CEO’s/President’s Message

At Halifax EMC, safety is more than a priority. It is one of our core values. Every day, we work to create a culture of safety so our employees can return home to their families at the end of the day. Just as importantly, we are committed to promoting safe practices among our members and throughout the communities we serve.

Move Over for Utility Workers
Our lineworkers face hazards every day while maintaining and restoring the electric system. In addition to following strict safety procedures around electricity, crews working near roadways must also take precautions such as placing safety cones and warning signs, wearing reflective clothing and, when necessary, using flaggers to direct traffic.

Motorists play an important role in keeping utility workers safe. North Carolina’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over one lane, when possible, for utility vehicles displaying flashing amber lights. If changing lanes is not safe, drivers should significantly reduce their speed and proceed with caution.

As the days grow shorter and darkness arrives earlier, Halifax EMC crews may still be working along roadsides during evening commutes. When you see utility workers on the side of the road, slow down, stay alert, and move over whenever possible. A little extra caution can help prevent serious accidents and protect those working to provide reliable electric service. Our lineworkers work in all kinds of conditions to keep the lights on for our members, and their safety depends on all of us. Please do your part by giving crews the space they need to work safely, staying focused behind the wheel, and encouraging others to do the same. Together, we can help ensure every crew member returns home safely to their family at the end of the day.

Harvest Season Brings Electrical Hazards
Fall also marks harvest season, one of the busiest times of the year for many farmers. Large equipment, long workdays and overhead power lines can create dangerous situations if proper precautions are not taken.

The most important safety tip is simple: Look up and look out for power lines. Always be aware of their location in relation to your equipment and maintain at least 10 feet of clearance from all electrical lines.

We are pleased to see broadband service continuing to expand across our rural communities, bringing more opportunities for work, education, healthcare, and connectivity. As communication companies continue to build out fiber networks, they have added 60 miles of new cable throughout our service area, often attached to existing utility poles. While this growth has many benefits, it also creates additional hazards for farmers and others operating large equipment near power and communication lines. Before entering a field or property, take a moment to look for any new attachments that may have been added since your last visit. If you notice a power line or communication line that is sagging, damaged, or hanging unusually low, please contact Halifax EMC immediately at 252-445-5111. Reporting potential hazards right away can help prevent accidents and keep everyone safe.

Even with today’s advanced auto-guidance and GPS steering systems, operators must remain focused on their surroundings. Technology can help with navigation, but it cannot replace situational awareness. Slow down, stay alert and take breaks when
needed to remain engaged and attentive throughout the workday.

Additional Harvest Safety Tips
• Use a spotter when operating large equipment near power lines.
• Check the height of machinery to ensure adequate clearance.
• Use extra caution when extending augers or raising grain truck beds near overhead lines.
• Lower extensions and attachments before moving equipment.
• Be mindful of guy wires, which are not energized but can bring down live power lines if struck.
• Never attempt to move or raise a power line to gain clearance.

If Contact Occurs
If equipment comes into contact with a power line, stay inside the equipment and immediately call 911. Warn others to stay away and wait for utility personnel to de-energize the line.

Only leave the equipment if there is an immediate danger, such as fire. In that situation, jump clear with your feet together, making sure not to touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Then hop away with your feet together until you are a safe distance from the area.

A Shared Commitment to Safety
Whether you’re driving past a utility crew or working in the field during harvest, taking a few extra moments to slow down, stay aware and follow safety guidelines can save lives. This fall, Halifax EMC encourages everyone to make safety a top priority and help ensure that our utility workers, farmers and community members return home
safely each day.

When it comes to electricity, we rarely think twice when we flip on a light switch, brew coffee in the morning, charge our phones, or adjust the thermostat. We simply expect the power to be there. And that’s how it should be because you are a member of Halifax EMC, and reliably powering
your life is our mission.

We know many families across our communities are feeling the impact of rising costs for everyday expenses. Groceries, gasoline, insurance and other necessities cost more than they did just a few years ago. Because of that, we understand that every household is carefully considering where each dollar goes.

That’s why I think it’s important to occasionally step back and consider the value electricity provides.

A typical Halifax EMC member using 1,000 kWh of electricity each month pays about $180 for electric service, or roughly $6 a day. I often think about what that $6 provides. It’s about the cost of a specialty coffee, yet electricity powers nearly every moment of our daily lives, often without us giving it a second thought. In fact, many typical purchases cost more than a day’s worth of electricity. A fast-food combo meal averages about $9 and a single movie ticket can cost around $13.

For about $6 a day, your refrigerator keeps food fresh around the clock. Your heating and cooling system helps keep your family comfortable through the seasons. Your water heater keeps water hot and ready for your shower. Lights brighten your home after sunset. Appliances make cooking and cleaning easier. Devices stay charged so you can work, learn, communicate and stay connected with loved ones. When you think about everything electricity makes possible, it’s one of the greatest values in the average household budget.

Even with electricity’s exceptional value, we know every dollar matters. If you’re looking for ways to lower your energy use, Halifax EMC is here to help. Whether you need efficiency advice from our energy advisor, information about co-op rebates and efficiency programs, or answers to questions about your monthly bill, our team is always available.

Halifax EMC is proud to be more than your electric provider. Because we’re a cooperative, we’re locally owned by you, the consumer-members
we serve. That means every decision we make is guided by what’s best for our community, not by outside shareholders.

While costs throughout the utility industry continue to rise, we’re focused on finding practical ways to control expenses and maximize the value of every dollar invested on
behalf of our members. In July, we shared how increasing prices for essential materials such as utility poles, transformers, and other equipment are affecting electric cooperatives across the country. Despite those pressures, Halifax EMC has worked to keep cost increases below overall inflation while continuing to maintain a reliable system. In August, we highlighted a strategic transformer replacement and relocation plan that allows us to redeploy existing equipment, increase capacity where it’s needed, improve reliability and reduce the need for more costly purchases in the future. These are the kinds of smart, long-term decisions that help us manage rising
costs while continuing to provide dependable service.

Thank you for trusting us to power your home and your life. We’re committed to providing everyday value for you and your family through reliable service, responsible planning, and affordable electricity, so you can make the most of every energy dollar.

Across the electric utility industry, we continue to see increasing costs associated with providing reliable electric service. Specifically, since 2021, Halifax EMC has experienced an average increase of 4% per year, which is less than overall inflation. Like many cooperatives, Halifax EMC is navigating these challenges while keeping our focus where it belongs; serving our consumer-members with dependable, affordable electricity.

One of the key drivers behind these rising costs is the price of essential materials. Items like utility poles, transformers, and other critical equipment have steadily increased in cost over the last six years. For example, a 40-foot class 3 pole, the most used on our system, cost $290 in 2020 and today is $386, a 33% increase. These are not optional investments; they are the backbone of the system that delivers electricity to your home and business. Maintaining and replacing this infrastructure is necessary to ensure reliability, safety, and long-term service.

Despite these pressures, your cooperative works diligently to manage costs wherever possible. Halifax EMC is continuously evaluating
operations, making strategic investments, and seeking efficiencies to reduce the impact on our consumer-members. As discussed in last month’s newsletter, we are utilizing advanced tools like satellite imagery to identify right-of-way maintenance needs, allowing us to better target tree trimming and spraying efforts where they are needed most. This results in a more efficient right-of-way program, reduces outages, and ultimately helps control costs. As a not-for-profit utility, every decision we make is with you in mind.

As we move into the summer months, energy usage naturally increases. The Department of Energy estimates that between 45% and 50% of home energy use goes toward heating and cooling, making temperature changes a major driver of electricity consumption. Higher outdoor temperatures mean air conditioners must run longer and work harder to keep homes
comfortable, resulting in increased electricity use. With children out of school for the summer, household routines also shift, often leading to greater energy use during the day. While the cost to provide electricity continues to rise, it is important to remember that higher energy bills are often more closely tied to increased energy use.

That’s why we encourage you to take advantage of Energy Insights, available on our mobile app or through the member portal at halifaxemc.com. This resource provides a daily view of your electricity use, helping you better understand when and how energy is being used. It also offers estimated breakdowns of appliance usage, giving you a clearer picture of what contributes most to your overall consumption and where you may be able to make adjustments. Members can also view a projected bill throughout their billing cycle using the Energy Insights tool. Similar to how you might keep an eye on your fuel gauge and trip mileage to see how much gas your car is using, instead of waiting until you fill up at the pump to see how much fuel you’ve used, you monitor it as you go. In the same way, Energy Insights gives you a real-time look at how your energy use is adding up, so there are no surprises when your bill arrives. At the end of the day, our commitment remains the same: to provide safe, reliable power at the lowest possible cost. We will continue working proactively to manage industry challenges while giving you the tools and information needed to manage your own energy use.

There’s something timeless about trees. They ground us. They remind us of where we’ve been, and they stretch toward what’s ahead. Here in our community, we take pride in the natural beauty that surrounds us, the shade on a summer afternoon, the colors that mark the changing seasons, the quiet strength of something that grows slowly but endures.

At the same time, we share another responsibility, one that’s just as essential to our daily lives. The responsibility to keep the lights on, to power our homes and businesses, to make sure that when you flip a switch, the energy you depend on is there.

That’s why Halifax EMC works every day to strike a careful balance between preserving the beauty we cherish and delivering the reliable electricity you expect.

One of the most important ways we do that is through regular tree trimming. Now, it may not always be obvious, but keeping lines clear of overgrown vegetation plays a major role in preventing power outages.

We’ve all seen what can happen when severe weather rolls in; strong winds, heavy ice or sudden storms can bring down branches and, with them, power lines and poles. In fact, nearly half of all power outages can be traced back to trees and vegetation coming into contact with electrical infrastructure.

That’s why you may notice our trusted contract crews from Xylem Tree Experts working in your area throughout the year. Their crews are highly trained and certified, following the latest industry standards to ensure the job is done safely and effectively. Their work might seem routine; however, it’s anything but, it’s a proactive step that helps prevent problems before they start.

And it’s not just good practice; it’s required. Electric utilities across the country are obligated to manage vegetation near power lines. Scheduled trimming helps remove dead or weakened limbs and keeps fast-growing trees from becoming hazards. It’s about staying one step ahead, especially as we prepare for the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather events.

We’re also using new tools and technologies to do this work smarter. Halifax EMC implemented advanced satellite imagery to efficiently monitor and manage its right-of-ways. By leveraging satellite imagery and artificial intelligence, vegetation encroachment risks are identified before they become outages, allowing us to take a proactive approach to maintenance.
This technology improves reliability for members, reduces the need for manual inspections, and optimizes vegetation management cycles, ultimately lowering operational costs while enhancing service quality across the cooperative’s service territory.

But beyond reliability and efficiency, there’s another reason this work matters: safety. Electricity is a powerful force, and when trees grow too close to power lines, that power can become dangerous. Branches that touch lines, or even come close, can carry electrical current. Children climbing trees in their own yards may not realize the risk. And during storms, fallen trees
can create hazardous conditions not only for families but also for our lineworkers working to restore service.

There’s also a financial reality we can’t ignore. Preventative maintenance, like tree trimming, is far more cost-effective than repairing widespread damage after an outage. Left unchecked, overgrown vegetation can lead to more frequent disruptions and higher costs for everyone. A thoughtful, strategic vegetation management program helps keep those costs down for our members.

You can help, too. When planting new trees, consider their mature height and distance from nearby power lines. Trees that grow up to 40 feet should be planted at least 25 feet away from overhead lines. Larger trees, those that exceed 40 feet, should be planted at least 50 feet away. If you’re landscaping near pad-mounted transformers, keep shrubs at least 10 feet from the front and 4 feet from the sides to allow safe access.

If your neighborhood has underground lines, don’t forget to call 811 before digging. It’s a simple step that can prevent serious accidents.

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: a community that’s safe, resilient and beautiful. At Halifax EMC we’re proud to be part of that effort. Our roots run deep here, just like the trees we work to care for.

As we move into an important time of the year for our Cooperative, I want to take a moment to remind our members of several key dates related to our director elections and our upcoming Annual Meeting.

The Nominating Committee met on Feb. 11 and nominated the following incumbent directors for re‑election to the Board:
• Barbara Brayboy, District 3
• Robert Harris, District 5
• Robin Williams, District 7

The official notice of the Annual Meeting, along with mail‑in ballots, will be mailed to members on April 24. To be counted, completed ballots must be received at the Enfield office no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13. Ballots received after that time cannot be accepted.

When returning your ballot, please remember to print your name and sign the back of the return envelope provided. Unsigned envelopes cannot be accepted, and ballots received in unsigned envelopes will not be counted. As an added
thank‑you for participating, all valid ballot envelopes will be entered into a drawing for one of five $100 electric service credits.

The Credentials and Election Committee will convene on Thursday, May 14, to validate ballot envelopes and conduct the official ballot count.

Lastly, I would also like to remind members of a change to our Annual Meeting format this year. The 2026 Annual Meeting will be held at the Enfield office, located at 208 Whitfield Street, on Monday, May 18.

Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. The business meeting begins promptly at 5 p.m.

This year’s meeting will be a business meeting only and will include the Halifax Helps grant presentations, a review of the election process and announcement of results, and a presentation of Halifax EMC’s 2025 Annual Report. The meeting will also be recorded and posted at halifaxemc.com.

Members will have an opportunity to pre‑register for the meeting in next month’s newsletter or through our Facebook page, so please be on the lookout for that information. Your participation in the election and Annual Meeting is an important part of our Cooperative governance, and we appreciate your continued involvement and support.

As your board president, I want to share several important updates regarding the 2026 Annual Meeting. For many years, our cooperative has held an in‑person annual meeting in Halifax County on the third Saturday in May. These gatherings traditionally feature entertainment, informational tables, and the cooperative business meeting, which includes Halifax EMC’s annual report and the results of the director elections.

In recent years, attendance at this event has steadily declined. We’ve also noticed that many of our members living in the Warren County area are choosing not to attend, which is understandable given the longer travel distance.

With these factors in mind, the board of your cooperative has decided to make certain changes for the 2026 Annual Meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18, at 5 p.m. at the cooperative’s Enfield office. This will be a business‑only meeting, but we still welcome attendance from members interested in hearing the yearly reports from the board and management. Light refreshments will be provided in place of a full meal. The meeting will be recorded and made available on the Halifax EMC website and Facebook page for anyone unable to attend in
person.

As a locally owned cooperative, we value the ability to share information and connect with our members. Therefore, we will be hosting district meetings later in the year across the service territory. These meetings will allow us to have more in depth conversations with you about important matters related to the cooperative. By offering multiple sessions in different locations, we hope to make participation more convenient for a greater number of our members.

During these district meetings, staff will discuss current projects and future plans that impact the cooperative and community. Members will also have the opportunity to ask staff questions, speak with their local Halifax EMC director representatives, and learn more about the programs and services available through Halifax EMC. Informational tables will be staffed by Halifax EMC employees who are ready to assist you one‑on‑one. Each attending member will receive a $10 electric service credit, and a small number of door prizes will be awarded.

Our goal with these changes is simple: to create more meaningful and accessible opportunities for members to connect with their cooperative. Please look for additional details about the district meetings in the newsletter and on Facebook in the coming months. We hope you will consider attending one of these district meetings and engaging with us.

Sincerely,

Robin Williams

When a storm rolls through, Halifax EMC is ready to respond. Our crews work around the clock to restore power, repair damage and make sure every member’s lights come back on as quickly and safely as possible. But when that damage is severe, the cost of rebuilding can add up quickly, and that’s where the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) steps in to help.

Most people think of FEMA responding to natural disasters that make national news, such as hurricanes or widespread wildfires. But electric co-ops also rely on FEMA after smaller, localized events; the kinds of storms that may not always make national headlines, but can still cause significant damage.

A few inches of ice or a sudden flash flood can snap utility poles, damage substations and leave miles of power lines on the ground. In rural areas, where electric co-ops serve fewer members across larger territories, repairing that damage can be especially challenging and expensive. FEMA assistance helps ensure those costs don’t fall entirely on co-op members and that power can be restored quickly without putting financial strain on small communities.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program helps co-ops like ours rebuild critical infrastructure after disasters, large or small. This essential partnership ensures that we can focus on restoring power and supporting our community instead of worrying about how to fund large-scale repairs.

The FEMA Act of 2025 is making its way through Congress and aims to modernize the agency’s programs, making it easier and faster for essential service providers like Halifax EMC to restore and rebuild. It’s an important step toward keeping disaster recovery fair, efficient and focused on the people who depend on reliable electricity every day.

Whether it’s a large-scale storm or a localized event that only affects a few towns, FEMA’s support helps electric co-ops do what we do best; serve our members and keep the lights on, no matter what Mother Nature brings. Learn more at electric.coop/fema.

When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use naturally rises. Colder weather drives us indoors, where we rely more heavily on home heating systems, more lighting and household appliances. Heating systems run longer and more frequently to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Combine that with the fact that most people use electricity at the same times, typically in the mornings and early evenings, and the result is significant pressure on our electric grid.

Halifax EMC works closely with North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), our wholesale power partner, to plan for these seasonal weather patterns and changes and  ensure you have reliable power every day of the year. This partnership involves detailed resource and infrastructure planning to make certain electricity is available whenever you need it.

However, it’s important to remember that our local system is part of a much larger regional and national electric grid.

During the winter months, when homes and businesses across the country are using more electricity simultaneously, overall demand can approach, or even occasionally exceed, available supply. This is especially true during severe weather events such as ice storms, sudden temperature drops or equipment malfunctions that reduce generation capacity. In rare cases when demand threatens to outpace supply, the regional grid operator may call for temporary, controlled outages, often referred to as rolling blackouts, to prevent broader system failures.

Our planning with NCEMC and regional operators includes clear procedures for emergencies and rotating outages only as a last resort. Your conservation during peak windows helps us stay in front of those risks and maintain reliable service across our communities.

During elevated grid stress, we issue member appeals for voluntary conservation often ahead of a peak window, because thousands of small actions across our service area can provide meaningful load relief without compromising comfort or safety.

To prepare for these scenarios and minimize risks, Halifax EMC and our wholesale power partner take proactive measures to strengthen reliability year-round. These include
routine system maintenance, investments in grid modernization and comprehensive disaster response planning. You will also recall our recent reliability efforts at AC Cox Substation, which included transformer testing and relay replacement. Similar upgrades and testing are currently underway at Eaton’s Ferry Substation.

These proactive steps are designed to ensure our portion of the grid remains resilient even under extreme conditions. Yet, maintaining a reliable electric system requires a collective effort, and every member plays an important role in lowering demand when the grid is under stress.

You can help by taking simple actions during periods of high electricity use, especially on the coldest days of winter. Remember this motto, “Shift a little, Save a lot,” and help reduce stress on the grid:

1. Lower your thermostat slightly. Even reducing the temperature by a few degrees can help.
2. Delay using large appliances during peak hours, which are roughly between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Run dishwashers, washing machines and dryers during off-peak hours, typically midday or late evening.
3. Adjust your water heater. Setting it to 120 degrees F and spacing out showers helps conserve both energy and hot water.
4. Unplug unnecessary devices. Power used for lighting and electronics adds up and accounts for a significant portion of home energy use. Disconnect unused items to reduce energy waste.
5. Utilize smart charging for Electric Vehicles. EVs are great candidates for demand shaving. Set charging to finish by 5:30 a.m. or start after 9 a.m. on cold days, and avoid the early evening window. A small scheduling change keeps the fleet moving while reducing simultaneous morning load.

Understanding how winter weather impacts electricity demand is key to maintaining system reliability. By practicing simple energy conservation habits at home, you not only save money on your monthly bill, you also help strengthen the resilience of the grid that powers our community.

Together, through small actions and shared awareness, we can ensure that our homes remain warm, our lights stay on and our local grid continues to serve us reliably throughout the season.

Halifax EMC continues to prioritize electric reliability across its service territory with a series of strategic upgrades and inspections aimed at preventing outages and reducing long-term costs.

Transformer Testing and Relay Replacement at AC Cox Substation
In a major reliability initiative, the cooperative recently completed the replacement of protective relays in the power transformer at the AC Cox Substation just outside of Enfield. To ensure the safety of crews and maintain service continuity, a mobile substation was temporarily deployed during the work.

The deployment of the mobile substation is a strong example of cooperative collaboration in action. HEMC benefits from being part of a shared substation pool, which enables the cost effective use of a high-value resource. This access not only supports preventative maintenance efforts—like the recent work at AC Cox—but also provides a critical backup solution in the event of unexpected equipment failures. It’s a proactive approach that strengthens reliability while maximizing efficiency across member cooperatives.

Electrical testing was also conducted to assess the health of the transformer, reinforcing HEMC’s commitment to proactive maintenance.

Next Stop: Eaton’s Ferry Substation
Building on the success at AC Cox, similar upgrades and testing are planned for the Eaton’s Ferry Substation located near Lake Gaston. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to modernize infrastructure and ensure dependable service for members in the region.

Overhead Line Inspections Underway
Overhead line inspections will also be conducted on three to four circuits before the end of the year. These inspections focus on identifying and addressing issues such as missing guy wires, broken cross-arm braces, and other wear-and-tear that could compromise reliability. By catching these problems early, HEMC reduces the risk of future outages and avoids costly emergency repairs.

Proactive Reliability Pays Off
These reliability check-ups are more than routine maintenance—they’re a strategic investment in the future. By addressing aging equipment and potential failure points now, HEMC is safeguarding its system against unexpected disruptions and ensuring that members continue to receive safe, affordable and reliable power.

As the holiday season approaches and the air turns crisp, we’re reminded that this truly is the season of giving. It’s a time for gratitude, generosity and looking out for one another—and at Halifax EMC, that’s something we take to heart year-round.

You’ve probably heard us talk about our concern for community. It’s not just a nice phrase—it’s one of the core principles that makes electric cooperatives like ours different from other utilities. We’re not just here to keep the lights on (though of course, we’re always working hard to do that). We’re here to make life better for the people we serve—our members, our neighbors and our friends.

Over the years, we’ve faced challenges together, and every time, our co-op family has stepped up. We’ve come together to support those in need, to keep our community strong and to build something better for the future. That spirit of generosity is never more evident than during the holiday season.

Take our Operation Round-Up program, for example. Thanks to the generosity of members like you who round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar, we’re able to provide assistance to non-profit organizations in our community that make an impact. Every little bit adds up—and it makes a big difference.

We’re also proud to support local students through the Youth Tour program, where we send some of our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., to see democracy in action and dream big about their futures. That’s giving in the most meaningful way—by investing in tomorrow’s leaders. And because we care deeply about safety, we also spend time visiting schools and civic organizations throughout the communities we serve, holding demonstrations and teaching folks of all ages how to stay safe around electricity. We believe knowledge is a gift too—and we love sharing it.

You’ll also find our team out in the community beyond work—coaching youth sports, volunteering at local events, serving on non-profit boards, and partnering with our Chamber of Commerce to keep our local economy strong. Because when you’re part of a co-op, giving back isn’t a requirement—it’s just what you do.

While the holiday season is a festive time, we understand these can be tough times for many. If you need advice on saving energy to reduce your energy bills, want to explore payment plan options such as budget or levelized billing, or you simply have questions—please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help, not just during the holiday season, but all year long.

At Halifax EMC we believe concern for community is more than a value—it’s the heart of who we are. And during this season of giving, we’re especially grateful to be part of such a caring, generous community.

From all of us at Halifax EMC, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful, safe and bright holiday season.