November 2024 Connections Newsletter by Cobb EMC

CONNECTIONS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Offices will be closed on Nov. 28 and 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Join us Dec. 3 for our annual Holiday Lights Kickoff event at Cobb EMC from 6-8 p.m. Enjoy holiday cookies, s’mores, write letters to Santa Claus and have a free, professional photo taken with Santa.

cobbemc.com/Holiday

Small Change, Big Difference

Since inception, the Cobb EMC Foundation has awarded more than $9.3 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

As November kicks off, it’s hard to believe we’ll soon be gathering with family and friends to celebrate the holiday season. This festive time of year brings joy and warmth, but as the weather gets cooler and we spend more time indoors, the holidays can also bring increased energy use and a higher risk for electrical and fire hazards.

As your electric co-op, Cobb EMC cares about your well-being. This month, we’d like to share a few practical tips to help you stay safe and efficient during the holiday season:

Efficiency & Safety

Decorate with LED holiday lights. LEDs are the most energyefficient lighting options available, and they last much longer than traditional bulbs. You can also choose to cook with smaller countertop appliances to consume a fraction of the energy used to heat the oven, creating the perfect recipe for energy savings.

Since heating and cooling makes up the majority of home energy consumption, the thermostat is one of the best places for savings. Lower it a few degrees, especially when you have family or friends stopping by. Good company brings additional warmth to your home. 68

While festive, candles can create fire hazards and should never be left unattended. One of the best and easiest ways to safeguard your home is to test smoke alarms often. Testing smoke alarms only takes a few seconds and can save lives, so make it a habit.

Before decking the halls, check electrical cords and light strands to make sure they are not frayed or damaged. You can also double-check the lights you use outside to make sure they are rated for outdoor use.

IN OUR COMMUNITY

Throughout the year, Cobb EMC and its employees are committed to supporting the community where we live and work to make a positive and lasting impact. As we begin this year’s holiday season, we reﬂect on all the initiatives that we have embarked on in 2024 to promote commmunity giving, educational goals for our young members, support awareness for early cancer detection and more.

EDUCATION: Cobb EMC Washington Youth Tour delegates and chaperones represented Cobb EMC in Washington, D.C. earlier in the year. The students

experienced a week in our nation’s capital after being selected through the Youth Leadership Program contest, designed to build leadership skills and provide an invaluable experience through various program days. The students also compete to obtain a $1,500, $1,000 or $500 scholarship. cobbemc.com/Scholarships

Cobb EMC and Gas South sponsored the Cherokee County Science Olympiad, including the Regional Science & Engineering Fair. More than 525 students from elementary schools throughout the Cherokee County School District competed to test their knowledge and skill in STEM challenges.

The same series of events are sponsored for Cobb County schools. cobbemc.com/Education

AWARENESS: Each October, to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cobb EMC and Northside Hospital partner to flock the yards of our community with a small army of flamingos. Early detection is the key for all cancers, and we hope that our light-hearted flamingos can serve as a reminder to make that appointment. cobbemc.com/PinkPower

Washington Youth Tour delegates and chaperones Cherokee County Science Olympiads

SAFETY: The Georgia Engineering and Technology Education Association toured the Cobb EMC campus to see our renewable energy projects, while learning about EVs and lineworker safety with our “hot line” demonstration. cobbemc.com/ Safety

COMMUNITY: Cobb EMC employees packed over 500 meals with MUST Ministries to help feed local children who need it most during the summer months when school is out. The meal packets included breakfast and lunch for five days. Employees also supported Cobb Diaper Day in October to collect more than 100,000

diapers for local organizations that serve members in need within our service area.

Over the upcoming winter months, Cobb EMC and its employees also support a coat collection to bring more than 1,200 new coats to help children in need within the Cobb County and Marietta City School Systems.

Our community is at the heart of what we do. We’re working for you, and we are more than your electric cooperative: We’re your neighbor. Learn more about our community initiatives at cobbemc.com/ Community

Georgia Engineering and Technology Education Association at Cobb EMC

Employees pack lunches for MUST Ministries

WORKING FOR YOU: MONEY BACK, LOWEST ELECTRIC RATES AND RELIABLE POWER

As your local electric cooperative, we continue to work to deliver value beyond electricity for all our members. This means keeping our rates affordable, your power on and supporting our local community as your neighbor.

Since 2013, Cobb EMC has given $65 million back to members in the form of a Wholesale Power Adjustment (WPA) credit on electric bills. When we save money, we return those savings back to you. This year, our board also voted to return $13.9 million in excess revenue - known as capital credits - to members who received electric service from Cobb EMC in 2020 and/or 2021.

We are also proud to rank #1 in the nation for providing reliable power for the second year in a row and #1 in the state for lowest electric rates among all 94 electric utilities. Our dedicated employees continue to work hard to maintain and improve our infrastructure, as well as secure future power needs and operate efficiently for the benefit of our members.

2025 Cobb EMC Foundation Scholarship

The Cobb EMC Foundation Scholarship awards 14 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each to eligible students with a primary residence served by Cobb EMC. There are two types of scholarships available: College/University and Vocational/Technical College. The application deadline for 2025 is Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. cobbemc.com/Scholarships

Claim your special member discounts on natural gas now!

You get exclusive natural gas discounts as a Cobb EMC member when you join Gas South, Georgia’s highest-rated provider. Easily join in only minutes to enjoy:

• A 2¢-per-therm permanent discount*

• $50 in bill credits

• No deposit and no connection fee

Visit: GasSouth.link/cobb-savings

Use Promo Code: COBB

*Conditions apply. See website for details.