Connect

May‘25

General Electrical Safety Rules:

• When encountering overhead power lines, know what is above you. Maintain at least a 20-foot distance from any power line.
• If you see a damaged pole or low wires, call our Member Support Team and report the condition.
• Always call 811 before doing any excavation work. If you observe any damaged or shifted equipment, call and report the condition.

What to do if involved in an electrical accident:

• Never touch a downed wire.
• Don’t panic.
• Turn breakers off if you can do so safely.
• Do not touch anyone in contact with a power line or piece of electrical equipment.
• If you are in a vehicle, it is best to remain in the vehicle until EnergyUnited arrives.

Every May we take a moment to pause and honor the men and women who died while serving the United States. Whether abroad or at home, in wartime or peace, we remember the fallen and send our thoughts to the families and friends who feel these losses even more profoundly.

Replacing broken poles is a vital aspect of maintaining the power grid, especially after major storms.

During major storms, our crews face significant challenges when it comes to pole replacement. Damage to power lines and poles can often render access roads impassable, forcing teams to navigate difficult terrain. This can require them to handle large, heavy poles manually, showcasing the remarkable teamwork and physical endurance of our skilled linemen. They employ innovative techniques to transport and install poles, demonstrating their commitment and adaptability in adverse conditions.

While we experienced the impact of storms like Tropical Storm Helene, which damaged power infrastructure across the region, it serves as just one example of the challenges we regularly confront. Our ongoing dedication to maintaining a resilient power grid is crucial, particularly in areas prone to severe weather.

EnergyUnited’s pole replacement efforts prioritize safety and service reliability. To ensure the success of these goals, we prepare to tackle challenges head-on, ensuring that even in the aftermath of a storm, we are ready to restore power quickly, safely and efficiently. The experience gained from these operations informs our emergency preparedness strategies, allowing us to enhance service reliability. Through proactive measures and a steadfast commitment to our members, we help communities recover and thrive, even after the most intense weather events.

Being a part of our Member Advisory Committee (MAC) and Junior MAC isn’t just a great way to learn about the cooperative, it’s also a way to connect more deeply to your community.

During our most recent MAC meetings in February, CEO Thomas Golden spoke about the Future of Electricity and our Dispatch Supervisor, Laura Thornes, spoke about A Day in the Life of Dispatch. We had engaging conversations with MAC members to learn how they would choose to describe EnergyUnited in just one word, illustrated in the picture here.

These February meetings also offered the first opportunities for our newest Junior MAC members to attend and share helpful feedback regarding the cooperative’s programs and initiatives. We are still accepting Junior MAC members in Statesville and Lake Norman. If you know a high school sophomore or junior who would be interested in joining us for one of our next meetings in June, please share the link to our RSVP form.

Any interested members or Junior members are welcome to attend a meeting in June as a guest by using the link below to complete our RSVP form.

RSVP Here

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home—it’s the perfect time to tidy up your digital life as well. Here’s how to ensure your online world is secure and organized:

UPDATE YOUR PASSWORDS

• Make your passwords strong (12+ characters, mix of letters, numbers and symbols).
• Use a different password for each account.

BACK UP IMPORTANT DATA

• Save copies of things you want to keep safe, like pictures and tax forms.
• Store your backup separately from your computer so you can easily recover your data.

CHECK YOUR SOFTWARE

• Make sure your computer’s software and operating system are up to date.

UPDATE YOUR DEVICES

• Check your phone, tablet, smart devices and gaming consoles to ensure they have the latest security updates.

Pictured from left to right: Brett Berry, Serviceperson, EnergyUnited; Ronnie Harrison, Secretary, EnergyUnited Board of Directors; Representative Larry Potts; Brett Alkins, Chief Operating Officer, EnergyUnited; Sarah Cartner, EnergyUnited Retiree; Jill Doss-Raines, EnergyUnited Board of Directors; Ed Cartner, EnergyUnited Board of Directors.

EnergyUnited recently joined electric cooperatives from across North Carolina at the Rally in Raleigh to discuss important issues affecting our cooperative. During the visit, EnergyUnited’s Legislative Team met with 29 state legislators to advocate for policies that support efforts to deliver safe, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to members.

A key focus of our discussions was the importance of a diverse energy supply mix that includes “always on” energy resources like natural gas and nuclear energy. These resources provide critical reliability to the grid, ensuring that homes and businesses have access to reliable power when other resources like solar and wind are unavailable.

Beyond energy supply, we also discussed recent legislation that was introduced to address the safety of utility workers. We urged lawmakers to support H.B. 258, the Utility Workers Protection Act, which would increase penalties for assaults on clearly identifiable utility workers. Our linemen and field employees often work in challenging conditions to restore power, and stronger legal protections would help ensure their safety while they serve our communities.

Finally, we emphasized the importance of economic growth in rural areas, advocating for the expansion of North Carolina’s Megasite and Selectsite Readiness programs. These initiatives attract new businesses and jobs to cooperative-served communities, strengthening local economies and enhancing the quality of life for our members.

By engaging directly with legislators, EnergyUnited is helping to shape policies that support energy reliability, worker safety and rural economic development. As a local, not-for-profit electric cooperative, we appreciate each opportunity to advocate for our members and will continue to work closely with legislators as part of our efforts to deliver a brighter energy future.

Pictured from left to right: Cheryl Wright, Vice President, EnergyUnited Board of Directors; LaQuisha Parks, Vice President of Energy Services and Corporate Communications, EnergyUnited; Representative Aisha Dew; Thomas Golden, Chief Executive Officer, EnergyUnited; Alec Natt, Chief Financial Officer, EnergyUnited