2021 November Member Newsletter

CONNECTIONS

The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | NOVEMBER 2021

UPCOMING EVENTS Powering On webinar Join us Nov. 10 to learn how Cobb EMC works to provide reliable service, steps we take to restore power and tips on how you can prepare for outages.

Register at cobbemc.com/events.

Office closing Cobb EMC will be closed Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 for Thanksgiving.

Employees are always on call for emergencies. To report an outage by phone, call 770-429-2100.

You can also report an outage online at cobbemc.com/outage or with the Cobb EMC app.

COBB EMC SEEKS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS The Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program is actively seeking local area high school junior applicants for an opportunity to win scholarships and develop leadership and networking skills. The program gives students a chance to learn about the cooperative while making connections with other students.

“The Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program, now in its fourth year, is a unique opportunity for our younger members,” says Mark Justice, director of education and community relations at Cobb EMC. “Students can network and gain skills to become better equipped for tomorrow’s leadership roles.”

The Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program is the only program of its kind in Georgia, awarding local students a $1,500, $1,000 or $500 scholarship.

Students also have an opportunity to interview for a paid summer internship with Cobb EMC. Eligible high school juniors can apply by completing an application and writing an essay describing the Seven Cooperative Principles.

Students can apply and view eligibility requirements and important deadlines by visiting cobbemc.com/youthprogram.

Applications must be submitted

by October 21, 2021, and applicants must live in a primary residence served by Cobb EMC.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COBB EMC’S YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AND OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS: cobbemc.com/youthprogram cobbemc.com/scholarships

Small change, big difference Since inception, the Cobb EMC Foundation has awarded more than $6 million to local charities and nonprofits. Thank you to members who round up their bills each month through Operation Round Up. Visit cobbemc.com/foundation for a full list of recipients or to learn how to request funding.

2020-2021 Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program participants.

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CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | NOVEMBER 2021

THE PROOF IS IN THE POWER

SMARTER, CLEANER POWER FOR YOUR HOME Cobb EMC is ranked first in the nation for restoring outages quickly and second in the nation for providing reliable power according to the IEEE. That’s due in part to our investment in renewable energy and sustainable technology. We have increased the amount of clean energy in our diverse energy portfolio through smart management of renewable resources. This allows us to deliver reliable power at the affordable rates our members have come to expect. Plus, we’re using technology and trimming trees to make your electric experience even better.

System Upgrades One of the most important things we do to provide reliable electricity is maintaining and updating our infrastructure. This can include changing out old poles, building new substations or replacing worn wires.

Our teams work strategically to keep our infrastructure up to date so you have power you can rely on.

Smart Technology Cobb EMC uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver reliable electricity.

Our electric grid is backed by smart technology and uses intelligent devices to keep your lights on. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology allows our power control team to monitor the electrical system from our campus 24/7, 365 days a year. When a meter on our system loses power, we’re immediately notified. In many cases, we are able to diagnose the problem and reconnect service quickly without sending a crew. Each of Cobb EMC’s more than 192 distribution circuits is tied in with others so, if necessary, power can be delivered from an adjoining circuit. This smart technology helps us keep your lights on, even when a problem arises.

Tree Trimming Many of the power outages in our service area are tree-related. Trees and limbs falling on overhead lines often cause blinks and power outages.

We try to prevent this type of outage by proactively trimming trees along our power lines. Maintaining this area reduces outages but is also necessary to eliminate safety hazards for our crews and the public.

To learn more, visit cobbemc.com/smartgrid.

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#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 David Tennant, Chairman Rudy Underwood, Vice Chairman Kelly Bodner, Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Boyd Eric Broadwell Edward Crowell David McClellan Tripper Sharp 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 2021

USE LESS ENERGY WHILE COOKING It’s not unusual for home energy bills to spike around the holidays. Below are a few tips to keep that from happening: 1. Right-size your turkey. Buy one that’s just big enough to feed your family. Smaller turkeys cook quicker, which saves energy.

2. Don’t preheat your oven. It’s not necessary for a turkey, which is going to roast for several hours.

3. When baking side dishes, put them all in the oven at the same time, if their baking temperatures are similar.

4. Turn down the temperature on your home’s thermostat by a few degrees once you start cooking. You’ll be heating up the kitchen as you use the oven and stove, so your home will be warmer than usual.

From the Cobb EMC family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season. For year-round energy savings tips, visit cobbemc.com/save.

BRIGHTENING OUR COMMUNITY

LOCAL FAMILY WINS HOME ENERGY MAKEOVER

FLAMINGOS FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

LINEMEN RESTORE POWER IN LOUISIANA

Congratulations to the Moss family for being chosen as this year’s Home Energy Efficiency Makeover winners. With help from our partners at Gas South, Cobb Heating and Air Association and Cobb Water System, they received new energyefficient appliances, a furnace, low-flow faucets, a bill credit from Cobb EMC and two years of natural gas from Gas South.

Each October, Cobb EMC, the YMCA and Northside Hospital partner to flock the yards of our community with small armies of flamingos for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Anyone in the community can surprise a friend and send one of the flocks to their lawn through the Flock the Yard initiative. All donations support the YMCA’s Breast Cancer Survivors Program and Cancer Support Community Atlanta.

In September, Cobb EMC sent crews to DEMCO electric co-op in Louisiana to assist with power outages caused by Hurricane Ida. Crews spent more than a week working to help restore power to thousands of homes. Mutual Aid is one way we exemplify the seven cooperative principles — helping co-ops out when it’s needed most.

Learn more about the Home Energy Efficiency Makeover at cobbemc.com/makeover.

For more information go to cobbemc.com/pinkpower.

Learn more about the cooperative principles at cobbemc.com/about.

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HERE TO POWER YOUR HOLIDAYS At Cobb EMC, we have only one thing in mind: powering homes safely, reliably and at the best possible price. We’re always in the background, and we’re here when you need us, powering your lives 24/7.

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