May 2020 – Connections Member Newsletter

Georgia Georgia Georgia Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle

GEMC

®

MAGAZINE

Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle

GEMC

®

MAGAZINE

Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle

GEMC

®

MAGAZINE

Supporting our local students and teachers page A We’re breaking ground on innovation page E MAY 2020

CONNECTIONS MAY 2020 | THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF COBB ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION

Upcoming events Annual Meeting The 82nd Annual Meeting will be held Sept. 19. Key dates and deadlines: • May 22: Terms for directors and districts 1, 6 and 7 will be expiring at the Annual Meeting. Nomination petitions for Director elections must be submitted (Sec. 3.07).

• June 3: Member-sponsored bylaw amendments must be submitted (Sec. 10.01).

• Aug. 14: Written notice must be received from any member who desires to exceed the 5-minute speaking limitation for Annual Meeting (Sec. 2.12).

More information: cobbemc.com/annualmeeting cobbemc.com/elections

small change

BIG DIFFERENCE

The Cobb EMC Community Foundation has awarded more than $5 million to local charities and nonprofits.

Thank you to generous members who round up their bills each month.

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

A | MAY 2020

Cobb EMC grants $21,877 to local schools Cobb EMC recently awarded $21,877 in mini-grants to 48 elementary, middle and high school teachers across the electric utility’s service area.

These mini-grants will fund a variety of experiential and active learning projects including career prep, STEM, community gardens, art and music expansions.

“We’re proud to support these incredible teachers and the creativity they bring to their classrooms,” says Mark Justice, Director of Education and Community Relations at Cobb EMC. The recipients applied for the mini-grants by outlining their specific projects and how each would benefit students.

McEachern High School teacher Sara Margaret Reid received a mini-grant for technology acccess.The grant will allow her Mini-grants are one to purchase Amazon Kindle e-readers for the classroom. Also of the many ways pictured is Wattson, Cobb EMC’s safety mascot.

Cobb EMC gives back to local communities.

Other initiatives include career days, student mentoring and scholarships.

Since 2017, Cobb EMC has awarded $67,746 in mini-grants to local teachers and classrooms to help support our future innovators.

See a full list of 2020 mini-grant recipients and projects at cobbemc.com/news.

THE PROOF We’re more than your average electric utility Because Cobb EMC is a cooperative, we operate by a certain set of standards called the Seven Cooperative Principles. This makes us different from other electric utilities. Keep reading to learn how these principles impact you.

1. Open and Voluntary Membership Membership in a cooperative is open to all persons who can reasonably use its services and stand willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, regardless of race, religion, gender or economic circumstances.

2. Democratic Member Control Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Elected representatives (directors/trustees) are elected from among the membership and are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote); cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.

3. Members’ Economic Participation Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative; setting up reserves; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

4. Autonomy and Independence Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control as well as their unique identity.

5. Education, Training and Information Education and training for members, elected representatives (directors/trustees), CEOs and employees help them effectively contribute to the development of their cooperatives. Communications about the nature and benefits of cooperatives, particularly with the general public and opinion leaders, help boost cooperative understanding.

6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives By working together through local, national, regional and international structures, cooperatives improve services, bolster local economies and deal more effectively with social and community needs.

7. Concern for Community Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.

IS IN THE POWER

TOP 3

in the nation for reliability

TOP 5

in the state for LOW RATES

#1

in the nation for restoring outages quickly LEADERSHIP Peter Heintzelman President and CEO cobbemc.com/aboutus

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tripper Sharp, Chairman Eric Broadwell, Vice Chairman Rudy Underwood, Secretary-Treasurer Kelly Bodner Bryan Boyd Edward Crowell David McClellan Malcolm Swanson David Tennant

CONTACT US Phone: 770-429-2100 Pay by phone: 1-855-730-8714 Web: cobbemc.com

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Go paperless Sign up for paperless billing to save time, money and trees! See all of the benefits of paperless.

• 24/7 online access to account and statements • Email reminders when bills are ready • Daily and hourly electric use summaries • Secure login and protected data • No more papers containing your personal information sitting in your mailbox and no more sifting through paper clutter and shredding bills Enroll today at cobbemc.com/paperless.

Cobb EMC's wholly-owned subsidiary, Gas South can save you money on your natural gas. Sign up today to enjoy these member benefits: • A permanent discount on Gas South’s low rates • Zero deposit (instantly saving you up to $150) • Waived connection fee (another savings of $60) • Additional savings in bill credits when you enroll online at GasSouth.com/cobb Plus, you'll know your choice is making a difference, because, along with Cobb EMC, Gas South is committed to strengthening our community. That’s why we give back 5% of our profits to help children in need.

Experience the Gas South difference.

Sign up and start saving today.

VISIT

GasSouth.com/cobb

C | MAY 2020

CALL 855.802.2766 use promo code 450

READY, SET, PREP

STORM SEASON IS COMING Warmer temperatures in Georgia can bring strong storms with heavy rains, high winds, lightning and even tornadoes. Did you know the major cause of most power outages is from damage to power lines due to falling trees and branches?

Our dedicated employees work year-round – through right-of-way tree trimming – to ensure power lines in our service territory stand little risk of being damaged by trees, branches or other types of vegetation.

Because of this, we rank No. 3 nationwide for reliability, which means your power is almost always on.

But despite our best efforts, during major storms, damage can occur to transmission lines, substations and power lines. When this happens, our first priority is to safely restore power to as many members as possible in the shortest amount of time.

When storms roll in, be sure to visit the Cobb EMC Outage and Storm Center at cobbemc.com/outage for the latest outage information. Here are tips to help you prepare before storm season strikes.

PACK A KIT

CHARGE UP

PLAN AHEAD

Make a storm kit with flashlights, extra batteries, bottled water and nonperishable food items.

Charge your devices and download the Cobb EMC app, and other emergency apps, to stay in touch.

Have a backup plan for those in the house who depend on medical equipment that requires electricity.

STAY SAFE Avoid downed power lines and other hazards after the storm has passed.

WATCH OUT Monitor the weather and be sure you know the difference between a severe weather warning and watch.

GET THE PETS Bring your pets inside and secure items and furniture that might blow away in strong winds.

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GREENING THE GRID COBB EMC AND GAS SOUTH BREAK GROUND ON AN INNOVATIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT WITH A FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

E | MAY 2020

Cobb EMC employees and boa Creative Solar USA, Northern R

Cobb EMC and Gas South break ground on an innovative renewable energy project with a focus on the future, ensuring a greener outlook for both companies. This project includes both solar and battery storage.

“We’re committed to affordable, renewable energy and redefining what it means to be an energy expert,” says Peter Heintzelman, Cobb EMC president and CEO. “This project enables us to test the performance advantage and resiliency of solar panels and battery storage, which will benefit Cobb EMC members for decades to come. We’re proud to support sustainability efforts that make financial sense for all of our members.”

An estimated 1.85 MW of solar and 1 MW/4 MWh of battery storage is being added to the Cobb EMC

“Together, we’re committed to renewable energy that will pave the way for a more sustainable future for our communities,” said Kevin Greiner, Gas South president and CEO. “As a subsidiary of Cobb EMC, we are excited to work with our parent company on this innovative project.”

The rooftop solar and energy storage solutions were developed by Creative Solar USA and Northern Reliability and are slated for completion

by May 2020.

“We’re committed to affordable, renewable energy and redefining what it means to be an energy expert.”

“The team at Creative Solar USA is proud to play a role in this important project, which will not only provide competitive renewable energy ard members, Gas South, Cobb Chamber of Commerce, to the grid but serve as a learning tool for Reliability. Photo by Pamela Dabrowa Photography. future projects,” says Russell Seifert, CEO of Creative Solar USA. “I founded this company to be a cutting-edge leader in our evolving energy market and this project is an outstanding campus to help power its operations. For perspective, example of our commitment to clean, economical that is enough energy to power approximately 200 homes electricity for our fellow Georgians.” for an entire year. This innovative method of energy storage will also help the cooperative learn how to better Cobb EMC is one of the first electric cooperatives in support solar and battery projects for large customers. In the nation to install battery storage and rooftop solar to April, Cobb EMC planted three Smartflowers along Hwy power its operations. The cooperative recognizes that 41. These all-in-one solar energy systems can provide while renewable energy and battery storage will play a an additional 13,140 kWh of energy and afford the significant role in transitioning to a lower carbon future, cooperative an approachable opportunity to educate the consumers need guidance from their electricity providers. public about renewable energy.

Along with Gas South, Cobb EMC stands ready to lead the change.

This project is owned by Gas South for Cobb EMC to support future sustainability efforts for both companies.

Cobb EMC’s commitment to sustainability and This arrangement provides Cobb EMC with the solar and innovation is mirrored in the cooperative’s renewable battery output for 10 years and will enable Cobb EMC to energy portfolio. Cobb EMC currently offers Renewable share solar energy back to the grid during certain periods Energy Credits to our members as part of our ongoing of time. sustainability strategy.

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RECYCLE DAY 06.13.20

Mark your calendars for Recycle Day! Bring your old phones, computer equipment, cameras, metal items and small appliances for proper disposal. TVs ($20) and monitors ($10) will require a cash-only fee. We’ll also offer free on-site shredding for secure document destruction. Documents are limited to five medium-sized boxes (20 x 20 x 20 inches).

Event details When: June 13, 2020, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 1000 EMC Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060 Find a list of accepted items, directions and full event details at cobbemc.com/recycle.