The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC) had record-breaking attendance at its 80th annual membership meeting, which was held at the Cape Hatteras Secondary School cafeteria on Monday, May 19.
137 registered cooperative members came out to the evening meeting, which covered highlights and accomplishments over the past year, including CHEC’s renewal of its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) accreditation.
The N.C. Department of Labor’s SHARP Recognition Program is one of the most prestigious safety and health recognition programs in the country, and earning a SHARP accreditation has a trickle-down list of benefits for private and public companies in various industries.
A sample of benefits include free professional safety and health mentoring, reduced occupational health and safety compliance inspections, lower workers’ compensation costs, and well-deserved community recognition.
“We first received it a number of years ago, and have had our SHARP status since 2016, but we have to meet yearly requirements, and it’s a rigorous process. There are fewer than 200 participants in the state,” said Laura Ertle, CHEC’s Director of Public Relations & Marketing. “Safety is one of our biggest priorities, and it’s not just the safety of our employees – it’s for our visitors and residents as well…
“It’s a high-risk industry, and for the guys working in the field, it’s one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, so we have to work hard to make sure they go home every day,” she added.
At Monday’s meeting, N.C. Labor Commissioner Luke Farley was in attendance to present CHEC with its SHARP renewal, and to celebrate the 80-year-old organization.
“In our recently published annual report, I stated that CHEC employees had worked another year with zero lost time injuries or accidents,” said Susan Flythe, Executive Vice President and General Manager of CHEC. “Furthermore, our insurance cooperative, Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange, which insures electric cooperatives across the country, including all 26 NC electric cooperatives, affirmed that CHEC continues to be one of only six high-performing cooperatives in the state when it comes to safety.
“I will add further that as of the end of April, CHEC employees have worked over seven years and more than 380,000 hours without a single lost-time accident.”
At the meeting, CHEC also presented its annual scholarships to three Cape Hatteras Secondary School students – Kirra Ensenat, Colin Midgett, and Elizabeth Fairbanks – and also touched on the recent rate increase for CHEC members.
“Our recent cost of service study and financial forecast signaled that it was time to implement our first rate increase in seven years,” said Flythe. “The new rate schedules went into effect on May 1st of this month, and will ensure that the cooperative will remain financially stable as we continue to face several factors applying pressure on electric rates.”
Finally, the 80-year milestone was also highlighted at the meeting, and CHEC’s growth over the past few decades was punctuated by the record crowd.
“As we continue to reflect on our last 80 years, we remember the challenges we have overcome, the milestones we have achieved, and the countless lives we have touched,” said Flythe. “From the early days of rural electrification to the modern advancements in grid management, our cooperative has been at the forefront of progress, always striving to meet the evolving needs of our members…
“This anniversary is not just a celebration of our past, but a beacon for our future. It is a reminder of the strength and resilience that define us, and a call to continue our mission with renewed vigor and purpose. Together, we will navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead, ensuring that our cooperative remains a pillar of support and innovation for generations to come.”
