lightning can occur

anywhere there is a thunderstorm. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), lightning ranks as one of the top weather killers in the U.S., claiming about 26 lives last year and injuring hundreds of others.

Safety TipsDid you know that if thunder is heard, a storm is close enough for a lightning strike? If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to seek safe shelter immediately. This means a building with electricity and/or plumbing or a metal-topped vehicle with the windows closed. Being outside is not safe when thunderstorms are in the area. Once inside, the NOAA recommends following these tips:

§ Stay off corded phones. You can use cellular or cordless phones.

§ Don’t touch electrical equipment or cords.

§ Avoid plumbing. Do not wash your hands, take a shower or wash dishes.

§ Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.

§ Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.

Protect Your ElectronicsIt only takes one strike of lightning to cause thousands of dollars of damage to sensitive electronic equipment, and it doesn’t even have to be a direct strike. The most effective thing to do when lightning approaches is to unplug your electronic devices. Obviously, this is not always a practical solution. The next best thing is to install surge protectors, which react instantly to the voltage surges and electronically block the damaging voltage from reaching your electronics.

Safeguard your sensitive electronics with PowerGuard® Surge Suppression Equipment. PowerGuard® uses two separate suppressors to step down surges, offering superior protection from both externally and internally generated power surges. For more details, visit union-power.com/ surgeprotection or call Energy Specialist Steve Whitley at 704-289-3145, extension 3239. Financing is available for Union Power Cooperative members.

For more lighting information and safety tips, visit www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

Lightning Quick Facts § Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly if it is a tall, isolated object.

§ Most lightning victims are in open areas or near a tree.

§ Lightning strikes the U.S. about 25 million times each year.

§ Lightning can heat its path through the air to five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

Source: noaa.govv

Union Power Cooperative n June 2016 E

If you are like most Americans, you have at least one ceiling fan in your home. Ceiling fans help our indoor life feel more comfortable. They are a decorative addition to our homes and, if used properly, can help lower energy costs. Union Power recommends these tips:

Flip the switchMost ceiling fans have a switch near the blades. In warm months, flip the switch so that the blades operate in a counter clockwise direction, effectively producing a “wind chill” effect. Fans make the air near them feel cooler than it actually is. In winter, move the switch so the fan blades rotate clockwise, creating a gentle updraft. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling into occupied areas of the room. Regardless of the season, try operating the fan on its lowest setting.

Adjust your thermostatIn the summer, when using a fan in conjunction with an air

conditioner, or instead of it, you can turn your thermostat up three to five degrees without any reduction in comfort. This saves money since a fan is less costly to run than an air conditioner. In the winter, lower your thermostat’s set point by the same amount. Ceiling fans push the warm air from the ceiling back down toward the living space, which means the furnace won’t turn on as frequently.

Choose the right sizeMake sure your ceiling fan is the right size for the room. A fan that is 36–44 inches in diameter will cool rooms up to 225 square feet. A fan that is 52 inches or more should be used to cool a larger space.

Turn it offWhen the room is unoccupied, turn the fan off. Fans are intended to cool people — not rooms.

Make the Most of Ceiling Fans

So turn on the fan and turn up the savings! Visit our Energy Center at union-power.com for more ways to save!

Board Director RecognizedMr. Jim T. Hartsell was recently recognized for 35 years of service to Union Power Cooperative. The commendable service award was presented at the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives’ (NCAEC) annual meeting on April 13.

Hartsell began serving on the Board in June, 1980, where he represents District VI, Cabarrus County. He and his wife Phyllis reside in Concord, N.C.

June 2016 n Union Power CooperativeF

Our Outage Reporting System recognizes the phone number you are calling from. However, if that phone number does not match the phone number listed for your account, you will be instructed to enter additional information to help us identify the outage location. Please follow the steps below based on whether we have the correct phone number for your account in our system:

Outage location’s phone number IS NOT recognized: 1 DIAL 1-800-794-4423 to report an outage.

2 PRESS 1.

3 ENTER phone number including the area code or the account number (located on the top left of your bill) for the outage location.

4 PRESS 1 to confirm your outage address.

5 PRESS 1 to give more details about the outage or hang up.

Outage location’s phone number IS recognized: 1 DIAL 1-800-794-4423 to report an outage.

2 PRESS 1.

3 PRESS 1 to confirm your outage address.

4 PRESS 1 to give more details regarding the outage or hang up.

Reporting an Outage

Outage Updates 24/7Visit union-power.com on your computer or mobile device to view our Outage Map. The map updates automatically every minute and displays the following information:

§ Location of current outages by county

§ Total number of outages

§ Number of members affected

§ Number of members whose power has been restored

§ From our home page, click View Outage Map in the Outage Center.

You can also view our Outage Map on our mobile website from your iPhone®, iPad® or Android™ device.

Union Power Cooperative n June 2016 G

Outdoor Pet Containment SystemsKeeping Your Pets Safe & Your Investments Protected

Many of us have pets, and we want our furry friends to have room to run and adequate space. Some members have chosen to install an (invisible/underground) pet containment system. There are many varieties of these containment systems, but in any case, they are an investment that can be a costly repair if damaged.

At Union Power, we understand that pet safety is important, but the Co-op asks members to take caution when installing an underground/buried wire pet containment system. If your property is bordered by a utility right-of-way (ROW), the Co-op asks that you keep the pet containment system off of the right-of-way. The ROW may be accessed by the power company or other utilities that need to perform maintenance.

Recently, while performing vegetation maintenance on Co-op ROW’s, Union Power has

encountered buried pet containment systems and issues have arisen when buried wires were snapped by the equipment driving over them. The equipment used to perform mandatory maintenance is heavy and it is impossible to see the wires as they are normally buried underground. When these wires are

broken or snapped, damage to the containment system is not visible and pets could breach the perimeter of the pet containment system.

Please take notice when installing pet containment systems. In doing so, we will be working together to ensure that your pets stay safe and that your investments are protected.

A downed power line may not be a dead line. It could cause serious injury or death.

Follow these tips from your electric cooperative to stay safe:

§ Assume all power lines are energized and dangerous. Even lines that are de-energized could become energized at any time.

§ Never touch a downed power line! And never touch a person or object that is touching a power line.

§ If someone is injured as a result of contact with electric current, do not try to assist him or her. You could be injured or killed. Call 911.

§ If a power line falls across your vehicle while you are in it, stay inside until help arrives.

§ Call 911 immediately to report a downed power line, then call your electric cooperative.

Union Power Cooperative provides safe and reliable power with exceptional value to more than 71,000 member accounts in Union, Stanly, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, and Rowan counties.

Greg AndressExec. Vice President & General Manager

Carrie C. Stroud, CCCEditor

Rhonda Smith, CCCAssociate 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

Check out UPC Mobile! Search for “Union Power Cooperative” or the app name “UPC Mobile” in the App Store or in the Android Market.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Cooperative Review is published monthly by

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

Cabarrus: Baptist Ln, Bethel Church Rd, Dakeita Circle, Flowes Store Rd, Hartsell Rd, Hwy 601 S, John White Rd, Joyner Rd, Nature Dr, Nesbit Dr, Reed Mine Rd

Stanly: Branch Rd, Buster Rd, Main St (NC 742 Hwy), Oak Grove Rd, Rendee Dr, Rocky River Rd, Second St, Silver Rd, Swift Rd

Union: Army Rd, Banyan Way, Baucom Deese Rd, Baucom Rd, Bearcliff Dr, Big Buck Trail, Blythe Rd, Bonds Grove Ch Rd, Buckeye Ct, Cedar Knoll Dr, Chaney Rd, Concord Hwy, County Land Ct, Creekview Dr, Cricket Cove, Deese Rd, Duxbak Ln, Edwards Farm Ln, Eugene Hobbs Rd, Fallondale Rd, Fisher Ridge Rd, Foxhound Ln, Green View Dr, Grover Rogers Rd, Gumtree Rd, Harvey Ln, Hickory Nut Ct, Honey Bee Rd, Hwy 205, Hwy 218, Kensington Dr, Laurelwood Ln, Linden Ct, Little Staton Rd, Lorna Dr, Maple Hill Dr, Mark Ave, McCall Rd, Mill Pond Dr, Morgan Mill Rd, Mountain Folk Ln, N Rocky River Rd, Nature Way Pl, Neal Boyce Rd, New Salem Rd, Newtown Rd, Oakdale Dr, Oakwood Ln, Old Camden Rd, Old Kennedy Ford Rd, Olive Branch Rd, Pine Oak Rd, Pleasant Hill Church Rd, Poplin Rd, Pressley Dr, Primrose Way, Providence Farms Rd, Redbud Trail, Ridge Rd, Roanoke Church Rd, S Potter Rd, S Providence Rd, Sandalwood Dr, Sardis Church Rd, Scott Long Rd, Secrest Shortcut Rd, Sikes Mill Rd, Ski Trail Ln, Skyway Dr, Spring Lake Dr, Suburban Ln, Sugar and Wine Rd, Tomberlin Rd, Unionville Rd, Vagabond Dr, W Unionville Indian Trail Rd, Waxhaw Marvin Rd, White Thorner Ln, Willis Long Rd, Willoughby Rd, Winchester 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

F.Y.I. — Storm Safety

Be prepared for summer storms! Visit our Outage Center at union-power.com.

North Carolina ranks THIRD

in the nation for deaths by

LIGHTNING STRIKE

behind only Florida and

Texas