Connect

September‘25

K-12 teachers with great classroom initiatives still have time to apply for Bright Ideas Education Grants. This program was established to support classroom projects that would not typically receive funding from the school. For more information and to apply, please click the link below. But hurry—the application deadline is September 15!

The last day to submit your ballot for the Board of Directors election is September 8. We rely on your vote to help guide our cooperative successfully. Election results will be announced at the Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 18, at 4 p.m. at our Statesville office.

Steve Mccachern, Vice President, Energy Delivery

For us, September is a time to focus on safety and preparedness. As National Hurricane Preparedness Month, it serves as a vital reminder to stay vigilant and ensure everyone knows how to stay safe during major storms and hurricanes.

In this month’s deep dive on storm safety and preparedness, we’re highlighting our vice president of energy delivery, Steve McCachern, and how he guides the EnergyUnited team through outage restoration as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible.

What is your role and your responsibilities during a storm or hurricane?

During any major storm, my primary role is as storm manager. I ensure that everyone has what they need and that work is progressing smoothly. I also coordinate with outside contractors and other cooperatives to secure any additional crews we may require to safely, quickly and efficiently restore power for EnergyUnited members.

How does EnergyUnited prepare for storm response?

Storm preparation is a year-round effort. It begins after the last storm, when we review what went well and what can be improved. From there, we update and refine our response plan. Each year, we conduct a tabletop exercise to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities. As soon as a storm appears in the forecast, we begin monitoring its path and assessing potential impacts to our system and our members. Our warehouse team checks material supplies, and we coordinate with external crews, bringing them in early if needed. We also make arrangements with hotels and caterers to accommodate and feed additional personnel. During the storm, if wind speeds become unsafe, we pull our crews back. But as soon as it’s safe, they’re back out restoring service.

What should members do now to prepare for an active 2025 hurricane season?

Members can start with basic supplies—have enough water and nonperishable food to last at least a few days. After a major storm, these items can become scarce and expensive, so having them on hand is a big help. If you have a generator, make sure it’s in good working condition and that you know how to operate and connect it safely. Keep your vehicles fueled, and have a plan to check on elderly family members. If someone in your household relies on medical equipment or supplies, have a backup plan for ensuring their needs are met. At EnergyUnited, we work tirelessly to restore power after a storm for our members, but it does take time.

EnergyUnited has partnered with Canter Power Systems to offer homeowners reliable backup power solutions in the event of unexpected power outages. A home generator from Canter Power Systems will give you and your family peace of mind during the worst of storms. Let Canter do all the work so you can get power when you need it most.

Augusta, ME

We loved receiving the many photos and captions of EnergyUnited members enjoying their time on vacation. From faraway places to local favorites, check out these great photos!

Lake Keowee, SC

Jackson Hole, WY

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

At our recent MAC meetings, we asked our members and attendees to identify EnergyUnited’s superpower, if the cooperative were a superhero. The responses warmed our hearts and made us even more proud to be your local connection. Take a look at a few of our “superpowers”: