SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
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August 2026
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August
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In this issue:
THOMAS GOLDEN
August has a way of reminding us that summer is still in full swing. Long, hot days, high humidity and families squeezing in last-minute vacations before school starts are all hallmarks of the season. Whether you’re heading to the mountains, relaxing at the beach or simply enjoying the final weeks of summer at home, August is also a good time to think about energy efficiency, reliability and preparedness.
As temperatures rise, air conditioners work harder and electricity use increases across our communities. At EnergyUnited, we work year-round to ensure our system is prepared to meet our members’ energy needs, but managing demand remains a shared responsibility. I encourage you to take advantage of the energy-saving resources available through EnergyUnited.com and to be mindful of our summer peak-demand hours, which run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. During peak demand hours, consider spreading out the use of large appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers. This small adjustment can help you reduce peak demand while also staying cool and comfortable.
August also marks the peak of hurricane season. While we all hope severe weather stays away from our service area, preparation is one of the best ways to protect your family and property. Take time now to review your emergency plan, refresh supply kits and stay informed about weather conditions.
If severe weather occurs, remember to stay far away from downed power lines and assume every line is energized. Report outages online through My EnergyHub, or by calling 1-800-EUNITED and never attempt to remove tree limbs or debris that may be touching electrical equipment. Your safety and the safety of our crews always come first.
Thank you for your membership and for the steps you take to use energy wisely, stay prepared and support the cooperative principles that make EnergyUnited strong. Together, we are building a safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future for the communities we proudly serve.
Warm regards,
Thomas Golden, CEO
EnergyUnited will host its Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 17, at 4 p.m. at the Statesville office. During this time, EnergyUnited will present the cooperative’s progress and plans. We invite you to join us as a valued member of our cooperative.
Where:
Statesville Office Conference Room 567 Mocksville Hwy., Statesville, NC 28625
& livestreamed on EnergyUnited.com
We are pleased to announce that as the sole nominees in each director district, Ed Cartner (District 1), Zolee Riggs (District 2) and Cheryl Wright (District 3) have all been duly elected to serve three-year terms. In accordance with EnergyUnited’s bylaws, when the number of nominees does not exceed the number of directors to be elected from a particular director district, balloting may be dispensed with in respect to that director district and the president shall declare such nominees duly elected.
Big Beverages, a leading beverage co-manufacturer based in Huntersville, has experienced remarkable growth since opening its doors in 2020. The company recently announced a major expansion that will increase production capacity, create new jobs and further strengthen its presence in the region. We spoke with CEO Ryan Goff about their growth journey, the importance of reliable energy service and what’s next for the business.
Q: Tell us a bit about Big Beverages and the industry you serve. How important is reliable energy service to your daily operations?
A: Big Beverages was founded in 2019 and built during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. What started as a family-led venture has grown into a thriving business. We experienced significant growth alongside Celsius, and in November 2024, Celsius acquired Big Beverages.
The beverage manufacturing industry is highly energy-intensive. Our operations depend on electricity, water and natural gas to keep production running efficiently. Reliable energy service is critical to everything we do, and we’ve been fortunate to operate within EnergyUnited’s service territory. Their reliability, responsiveness and support have been outstanding as we’ve continued to grow.
Q: How will your facility expand and what impact will it have on the local community?
A: We’re currently in the process of significantly expanding our operation by adding a second high-speed canning line. Last year, we produced approximately 300 million cans of Celsius products, and this expansion will double our production capacity to over 2 million cans per day.
The project will also create a substantial economic impact locally and regionally. We currently employ about 85 team members and expect that number to grow to approximately 150 once the expansion is complete. Almost all of our new production equipment is American made, which is great for the US Economy and the regional equipment manufacturers.
Throughout the process, EnergyUnited has worked closely with us to ensure our electrical infrastructure could support our growing needs. As our power demands increased, we added a second transformer and collaborated with their team to ensure smooth, uninterrupted operations.
Q: What does a strong partnership with a local energy provider look like from your perspective?
A: It starts with reliability, but it also includes communication and long-term planning. As manufacturers grow, utility providers need to understand future demand and help businesses prepare for it. EnergyUnited has been a true partner in that process. Reliable infrastructure is a major factor when deciding where to invest and expand. Companies need confidence that utilities can support future growth.
Q: What advice would you give other rapidly growing manufacturers?
A: First, don’t start a company during a global pandemic! And second, invest in your workforce. Great employees drive long-term success, and sometimes people simply need an opportunity to prove what they’re capable of. When you invest in your team, they grow alongside the business.
Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of beverage manufacturing?
A: We’re excited about the continued evolution of the beverage industry. Consumers are increasingly seeking better-for-you products, and brands are responding with innovative offerings that prioritize natural ingredients, lower sugar content and functional benefits.
Q: What manufacturing processes are most sensitive to power interruptions?
A: Virtually our entire operation relies on 480-volt power. Every step of the manufacturing process depends on consistent electricity, making power quality and reliability extremely important. We operate around the clock, with scheduled downtime for preventive maintenance. Fortunately, outages have been very rare. We don’t utilize backup generators because EnergyUnited’s reliability has consistently met our needs.
Q: What role does your utility partnership play in maintaining production consistency?
A: A strong utility partnership is essential. As we’ve expanded, EnergyUnited has helped us evaluate future load requirements, plan infrastructure improvements and ensure our facility has the capacity necessary to support growth. Having that level of collaboration gives us confidence as we continue investing in the business.
When new homes, businesses and neighborhoods are built, developers must plan for many basic services, including power. One of the first questions they need to answer is simple: Which utility will help power that growth?
The answer begins with territory assignments. Established through North Carolina’s Territorial Act, these agreements define which utility serves specific geographic areas and help prevent unnecessary duplication of electric infrastructure. As communities continue to grow, EnergyUnited works closely with neighboring utilities to determine the most efficient way to serve new developments and support future demand.
When a new development project identifies EnergyUnited as the electric utility provider, our Key Accounts and Distribution Design teams work with developers to understand project plans, electric load needs and construction timelines. Early planning is essential because equipment such as transformers, substations and specialized cable can take months or, in some cases, years to procure.
Large residential developments are becoming increasingly common throughout EnergyUnited’s service area, creating load growth and additional demand on the electric system. To prepare, EnergyUnited works proactively with its Engineering team to identify system upgrades and plan for future growth.
At the same time, the cooperative’s contribution in aid policy helps ensure new developments contribute to the cost of infrastructure needed to serve them. This approach helps protect existing members while supporting continued growth across the communities EnergyUnited serves.
Through collaboration, planning and long-term investment, EnergyUnited remains focused on powering growth and providing safe, reliable and affordable service to current and future members.
Educators interested in funding creative and innovative classroom projects are invited to submit their grant application for the cooperative’s Bright Ideas Education Grant program by August 15. Those who meet this early bird deadline will be entered into a statewide drawing for a chance to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards. The final deadline for all interested applicants is September 15.
Apply on or before August 15 and be entered to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards.
To learn more and apply
Call before you dig 
Every year on August 11 (8/11), utilities and safety organizations across the country recognize 811 Day, a reminder that one simple call can prevent serious accidents, costly repairs and service disruptions.
Whether you’re planting a tree, installing a mailbox, building a fence or starting a major landscaping project, it’s important to know where undergrond utility lines are located before you dig. Underground lines, including electric, natural gas, water, sewer and telecommunications lines, may be buried just inches below where you plan to dig.
That’s where 811 comes in. Before beginning any digging project:
1. Contact 811 at least a few business days before digging.
2. Wait for all underground utility lines to be marked.
3. Avoid any digging activites near marked utility lines.
If a utility line is damaged, stop work immediately and notify the utility company.
Remember: No matter how large or small the project, always know what’s below before you dig. It’s a completely free service, simply dial 811!
Late summer in the Carolinas often brings strong storms, and with them, unexpected power outages.
A whole-home standby generator from Canter Power Systems automatically restores power within seconds, keeping your lights on and essential systems running without interruption.
With an exclusive 12-Year Power Plus Warranty and $500 off installation for members, it’s a smart way to get storm ready.
Call 844-583-1901 or click the link to schedule your free consultation.
For more severe weather safety and readiness tips
Non-discrimination statement
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at ASCR.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call 1-866-632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax at 1-202-690-7442 or by email at program.intake@usda.gov.
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