March 2018 – Connections Member Newsletter

Cobb EMC brightens roadways, page A

March 2018

S G N I V A S Y G R E N E

N W O D SHOW

TAKE OUR BRACKET CHALLENGE Page E

CONNECTIONS MARCH 2018 | THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF COBB ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION

Upcoming events Recycle Day Cobb EMC will host a Recycling Day April 21. Bring your old phones, computer equipment, cameras, metal items and small appliances for proper disposal.

Find a list of accepted items, directions and event details at cobbemc.com/recycle.

Director nominations Nomination petitions for Director elections must be submitted by May 25 (Sec. 3.07). Terms for directors of districts 2, 3 and 9 will be expiring at the Annual Meeting. cobbemc.com/annualmeeting

Get a $25 bill credit Take our survey and let us know how we’re doing. After you’re done, you’ll be entered to win! cobbemc.com/survey

small change

BIG DIFFERENCE

The Cobb EMC Community Foundation has awarded more than $3,267,043 to local charities and nonprofits, as of January 2018. Thanks to generous members who round up their bills.

Visit cobbemc.com/foundation for a full list of recipients or to learn how to request funding.

A | MARCH 2018

LEDs lead the way to brighter streets Cobb EMC plans to change out the electric cooperative’s 60,000 streetlights to LEDs over the next five years. The transition will brighten roadways and improve visibility for residents across northwest metro Atlanta. Additionally, the lights are equipped with new technology that enables the company to remotely monitor and control street and area lights.

Above: Before LED installation; Below: Roadways are brighter and visibility is improved after LED installation.

“The sensors give us alerts in real time,” says Bhaji Dhillon, director of System Quality and Planning at Cobb EMC. “We are able to dispatch a crew to repair an outage before customers even realize there is a problem.”

To date, the company has installed 1,100 smart lighting modules. These smart sensors can be programmed to turn on during storms or to flash in the event of a public safety issue.

This expansion is the company’s most recent of many steps toward conservation and renewable energy.

Others include smart meters, which allow the company to remotely read meters, reducing the number of utility trucks on the road, improving air quality and allowing members to track their electricity use by the hour; and a Cooperative Solar Program that offers members solar power without the expense of purchasing, installing

or maintaining rooftop solar panels.

“We’re committed to making affordable, renewable energy available to all of our consumers,” says Leslie Thompson, director of Member and Public Relations at Cobb EMC. “Solar is readily available in Georgia, and it has made it possible for us to grow our solar energy portfolio by nearly 300 percent over the past two years.”

In 2017, Cobb EMC was ranked eighth in the nation for solar offerings by the Smart Electric Power Alliance.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO

Saying goodbye after 45 years Chip Nelson, President and CEO

QUICK GUIDE Online: cobbemc.com Email: memberservices@cobbemc.com President and CEO

Cobb EMC is an extraordinary place; one that makes it difficult to say goodbye after 45 years.

My original goal as president and CEO was to get our once embattled company back to a clean slate.

Thanks to the continued efforts of our employees, we’ve done just that.

quality and reliability during times of transition. We set the bar high, and our employees rose to meet it. I am confident that they will continue to do great work to make this the wonderful company that it is.

This month, I’ll retire after 45 years with Cobb EMC. From my first year

“We set the bar high, and our employees rose to meet it. I am confident that they will continue to do great work to make this the wonderful company that it is.”

—Chip Nelson, President and CEO This company has gotten back to the business – our core business – of providing our members reliable electricity at the lowest possible price.

When I look back on my time as president and CEO, I’m most proud of our employees’ ability to embrace change and to ensure that we maintained top-notch

CHIP’S TOP 5 • Earned the CEO Outstanding Communicator award from the Cooperative Communicator’s Association.

• Reduced operating costs and implemented programs to improve quality, service and open communications.

working on a construction crew … to my time in engineering working to improve our distribution system … to my most recent years leading our cooperative, it has been an honor to serve each of you. n Be sure to read our next issue to meet the new CEO.

Chip Nelson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman

Tripper Sharp

Vice Chairman

David McClellan

Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Boyd

Kelly Bodner

Eric Broadwell

Edward Crowell

Malcolm Swanson

David Tennant

Rudy Underwood

CONTACTS & HOURS Phone: 770-429-2100 Report an outage: 770-429-2100 Fax: 770-429-3330 Pay by phone: 1-855-730-8714 In person: 1000 EMC Parkway Marietta, GA 30060 Walk-in hours: Monday – Friday

(8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Drive-through hours: Monday – Friday (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

• Led an expansion in renewable energy, diversifying sources to keep future power costs down for members.

• Moved Cobb EMC back to traditional cooperative principles and operations.

• Helped members realize savings through retired capital credits and residential electricity rates that are among the lowest in the state.

Member Care Center hours: Monday – Friday (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

Express Pay drop box is available for non-cash payments 24/7

EDITORIAL STAFF Contributors

Brooke Melton Leslie Thompson Traci Washington Angela Croce, CCC

|B

Take advantage of our HVAC Tuneup rebate while supplies last A yearly tuneup is one of several steps you can take to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Take advantage of a $50 rebate to assist with the cost of your spring HVAC tuneup beginning March 1, 2018.

Important information about the rebate program: • Starts March 1, 2018, and will be available while supplies last.

• Limit one voucher per member, per year.

• Cobb EMC single family residence only.

For program rules, more information or to request your voucher: cobbemc.com/tuneup

We’re proud to power your lives.

C | MARCH 2018

E

ing z i g r ne

your da

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, 365.

yw

i th

the f irst cup

We’re proud to power your lives

|D

Bracket challenge: energy myths vs. facts Some common misconceptions can reduce the comfort of your home, while others can cost you energy dollars.

Follow along as we separate fact from fiction in the Energy Savings Showdown!

Get more trophy-worthy energy tips at cobbemc.com/save.

ENERGY

SHOW

Myth: It’s not worth my time or money to seal small air leaks.

Fact: You can save money by sealing small air leaks.

Fact: Typical homeowners can save up to 10% on their total annual energy bill by sealing and insulating.

F F h b e th

Myth: Closing off unused rooms saves on heating/cooling costs.

Fact: Leaving interior doors open saves on heating/cooling.

E | MARCH 2018

Fact: Open interior doors to give your forced-air system the airflow it needs for efficiency.

SAVINGS

WDOWN Fact: Evergreen shrubs on the north side of your home can provide a windbreak during cool months.

Fact: Shrubs can provide a windbreak during cool months.

Myth: Landscaping doesn’t affect the comfort of my home.

Fact: For a cozy home and lower bills, energy efficiency is he winner!

Fact: Time of day does matter.

Fact: Limiting your energy use during peak times of day helps you save energy.

Myth: Time of day doesn’t matter when it comes to using energy.

|F

Celebrate Earth Day with Cobb EMC, free recycling event In 2017, Cobb EMC members recycled 70.8 tons of paper and 32 tons of metal, saving an equivalent of 421,480 kWh of energy during our first-ever Recycle Days.

Let’s recycle more this year! Bring your old phones, computer equipment, cameras, metal items and small appliances for proper disposal. We’ll also offer on-site shredding for secure document destruction.

Documents are limited to five medium-sized boxes. No batteries will be accepted at the event.

TVs and monitors will require a cash-only fee: • LCD monitors: $5 • TVs and CRT monitors: $20 • Large TVs: $30 Find a full list of accepted items, directions and event details at cobbemc.com/recycle.

April 21, 2018 • 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. • 1260 Cobb Parkway N., Marietta, GA 30062

We’re proud to power your lives

cobbemc.com