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The 2025 Annual Meeting of the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative was the 80th coming together of cooperative members.

This year, members broke the attendance record with more than 250 meals served. Late attendees stood in Cape Hatteras Secondary cafeteria while eating dinner from Crazy Johnny’s Bar-B-Que.

North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley attended the meeting to present the recertification of the cooperative’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program award, called SHARP. He said that his job “is to keep working men and women safe and healthy.”

The achievement program is designed for employers with established, implemented and maintained exceptional workplace safety standards. It is a prestigious award earned by rigorous work and making safety paramount.

Cape Hatteras Electric is one of only six high performing cooperatives in the state when it comes to safety, reported Susan Flythe, executive vice president/general manager, in her annual address.

Further she reported that in 2024, cooperative employees worked another year without a lost time injury. That brings the safety streak to over seven years and 380,000 hours without a single lost time accident.

Flythe said the cooperative continues to be financially sound. The organization distributed more than $1.9 million in capital credits last year.

“However, 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 last one occurred in May 2018.

“Beginning May 1, 2025, CHEC will implement an average increase of 6.37%. The overall average rate increase is 9.79% however, by instituting a wholesale power cost adjustment (WPCA) credit in the amount of (.005)¢ per kWh, the effective change to member’s bills will be an average of 6.37%,” reports the website.

The cost can be reduced. The cooperative has voluntary rates for residential members who charge an electric vehicle at home or who are interested in a time-of-use rate. Beginning July 1, 2025, the cooperative will offer a $25 bill credit for members who sign up for time-of-use rates.

Go to chec.coop/rates to investigate the several options for reducing power bills.

Flythe touched on the need for more power generation to accommodate growth in North Carolina. She sounded a warning about the need to build new generation plants to replace terminated generation without adequate replacements.

The North Carolina Electric Membership Cooperative is investing in hydrogen capable combined cycle natural gas units with Duke Energy in the Person County Energy Complex to begin to address generation.

Flythe summed up her address: “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. Thank you for being here today and for your continued trust and partnership.”

Other events happened at this May 19, 2025 annual cooperative meeting.

Laura Ertle, director of marketing and public relations, presented three scholarships to “graduating high school seniors who live on Hatteras Island and are planning to attend an accredited technical/vocational school, community college, or four-year college or university. Each scholarship is worth $1,000 per semester, for up to eight semesters.”

This year’s scholarship recipients are Kirra Ensenat, of Buxton, attending Western Carolina University; Colin Midgett heading for North Carolina State University; and Elizabeth Fairbanks, attending Clemson University. All three Cape Hatteras Electric scholarship winners have been awarded College of The Albemarle associates degrees and will receive Cape Hatteras Secondary diplomas June 7, 2025 in the gymnasium at the Buxton campus.

Amanda Hedden, pastor, Hatteras United Methodist Charge, delivered the invocation.

Olivia Rooks sang the National Anthem.

Dan Oden, the secretary/treasurer of the cooperative’s Board of Directors, declared a quorum and provided the legal notice and proof of mailing about the meeting.

Anne Swain, the chairperson of the 2025 Credentials and Election Committee, made the report on the election results. Dan Oden, representing District 1 Hatteras, and Bryan Mattingly, representing District 4 Avon, were both reelected to the board.

To encourage ballot returns the cooperative offers cash prizes for the first three ballots received. This year’s winners are First Place, $200, to Nicholas Mabry of Avon; Second Place, $75, Danny Couch of Buxton; and Third Place, $25, Sharon Simon of Hiwassee, Va.

During dinner, the Cape Hatteras Secondary strings group performed a wide selection of music.

A spiffy bag received by all attendees held a beautiful, clear heavy glass mug artistically etched with a Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, 80 Years Anniversary, Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, 1945-2025, A Touchstone Energy Cooperative. The cooperative’s 2026 calendar was also included.

The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative’s Heroes Calendar for 2026 features 11 line workers including Josh Austin, first class journeyman, crew leader; Brian Jones, apprentice lineman IV; Lance Taylor, apprentice lineman III; Skylr Peele, apprentice lineman IV; Gary Tolson, first Class Journeyman; Silas Hooper, First Class Journeyman; Wolfgang Blackwood, Apprentice lineman II; Brayan Garcia, apprentice lineman III; Justin Waterfield, apprentice lineman IV; Robbie Easley, first class journeyman, crew leader; Tyler Scarborough, first class journeyman; and the final picture of 11 Cape Hatteras Electric Heroes.

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