Connect
April 2026
ConnectApr'26
Connect
April
‘26
In this issue:
“I want to thank you for being an engaged and supportive member of energyunited.”
April marks a meaningful moment for EnergyUnited and our members. It’s a time to honor the hard work of our linemen, reinforce our commitment to environmental stewardship and take steps that will help secure reliable, affordable power for you and our future generations.
Most notably, April is Lineman Appreciation Month. Our linemen serve members and communities around the clock—often in challenging and hazardous conditions—to keep the lights on. In honor of North Carolina Lineman Appreciation Day on April 13, we pause to express our sincere gratitude to those who keep us connected to one another, to our comforts and to the resources we rely on every day. When you see one of our hardworking linemen in the community, take a moment to wave or say, “thank you.” It may seem small, but it means more than you might realize.
This month, we are also proud to share our Cooperative Responsibility and Sustainability Report (CRSR), which will be available online beginning April 9. This report highlights our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, community investment and responsible governance. From infrastructure improvements to energy efficiency initiatives, our efforts reflect how EnergyUnited is balancing reliability, affordability and sustainability – today and for future generations.
April also brings an important change for our members: the start of our new rate structure, which will be reflected on your May bill. This updated rate is designed to give you more control over your electricity use and your monthly bill. At the same time, we transition to Summer Hours, when electricity demand is highest in the afternoon and early evening. By being mindful of energy use during these peak times, you can take advantage of the flexibility this rate provides, manage your costs more effectively and help support a more efficient, reliable electric system for all members.
As we move into this season of growth and change, I want to thank you for being an engaged and supportive member of EnergyUnited. This cooperative exists because of you, and we remain committed to serving you with transparency, care and purpose.
Warm regards,
Thomas Golden, CEO
Tax season brings a lot of sensitive information into play, and unfortunately, scammers know it.
Phishing emails, fake payment requests and scam texts often spike this time of year, all designed to trick you into sharing personal or financial information.
Many of these attacks create a false sense of urgency—claiming your account will be locked, a refund will be delayed or immediate action is required. When a message pressures you to act quickly, that’s a red flag.
A good rule of thumb: Pause before you click.
- Exercise caution if you receive messages from strangers—especially those that demand immediate action.
- Don’t open unfamiliar attachments or click links without verifying the sender.
- Never share passwords or account details through email or text.
Protect yourself by using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication when available and keeping your devices up to date with the latest security patches.
Reminder: EnergyUnited will never ask for sensitive information through unsolicited emails or texts.
For more ways to spot and avoid utility scams, visit EnergyUnited.com/scams.
This month, EnergyUnited is celebrating the incredible impact that our linemen have on the communities we serve. As our co-op honors Lineman Appreciation Day in North Carolina on April 13, we are highlighting three linemen who go the extra mile each day to provide exceptional service to our members.
Power Behind the Lines
What does safety mean to you personally, and how do you and your fellow linemen look out for one another each day?
Safety means going home—to your family, your loved ones and your crew. It’s knowing people depend on you, not just to do the job, but to come back. It means taking no shortcuts, even if it makes the work harder, and keeping the people you care about in mind with every decision. We look out for each other because we’re more than a crew—we’re a family. We make sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.
What experiences at EnergyUnited have had the biggest impact on you?
One of the most impactful challenges of my career at EnergyUnited is working directly with members during outages. It has taught me a lot of patience and perspective. You see a lot of people who are super kind and appreciative, and you think of them as part of your community. During outages, you also meet people who are upset, and that can be tough. It is always nice to hear people say they appreciate you. I’ve met a lot of good people through this job— community members and coworkers. I have built long-lasting relationships. This is a rewarding career.
What do you find most rewarding about being a lineman at EnergyUnited?
What I find most rewarding about being a lineman at EnergyUnited is working outside and the bond we share. I’ve worked alongside some of the same guys for the past 20 years. We’ve come up together, learned together and grown in this career together, and that builds a connection that’s hard to explain. It’s more than just a job—it’s close friendships and knowing you can count on the person next to you no matter what. There’s a real sense of trust and respect. Being able to work outdoors, serve our community and do it alongside guys who feel like family is what makes it so rewarding.
Share Your Bright Ideas
Sponsored by EnergyUnited and North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, the Bright Ideas program has expanded learning opportunities for students and teachers for 30 years by awarding grants to North Carolina teachers to support innovative, classroom-based projects.
EnergyUnited will begin accepting applications for its Bright Ideas grants on April 1, 2026.
If you are a K-12 teacher and you’ve been thinking about a new way to engage your students, now is the time to apply for a chance to bring your bright idea to life!
In February, members gathered for their first Member Advisory Committee (MAC) meetings of 2026.
An icebreaker about favorite meals during Winter Storms Fern and Gianna sparked conversation around comfort foods. Top picks included barbecue pork chops with scalloped potatoes, taco soup and homemade vegetable beef soup.
Chief Operating Officer Brett Alkins explained EnergyUnited’s new rate structure, which led to great discussion on peak demand and energy costs. Members shared their perspective on what comes to mind when they think about electric rates and also learned more about ways to save with EnergyUnited’s new rate structure.
MAC meetings are held each February, June and October in Statesville, Lake Norman and Lexington.
At EnergyUnited, everything we do starts with you. You depend on safe, reliable and affordable energy, and you deserve a cooperative that plans responsibly for today while building a brighter future for tomorrow. That’s why sustainability, strong governance and community commitment are built into how we serve, invest and grow—with your best interests at the center.
The 2025 Cooperative Responsibility and Sustainability Report highlights the measurable progress we’re making in the communities we serve. It showcases our operational transparency and accountability, the ways we care for the environment and how we plan for a fair and sustainable business model to keep you empowered for years to come.
Visit our website on April 9 to view our 2025 report.
This spring, EnergyUnited will join electric cooperatives from across North Carolina to build power infrastructure in rural Guatemala as part of the Brighter World Initiative.
A team of volunteers will travel to the village of El Plan Nuevo Amanecer to construct five kilometers of line and connect more than 50 homes, along with a school, two churches and a health clinic—bringing electricity to the community for the first time.
The project is coordinated through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s International Foundation.
April is the first month when peak demand hours are in effect for EnergyUnited’s new rate structure. Please be mindful of these summer peak demand hours and spread out your usage of large appliances during those times to reduce energy costs. Find out how much energy your appliances are using by clicking the link below.
EnergyUnited is proud to announce its 2026 Junior Member Ambassadors. Evva Fordham and Sydney Rucker have been selected to represent EnergyUnited at the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., and will also serve on the Junior Member Advisory Committee (MAC). In addition, Patience Darnell of Lexington has been selected to serve as a Junior MAC member.
Evva Fordham
Sydney Rucker
Patience Darnell
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