Connect
September 2026
ConnectSep'26
Connect
September
‘26
In this issue:
THOMAS GOLDEN
September marks the transition from summer to fall, bringing familiar routines, new opportunities and a reminder that preparation is important this time of year. Whether your family is settling into back-to-school routines, preparing for the changing season or simply enjoying the last days of summer, all of us at EnergyUnited remain committed to delivering the reliable service and local support you count on every day. That commitment to reliability includes preparing our system and our teams to respond when changing weather conditions bring challenges our way.
That readiness is especially important in September, when hurricane season is still in full swing. Now is the time to review your family’s emergency plan and make sure you have the supplies you need in the event severe weather should occur. Our crews stand ready to respond whenever storms impact our service area. We appreciate your patience and support as they work safely to restore power should the need arise. Behind that service are dedicated employees working every day on your behalf.
As we recognize Labor Day, I’d also like to extend my sincere appreciation to the hardworking men and women who keep our communities running, including the dedicated EnergyUnited employees who work around the clock to provide safe, reliable electric service. From our lineworkers and field crews to our member support representatives and behind-the-scenes teams, their dedication helps ensure our members receive the dependable service they expect. Their commitment to serving our members is what makes our cooperative stronger every day.
Those values are what set EnergyUnited apart. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we’re guided by the needs of our members, not shareholders. That means maintaining a reliable electric system, investing in our local communities, sourcing energy responsibly and making decisions with our members’ best interests in mind. That’s one of the greatest benefits of being an EnergyUnited member—and our Annual Meeting is one way we keep members connected to that work.
This year, our Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m. at the EnergyUnited office in Statesville. Members may attend in person or stream the meeting online. The meeting provides an opportunity to hear updates from our leadership team and learn how cooperative values continue to shape the decisions we make on behalf of our members.
Thank you for your membership and the trust you place in EnergyUnited. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable September.
Warmly,
Thomas Golden, CEO
There is still time to apply for a Bright Ideas grant. If you are a K-12 teacher, don’t miss out on this chance to bring your next innovative classroom project to life! For more information and to apply, please click the button below. But hurry—the application deadline is Sept. 15!
SEPT 17, 4 PM@ Statesville office
567 Mocksville Hwy., Statesville, NC 28625
EnergyUnited will host its Annual Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m at our Statesville office. During this time, EnergyUnited will present the cooperative’s progress and plans. We invite you to join us in person or watch the event live on our website.
Ready Before the Storm
When the lights go out, most members see lineworkers heading into the field. What they don’t always see is the fleet team working behind the scenes to ensure those crews have the vehicles and equipment they need to respond safely and efficiently.
EnergyUnited’s fleet team is always on standby to support power restoration efforts by servicing and maintaining 278 vehicles and specialized equipment. From bucket trucks and digger derricks to pickups, excavators and specialized machines, each asset plays a critical role in delivering safe, reliable service across our 19-county service area.
Reliability Starts in the Shop
Long before a storm arrives, reliability begins with proactive maintenance.
Every vehicle is maintained in alignment with manufacturer recommendations, industry best practices and state and federal safety requirements. Fleet technicians rely on advanced diagnostics and telematics to spot potential issues early, often before crews ever notice a problem, keeping equipment ready when it matters most.
Supporting Storm Restoration
During major storms, the fleet team works alongside line crews to keep restoration efforts moving.
Personnel are on call alongside line crews, repairing equipment in the field, delivering replacement vehicles and transporting critical parts to keep restoration efforts moving without delay.
Recent investments in specialized backyard machines have made an even bigger difference. These compact units can navigate tight spaces and difficult terrain where larger trucks can’t go, helping crews reach damaged equipment faster and begin repairs sooner.
A Smart Investment for Members
Investing in smart, data-driven fleet maintenance reinforces our commitment to providing safe, reliable energy to our members while guiding timely vehicle replacements that keep our fleet ready to serve.
Vehicle replacements are based on factors like reliability, usage, maintenance costs and overall lifecycle value, not just age. Every investment is carefully evaluated to ensure employees have dependable equipment while remaining responsible stewards of member resources.
Keep your home powered within seconds of an outage with a whole-home standby generator from Canter Power Systems. Call 844-583-1901 and schedule your free consultation.
- Automatic backup power
- Exclusive 12-Year Power Plus Warranty
- $500 off installation for EnergyUnited members
Our website offers a wealth of information on what to do before, during and after a storm. We encourage you to take a look at the link below. One thing to do ahead of time is to create an emergency kit. This should include:
- Important documents sealed in a watertight plastic bag
- At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food, bottled water and a manual can opener
- First aid kit and medications
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Personal hygiene items
- Extra clothes and blankets
- Cash
As students head back to school, they’re spending more time online through school devices, educational apps, social media and gaming platforms. Taking a few simple precautions can help keep them safe.
Personal Information
Talk with your children about protecting personal information and remind them never to share details like their address, school, phone number or passwords online. Encourage them to tell a trusted adult if they encounter anything suspicious.
Privacy Settings
Parents should also review privacy settings on apps and social media accounts, use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
Verify Sources
Be cautious of phishing emails, fake school notifications and scam messages that often increase during the back-to-school season. Before clicking a link or sharing information, verify the source.
5 Minutes for 4 Privacy Checks
Take five minutes this week to review your child’s privacy settings, connected apps and online accounts. Make sure passwords are strong, personal information is limited and account access is restricted to people and platforms you trust. A quick check today can help protect your family’s information and prevent bigger cybersecurity issues tomorrow.
Review privacy settings
USE Strong unique passwords
Avoid Sharing personal information
allow account access ONLY to trusted people
We want to spotlight everyday people who strengthen the communities we call home and make a lasting difference every day. These heroes coach our children, care for our neighbors and make our hometowns better places to live.
Do you know someone deserving of the title “Hometown Hero?”
We want to celebrate them! Click the link below to submit a nomination and help us share their story.
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