From Your President.....R.G. Brecheisen      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Keeping It Simple: Together We Save

"Together We Save." It is simple and to the point. And, it is the focus of your                                                                                                                                                                             electric cooperative as  we all work to keep electricity both reliable and affordable                                                                                                                                                                          for our member consumers.

"Together We Save"  is also the theme of the cooperatives nationwide advertising                                                                                                                                                                             campaign.

You can learn more about "Together We Save" by visiting the TogetherWeSave.com website.  On this                                                                                                                                     On  this website you will find many ways to lower your electric bill. This website offers numerous                                                                                                                                         small changes in behavior changes that can rack up big savings.                                                                                                                                                                                               

No matter how you dress it up, the basic principles apply. Piedmont Electric has an  obligation to the                                                                                                                                         members it serves to provide safe, reliable and affortable energy. And, it is even more important today.

As part of that obligation, we ask you to contact your elected officials as they work on an energy                                                                                                                                             policy that will affect all of us, both now and in the years to come.

This energy policy legislation could cause electric rates to sky rocket. A "cap" and "trade" system                                                                                                                                                 could cause undue hardship on the cooperatives members.

Now more that ever, we need your help in contacting our elected officials, asking them to consider                                                                                                                                          the impact on the cost this legislation would have.

Please visit ourenergy.com and TogetherWeSave.com websites to learn more.

Last month we told you about the federal grant Piedmont Electric is seeking to help take our                                                                                                                                                  smart grid technology yet another step farther.

We are receiving support from all our national elected officials who have sent letters to the Secretary                                                                                                                                         of the Department of Energy in favor of our grant.

To date, our application has made it to the Merit Review at the Department of Energy, and we are                                                                                                                                              hoping to get a positive reply (and funding) soon. We\'ll keep you informed of our progress.

It was good to have so many of you join us for Co-op Celebration Day last month. We appreciate                                                                                                                                           your interest in Piedmont Electric.