CONNECTIONS
The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | MARCH 2022
COBB EMC WORKS TOWARD CLEAN ENERGY GOALS
UPCOMING EVENTS Annual Meeting The 84th Annual Meeting will be held Sept. 17. Key dates and deadlines: • May 27: Terms for directors in Districts 4, 5 and 8 will be expiring at the Annual Meeting. Nomination petitions for director elections must be submitted (Sec. 3.07). • June 2: Member-sponsored bylaw amendments must be submitted (Sec. 10.01). • Aug. 12: Written notice must be received from any member who desires to exceed the five-minute speaking limitation for the Annual Meeting (Sec. 2.12). To learn more about the board elections process, visit us online: cobbemc.com/elections.
Small Change, Big Difference
Cobb EMC has a long-term commitment to helping our community and the environment. Building on this promise, we aim to reduce carbon emissions by 75% and increase our renewable energy portfolio by 200% by 2030. Here are 10 more ways we’re supporting sustainability in our community. 1.
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8. Since inception, the Cobb EMC Foundation has awarded more than $6.5 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.
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Energy efficiency programs: Track your energy use by the day or by the hour with our account management tools. Each year, we partner with the Cobb Heating and Air Association, Gas South and the Cobb County Water System to give one member a Home Energy Efficiency Makeover. Energy audits: Energy audits are free and help you identify where your home could use energy-saving improvements. Events: We offer free energy efficiency seminars, Homeowners’ Association meetings and other events where you can learn ways to save energy and money. Education: Lovinggood Middle School and the Cobb County Safety Village use small-scale solar power generating stations, installed by Cobb EMC and Green Power EMC’s SPARK Energy Education Program, to teach students about renewable energy. Environmental responsibility: Our AMI meters offer two-way communication, resulting in fewer trucks on the road to manually read meters and more clean air throughout our service district. Recyling: We recycle materials from across our campus, including aluminum, copper, steel, plastic, wood poles, construction debris, cardboard, lamps, ballasts, retired meters, load management switches, computers and more to help keep landfills clear. Plus, we host events so members can recycle electronics and dispose of documents in a safe, secure and eco-friendly way. Clean energy: We make it easy for members to support sustainability and solar energy growth in our community with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). Our Green Energy for a Penny program allows you to participate in a clean energy future for just 1 cent per kWh. Sustainable operations: Cobb EMC is one of the first electric co-ops in the nation to install an on-site solar and battery storage system to help power our operations and contribute to a greener grid. We also offer an EV charging station on-site for our members, employees and fleet EVs. Solar Flower Garden: Our Solar Flower Garden is a gathering place for our community that offers educational opportunities, events and EV charging. And, it’s free to visit! Diverse energy portfolio: Cobb EMC’s diverse energy mix includes renewable sources to power your home or business. On a sunny afternoon, as much as 30% of our power can come from solar. Our focus on affordable, renewable energy options helps support rate stability and favorably positions our co-op for future environmental regulations.
Learn more about our efforts at cobbemc.com/sustainability.
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CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | MARCH 2022
THE PROOF IS IN THE POWER
BRIGHTENING OUR COMMUNITY Cobb EMC employees collected business clothing for the MUST Ministries workforce development team, which helps MUST clients have a second chance at stable careers. Plus, employees donated and collected diapers and coats for MUST and other local organizations. Learn more at cobbemc.com/ community.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Cobb EMC employees partnered with foster care agencies, Title 1 schools and LiveSafe Resources to support more than 200 children through donations of gifts, gift cards and our annual Shop with a Lineman event. Learn more at cobbemc.com/ community.
GIFTS FOR LOCAL CHILDREN
#1
IN THE NATION FOR RESTORING OUTAGES QUICKLY
#2
IN THE NATION FOR RELIABILITY
TOP 10 IN THE STATE FOR LOW RATES
LEADERSHIP Kevan Espy, President & CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cobb EMC and Gas South, in partnership with Cobb Water and the Cobb Heating and Air Conditioning Association, awarded a local family with a Home Energy Efficiency Makeover to help their household save on energy-related expenses.
David Tennant, Chairman Rudy Underwood, Vice Chairman Kelly Bodner, Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Boyd Eric Broadwell Edward Crowell David McClellan Tripper Sharp Malcolm Swanson
Learn more at cobbemc.com/makeover.
HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY MAKEOVER
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CONTACT US Phone: 770.429.2100 Pay by phone: 1.855.730.8714 Web: cobbemc.com
CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | MARCH 2022
FIVE TIPS FOR SPRING CLEANING AND ENERGY SAVINGS
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There are several easy ways to save energy, but if you’re willing to take a hands-on approach, here’s an easy project you can do now to start saving: seal air leaks. One of the best ways to seal air leaks is to weatherstrip exterior doors, which can keep out drafts and help you control energy costs.
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cobbemc.com/save
Sign up for paperless billing and manage your electric account online or from the Cobb EMC app. Did we mention it’s free? You can also pay your bill, monitor energy use and, best of all, you can say goodbye to envelopes and costly stamps! Simplify bill paying even more when you enroll in AutoPay. With AutoPay, your bill will be paid automatically from your bank account or credit/debit card. cobbemc.com/myaccount
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The average American family spends $2,000 annually on energy bills, but unfortunately, much of that money is wasted through air leaks in the home. Applying caulk around windows, doors, electrical wiring and plumbing can save energy and money.
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cobbemc.com/save
Routinely replace or clean your air conditioner and heating system filters. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter can reduce energy costs and prevent potential damage to your system. Cobb EMC offers a yearly tuneup to help you keep your HVAC system operating at peak performance. cobbemc.com/tuneup
5 SAVE WITH A REBATE Get a $50 discount on your next HVAC tuneup when you use one of our participating contractors. The Cobb EMC HVAC Tuneup program begins March 1 and will remain available while supplies last. Request your $50 savings voucher at cobbemc.com/tuneup.
SAVE ON AN HVAC TUNEUP
$50
To request an HVAC tuneup rebate voucher and participate in the tuneup program, go to cobbemc.com/tuneup.
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CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | MARCH 2022
INTRODUCING OUR NEW WEBSITE
Smarter than the average security.
We’ve been spring cleaning behind the scenes to improve your browsing experience at cobbemc.com. Our new and improved website offers you a fresh look plus more thumb-friendly scrolling convenience.
Alarm Monitoring from $16.95 per month. No Contract Required
PER MONTH
Quick access to your account: Sign in directly from the home page. Looking for more? Our redesigned menus will help you find the information you need, whether you’re on a desktop computer, tablet or cell phone. Most likely you’ll see what you need right on our homepage – important notifications, outage center, energy savings and quick links.
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A Jackson/Walton/GreyStone EMC Company MARKETING PARTNER:
We’re better together. Cobb EMC members can save big on natural gas with Gas South. Sign up today to enjoy these member benefits: • A permanent discount • No deposit • Waived connection fee • Additional savings in bill credits Plus, you’ll know your choice is making a difference because, along with Cobb EMC, we’re making the world a better place. We give 5% of profits to support children in need, and we’ve committed to investing $50 million to solar projects by the end of 2023. Experience the Gas South difference. Sign up and start saving today.
Visit: GasSouth.com/cobb Call: 855.802.2766 Promo Code: 450