Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Brunswick Electric and Town of Oak Island Coordinate Restoration Efforts

BRUNSWICK ELECTRIC AND TOWN OF OAK ISLAND COORDINATE RESTORATION EFFORTS

Supply, N.C. (8/10/20) – Brunswick Electric has been out in force working with the Town of Oak Island to assess damage and restore power to as many homes and businesses as possible since Hurricane Isaias made landfall last week. Today, as of 4 pm, power had been restored to 285 more locations, with 770 remaining.

Conditions are still unsafe for power restoration in some areas, and with safety as the top priority, the Town of Oak Island and inspectors are working together to identify and repair electrical issues. BEMC stands ready to re-energize these homes when the issues are corrected. 

“Our crews are following Town inspectors, and once a section of houses passes inspection we work quickly to restore power to that section,” said Josh Winslow, CEO. “Please know that we won’t stop until the outage number goes to zero. Thank you again for your patience.”

Additional Resources

Press Release 8-10 Restoration

BEMC Reports Power is Restored to 98% of Membership

BEMC REPORTS POWER IS RESTORED TO 98% OF MEMBERSHIP

SUPPLY, N.C. (August 6, 2020) – Power has been restored to 98% of Brunswick Electric’s membership following the impact of Hurricane Isaias. The remaining outages are in the area of Oak Island, one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Isaias.

“We’re coordinating with town officials in order to make the necessary repairs and restore power as quickly as possible,” said Josh Winslow, CEO. “We’re putting the full strength of our experience and expertise to work so that we can get these members the electricity that they need.”

At the height of the storm more than 43,000 members were without power. As of Thursday morning, fewer than 2,400 members are affected.

“We’d like to thank our membership for their support and patience during the restoration process,” said Winslow. “And we’d like to assure those still waiting that we’ll have power on as soon as is logistically possible.”

Additional Resources

Press Release 8-6

Restoration Efforts Continue for BEMC Members

RESTORATION EFFORTS CONTINUE FOR BEMC MEMBERS

SUPPLY, N.C. (August 5, 2020) – Around 39,000 Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) members have had their powered restored following Hurricane Isaias. Teams comprised of line workers, tree trimmers and safety specialists set out early this morning to bring back power to 4,300 cooperative members still impacted by Isaias.

The remaining outages are primarily in the hardest-hit parts of BEMC’s service area. Crews will continue their efforts today, clearing downed trees and debris and repairing and replacing damaged poles and lines until power is restored to all members whose homes can receive electric service. Amid these challenging conditions, and with additional, pandemic-related safety measures in place, cooperative officials urge members to keep safety top of mind. 

Additional Resources

PR 8-5 am Restoration

Brunswick Electric Begins Making Power Restoration Progress

BRUNSWICK ELECTRIC BEGINS MAKING POWER RESTORATION PROGRESS

BRUNSWICK ELECTRIC BEGINS MAKING POWER RESTORATION PROGRESS

Supply, N.C. (August 4, 2020) – As Hurricane Isaias made landfall overnight, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) began to see its outage numbers climb to approximately 40,452, leaving 40 percent of its members without power. 

BEMC’s experienced, highly trained local crews are joined by 45 additional contract and co-op crews from in and out of state, including Alabama and South Carolina in restoration efforts.
These crews are out in force, assessing damage, clearing debris and beginning restoration efforts. Cooperative officials caution that existing outages could extend for several more days, particularly in the hardest-hit areas due to flooding, fallen trees, and debris impeding line crews’ access to restoration points. 

“Our priority is to restore power to all of our members across Brunswick and Columbus Counties as quickly and safely as possible,” said Josh Winslow, BEMC’s CEO. “Our crews are storm-tested and will keep working until the power is back on for all of our members.”

Additional Resources

PR 8-4 am Restoration

Brunswick Electric Continues Restoration Efforts

BRUNSWICK ELECTRIC CONTINUES RESTORATION EFFORTS

BRUNSWICK ELECTRIC CONTINUES RESTORATION EFFORTS

Supply, N.C. (8/4/20) – As of 4 pm Tuesday afternoon, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation had fewer than 13,000 outages remaining, down from a high of 43,000 in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias. 42 contract and co-op crews continue to work with BEMC crews in clearing debris, assessing damage and conducting restoration efforts. Cooperative officials cautioned that some outages could extend for several more days, particularly in hard hit areas due to flooding and fallen trees impeding crews’ access to restoration points.

“We understand that this is a particularly difficult time to be without power,” said Josh Winslow, CEO. “Our crews are working diligently to have power restored to everyone as quickly as possible.  We will keep crew rotations in the field until every one of our members has the power back on.”

Additional Resources

BEMC Press release 8-4 pm

BEMC is Prepared for the Approach of Tropical Storm Isaias

BEMC IS PREPARED FOR THE APPROACH OF TROPICAL STORM ISAIAS

Supply N.C. (8/3/2020) – Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) continues to monitor Tropical Storm Isaias as it moves toward the coast of North Carolina.

The current track indicates the storm will cross directly over the cooperative’s service area Monday evening into Tuesday morning.  

BEMC’s line crews and restoration support personnel stand ready to respond to any power outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias, which is forecast to bring significant rain and gusty winds that often topple trees and result in power outages.

“Our dedicated and experienced staff is ready, and we have staged additional materials and personnel to assist if needed,” said Josh Winslow, CEO. “Electricity is a critical service and we will work around the clock if restoration is necessary.” 

Additional Resources

PR Isaias Preparation

BEMC Announces Repayment Plans For Members Affected by COVID-19

BEMC ANNOUNCES REPAYMENT PLANS FOR MEMBERS AFFECTED BY COVID-19

As North Carolina reopens and the moratorium on utility disconnections is lifted, BEMC is aware that many members will continue to face economic hardship. Currently 7% of BEMC’s accounts have past due balances, with an average of $300 in arrears.  In an effort to help the members most affected, the following repayment plans will be available based on the service type:

•    PREPAY ACCOUNTS: Upon completion of the morning update on August 3, any negative balance will be converted to an arrangement amount in addition to a $20 credit. This will provide members additional time to purchase power and keep power on. The $20 will be added to the arrangement amount. Until the outstanding balance is repaid, each payment made will be applied as follows:

  • 25% to the outstanding balance
  • 75% to the current energy purchase

•    MONTHLY BILLED ACCOUNTS: Overdue balances will be divided into 12 equal payments and added to bills as a COVID payment arrangement beginning in September.

Additional Resources

COVID Repayment Plan

BEMC and Cobank Donate $20,000 to Area Food Banks

BEMC AND COBANK DONATE $20,000 TO AREA FOOD BANKS

Supply, NC, (6/5/2020) – Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC), in conjunction with CoBank, donated $10,000 each to South Brunswick Interchurch Council Food Pantry in Brunswick County and Care and Share Food Bank in Columbus County. 

BEMC’s $10,000 donation, made on behalf of its membership by its Board of Directors, was matched by CoBank, a cooperative bank that serves rural infrastructure providers.  CoBank’s ‘Sharing Success’ charitable contribution program matches donations made by electric cooperatives to non-profit organizations.

“In these uncertain times, with many of our members facing financial hardship, it was evident that our community needed support,” said Josh Winslow, CEO.  “Donating to food pantries was a way we could help directly and quickly.”

Additional Resources

Donation to Food Bank

BEMC Offers Cooperative Youth Tour to Local Students

BEMC Offers Cooperative Youth Tour to Local Students

SUPPLY, N.C. (October 16, 2018) –  Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) will send two high school students, one from Brunswick County and one from the Columbus County area, on an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June of 2019 through the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.  

The students will join peers from North Carolina and across the United States for a week-long adventure where they will meet their Congressional Representatives and Senators, tour historic sites and visit museums.  They will also establish a mini-cooperative during the week, gaining valuable insight into the cooperative business model and how it works.  While student groups are organized at the state level, they all gather for Youth Day where they meet to hear featured speakers who provide insight to the important roles electric cooperatives play in their communities.  Nearly 50,000 students from rural areas and small towns across America have participated in this educational program.

Additional Resources

Full Press Release