Amy Langdon

The annual meeting included reports on community support through education grants, discussions on affordable and reliable electricity with a balanced approach to renewable energy, and district-specific updates. These updates covered the reopening of the Allendale office lobby, the installation of solar panels, the John's Island 6 upgrade project, covered storage solutions in Goose Creek, and the energizing of the Mill Branch substation to support the Camp Hall Commerce Park. The meeting also addressed the election results and member credits.

The business portion of the 2021 Annual Meeting included acknowledgments for the Board of Trustees and the Berkeley Electric Trust Board, particularly regarding the Operation Roundup funds. It was reported that a quorum was reached via drive-thru voting. The President and CEO discussed challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic growth reflected by 500 new meters per month, and the maintenance of affordable rates for 2022. Key operational updates covered system investments, including the new Sheep Island Substation, upgrades to the Lagreeville Number Two Substation, and the addition of underground lines. Improvements in reliability metrics were highlighted, such as reducing tree-related outages and achieving an average interruption time of 99 minutes, significantly better than the industry standard. Infrastructure improvements also include the deployment of a new 34-megawatt mobile substation and the addition of the Bigfoot truck for right-of-way maintenance in difficult terrain. Furthermore, construction on the Cane Bay Substation is progressing. The new headquarters facility is ahead of schedule and under budget, offering better operational efficiency and disaster resilience. Finally, information regarding election candidates for Districts 2, 3, 6, and 9 was provided.

The annual meeting focused on key operational updates, governance, and community impact initiatives. Discussions included leadership changes resulting from cross-training between the Member Services and IT departments, with a permanent switch implemented for two VPs. The meeting noted the return of a long-time employee, Tony Simmons, as VP of Strategy and Risk Management. Technological advancements were highlighted, specifically the implementation of the AI tool Bidley within the SmartHub application to help members manage energy consumption by breaking down usage by appliance. The cooperative also discussed its internal use of an AI assistant named Watson for policy guidance, emphasizing strict cybersecurity protocols through a sandbox approach and firewall protection for member data. Furthermore, the meeting detailed a significant community partnership with Point North Church and Home of Hope Repairs, funded in part by a grant from Google (over $250,000), to improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and safety for low-income families by installing mini-splits and addressing dangerous electrical situations. Finally, updates were provided on right-of-way maintenance, including a new program beginning in January to manage easements around increasing underground equipment in addition to ongoing overhead line vegetation management.

The session focused on Strategy and Risk Management at BEC. The discussion included the return of Tony Simmons as VP of Strategy and Risk Management on a full-time basis. Simmons expressed his dedication to working across all departments to ensure alignment with organizational strategies and goals, noting his prior time away to attend to family matters. The discussion also touched upon Simmons' extensive experience and commitment to the cooperative.

This update details Berkeley Electric Cooperative's relocation of its Moncks Corner District Office to a new, state-of-the-art complex by summer 2022. The move consolidates seven different locations into a 62,000 square foot, disaster-resistant facility designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance service to a growing member population, and protect valuable equipment. The new complex, located at 1732 West Highway 52, will also feature community-use spaces and a veterans memorial.