AUnion Power Cooperative n October 2017

COOPERATIVE REVIEW

OCTOBER 2017

Cooperative Principles B

Co-op Connections C

Don’t be left in the Dark D

Energy Vampires E

Don’t get buried in high bills F

Say Yes to Washington Youth Tour G

ROW Locations H

Cooperatives build communities

Power lines and utility poles weave across Union Power Cooperative’s service territory, connecting mem-

bers together in a powerful network that delivers energy to homes and businesses. This infrastructure is a visual representa-tion of how Union Power is connected to local landscapes, but our commit-ment to the community runs deeper than poles, trenches and wires. Union Power Cooperative is investing in teachers, stu-dents, families and their futures to better strengthen our communities.

In local classrooms, curious minds are learning new technology, and hands are manipulating science equipment, flipping through books, webpages and creating art, thanks to our Bright Ideas education grants. These grants provide new resources and opportunities to students and teachers. Since 1994, the cooperative has awarded over $340,000 to local educators. Now with more than 20 years of grants in place, gen-erations of students are reaping the benefits.

As a result of our commitment to community, local high school students build leadership skills and experience the power of civic engagement on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Union Power Cooperative sends local students, our future leaders, to Washington, D.C., on this empowering trip every year. These students come back accomplished and inspired to

take bold steps toward the future.Through programs like the USDA’s

Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program, Union Power recently helped Flowes Store Volunteer Fire Department in Cabarrus County with purchasing a new pumper truck. This is just another example of our local commu-nity engagement and helping give back.

Our Commercial Lighting Rebate pro-gram has assisted numerous businesses with modernizing their lighting equip-ment. For our residential members, Home Energy Audits allow for one-on-one guid-ance that oftentimes reduces energy con-sumption and lowers power bills.

At Union Power Cooperative, we do more than supply power. Because we’re local, and owned by you, our members, building com-munities is core to our mission. That’s why we invest in programs and opportunities that leave a lasting mark on students, par-ents, towns and our communities.

B October 2017 n Union Power Cooperative

7 principles that set cooperatives apartCooperatives are a culture, not just a business. A set of seven shared principles grounds cooperatives – from food co-ops to retailers and electric cooperatives – in a culture of service. In recognition of National Cooperative Month, we’re sharing the seven principles that guide us, and you might be surprised to learn how they set us apart.

Voluntary and open membershipYou are a member (more on that next!) of Union Power Cooperative, along with all who receive electricity from us. We are glad to accept into our membership all who can reasonably use our services, regardless of gender, social, racial, political or religious affiliations.

Democratic member controlThe people, called members, who purchase a cooperative’s goods or services (in our case, electricity), control the cooperative’s business. As members of Union Power Cooperative, you elect our board of directors, giving your vote and voice to the group of people responsible for setting our co-op’s policies and strategic direction. Membership explained!

Members’ economic participationYou contribute equitably to the financial capital of the cooperative by purchasing electricity. This capital allows us to do all the things we need to in order to continue to provide electricity in a safe, reliable manner. This includes purchasing wholesale power, equipment and materials, on-going operations and maintenance activities, as well as building new infrastructure necessary to deliver electricity to your home. If we collect more than what’s needed to cover expenses, we allocate that back to you in the form of capital credits. Ultimately, after the cooperative has met its financial requirements, and after a period of time, capital credits are retired (paid); representing the return of member-furnished capital. Yep, we return money.

Autonomy and independenceUnion Power Cooperative is proud to be a part of a network of 26 electric

cooperatives in North Carolina and more nationally, but each one of these is independent and controlled by their own members. Local members always elect their co-op’s board of directors, meaning every co-op can stay in tune with local needs.

Education, training and informationWe provide members with information like what you see right here in the Cooperative Review or on our website at union-power.com, so you have the knowledge you need to contribute effectively to the development of the cooperative and make informed energy decisions. We also provide ongoing training to our employees so they can best serve you and work hard to keep our elected officials informed about local and national energy issues.

Cooperation among cooperativesHave you ever seen a truck with another co-op’s logo roll through after a big storm? That’s because

we all work together under the belief that we serve our members most effectively through shared efforts. This may be most obvious in an outage situation when peer cooperative crews help, but it happens daily in the form of sharing resources, ideas and best practices with our counterparts in North Carolina and across the nation.

Concern for communityOur kids go to school together. We see you in church and at the grocery store. We’re neighbors, and we are all part of this shared community. We want to see this community thrive, and because of that, we’re committed to dedicating resources to its development. This spans from securing loans and grants that bring new businesses to the area to providing teachers with a source of funding for innovative classroom projects that enrich the lives of our children.

As a not-for-profit business, our heart is always in service to you, never in making a profit; these seven cooperative principles guide us in that service every day.

CUnion Power Cooperative n October 2017

October 2017 n Union Power CooperativeD

Don’t be left in the dark! Dial 1-800-794-4423

Don’t be left in the DarkHow to Report an OutageUnion Power Cooperative’s 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. If your outage is for a streetlight or yard light, call 704-289-3145. Otherwise, follow the steps below to report an outage:

Outage location’s phone number IS recognized:

1 Dial 1-800-794-4423

2 PRESS 1 to report an outage

3 PRESS 1 to confirm your phone number

4 PRESS 1 to confirm outage address

5 PRESS 1 to give more details or just hang up

Outage location’s phone number IS NOT recognized:

1 DIAL 1-800-794-4423

2 PRESS 1 to report and outage

3 PRESS 1 to enter phone number, 2 to enter account number or 3 to enter meter number, (account or meter number can be found on the bill)

4 PRESS 1 to confirm outage address

5 PRESS 1 to give more details or just hang up

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

Union Power Cooperative n October 2017 E

Slay Energy Vampires by cutting them off at the source

The month of October brings with it ghosts, ghouls and mummies walking the streets causing a scare. But did you know these frightening terrors may be lurking in your home year-round in the form of energy vampires?

Whether home entertainment systems, computers, kitchen equipment or cell phone chargers, these electronic “must-haves” can suck the energy right out of your home causing a horrific electric bill.

As children, most of us were told to turn off the TV when no one was in the room to keep from wasting energy. But with today’s high-tech televisions, turning off the set doesn’t save as much energy as you think. “Off” doesn’t really mean off anymore. Several devices found inside your home are commonly referred to as “energy vampires”—consuming electricity even when switched off. Energy vampires can be found in almost every room, but a favorite “coffin” is your entertainment center.

Most TVs today slowly sip electricity while waiting patiently for someone to press the “on” button. They also use energy to remember channel lineups, language preferences, and the time. Blue-Ray players, DVD players, DVRs, and cable or satellite boxes also use energy when we think they’re turned off. Studies show on average, a DVR cable box, turned off, costs consumers an average of $43.46 a year. Additionally, consumers use an estimated 25 household devices, resulting in an additional $100 - $200 per year being drained from your household finances.

Let’s not forget the kitchen. A k-cup coffee maker uses on average 1500 watts of power just to warm

up while its necessary counterpart, the refrigerator, uses on average 180 kWh every 24 hours.

How do you slay other energy vampires? Try plugging household electronics like personal computers, monitors, printers, speakers, stereos, DVDs, video game players, and cell phone chargers into smart strips. Not only do smart strips help rid load monsters from your home, they protect sensitive electronic components from power surges. You can quickly turn off several items at once as most smart strips feature three outlet colors, each with a unique task. The blue outlet serves as a master plug and is ideal for a heavily used device like a TV or computer. Anything plugged into the red outlets stays on, electricity to these receptacles never cuts off, making them perfect for satellite boxes or other appliances that need constant power. The remaining outlets, generally neutral or green in color, are sensitive to current flowing through the blue outlet, so turning off the TV or computer cuts power to them as well. Some smart power strips can be made even smarter with timers or occupancy sensors that determine when to cut power to various devices. Smart strips are available online or at specialty electronic retailers and generally cost $20 or more depending upon their size.

While our parents may have asked us to turn off the TV to avoid unnecessary distractions, maybe they were simply trying to slay the energy vampires that haunted their electric bills.

For assistance with slaying your vampires, visit us at union-power.com/energysavingcalculators or contact our Energy Specialists at 704-289-3145.

While our parents may have asked us to turn off the TV to avoid unnecessary distractions, maybe they were simply trying to slay the energy vampires that haunted their electric bills.

October 2017 n Union Power CooperativeF

Don’t get buried in high electric bills

Did you know that Union Power Cooperative offers a tool to help you manage your energy usage? The UPC Mobile App allows users to set up alert notifications to inform you of high usage on your account and therefore avoid unexpected surprises on your monthly bill.

Seasonal fluctuations in temperature and other things like hosting those summer house guests can supplement and increase electric bills. The value of the High Energy Usage Alert is that it can help identify something you could normally miss — like a malfunctioning

heat pump or well pump — before it runs your electric bill sky high, causing your finances to plummet into the ground. The High Energy Usage Alert notifies you when your daily energy usage exceeds the dollar amount you personally set up.

What Happens if I Receive an Alert? If high usage alert notifications are received consistently for a few days, and seasonal temperatures can be ruled out, it is time to investigate further. The top three offenders that typically cause a spike in usage and should be checked by a licensed technician are: § Heating/Cooling systems

§ Electric water heaters

§ Well pumps/water system leaks

Don’t let your energy usage creep up without you being aware. Take the time now to set up alert notifications on your account. Simply download the UPC Mobile App by looking for our name “Union Power Cooperative” or the app name “UPC Mobile” in the App Store or in the Android Market.

This fall is the perfect time to replace an aging Heating & A/C system in your home. Enjoy lower monthy utility bills with today’s high-efficiency systems which use less energy to operate. Ready to start saving? Just contact us, the experts you can trust– at Union Services.

Visit SaveWithUnion.com online anytime to request

your free in-home estimate or call (704) 207-0364.

*The Wells Fargo Home Projects credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank, an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 3/1/2017 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. O�er expires 12/31/17. **See your independent Trane Dealer for complete program eligibility, dates, details and restrictions. Special �nancing o�ers valid on qualifying equipment only. All sales must be to homeowners in the United States. Void where prohibited.

0% INTEREST UNTIL 2023*

Everyone can sense a great offer.

Visit union-power.com, Residential, High Energy Usage Alerts for more.

GUnion Power Cooperative n October 2017

High school students: “SAY YES”Union Power Cooperative is seeking applications from high school students willing to “SAY YES” to the leadership opportunity of a lifetime: The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. Step out of your comfort zone, and join North Carolina’s future leaders as they explore the nation’s capital.

The Youth Tour allows students to experience Washington, D.C., and learn more about how they can make a difference as young adults. Tourists will visit the Washington Monument, pay their respects at Arlington National Cemetery, meet elected officials and tour Smithsonian museums, all while building connections with peers and future leaders from across the nation.

Union Power Cooperative will sponsor three local students to join the Youth Tour June 9-15, 2018. The all-expense-paid, weeklong Tour is hosted by electric cooperatives nationwide and is a tradition more than 50 years strong. About 1,800 students from more than 40 states are expected to participate in 2018, and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives will send a delegation of nearly 45 students.

Co-op officials and past Tour participants agree: The Tour is the perfect way for the delegates to see democracy up close and in action.

“We encourage high school students who are leaders in their community to apply for NC Youth Tour,” said Luanne Sherron, vice president of key accounts and government relations. “The Tour

is great way for them to grow as a young leader and see what opportunities are out there no matter what they want to do after high school. All they have to do is ‘Say Yes’ to this tremendous opportunity.”

Students entering their Senior year in Fall 2018 are eligible to attend and are encouraged to apply through Union Power Cooperative. Delegates will be selected based on 40% need,

30% academic standing and 30% community involvement/extra-curricular activities. Applications for Youth Tour are available by visiting union-power.com/youthtour. Applications are due Friday, December 29, 2017.

“The Tour is great way for them to grow as a young leader and see what opportunities are out there no matter what they want to do after high school. All they have to do is ‘Say Yes’ to this tremendous opportunity.”

Above: Youth tourists Anusha Tummallapalli, Jonas Nielson and Emily Eget

Union Power Cooperative provides safe and reliable power with exceptional value to more than 74,000 member accounts in Union, Stanly, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, and Rowan counties.

Greg AndressExec. Vice President & General Manager

Carrie C. Stroud, CCC EditorTheresa Chance Associate Editor

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

B. L. Starnes, PresidentLee Roy Kirk, Jr., Vice PresidentDent H. Turner, Jr., Secretary-TreasurerDavid G. Hyatt, Asst. Secretary-TreasurerNeil W. HastySherise Jones Carole P. Jones

Jim T. HartsellTom 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 811

SERVICE 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 and Carolina Tree Care.

Union CountyAirport Rd, Cane Creek Rd, Cane Pointe Ln, Carter Rd, Chestnut Rd, Clarence Secrest Rd, Crane Rd, Crow Rd, Dwight Starnes Rd, H B Starnes Rd, Lancaster Hwy, Marvin Rd, Marvin School Rd, Nesbit Rd, Newtown Rd, Old Highway Rd, Old Waxhaw Monroe Rd, Parkwood School Rd, Rollins Rd, S Potter Rd, S Rocky River Rd, Saddle Ave, Tom Greene Rd, Tom Starnes Rd, Weddington Rd, Wesley Woods Rd, Whispering Hollow Ln, Willoughby Rd

Right-of-way Clearing

Congratulations to Celeste Myers from Porter Ridge Middle School! She won a $100 gift card in the Bright Ideas Early Bird drawing. Ms. Myers’ Bright Idea is called “Using standing desks to improve the learning experience in the classroom.”