CONNECTIONS
KATHRYN GREEN
The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JANUARY 2024
Get cash for college
Join us for one of two virtual information sessions to learn more. Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m. Walter Harrison Scholarship: $1,000 need-based scholarship Application deadline: Feb. 5 cobbemc.com/scholarships
Small change, big difference Since inception, the Cobb EMC Foundation has awarded more than $8.3 million to local charities and nonprofits. Thank you to members who round up their bills each month through Operation Round Up. For a full list of recipients or to learn how to request funding, visit cobbemc.com/foundation. Offices will be closed on Jan. 15 for the MLK holiday. Crews are always standing by for emergencies. If you have an outage, report it at 770-429-2100 or via our outage center. cobbemc.com/outagecenter
When four local high school students embarked on the 2023 Washington Youth Tour (WYT), they joined nearly 2,000 students from across the country and became part of a longstanding Cobb EMC tradition. From a total of 57 applicants, Cobb EMC and its volunteer Women’s Task Force selected the following delegates to win the George R. Ford Scholarship and attend the annual WYT: Chaithanya Ganji, Harrison High School; Sydney James, North Cobb Christian School; Julia Randall, Lassiter High School; Anna Roberts, Cobb Online Learning Academy. But the WYT isn’t an all-expenses-paid sightseeing tour. This top-notch leadership experience includes meetings with state and national leaders, leadership training and visits to many major sites. What made the 2023 trip extra special was the opportunity for Ganji to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In addition to the trip, Cobb EMC’s delegates participated in a Youth Leadership program aimed at developing networking and leadership skills while learning more about their electric cooperative and the community. The program is open to high school juniors. A paid internship is awarded annually to one of the four Cobb EMC WYT delegates as part of Cobb EMC’s Youth Leadership Program. During the internship, students are assigned multiple projects, including organizing volunteer activities and coordinating events for Cobb EMC employees and local charities. Representing 34 electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) in Georgia, the 2023 event held June 15-22 was the Youth Tour’s 58th year in Georgia since 1965. Cobb EMC has been sending delegates since 1977.
WANT TO REPRESENT COBB EMC ON THE 2025 TOUR? Applications for the 2024-2025 Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program will open in fall 2024. Learn more: cobbemc.com/youthprogram
22A
KATHRYN GR EEN
Cobb EMC Foundation Scholarship: $5,000 Application deadline: Feb. 23
WIN A SCHOLARSHIP, TRIP TO D.C. AND PAID INTERNSHIP
LOUIS TONSMEIRE JR.
Cobb EMC is proud to help our members pursue a college education by offering the opportunity to earn the Cobb EMC Foundation Scholarship or the Walter Harrison Scholarship. To be considered, applicants must live in a primary residence served by Cobb EMC.
CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JANUARY 2024
WORKING TO ENHANCE THE VALUE OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP
THE VALUE
I want to take a moment to say thank you to you, our members, for helping us to have a very special 2023. Our employees are solely focused on how to improve the value of your Cobb EMC membership and the experience you have with us, and this year we have achieved record-setting goals. Our mission at Cobb EMC is to bring you safe, reliable power at affordable rates. Our board of directors and employees have worked diligently to accomplish this. As a result, our members’ bills this year are $40 lower per month than the state average and we are ranked #1 in Georgia for having the lowest rates among all reporting electric utilities according to the recent Public Service Commission survey. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we are owned by you, our members, and we are here to serve you. Since 2013, Cobb EMC has given nearly $49 million back to members in the form of a Wholesale Power Adjustment (WPA) credit on electric bills. Most recently, members can see a WPA credit on both their November and December bills. Because of our investments in innovative technology and the work of our best-in-class line crews, I am proud to say that Cobb EMC ranks #1 in the nation for reliability and #1 in the nation for restoring outages quickly according to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ 2023 benchmark year study results. We know how important our service is to you. Whether we are powering your home office or your holiday lights, we are proud to reliably power your lives. As we look ahead to 2024, you will see us accomplishing great things in the community as we continue to help our neighbors and local organizations. You will see us lead the way in creating sustainable energy for the future. Most of all, you will see us working for you. Thank you for being a valued Cobb EMC member.
MEMBERSHIP
OF YOUR
#1 #1 #1
IN THE NATION FOR RELIABLE POWER1 IN THE NATION FOR RESTORING OUTAGES QUICKLY1 IN THE STATE FOR LOW RATES AMONG ALL UTILITIES2
highest-rated natural gas provider in the state3
LEADERSHIP
Kevan Espy, President & CEO
Kevan Espy President & CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HELPING YOU SAVE ENERGY Turn back the thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours per day to save on heating and cooling bills. Average annual savings: $83 Use a power strip for electronic equipment and turn it off when not in use. Be sure not to overload outlets. Average annual savings: $100 Seal air leaks around doors and windows to avoid wasting heated air. Average annual savings: $83-$166 Find more energy saving tips at cobbemc.com/save.
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Rudy Underwood, Chairman Eric Broadwell, Vice Chairman Tripper Sharp, Secretary-Treasurer Kelly Bodner Bryan Boyd Edward Crowell David McClellan Malcolm Swanson David Tennant
CONTACT US
Phone: 770.429.2100 Pay by phone: 1.855.730.8714 Web: cobbemc.com
1-According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 2023 benchmark year study results. 2-According to the Georgia Public Service Commission Summer 2023 Rate Survey. 3-According to Google reviews as of 2023. Gas South is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC.
CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JANUARY 2024
Prepare for winter weather When winter storms hit, heavy snow and ice can lead to downed lines and power outages. Our crews always work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power, but here are a few resources to prepare for winter weather: OUTAGE ALERTS: Enroll in outage text alerts by texting “register” to 898362 for outage updates. cobbemc.com/outagealerts
BRINGING YOU VALUE BEYOND ELECTRICITY Our new account management system launches this month. We’ve redesigned with you in mind! Soon, it’ll be easier than ever to manage your account and find cooperative information on our system. We also offer two-factor authentication to add an extra level of security to your account.
OUTAGE SAFETY: Follow our winter safety guidelines to ensure you have a plan in place. cobbemc.com/stormsafety OUTAGE MAP: Visit our outage map for weather, crew status and additional outage information. outagemap.cobbemc.com
UPDATED ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT COMING SOON
Managing energy costs As a distribution cooperative, we do not generate power. Our rates are based on two main components – the actual cost of the wholesale power we buy from companies that generate electricity and the cost for us to get that power to you. We set rates based on projections of what energy costs will be in the future and the cost to deliver that energy to you. Energy costs have increased over the last two years. Because of this, most residential members will see an average increase of 2% per member per month on electric bills in 2024. We understand that any increase in electric bills can be challenging for our members, so we continue to work diligently to minimize the impact of rising costs industry-wide and remain committed to providing the most competitive electric rate in the state.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE’RE WORKING FOR YOU: cobbemc.com/workingforyou
Want to connect on the go? Download our free, easy-to-use mobile app to pay your bill directly from your smartphone or tablet. Download app at cobbemc.com/app. We strive to provide options that fit our members’ lifestyles and energy needs. Explore our rate options, choose your own due date if you’re a qualifying residential member, sign up for paperless billing or set up Auto Pay for your account.
EASY AND CONVENIENT ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
We also offer a variety of ways to pay your bill. Pay online, by phone, in person or through the Cobb EMC app. Residential members enjoy no convenience fee for credit card payments. Learn more at cobbemc.com/account. As a co-op, we’re focused on providing meaningful programs to the members we serve. The Co-op Connections® Program is one that can help you in many ways.
EVERYDAY DISCOUNTS AND SAVINGS
You could save up to 85% on your next prescription with pharmacy discounts from the Co-op Connections Program. When you join, you’ll also unlock discounts on entertainment, dining, travel and everyday expenses. Download the app to join for free and start saving today at cobbemc.com/discounts.
22C
CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JANUARY 2024
BRIGHTENING OUR COMMUNITY
LITERACY WEEK INSPIRES STUDENTS’ LOVE OF READING
THANK YOU TO OUR VALUED MEMBERS
LINEMEN HELP BRING ELECTRICITY TO RURAL VILLAGE
Cobb EMC and Gas South are proud to support the annual Literacy Week program, where authors share their books and illustrations with students to encourage their love of reading.
Thank you to our community partners and members who donated to the annual Cobb Diaper Day. More than 140,000 diapers were collected to benefit eight local organizations serving families in need.
More than 19,000 K-12 students interacted with 15 authors at approximately 45 schools, civic clubs, senior centers and libraries.
Our Pink Power initiative, in partnership with Northside Hospital, raised more than $1,200 for Cancer Community Atlanta. We received 39 bookings for flocking, donations and flamingo sponsorships to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Two Cobb EMC linemen volunteered for a humanitarian trip to Guatemala, where they brought power to Sesaltul, a remote village that had not experienced electricity’s benefits before. The massive undertaking brought power to 90 houses, two schools and two churches. The employees were joined by linemen from across the state, including Coweta-Fayette EMC, GreyStone Power, Jackson EMC, Habersham EMC, Snapping Shoals EMC and Walton EMC.
cobbemc.com/literacy2023
cobbemc.com/community
cobbemc.com/guatemala
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