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November‘25

Earlier this summer, EnergyUnited began a multiweek project to enhance service reliability for members living in the Baymount Subdivision in Statesville. Seventy homes benefited from the service upgrade, as crews replaced 15,000 feet of underground power lines that had served the community for approximately 40 years. EnergyUnited also identified and completed additional service upgrades in the subdivision:

• Installed new concrete pads for transformers.
• Relocated several pieces of underground equipment to improve access for future maintenance.
• Converted previous single-phase design to three-phase lines to allow for upgraded reliability.

“The Baymount Subdivision project progressed smoothly, thanks to strong coordination with our crews, contractors and members in the neighborhood,” said Kelly Wilson, region line engineer with EnergyUnited. “Each phase was finished on schedule, and the project was completed in October to deliver enhanced reliability to our members.”

These strategic improvements for the Baymount Subdivision reflect EnergyUnited’s continued commitment to delivering reliable service for members each day. With each of these service reliability investments, we are building a brighter energy future for our communities.

As Thanksgiving and Black Friday kick off the holiday shopping season, more people are turning to online deals. But while you’re hunting for bargains, cybercriminals are hunting for your personal information.

Here are a few quick tips to protect yourself while shopping online:

1. Stick to trusted sites: Only shop on secure websites—look for “https://” and avoid clicking on deals from unknown retailers or unfamiliar emails.
2. Watch for phishing scams: Fake emails or texts pretending to be from big-name stores are common this time of year. Don’t click suspicious links—go directly to the retailer’s site.
3. Use Secure Payment Methods: Credit cards or digital wallets offer better protection than debit cards. Enable transaction alerts to catch fraud early.
4. Keep Devices Updated: Make sure your phone and computer have the latest updates and security software, especially when shopping on the go.
5. If It Seems Too Good to Be True… it probably is. Double-check before you click.

Stay smart, shop safe and enjoy the season!

Donna joined the EnergyUnited team in June of this year as part of the Human Resources department. Learn more about Donna in the interview below!

How have you enjoyed your experience so far at EnergyUnited?

It’s been a breath of fresh air. From the beginning, leadership made it clear they wanted to invest in both employee performance and morale. My role was created to support that vision, and I’ve already seen how committed EnergyUnited is to its people. I also appreciate the cooperative’s size—it allows us to move quickly and involve employees more directly.

Tell us a little about your educational background and what led you to HR.

I have a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, a field focused on helping organizations and employees succeed together. My career has always lived under the HR umbrella because it touches the entire organization. A pivotal moment came when I was considering an MBA, and an advisor introduced me to Industrial/Organizational Psychology. That one conversation completely shifted my career path, and I’m grateful it led me here.

What advice would you give to someone interested in a career in HR?

Explore the many paths HR offers. Some focus on recruiting, others on compensation and benefits, employee relations, training, analytics or organizational development. What ties all of it together is the goal of supporting both the business and its people. HR is dynamic and rewarding because it touches every part of an organization.

If EnergyUnited had a superpower, what would it be?

It’s a little too soon for me to say for sure. As I roll out our Talent Development Strategy, I’ll be asking employees this very question. But if I had to guess, I’d say people are EnergyUnited’s greatest superpower.

Can you share a bit about yourself outside of work?

I grew up in California and spent 16 years as a military spouse, which allowed me to live all over the world—including Guam, where I could scuba dive right off the pier. I now call North Carolina my forever home. Outside of work, I enjoy oil painting, decorating for the holidays and adventure travel—some favorites have included skydiving, rafting in Australia, dog sledding in Alaska, hot air ballooning and traveling by elephant in Thailand. Next up: two weeks in Japan!

High school sophomores and juniors still have the chance to apply to become a junior member ambassador. As part of our Junior Member Ambassador program, eligible students will be considered for up to three different community engagement opportunities.

SAVE ENERGY THIS NOVEMBER AS TEMPERATURES DROP

Cooler weather has arrived, and many of us are turning up the heat and spending more time indoors. At EnergyUnited, we’re committed to helping members stay comfortable while also saving energy—and money—as the seasons change.

• Adjust your thermostat wisely: Heating accounts for the largest portion of most winter energy bills. Lower your thermostat a few degrees when you’re asleep or away from home. Better yet, consider using a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically make these adjustments for you.
• Seal drafts and leaks: Cool air can sneak in through gaps around windows, doors and even electrical outlets. Simple fixes like weatherstripping, caulking and using draft stoppers can help keep warm air inside and reduce the strain on your heating system.
• Maximize natural warmth: Take advantage of sunny days by opening blinds or curtains to let in natural heat, then close them at night to trap warmth. This no-cost step makes a noticeable difference.
• Use energy efficient lighting: With shorter days in November, lights are on longer. Switching to LED bulbs saves up to 80% more energy than traditional incandescent bulbs—and they last much longer too.
• Think efficiency for the holidays: The holiday season is just around the corner. When decorating, choose LED holiday lights, which use far less energy and stay cool to the touch. Consider putting them on a timer so they’re only on during evening hours.

A few small changes can lead to big savings, helping you stay comfortable while making your home more energy efficient.