Chad Stone
GENERAL MANAGER
It’s hard to believe we are approaching the end of another year. As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude for our collective strength, growth and resilience. We began the year by addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and continue to work through the challenges of FEMA coordination and the financial impacts of that historic storm.
In addition, we successfully navigated a leadership transition with a new manager and managed a rate adjustment. Despite these challenges, our team demonstrated remarkable perseverance and unity. We also saw meaningful growth across the industries we serve, in the opportunities we provide to students and among our employees who continue to expand their knowledge and skills.
High vs low demand users
As we approach the holiday season, many people notice an increase in their electric bill. This is often due to higher energy use for heating rather than holiday decorations. HVAC systems are among the highest energy consumers in a home, along with clothes dryers, ovens and electric water heaters—all of which require significant power to operate. For example, an electric heat pump with heat strips can use between 10 and 20 kilowatts, while a clothes dryer typically uses around 5 kilowatts per hour.
In contrast, lower energy users include items such as Christmas lights, hair dryers, coffee makers, pool or well pumps and ceiling fans, which generally use between 0.08 and 1.5 kilowatts. So, if Holiday closings your bill rises this season, remember— it’s likely not your Christmas lights. To help manage costs, consider simple energy-saving habits such as lowering your thermostat a few degrees, sealing drafts around doors and windows, washing clothes in cold water and using LED holiday lights on timers. Small adjustments can make a big difference in keeping your energy bill under control while still enjoying the warmth and joy of the season.
Supporting our community
This holiday season we will have many opportunities to exemplify the cooperative spirit by putting the needs of others before our own. I encourage everyone to do so by supporting local businesses, lending a hand to neighbors in need and taking part in the many community events planned in the coming months.
When we support one another and lead with a spirit of service, we help build stronger, more connected communities. As the year comes to a close, I want to take this opportunity to wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you for your dedication and support throughout 2025. May the coming year bring blessings to you and your family as we continue working together to strengthen the place we call home.
CHAD STONE
General Manager
Holiday Closings
In observance of the holidays, our office will be closed:
- Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28
- Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 24-25
- Thursday, Jan 1, 2026
