Chairman and CEO Message
As your community partner and energy provider, Cobb EMC remains dedicated to delivering reliable power, affordable rates, and innovative, sustainable energy solutions while making a positive impact on our community. Our unwavering commitment is reflected in our achievements and initiatives throughout 2023 and 2024.
Power You Can Rely On
Delivering reliable power is our top priority, and we continuously strive to achieve this goal. We work to enhance our infrastructure, trim miles of right-of-way and regularly review our disaster response plans to efficiently restore power after unpredictable events.
When outages do occur, our line crews work to assess damage, determine the cause of the outage and restore power to all members impacted safely and efficiently. This year, we inspected miles of power lines by
incorporating drone technology to help maintain the integrity of our infrastructure and proactively address any potential issues. Our outage notification tools kept members informed with real-time updates on estimated restoration times and status.
These efforts have earned Cobb EMC the national #1 ranking for both restoring outages quickly and delivering reliable power* — an achievement we are immensely proud of.
Our Commitment to Low Rates and Exceptional Value
For two consecutive years, Cobb EMC has held the title of Georgia’s #1 lowest rates in the state among all 94 electric utilities.** Our members enjoy $430 in annual savings when compared to other electric bills in Georgia. This achievement stems from our commitment to lowering costs for our members, which includes strategically collaborating with wholesale power providers to secure the most competitive rates available.
From left: Kevan Espy, President and CEO, and Rudy Underwood, Board Chairman
Georgia’sLowestRates TwoYears Running ** #1
Since 2013, we have returned nearly $61 million to our members through Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment (WPA) credits that appear on your bill, as well as $43.9 million in capital credits since 2021. Plus, our partnership with Gas South helps keep Cobb EMC strong by returning its profits to Cobb EMC, which helps keep electric rates low and reliability solid. Together we save you money. All these efforts demonstrate our dedication to providing exceptional value without compromising on reliability or service.
Your Clean Energy Partner
Cobb EMC is committed to a sustainable and clean energy future. In 2023, we made significant strides by expanding our solar energy capacity to nearly 200 MWAC, integrating even more electric vehicles into our fleet and hosting six free events to educate community members on the benefits of clean energy.
Since its inception, our on-campus clean energy microgrid has generated 8,689,340 kWh using a combination of sustainable energy sources to effectively help power our business. This microgrid not only supports our operations but also provides insights on the impact of renewable energy and cost reduction strategies. These ongoing efforts underscore our goal to reduce carbon emissions by 75% and increase our renewable energy portfolio by 200% by the year 2030. Through these initiatives, we are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future for our community.
As we look ahead, our commitment to delivering reliable, affordable power remains steadfast. Equally important is our dedication to enriching the communities we serve. Through extensive support for local nonprofits and diverse community programs, we strive to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our members. We are proud to serve you and look forward to continuing this journey together, ensuring your energy needs and our community’s well-being are met with excellence.
Kevan Espy President and CEO
Rudy Underwood Board Chairman
*According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ 2023 benchmark year study results. **Among all 94 electric utilities, according to the Public Service Commission 2023 and 2024 Residential Rate surveys.
Nationally
Power You Can Rely On
Reliability is more than just a goal at Cobb EMC – it’s a commitment. We recognize that dependable power is essential to keep your life running smoothly and efficiently. Here’s how we’re turning this commitment into reality:
Striving for Uninterrupted Power
Investments in our infrastructure and smart grid technology help us prevent outages and restore power to as many members as quickly as possible in the event of an outage. Our auto-recovery system ties our more than 200 distribution circuits together, improving response time and ensuring that power can be delivered. Since 2006, we’ve leveraged this technology to restore power in less than 5 minutes to more than 800,000 members cumulatively.
Right-of-Way Maintenance
Every year, we proactively trim 400 miles of rightof-way to ensure that branches stay clear of power lines. This maintenance significantly reduces the likelihood of interruptions, ensuring that our
Harnessing Drone Technology
We’ve adopted cutting-edge drone technology to enhance our service capabilities. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) enabled us to inspect approximately 900 miles of power lines swiftly and cost-effectively. This technology allows us to proactively address any potential issues throughout our infrastructure.
Cobb
Stay Informed With Outage Alerts
Our primary goal is to ensure you always have power. Should an outage occur, our comprehensive outage notification tools keep you informed every step of the way. Members can opt to receive text alerts, email notifications and voice messages to stay updated.
Learn more at cobbemc.com/outagealerts.
Update your outage notification preferences
Should you experience an outage, our outage map provides members with at least six key points of information, including:
+ Estimated time of restoration (ETR)
+ Outage/crew status
+ Cause of outage
+ Time outage began
+ Current weather
+ Area impacted by outage
+ Number of active outages and more!
Reasons
for Power
Outages
and How We Respond
Wildlife
We have installed various types of animal protection and deterrent equipment, such as squirrel guards, to minimize disruptions caused by wildlife.
Trees Outside Our Right-of-Way
We proactively identify hazards using drone and satellite technology and trim trees within our right-of-way (ROW) to prevent outages. Trees outside of our ROW can present a threat to our lines.
*According
High Winds
We work 24/7/365 to prepare for major weather events and provide a resilient electrical distribution system. However, high winds can still cause power lines to go down. When this happens, we work to restore power safely and quickly.
An example of
outage map showing two outage issues
Committed to Low Rates and Exceptional Value
At Cobb EMC, we are dedicated to delivering the lowest rates possible to our members. Recognized as having Georgia’s #1 lowest rates in the state among all 94 electric utilities for two consecutive years,* we achieve this through strategic initiatives, innovative solutions and valuable partnerships. Our planning and financial management involve working strategically with wholesale power providers to secure competitive rates now and in the future.
Our commitment means that our members enjoy the lowest rates in the state without compromising reliability or service.
Five Rate Options to Meet Your Customized Needs
We offer a variety of rate plans tailored to different energy use priorities and needs. Using our Rate Selection Tool, you can prioritize your energy goals, such as conserving power, saving money, enjoying consistent monthly bills and much more. Learn more at cobbemc.com/rates.
Discover which rate plan works best for you
$61 MILLION $43.9 MILLION
Dollars returned to members since 2013 through Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment (WPA) credits
Dollars back in capital credits to members since 2021
Gas South Partnership Saves You Money
Gas South, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, offers you big savings. In addition to a permanent discount just for members, Gas South helps keep Cobb EMC strong by returning its profits to Cobb EMC, which helps keep electric rates low and reliability solid. Together we save you money.
As Georgia’s highest-rated natural gas company, Gas South provides natural gas service to nearly 500,000 residential, business and government customers throughout the Southeast. Their Be A Fuel For Good® initiative gives back 5% of profits to support children in need, reinforcing our shared commitment to community well-being.
Save Even More
We’re committed to providing our members with exceptional value. That’s why we’ve partnered with Gas South to offer exclusive savings and benefits for your natural gas needs.
As a Cobb EMC member, you can enjoy the following perks when you choose Gas South:
+ Pay no deposit for natural gas service
+ No connection fee
+ Permanent rate discounts
+ Gas South bill credits for enrolling online
Making a Difference Together
At Cobb EMC, we believe in the power of community. Our employees regularly volunteer their time with local nonprofits by sharing their expertise, serving in leadership roles and mentoring students. We are your neighbor, your co-op and your community partner, dedicated to powering your lives and lighting up our community.
Literacy Week Inspires Young Minds
In 2023, our Literacy Week initiative reached 19,000 students, allowing them to interact with authors and foster a love for reading. Over its 13-year history, Literacy Week has impacted more than 200,000 students!
Supporting Educators with Mini-Grants
In 2024, Cobb EMC awarded $28,000 in mini-grants to 61 teachers, providing them with resources to enhance their classroom experiences. These grants support innovative teaching methods and educational projects that benefit our local schools.
Packing summer lunches for MUST Ministries
Raising breast cancer awareness through our annual Pink Power Flock the Yard initiative
Our safety mascot, Wattson
Our interactive Electric Avenue demonstration educates students on electrical safety.
Literacy Week inspires over 19,000 local students in our five-county service area to develop lifelong reading habits.
Our annual mini-grants fund a variety of classroom learning projects.
Empowering the Workforce of the Future
Cobb EMC is proud to support future linemen through partnerships with Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) and Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy (CITA). We relocated a training yard at GNTC and are building a new one at CITA to equip future linemen with essential skills for safety and success.
We Believe Neighbors Deserve to Be Treated Neighborly
We’re dedicated to supporting Georgia communities and co-ops in need. In 2023, we provided mutual aid to six co-ops: Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, Carroll EMC, Excelsior EMC, Three Notch EMC, TriState EMC and Pennyrile Electric. This collaborative effort highlights our commitment to cooperation and community support, ensuring that no community is left in the dark.
Celebrating 10 Years of Impact
This year, the Cobb EMC Foundation is celebrating 10 years of impact. Since 2013, the Foundation has donated over $9.1 million to benefit more than 1,000 local nonprofits and community programs. The Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of our members and neighbors, today and for years to come.
Learn more at cobbemc.com/foundation.
Small Change Powers Big Change
Through Operation Round Up, participating members round up their monthly bills to the nearest dollar to support the Cobb EMC Foundation. These funds support charitable organizations that serve our five-county service area and have become a powerful force for good. 267
Investing in Education
Cobb EMC, together with the Foundation, has awarded $945,550 in scholarships to 302 students in our community. These scholarships support the educational aspirations of our young members, helping them achieve their academic and career goals.
View the 2023
Cobb EMC Foundation Impact report
Your Clean Energy Partner
Cobb EMC is committed to providing reliable, safe and affordable energy through a diverse long-term power supply mix. Part of this commitment is for a sustainable and clean energy future. Through ongoing research and exploring innovative technologies, we can achieve this goal while maintaining affordable rates and high reliability. In addition to reducing our carbon footprint and adding renewable energy sources, we continue to educate the community about clean
2023-2024 Clean Energy Initiatives and Engagement
+ We significantly expanded our solar energy portfolio to nearly 200 megawatts (MWAC) with solar projects in Jeff Davis and Lee counties.
+ To further reduce emissions, we have integrated 14 electric vehicles (EVs) into our fleet.
+ We hosted six free EV and solar energy events attended by over 6,000 community members to educate our members on the benefits of clean energy options and our mission to support them.
These initiatives are crucial steps toward achieving our 2030 clean energy goals, helping us foster a cleaner, greener tomorrow for our community, all while keeping our rates low.
2030 Clean Energy Goals
Innovative Tools and Resources
We are dedicated to finding ways to bring innovative energy resources and inform our members about renewable energy options. To empower our members with the knowledge and tools to adopt renewable energy, we have introduced several innovative resources:
Solar Rooftop Assessment Calculator
Available on our website, this tool helps you determine if solar panels are a good fit for your home, helps you estimate costs, shows when you will achieve a return on investment and helps you find reputable contractors.
Renewable Energy Dashboard
Our new dashboard showcases how we power our campus with 1.5 MW of rooftop solar, a solar canopy, a solar flower garden, battery storage and a natural gas generator. Cobb EMC’s microgrid provides crucial data on the benefits of renewable energy and its potential to reduce costs, as well as insights for large-scale solar and battery projects.
View real-time usage updates. Use the calculator!
8,989,952 kWh
Total energy generated by Cobb EMC’s microgrid since inception*
Avoiding Solar Scams
Every year, many people report being scammed by false promises of $0 power bills after spending thousands on solar installations. To educate and protect our members, we created this video series on how to avoid these scams.
Board of Directors
Each candidate submits his or her own unedited bio for consideration.
Rudy Underwood
District 2 Candidate
With over 30 years of experience in public affairs, policy, and relations for membership-based organizations, Rudy Underwood is a seasoned leader. As Chair of Cobb EMC Board and past Chair of the Georgia EMC Directors Association, Rudy has demonstrated strategic leadership and organizational management. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public and organizational communications from the University of Georgia. Growing up on a small farm in Middle Georgia, Rudy has been a lifelong beneficiary of electric membership cooperatives. He is dedicated to community service and is actively involved with Burnt Hickory Baptist Church. Rudy and his wife, Carol, have two adult daughters.
Kelly Bodner
District 3 Candidate
Bodner has been in education for the past 29 years and is currently a Title I District Coordinator for Cobb County Schools. She is an advocate for science where she organizes county and statewide science events. She holds a specialist degree from Kennesaw State University in Education Leadership and has served on the Georgia Science Teachers Association board. Bodner has been recognized for her leadership as a Life Safe Women of Achievement and as Georgia’s Science Teacher of the Year. Ms. Bodner has been a Cobb EMC member for 23 years. She lives in Smyrna with her husband and son.
Eric Broadwell
District 9 Candidate
Broadwell’s Cobb EMC board membership began in 2012. He has a diverse background in the fields of aerospace, technology and management consulting and has consulted for the boards of the nation’s largest financial companies. He currently lives on an airport and owns Splash Aero an aircraft maintenance company.
Cobb EMC is regulated by a board of nine directors who are elected from and by the membership. Below are the nominees for director election in 2024. Voting for director elections will take place by mail, email or at the Annual Meeting. Please visit cobbemc.com/annualmeeting for more details.
Cathy Lane District 9 Candidate
Cathy Lane has been a Cherokee County resident and Cobb EMC member for more than three decades. Serving our community as a licensed Realtor since 2006, Cathy was previously elected President of the North Metro Women’s Council of Realtors, and Realtor of the Year in 2014. Growing up as the daughter of an EMC employee, Cathy has a unique understanding of the culture and mission of electric cooperatives. A supporter of Cobb EMC’s initiatives for more than 19 years, she currently serves as Treasurer of the Foundation Board, President of the Women’s Task Force, and member of the Scholarship Committee.
Meet Your Directors
UNDERWOOD
BRYAN BOYD District 8
ERIC BROADWELL Vice-Chairman, District 9
ED CROWELL District 1
TRIPPER SHARP Secretary-Treasurer, District 5
DAVID MCCLELLAN District 4
RUDY
Chairman, District 2
DAVID TENNANT District 6
KELLY BODNER District 3
MALCOLM SWANSON District 7
Financial Highlights and Statistical Profile
Cobb Electric Membership Corporation is a not-forprofit electric membership corporation whose purpose is to provide electric service to its members.
The consolidated financial statements present the financial position and results of operations of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cobb Energy Management Corporation, Gas South LLC and Fiber South Broadband LLC.
McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co. LLC conducted our audits as of December 31, 2023, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America.
The financial information included in this report represents a summary of our consolidated financial condition and operating results. Excerpts of the audited consolidated financial statements are available at cobbemc.com.
TRIPPER SHARP Secretary-Treasurer Cobb EMC Board of Directors
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STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Join Us for the Cobb EMC Member Appreciation Event!
Discover how we’re enhancing your electric service for greater convenience and reliability. Attend our member appreciation event and be part of the conversation about our community’s future.
BONUS: Members who attend and register in person by 9:30 a.m. will receive 4 North Georgia State Fair tickets.
Can’t make it in person? No problem! Watch the business meeting online to stay informed about your co-op’s latest developments.
Saturday, Sept. 14
8 - 11:30 a.m.
Jim R. Miller Park
8 - 9:30 a.m. - Member registration
8:30 a.m. - Candidate speeches (In person and via Zoom)
9:30 a.m. - Business meeting (In person and via Zoom)
Use this link or the QR Code below for more info: cobbemc.com/annualmeeting
