CONNECTIONS
The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | NOVEMBER 2022
Working for you! At Cobb EMC, we are doing everything possible to keep your electricity affordable while balancing your expectation of reliable, safe service and keeping the business financially strong on behalf of all members. In fact, we’re ranked 1st in the nation for restoring outages quickly and 2nd in the nation for providing reliable power, according to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Our rates have been among the five lowest in the state since 2014, compared to 94 utilities for households using 1,000 kWh, according to the Public Service Commission. cobbemc.com/workingforyou
Small change, big difference Since its inception, the Cobb EMC Foundation has contributed donations totaling more than $7.3 million to local charities and nonprofits. Thank you to members who round up their bill every month through Operation Round Up. For a full list of recipients or to learn how to request funding, visit cobbemc.com/foundation.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT At Cobb EMC, we invest in economic development within the communities we serve to help our five-county service area grow and prosper. Our commercial team actively works with local and state agencies to attract businesses and show them the benefits of running their company in our community. These efforts help create jobs for the members and communities Cobb EMC serves in Bartow, Cobb, Cherokee, Fulton and Paulding counties. New businesses with a connected load of more than 900 kilowatts have a choice in their electric service provider. TK Elevator (TKE) recently selected Cobb EMC to provide electric service for their new headquarters at the Battery Atlanta. TKE initiatives include efforts to achieve 100% renewable energy purchased over the next five years, carbon reduction of 53% by 2030 and employing more than 900 high-paying jobs in Cobb County — contributing to the economic growth and development of our service area. We partner with Georgia EMC to offer economic development and community support throughout our five-county service area. Our involvement in these programs
provides invaluable experience to new commercial businesses. Cobb EMC employees actively participate in local chambers of commerce to recruit, retain and grow businesses in our area. Employees also serve in leadership roles in the Cobb Chamber’s SelectCobb program and the Cherokee Office of Economic Development’s Cherokee by Choice program. Since 2012, SelectCobb has helped create more than 42,000 jobs and invested more than $5.7 billion in our community. Cherokee by Choice has invested $157.7 million and 621 jobs in our community over the past two years. At Cobb EMC, we provide both small commercial and large power members of all industries with the most technologically advanced products and services available. Our 24/7 Power Control Center, personalized service and customized rate structures deliver economical, reliable service to your business. For more details and to see if your commercial project qualifies for customer choice, contact Mark Goddard on the Commercial Marketing team at: CommercialMarketing@cobbemc.com. Visit cobbemc.com/grow to learn more about our economic development efforts.
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CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | NOVEMBER 2022
THE PROOF
IS IN THE POWER
1st
IS YOUR FRIDGE READY FOR THANKSGIVING? Food is a staple for your family’s Thanksgiving celebration. If the party is at your house this year, consider how stuffed your refrigerator will be. If your fridge is more than a decade old, it might not be up to the task. Today’s models bearing the ENERGY STAR label use at least 15% less energy than federal requirements and 40% less than models manufactured in the 2000s, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
in the nation for restoring outages
2nd
in the nation for reliable power
3rd
in the state for low rates
When shopping for a new refrigerator or freezer, consider the yellow Energy Guide label. This will show how many kilowatt-hours of electricity will be used over the lifetime of an appliance. Look for a fridge with the freezer on top or bottom because side-by-side models consume more energy. Follow these tips to make your fridge more efficient: Brush or vacuum your refrigerator’s coils regularly to improve efficiency by as much as 30%.
LEADERSHIP
Keep your refrigerator full to help retain cold. If you have trouble keeping it stocked, fill extra space with bottles of water.
Kevan Espy, President & CEO
If your milk is frosty, reduce the temperature. Refrigerators should be set between 36 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezers should stay between zero and 5 degrees.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Take your home to the next level with energy-saving and smart technology improvements through Cobb EMC’s Energy Network. You can receive up to $500 toward qualifying energy-efficient improvements for your home. The Energy Network offers an incentive to help you purchase and install energy improvements in your home. In return, you join Cobb EMC’s Energy Network, where you will share information about your energy-saving experiences via focus groups, surveys, webinars and more. Give your home the energy-efficient upgrade it deserves with an incentive from the Energy Network. Get started at cobbemc.com/energynetwork.
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David Tennant, Chairman Rudy Underwood, Vice Chairman Tripper Sharp, Secretary-Treasurer Kelly Bodner Bryan Boyd Eric Broadwell Edward Crowell David McClellan Malcolm Swanson
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 | NOVEMBER 2022
BRIGHTENING OUR COMMUNITY Cobb EMC employees packed over 500 meals for the MUST Ministries summer meal donation. During two additional events for MUST Ministries, Cobb EMC employees handed out energy efficiency kits which include two LED lights, two smart sockets and one LED mini lantern nightlight to more than 500 participants. cobbemc.com/community
VOLTS OF JOY FOSTERING THE FUTURE Cobb EMC supports local colleges and high schools with internship opportunities to grow our community. This year, Cobb EMC awarded $83,300 in scholarships, including two Positive Energy Award Scholarships and 14 Foundation Scholarships. Cobb EMC awarded $11,300 in Youth Leadership Program Scholarships for high school juniors. Foundation Scholarship applications are open until Feb. 24, 2023. To find out more about qualifications and submission requirements, visit us at cobbemc.com/scholarships.
Cobb EMC donated a trunk full of school supplies to Powers Ferry Elementary School. Supplies were donated by Cobb EMC employees. Cobb EMC employees also donated to a book drive and filled Little Free Libraries around Cobb County. Learn more about our community efforts at cobbemc.com/voltsofjoy.
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION Cobb EMC partners with 149 local schools to provide education for youth. During Literacy Week, 15 authors spoke in 50 schools impacting more than 25,000 students. cobbemc.com/community
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CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | NOVEMBER 2022
30% Solar Up to 30% of energy provided is solar powered*
We’re better together Cobb EMC and our subsidiary, Gas South, are Cobb’s most trusted electricity and natural gas providers, serving homes and businesses with competitive rates and creative solutions. We’re providing a bright future for the community with our commitment to giving back and investment in clean energy resources.
5% Back 5% of annual profits given to support children in need**
No. 1 Top market share in Georgia and Florida**
$16+ Million donated to the communities we serve†
Visit: GasSouth.com/cobb Call: 855.802.2766
* Source: Cobb EMC | ** Source: Gas South †$7.3M reported from Cobb EMC and $9M+ from Gas South
Promo Code: 450
Smarter than the average security. Alarm Monitoring from $16.95 per month. No Contract Required
PER MONTH
HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS Holidays are full of reasons to celebrate with your community. Many people decorate with outdoor lights in the fall months. Follow these tips to make your holiday safe: Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged. Use lights as directed that have an independent testing laboratory label. Some are only for indoor or outdoor use — not both.
*
Replace any light strings with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
A Jackson/Walton/GreyStone EMC Company
Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
MARKETING PARTNER:
Visit cobbemc.com/safety for more holiday tips.
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