Umatilla Electric recently completed a major meter replacement project, transitioning from the TWACS metering system to a new, radio-frequency-based system. After decommissioning the old equipment, UEC listed it for sale on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) website, hoping another cooperative using TWACS would find it useful. However, when Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern U.S., the equipment wasn’t sold—it was donated.
Haywood Electric Membership Corporation, based in Waynesville, North Carolina, was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. The storm flooded some of their metering equipment, causing it to fail. With nearly 25,000 of their 29,000 members without power and new equipment facing a 12-week lead time and high costs, Haywood urgently sought solutions.
They found Umatilla Electric’s TWACS equipment on the NRECA site and reached out for a quick purchase. Instead of selling the equipment, UEC chose to donate it to support Haywood’s recovery efforts.
UEC's Meter Department and Warehouse employees immediately organized the equipment, loading it on a truck bound for North Carolina on October 9. This donation, valued at $50,000, will play a small but vital role in helping Haywood EMC restore power and rebuild after the storm.
In the face of such challenges, Umatilla Electric stands with Haywood and the broader cooperative community, hoping this gesture aids in their recovery from the devastation.