SEPTEMBER 2016 | BILL INSERT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: • Cobb EMC rates are the lowest in the state. • $2 million has been invested in our local community. • Bringing power to Costa Rica.
Smart Choice
• Peak Conservation Hour season is almost over!
Same Power. Different Hour.
COBB EMC RATES ARE THE LOWEST IN THE STATE! Cobb EMC ranks first when it comes to our rates. According to the 2016 PSC summer ranking, our rates are the lowest in the state among all 94 electric utilities in Georgia. That means Cobb EMC members save approximately $31.66 per month on their summer bills compared to the average electric utility customer.
$91.69*
Win a $25 bill credit Your feedback is very important to us. Help us improve our service by taking a quick survey and you will be entered into a drawing to win one of ten $25 bill credits on your next electric bill. See this month’s survey insert and return the page to us with your payment. You can also take the survey online at www.cobbemc.com/survey.
Take a short quiz about the Smart Choice Rate and you could win another $25 bill credit! www.cobbemc.com/quiz
Mark your calendar Open board meeting Where: 1000 EMC Parkway SEP Marietta, GA 30060 20 When: September 20 at 4 p.m. RSVP: (678) 355-3225 You can also RSVP at: www.cobbemc.com/boardmeeting
$123.35* Electric utility average
$127.34*
Georgia Power
*Monthly bill comparison. The Georgia Public Service Commission summer survey ranks electric providers on rates in effect for the month of July, based on total electric bill amounts of 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 kWh. For more information or to view complete surveys, visit the Georgia Public Service Commission’s website at www.psc.state.ga.us/electric/surveys/residentialrs.asp. All numbers above assume 1000 kWh use and only apply to Cobb EMC members who pay bills on time.
$2 million poured back into our community Thanks to the generosity of our members, the Cobb EMC Community Foundation has invested more than $2 million back into our local communities through Operation Round Up®. See some of the areas and local organizations where you, as a member, have had a direct impact in supporting our community.
EDUCATION • Reinhardt University
• Kennesaw State University • Chattahoochee Tech Foundation
CIVIC • Cobb County Fire Explorers
• Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 13 • United Military Care Inc.
$2M+ ARTS • South Cobb Arts Alliance
• Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art • Booth Western Art Museum
BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF COMMUNITY Cobb EMC linemen empower Costa Rica natives In July, Ian Hansman, and Wesley Thames, both first class linemen – step 2, traveled with the NRECA International Foundation to Central America to provide the residents with access to reliable and affordable electricity. Over the course of 10 days, Hansman and Thames worked with a group of local linemen to build lines to power the homes of almost half a dozen families who did not have electricity. “We had four or five houses on a two mile stretch of road who have never seen power, never been around it and never had it in their house,” said Thames. Thames and Hansman believe their work in Costa Rica was life-changing for the locals, who have access to electricity for the first time ever, and for themselves. “Not only do you get to experience a different countryside, which is beautiful, seeing how other people live puts some things into perspective,” said Hansman. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
You have the power to empower our community Through Operation Round Up®, our members have contributed more than $2 million to our community, supporting local organizations. www.cobbemc.com/roundup August 2016 donations • Atlanta Legal Aid Society Inc. • Autism Speaks • Center for Children and Young Adults • Chattahoochee Nature Center • Cherokee Friends of Recovery Foundation Inc. • CobbWorks Inc. • Friends of the Strand Inc. • Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb • Housing Initiative of North Fulton • Lake Allatoona Association • Marietta Georgia Chapter of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.
• Operation Appreciation • Nobis Works • Ser Familia Inc. • Vision Rehabilitation Services of Georgia
BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF ENERGY Peak Conservation Hours are almost over for 2016! We have reached the last month for Peak Conservation Hours. Remember, these hours can take place any weekday during the months of June through September between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. when we are experiencing high peak energy use. Did you know? To better serve you, Cobb EMC must have electricity ready at all times to meet everyone’s maximum needs during peak hours. Over the last several years, Cobb EMC’s focus has been to look for ways to diversify our energy mix and expand our energy portfolio in an effort to keep costs as low as possible for our members. Find more information about your Smart Choice Rate at www.cobbemc.com/ smartchoice and sign up to receive our peak conservation hour alerts at www.cobbemc.com/smartalerts.
The Cobb EMC Community Foundation proudly supports The Center for Children & Young Adults in their mission to bring hope to homeless youth by providing them resources and a safe place to live, heal and thrive.
BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF SAFETY Are you ready? September is National Preparedness Month
Don’t forget the following:
Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sponsors National Preparedness Month to help Americans prepare for a variety of emergencies, including those Mother Nature brings to our doorsteps. Check below as you prepare for an emergency:
Put together an emergency preparedness kit that contains the essentials, including a first aid kit, flashlights and batteries as well as enough food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. Check off the items you have already prepared:
Emergency plan for infants & young children
Water - Three-day supply (one gallon, per person, per day) Food - Three-day supply of non-perishable food (Don’t forget your manual can opener!) Easy clean-up - Paper cups and plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, garbage bags Save for a rainy day - Cash/traveler’s checks For the record - Copies of important documents (ID, insurance, bank accounts, etc.)
• Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other sources and store them for personal reference. • Choose a meeting spot near your home, then practice getting there. • Pick the same person for each family member to call or email. It may be easier to reach someone who is out of town to let them know you’re ok. Check out this quick list for infants:
Bundle up - Change of clothing, sturdy shoes and enough warm blankets for everyone
Formula Diapers Bottles Powdered milk Medications Moist towelettes Diaper rash ointment
First aid - First aid kit, medicines, moist towelettes, glasses
Source: Ready.gov
Take note - Pencil and paper to take note of damage and keep to-do lists
Tools - Flashlight (with extra batteries), wrench, pliers, duct tape, scissors, matches Stay informed - Battery-powered weather radio Think safety - Fire extinguisher, whistle to signal for help For the kids - Infant formula, diapers, books, games, puzzles
Learn more abou t storm and natural disaster pr eparation from Ready Georg ia at www.ready.ga.go v.
Successful sol ar seminar at the Safety Village More than 200 members attended our Solar Energy seminar at the Cobb County Safety Village. The seminar featured solar energy expert, Russell Seifert of Creative Solar, and Cobb EMC COO, David Johnson, who shared information about an innovative rate available to Cobb EMC members.
BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF MEMBERSHIP Beware of scams targeting co-op members Cobb EMC will never ask members to pay their bill anywhere other than at our office or through one of the payment options listed on our website at www.cobbemc.com/pay. Scam artists are targeting utility customers across the nation threatening to disconnect power and stealing personal information. If you receive a call from someone threatening to disconnect your power unless you pay anywhere other than Cobb EMC, please do not give out any personal information. Ask for the person’s name, phone number from caller ID, and as much additional information as possible, and simply call our office at 770-429-2100. We also caution members to carefully check emails before clicking on any links that may be bogus. We advise members to never give banking or credit card information out to non-verified callers, and only give out this information if YOU have placed the call and are comfortable that you have reached Cobb EMC. As always, please call our office at 770-429-2100 or send us an email if you have questions or concerns.
We look out for you, so you can enjoy what’s important. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. Co-op Connections® wants to help by unveiling ID Sanctuary, an identity theft monitoring and resolution service. This benefit provides you with the proactive tools and recovery assistance needed to quickly respond to an identity or fraud crisis. As a Cobb EMC member, you can join Co-op Connections’ ID Sanctuary and protect your family for as low as $8 per month. Learn more and sign up today by visiting www.cobbemc.com/idsanctuary.
• Unlimited 24/7 restoration assistance whenever your identity has been compromised • Step-by-step guidance through the identity restoration process if you become a victim of identity theft or fraud • Document replacement assistance when identification documents such as Social Security cards, birth certificates, passports and driver’s licenses are lost, stolen or destroyed • Credit inquiry activity alerts • One bureau credit report, credit score and monitoring • Access to an online educational resource with articles, information, tips and best practices to protect against identity theft • Includes you and up to three legal dependents over the age of 18
cobbemc.com
Here are some highlights about the ID SanctuaryTM Enhanced Family plan: