Annual Meeting: Showcasing the Cooperative
Transcription
Annual Meeting: Showcasing the Cooperative
Annual Meeting: Showcasing the Cooperative Welcome A variety of displays President/CEO Stan Feuerberg 26 By Sarah Smarrelli As Board Chairman Manley Garber commented, NOVEC’s Annual Meeting is all about the customers who own the Cooperative. The 1,200 attending the annual meeting on September 26, 2007, at Battlefield High School in Haymarket had lots to keep them busy. They visited an array of informational booths, participated in the board of director elections, and listened to President/CEO Stan Feuerberg’s State of the Cooperative presentation. Representatives facilitated sign-ups for Operation Round Up, Halt the Hike signature cards, and elections for two members of the board of directors. Variety of Displays Customers crowded around the various displays, learning about everything from right-of-way maintenance to Miss Utility. NOVEC employees, contractors and board of director members were on hand to answer questions and explain NOVEC programs and services at the following booths: Careers – provided information about employment opportunities at NOVEC. Construction – showed customers how woodpeckers cause damage to utility poles and explained the electrical equipment on display. Customer Service – presented information about payment options and promoted levelized billing. Engineering – provided an up-close look at NOVEC’s service territory and discussed plans for serving future growth. Metering – showcased a collection of historical electric meters from the early 1900s through today’s state-of- the-art ERT meters. Miss Utility – reminded customers to have all underground utilities marked before digging on their property in order to prevent damage or injury. NOVEC Energy Solutions – provided information about natural gas service. NOVEC Solutions – promoted the sale of water heaters, generators, and whole-house surge protectors. Operation Round Up – volunteer members of the ORU board of directors encouraged customers to enroll in this community-assistance program. Public Relations – promoted NOVEC’s Power Kids Web site, which offers all kinds of useful electricity-related information, educational activities, games and more for the upcoming school year. Right of Way – explained NOVEC’s maintenance program, including details about cyclical tree-trimming and the free wood chips program. Substations & Telecommunications – provided information about NOVEC’s fiber-optic network and the role substations play in the delivery of electricity. Business Meeting After singing a rousing rendition of God Bless America, the crowd settled in for the business meeting. As required by Cooperative bylaws, Dexter Odin, NOVEC’s counsel to the board, declared a quorum with 548 members present in person and 9,279 present by proxy. Board Chairman Manley Garber continued his 50-year tradition of addressing the customers. “You are the owners of one of the best and most financially sound cooperatives in the nation,” Garber remarked. “However, the greatest challenge for the NOVEC board and staff now and in the years to come is wholesale power and I assure you we’re doing everything we can to control those costs,” he added. Garber concluded his remarks by recognizing NOVEC employees, who received a thunderous round of applause for their hard work and dedication in keeping the lights on and managing an efficient cooperative. Don Middleton, who retired after 30 years of serving District 2 on the NOVEC Board of Directors, was also recognized for his service. CEO Report: State of the Cooperative Feuerberg highlighted the fact that again this year NOVEC remained the most reliable electric utility in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area as it has for the past nine years. The Cooperative has achieved this without Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative raising delivery rates since 1991, and without borrowing being negotiated. money for the past 10 years. “We’re very proud that the “We have the most integrated and perhaps the best load company has been able, in recent years, to operate management program of any electric utility in our area,” profitably and return a great deal of money to customers Feuerberg commented. By remotely cycling off and on in the form of CashBack,” Feuerberg commented. He customers’ water heaters and air conditioners during peak continued with a complete report on the State of the load times, this program helps flatten out the peaks of Cooperative. electricity used during the hottest and coldest days. In 2006, load management reduced NOVEC’s wholesale CEO Presentation Highlights power bill by $4 million, or 2 percent. There are currently • The NOVEC system continues to grow, although at a more than 44,000 load management switches on the slower pace than in recent years. NOVEC is on track to system. add approximately 3,500 meters in 2007, which is the Although load management is an effective program, it smallest number in seven years. The total number of can’t reduce the electricity required by customers’ meters on the system is about 136,000. appliances and electronic equipment. Nor can it eliminate • NOVEC has one of the best reliability records in the the need for more electric generating and transmission nation, as evidenced by the results of the most recent capacity to serve the growth in NOVEC’s service territory. customer-satisfaction survey conducted by the leading “NOVEC’s demand has risen 40 percent since 2000,” customer-satisfaction research group. NOVEC was rated Feuerberg noted, “and we must have the infrastructure in second-best in the nation, best in the South Region, and place to meet this demand for power. best among the regional peer group. “Right now about 80 cents of every dollar NOVEC • On the same survey, NOVEC ranked first in overall spends goes to pay wholesale power costs,” Feuerberg customer satisfaction in the South Region, competing explained, “with the other 20 cents going to support against utilities such as Florida Power & Light, Dominion NOVEC’s infrastructure.” Power, and Duke Energy. However, despite the Among all the electric “NOVEC’s primary obligation is to deliver power rising cost of wholesale utilities surveyed, NOVEC to our customers reliably, safely, at a competitive power, NOVEC’s ranked fourth in overall price, and with concern for the environment.” delivery rate has customer service. Feuerberg also - Stan Feuerberg remained the same since 1991. That means there highlighted the have been no rate increases for NOVEC customers in Cooperative’s environmental activities, which include: 16 years. “Our goal is to continue the trend of no rate • Responsible vegetation management in rights of way. increases,” Feuerberg commented. • Lobbying for realistic, cost-effective climate change NOVEC keeps operational costs low through solutions. productivity improvements and investments in technology • Geothermal systems installed in Manassas and that ensure the most efficient operation of the electric Gainesville office buildings. delivery system. NOVEC also continually reduces interest • Recycling of wood wire reels, scrap wire and cable. • Energy-efficient lighting installed at all NOVEC facilities. expense by paying down debt and restructuring loans. In addition, NOVEC’s profitable affiliate businesses add to NOVEC’s power mix includes some “Green Power,” the bottom line. with a portion of power coming from hydro-electric NOVEC Energy Solutions (NES) now provides natural facilities and the North Anna Nuclear Power Station, plus the Clover Generating Station, widely considered to be the gas to approximately 17,500 customers in Northern Virginia, cleanest coal-fired plant east of the Mississippi River. Wind Washington, D.C., and the Baltimore metro area. NES is the principal gas supplier to Bloom and Bottom Dollar and solar power are not available under NOVEC’s power Stores, and Papa John’s Pizza. NOVEC’s other affiliate, contract, but the entire power-supply situation is currently Customers register for the meeting November-December 2007 Stephen Rector shows some of NOVEC’s construction equipment Members enjoy the spaghetti dinner 27 NOVEC Solutions, continues to sell electric and natural gas water heaters, generators, and surge-protection systems. NOVEC now has 135 miles of fiber-optic cable. This network provides substation communications, reduces outage duration and increases equipment reliability. In addition, the fiber network produces revenue for NOVEC through lease programs with commercial customers. “You’d have to look long and hard to find a company that devotes more time and energy to charitable community causes than NOVEC,” Feuerberg commented. The Cooperative supports a diverse list of arts, education, health, youth and other community organizations. NOVEC has one of the strongest corporate balance sheets among cooperatives, Feuerberg said, as he reviewed some of the most significant accomplishments in 2006: invested $40 million in capital improvements on the system, returned $42.4 million in CashBack to customers, and reduced the debt-per-meter ratio to $942. Old Dominion Electric Cooperative Report Board of Directors Vice Chairman Wade C. House presented an overview of NOVEC’s current power-supply contract with ODEC. He reviewed the power-supply mix and stressed the fact that even with ODEC’s various investments in power plants, the majority of NOVEC’s electricity is purchased from the wholesale market. House noted that although NOVEC contributes 29 percent of ODEC’s financial needs, the Cooperative has only about 8 percent of the vote. “Reducing the wholesale power cost is the primary focus of your board and staff,” House concluded. Customer Questions Q- Why is NOVEC opposed to the proposal that is behind the “Halt the Hike” campaign? A- NOVEC does not oppose the transaction itself. Rather, NOVEC opposes the proposal as written because it will force NOVEC customers to subsidize millions of dollars of Eastern Shore power costs. Additionally, all other ODEC members will also realize an increase in their power costs, with no benefit to them. Q- How is NOVEC prepared to handle a major disaster such as a flood, hurricane or tornado? A- NOVEC has mutual-aid agreements with other cooperatives to assist with power restoration. In addition, NOVEC works with local emergency-management agencies to facilitate the quickest and safest power Customers learn about Operation Round Up from an ORU board member 28 restoration possible during major calamities. Q- Has NOVEC considered offering fiber-optic service to residential customers? A- NOVEC has investigated this possibility, but the Cooperative can’t offer this service at a competitive price. The fiber-optic network is designed to provide bulk data transmission for large carriers such as the phone companies. Q- Can geothermal systems be installed in homes? A- Yes, it’s a very energy-efficient system for homes. Q- Can a customer have a load management switch removed? A- Yes. There is no penalty for dropping out of the load management program at any time. NOVEC will remove the switch at no cost. Q- Why is NOVEC still advertising when Customer Choice has ended? A- NOVEC’s advertising program is part of an overall effort to build brand awareness, to maintain goodwill in the communities we serve, and expand our cause-based marketing efforts. If Customer Choice really ends for good, then our general advertising direction likely will change somewhat. Q- Has NOVEC considered offering customer financing for the purchase of generators? A- NOVEC has investigated this, but the decision was made to stay out of the banking business. SunTrust Bank does offer NOVEC customers a preferred rate for financing purchases from our affiliates. Q- Does NOVEC offer net metering? A- Net metering is available for customers who have the capability to supply all or a portion of their own electricity needs. Typically, these customers rely on solar systems to produce their electricity. The excess energy produced by the customer is put onto the grid and consumed by other customers. NOVEC subtracts the amount of energy supply produced by the net-metering customer from their total monthly energy requirements before billing the customer. At present, NOVEC has four net-metering customers. Director Elections In accordance with the NOVEC bylaws, elections for two board of director positions were held. Harry Harris, of Purcellville, was elected to the District 2 position and William Zilliott of South Riding was elected to the AtLarge director position. Dexter Odin facilitates the legal aspects of the meeting Clare Bargerstock discusses metering with a customer Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative Joe Bernard’s Silver Star By Priscilla Knight t choir, I asked our new, tall, octogenarian bass singer, Joe Bernard, how he was. “Super,” he said with a huge smile and sparkle in his brown eyes. I soon learned that behind Bernard’s mild manner stood a true super man, a World War II hero who earned the Silver Star “for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.” Like Superman, Bernard did it flying. Bernard joined the Army Air Corps in 1943. The 20year-old soon sailed with the 15th Air Force, 20th Bomb Squadron, and 2nd Bombardment Group to Foggia, Italy, to fight in history’s bloodiest war. Allied forces invaded France on June 6, 1944, to make Germany release its deadly grip on Europe’s continent. “Our mission was to deny Hitler fuel for his war machine,” Bernard told me. Therefore, the 15th Air Force and Britain’s Royal Air Force went after heavily fortified fuel depots in B-17 Flying Fortresses. I asked Bernard if he was frightened. “No, I wanted to stop Hitler!” Ploesti, Romania, was the 15th’s most vital target, because it produced 30 percent of Germany’s oil and gas. In 5,287 sorties, Allied forces dropped 12,870 tons of bombs on the refinery. On July 9, 1944, Bernard’s crew flew to Ploesti on Fifty Packing Mama, their B-17. Bernard fondly described her as, “the queen of the European skies with her 75mm custom tail stinger, 11 machine guns and a beautiful buxom blonde painted on her nose.” With the target approaching, Bernard crawled into the bomb bay to arm the bombs. Despite flying at 27,000 feet altitude and 53 degrees below zero, the aircraft was neither pressurized nor heated. “We encountered heavy anti-aircraft artillery,” Bernard recounted. “We lost one engine and suffered damage to the other three. We bombed our target and started to make our getaway when six German ME109s came after us.” Bernard took his waist-gunner position and fired. “We were in a real dogfight. It was the most intense and longest battle we’d encountered,” Bernard said. Suddenly, a 20mm shell exploded on Bernard’s right leg. Another shell lacerated his left foot. “I felt a flash of heat, and when I looked down, I saw my boot hanging from my heated suit,” Bernard recounted. “At the end of the stump was a large ball of frozen blood. I cut open my suit and applied two tourniquets.” Enemy aircraft turned and came back for the kill. Bernard said, “I fired my gun, completely oblivious of my being on only one leg, and saw my tracers bounce off his November-December 2007 belly. He went down smoking.” Three American P-38 fighters came to their aid; the Germans fled. “Watson (the waist-gunner) lay next to me unconscious,” Bernard said. “His leg was gone.” Bernard treated him. “Winston, in the ball turret (suspended under the plane’s belly), was screaming. I crawled over, cranked it open, pulled him out, and treated his wounds,” Bernard told me. Mama had taken more than 5,000 bullets. With nine of the 10 crew members seriously injured and a damaged aircraft, Pilot Hancock headed for Foggia. Bernard wrapped three parachutes around crew members who huddled together to stay warm as the B-17 escaped ground artillery fire. Hancock fought to keep Mama on the runway, but she skidded off the tarmac. Ambulances rushed the crew to the hospital. Bernard teetered near death. “A priest gave me last rites and I drifted off to sleep,” Bernard recalled. “I remember realistic visions of God — a man in biblical habit sitting next to me having a man-to-man talk. He said my life wasn’t over — I had a lot of living to do.” Bernard woke up three days later and he received a Silver Star medal at the foot of his hospital bed. He was later awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in aerial flight in sustained operational activities against the enemy, the Purple Heart, the European-Africa-Middle Eastern Medal with one Campaign Star, the Victory Medal, and the American Campaign Medal. Bernard had 16 operations in the next 14 months. After rehabilitation, he took a job with the Army Corps of Engineers’ Map Service in Washington, D.C. There, he met Madeline Clinton and they married in 1947. Ultimately, Bernard graduated from George Washington University and became head of the U.S. Geodetic Satellite Program. The Bernards had three children and now have three grandchildren. They are retired, live in Heritage Hunt in Gainesville, Va., and are NOVEC customerowners. Bernard said, “You know, that celestial being who talked to me while I slept in the hospital was right — I had a lot of living to do. All said, I’ve had a wonderful life.” 29 SAVING ENERGY By Priscilla Knight Using energy wisely and reducing greenhouse gases were themes at the September 21-23, 2007, Remodeling & Home Décor Show at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Va. Displays of energy-saving appliances, light bulbs, windows, sunrooms, solarpowered attic fans, and other building materials filled both Expo Center buildings. Even energy-saving insulated garage doors were displayed. Shar Olivier from PlanIt Greener, an exhibitor, urged participants to save energy by living “eco-smarter.” Her suggestions included: replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs; installing programmable thermostats; and reducing water-heater energy use by installing low-flow devices in shower heads. Olivier recommended that people who are planning to remodel look for “green” contractors on the National Association of Home Builders’ Web site, www.nahb.org, or call 202-266-8200, or 800-368-5242. Exhibitors showed the latest energy-saving furnaces, airconditioning units, and water heaters. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, older units consume about 58 percent of a typical home’s energy, and waste approximately 50 percent of that energy. Manufacturers say many new units operate with 80 percent to 90 percent efficiency and pay for themselves in energy savings within three to 10 years. Other show exhibitors displayed the latest kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators, and convection and microwave ovens, that have earned the Energy Star rating. Appliances with the Energy Star label use much less energy than appliances made even 15 years ago, because some of them use steam and less hot water, employ sensor devices and have better insulation. Windows on display showed low-emissivity (low-E) glass, which deflects hot solar rays in summer but allows 30 Photo by Priscilla Knight Home Show Displays Energy-smart Products and Ideas Triple-pane, low-E windows save energy and block harmful UV sun rays. solar heat through in winter when the sun is at a different angle. Low-E glass can block up to 98 percent of ultraviolet radiation, which fades furniture and carpets. Many manufacturers sandwich argon gas between glass panes to reduce energy loss and noise. As an added benefit, the windows tilt out for easy cleaning. For more information about using energy wisely, visit NOVEC’s Web site, www.novec.com/page.cfm?id=95, or contact NOVEC’s Energy Services Department locally at 703-392-1503 or toll-free at 1-888-335-0500, extension 1503, or via e-mail at [email protected]. Also, go to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Web site, www.energystar.gov. Consumers can earn a one-time combined tax credit of up to $500 on certain energy-saving measures and products — provided they meet guidelines — if the work is finished by December 31, 2007. See www.energystar.gov for more details. Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative Bring Holiday Cheer to Needy Families By Priscilla Knight orthern Virginia will soon sparkle with twinkling lights, festooned greens and glittering holiday decorations. Stores will overflow with shoppers buying gifts, toys and holiday food to the sounds of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas. Imagine a child or senior citizen seeing all these wonders and not sharing in them, because he or she is too poor. ’Tis the giving season and NOVEC asks customermembers to share their blessings by participating in the Un-Trim-A-Tree Holiday Program, sponsored by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of the Voluntary Action Center of the Greater Prince William Area. Un-Trim-A-Tree provides gifts for thousands of disadvantaged children up to age 15 and seniors 55 years and older. The program also provides baskets of holiday food for needy families. This year, donors are asked to contribute personal-care items for babies, children and adults. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program works closely with the Prince William County Department of Social Services, Manassas City Social Services, Manassas Park Department of Social Services, Action for Community Through Service (ACTS), and Securing Emergency Resources through Volunteer Efforts (SERVE). These organizations help determine recipients. Donors choose the number of families they would like to “adopt” and agree to provide two gifts for each child. N Donors are asked to follow these guidelines: • Gifts should have a value of $10 to $20 to ensure that all children are treated equally. They should be unwrapped. • Please give movie passes and grocery store gift cards instead of video games. • Take perishable and non-perishable food to SERVE or ACTS — not the distribution center at Hylton Memorial Chapel. The SERVE and ACTS food pantries are low and need food. Gifts and personal-care items may be dropped off on Monday, December 17, and Tuesday, December 18, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hylton Memorial Chapel, 14640 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192. To donate, contact the Voluntary Action Center at 703-369-5292, ext. 207, or e-mail [email protected]; fax to 703-369-5671 (attention: Diane); or write to Un-Trim-ATree/Voluntary Action Center, 9248 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110. NOVEC Stays In Touch Remember all of the great ways to stay up to date with what’s going on at your Cooperative. Each month, NOVEC sends out the What’s Current insert with customers’ bills, the Cooperative Living magazine, and keeps information updated on the Web at www.novec.com. Be sure to look for advertisements in local newspapers and magazines as well as our billboard on I-66 near Gainesville. Chat with employees at NOVEC-sponsored community events and the annual meeting. “These are all ways in which NOVEC partners with customers to be the Powerful Choice,” says Inia Burginger, communications manager. November-December 2007 31 INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY Rappahannock RoughRide Raises More than $23,000 for Fauquier Free Clinic A record number of bicyclists, 272, squeezed into bike shorts and rode through some of Virginia’s most gorgeous countryside in Washington, Va., on September 22 to raise more than $23,000 for the Fauquier Free Clinic. NOVEC co-sponsored the event. NOVEC employees (from right) Bob James, Priscilla Knight and Barbara Trelease rode in the RoughRide. Display Space Donated to Project Mend-A-House Project Mend-A-House volunteers Lorene Guernsey and Walt Koscinski reached out to the community at the Nissan Pavilion during a recent concert. The pair talked to concert attendees about the organization’s many efforts, thanks in part to the space donated by NOVEC. “It was a fun venue and it raised some of the concert-goers’ awareness of our organization,” said Andrea Saccoccia, Project Mend-A-House executive director. 32 sponsored by Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative NOVEC’s offices and Customer Service Centers will be closed in observance of the following holidays: Veterans Day November 12 Chairman: J. Manley Garber District 7 Woodbridge/Dale City/Montclair Thanksgiving November 22-23 Vice Chairman: Wade C. House District 5 Nokesville/Haymarket/Bull Run Christmas December 24-25 Secretary: Michael Ragan District 6 Lake Jackson/Buckhall/ Manassas Park/Bristow New Year’s Day January 1 Treasurer: Walter Grove District 8 Fauquier/Stafford Service outage calls can be made to 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 William Zilliott At Large James Chesley District 3 Fairfax County, South of Rt. 66 Cynthia Gilbride District 9 Fairfax County, North of Rt. 66 Loudoun County, South Riding Harry Harris District 2 Loudoun County, South of Rt. 7 Ann Wheeler District 4 Manassas/Gainesville Stan C. Feuerberg President and CEO Corporate Office 10323 Lomond Drive Mailing Address • P.O. Box 2710 Manassas, Virginia 20108-0875 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 www.novec.com November-December 2007 33
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