JANUARY 2016 | BILL INSERT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: • A look back at an outstanding year for your co-op • Prepare for winter storms • Empty wallet? Energy efficiency tips to help out • Scholarship deadlines approaching
Happy New Year from Cobb EMC! We have much to celebrate as we embark on a new year rich with opportunity. But first, let’s reflect on our 2015 milestones.
2nd lowest rates
$18 million in savings
We lowered your electric bills in 2015 by returning more than $ 18 million in Wholesale Power Adjustments. These savings were passed along on your bills.
Solar energy Cobb EMC launched a new program that allows members to participate in solar energy production. Our Cooperative Solar program eliminates the expense of purchasing and maintaining a solar energy system.
Our rates rank 2nd lowest among 41 EMCs and 4th lowest among all electric utilities in the state of Georgia at the 1,000 kWh use level according to the latest Georgia Public Service Commission Residential Rate Survey.
$1.3 million donated
The Cobb EMC Community Foundation reached a milestone of giving more than $1.3 million. The donations have helped to support over a hundred local charitable organizations and educational projects through Operation Round Up®.
$70,000 in scholarships
We’re proud to help our members pursue the dream of a college education. In 2015, the Cobb EMC Community Foundation awarded 14 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each.
BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF MEMBERSHIP Students, don’t miss this opportunity! Cobb EMC is proud to offer three scholarship opportunities for the youth in our community to further their education. Applications for these scholarships are now available on our website and the deadlines are quickly approaching. Visit www.cobbemc.com/scholarships to learn more.
Cobb EMC Community Foundation Scholarship Deadline: March 11, 2016 Amount: 14 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each
Washington Youth Tour
Walton Harrison Scholarship
Deadline: Feb. 25, 2016 Amount: $1,500, $1,000 or $500
Deadline: Feb. 5, 2016 Amount: $1,000
BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF COMMUNITY Your spare change makes a difference! Through Operation Round Up®, our members have contributed more than $1.3 million to charities in our community. Find a full list of recipients at www.cobbemc.com/roundup. December 2015 donations • Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding Inc. • The Dave Krache Foundation • The Laona M. Kitchen Foundation Inc. • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) • Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center Inc. • Special Olympics Georgia
• Celebrate Life International • Center for Children & Young Adults • Cherokee Child Advocacy Council Inc. • SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center Inc. • Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia • Atlanta Dream Center Inc.
BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF SAFETY Be prepared for winter storms Heavy snow and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without power, or stranded on the roads. When temperatures are extremely low, this can be dangerous. During a power outage, our crews will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself in case you are stranded in your car or experience a power outage at home. Stay safe in your car Roadside flares, a first-aid kit, a blanket, an ice scraper and jumper cables are good items to keep in your car in case you are stranded. You can also add granola bars, bottled water and a roll of paper towels.
Stay fed at home Crackers, cereal, canned goods and bread are good options to keep in your home in case of a winter storm. Five gallons of water per person should also be available in the event of an extended power outage.
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BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF ENERGY Short on money after the holidays? Who knew conserving water and electricity can help your wallet after purchasing all those holiday gifts! Keep electricity from going down the drain Water use and electricity go hand in hand. Heating water can account for 14 percent to 25 percent of the total energy consumed in a typical home. See below for a few surprisingly simple techniques for trimming water use and lowering water heating costs.
Save $1 per month
Save up to 10 gallons of hot water.
Save between 5 to 10 gallons per shower.
Reduce hot water consumption significantly by simply repairing leaks in fixtures, faucets and showerheads or pipes. A leak of one drip per second can cost $1 per month.
Use the cold-water wash-cycle on your washing machine. Modern soaps do a great job of cleaning clothes without hot water, and you’ll save up to 10 gallons of hot water per cycle.
Install low-flow showerheads for a savings of 5 to 10 gallons per shower.
Keep track of your energy use Download the SmartHub® app to manage all aspects of your Cobb EMC account with your phone or tablet. The SmartHub app is available for iPhone and Android users. Simply search for SmartHub or NISC and download at no cost. Enter your profile information and choose Cobb EMC as your electric provider. With the app you’ll have access to: • Pay your bill • Report an outage • View your electric usage • View member-related events • Important notifications Visit www.cobbemc.com/aboutsmarthub to find out more.
Don’t miss out in 2016 Sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on your co-op’s latest news in 2016: • Educational seminars • Scholarships • Annual Meeting www.cobbemc.com/e-newsletters
Office hours Our offices will be closed Monday, January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Employees are always standing by for emergencies. Please call our automated outage system at 770-429-2100 in the event of an outage.
SAVE MORE WITH CO-OP CONNECTIONS : ® ®
As a member of Cobb EMC you are connected to valuable discounts through your Co-op Connections® Card, including discounts from local participating businesses. Find out more at www.cobbemc.com/ discounts.
Home Services
Automotive
2 Hip Chicks Designs www.2hipchicksdesigns.com
Auto Cool Inc. www.autocool.biz
All American Decorative Concrete www.aadecorativeconcrete.com
Autossey Automotive www.autossey.com
Decorator’s Decision Inc. www.decoratorsdecisioninc.com
Kams Auto Service Center www.kamsauto.com
Guso Janitorial Services LLC www.gusojanitorial.org
Kennesaw Auto Center www.kennesawautocenter.com
Kay P. Morgan, High Caliber Realty www.kaypmorgan.com
NAPA’s Premier Service Center www.premierservicecenter.com
SafePath Security www.safepathsecurity.com
Southern Imports Automotive Inc. www.southernimportsautoinc.com
Southern Remodeling www.southernremodeling.net Sundial Plumbing www.sundialplumbing.com The Garage Dude www.thegaragedude.com Walton Communities www.waltoncommunities.com
Stay informed with our Outage and Storm Center Cobb EMC works year-round to make sure we’re ready to respond to outages. When severe weather is predicted, our trucks are stocked and our crews are ready to mobilize if an outage occurs. Back at headquarters, our Power Control Center team monitors our system 24/7, so if your power goes out, we can start working immediately to get you back up and running. Visit www.cobbemc.com/outagecenter for the following:
Contact us www.cobbemc.com Email: memberservices@cobbemc.com Phone: 770-429-2100 Fax: 678-355-3330 In person: 1000 EMC Parkway Marietta, GA 30060
cobbemc.com
Walk-in hours: Monday - Friday
(8 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
View current outages
Drive-through hours: Monday - Friday (7 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
Storm preparation tips
Member Care Center hours: Monday - Friday (7 a.m. - 6 p.m.) Saturday (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Express Pay drop box is available for non-cash payments 24/7
Report an outage Mark your calendar For 24/7 power outage reporting, call (770)429-2100.
Open board meeting Where: 1000 EMC Parkway JAN Marietta, GA 30060 26 When: Jan. 26 at 4 p.m.