July 2016 – Connections Member Newsletter

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Cobb EMC linemen bring home honors

Cobb EMC lineman Lance Ballenger competes at the 2016 Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo.

Cobb EMC linemen celebrated their 20th year participating in the annual Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo by bringing home 23 awards. The Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo is an event that tests linemen’s skills under challenging conditions. The day-long competition, held May 7 at Camp John Hope in Fort Valley, is designed to improve safety training, which is critical in an industry where safe work practices can mean the difference between life and death.

Utilities compete in one of two divisions: electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) and municipal power companies. During events, linemen competed either as journeymen teams comprised of three linemen and a coach or individually as apprentices.

In addition to the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo, Cobb EMC’s safety department ensures proper safety practices through spot inspections and routine safety trainings.

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Cobb EMC crews received the following awards: • 1st Place in Overall Awards – EMC Division • 1st Place in Apprentice Overall Awards • 1st Place in Journeyman Hurtman Rescue • 1st Place in Journeyman 12 kV Switch Change • 1st Place in Senior Division • 2nd Place in Written Test – EMC Division • 2nd Place in Apprentice Jumper Installation • 2nd Place in Apprentice Mystery Event #1 • 2nd Place in Apprentice Mystery Event #2 • 2nd Place in Apprentice Overall Awards – • • • • • • • • • • • • •

EMC Division 2nd Place in Apprentice Overall Awards 2nd Place in Journeyman Hurtman Rescue 2nd Place in Journeyman 12 kV Switch Change 2nd Place in Journeyman Mystery Event #1 2nd Place in Journeyman Overall Awards – EMC Division 2nd Place in Journeyman Overall Awards 3rd Place in Apprentice Written Test – EMC Division 3rd Place in Apprentice Hurtman Rescue 3rd Place in Apprentice Mystery Event #1 3rd Place in Journeyman Hurtman Rescue 3rd Place in Journeyman 12 kV Switch Change 3rd Place in Journeyman Mystery Event #2 3rd Place in Journeyman Overall Awards

FREE FAIR TICKETS • ACTIVITIES • PRIZES

Attend the Annual Meeting and learn about your co-op’s progress, ways to save on your electric bill and exercise your right to vote!

Saturday, Sept. 17 Jim R. Miller Park Door Prizes • Tablets • Visa® gift cards • Bill credits • Big Green Egg® grills • Refurbished Cobb EMC truck Key dates and deadlines: August 12: Notice must be received from any member desiring to exceed the 5 minute speaking limitation at the Annual Meeting cobbemc.com/annualmeeting

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JULY 2016 | THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF COBB ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION

COMING SOON!

Find your copy of the annual report right here in GEORGIA Magazine this September.

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Cobb Electric Membership Corporation

BRINGING YOU THE

www.cobbemc.com Email: memberservices@cobbemc.com President and CEO

Chip Nelson

Vice Chairman

Bryan Boyd Tripper Sharp

Secretary-Treasurer Malcolm Swanson

Eric Broadwell

Kelly Bodner

Edward Crowell

David McClellan

David Tennant

Rudy Underwood Editorial Staff

Brooke Melton Angela Croce, CCC

Contacts & Office 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.)

OF MEMBERSHIP

Cobb EMC receives industry-leading Safety Accreditation

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman

POWER

Chip Nelson President and CEO

Cobb EMC recently earned accreditation, with a score of 99 out of 100, for its safety practices from the Electric Cooperative Safety Accreditation Program of Georgia.

This program promotes the highest standards of safety among electric co-ops in Georgia and must be renewed every three years. I’m extremely proud of the safety standards our cooperative continues to uphold.

As part of the program, unannounced on-site visits occur between accreditation years. Cobb EMC received perfect scores during inspections, resulting in a total score of 109 percent, affirming our commitment to a culture of safety.

The accreditation process is comprised of two primary components: record keeping and a multiday on-site visit. The inspection process also includes criteria to determine whether the cooperative is keeping the public safe.

Observers inspect public rights of way, utility poles, and overhead and underground wiring to ensure that proper utility practices are being followed.

Cobb EMC employees, especially line crews, undergo extensive and ongoing safety training. As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, we’re proud to promote consumer education about how electricity works and how to prevent electrical accidents.

Obtaining safety accreditation proves that our cooperative is concerned about the safety of our employees, those we serve and the public. Being accredited saves our cooperative, and our members, annually on escalating costs associated with preventable injuries. Cobb EMC considers safety one of our primary responsibilities to the communities we serve.

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

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

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

New office hours begin July 5

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It’s Effective July 5, new walk-in and drive-through hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Did you know? You have 24/7 access to your account when you visit www.cobbemc.com/smarthub.

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Effective July 9, the member care center will be closed on Saturdays and will remain closed on Sundays. Members may still call our member care center Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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BRINGING YOU THE

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MEMBERSHIP

Did you know that as a not-for-profit cooperative, we’re owned by you — our members? cobbemc.com/conserve

Can you beat the peak this summer?

It’s summer in Georgia which means temperature and energy costs are both on the rise. Electricity is most expensive during hot summer months when it’s in highest demand.

Let’s beat the peak to save this summer! By lowering your energy use during peak conservation hours you can help your co-op reduce how much it pays for electricity. Peak conservation hours take place on certain days in the months of June through September from 2 to 7 p.m. when Cobb EMC’s demand peaks.

This usually occurs on weekdays when we experience the highest temperatures.

Manage your account online with SmartHub SmartHub®, our online and mobile application allows you to easily and securely pay your electric bill in real time, monitor daily energy usage and more.

SmartHub makes it simple to manage and pay your bill:

Limiting your energy use during peak conservation hours helps the co-op save and, in turn, could help keep rates low.

• Pay by card – no fee.

How will you know when to beat the peak?

• See payments posted in real time.

We’ll notify you when we’re experiencing peak conservation hours via:

WEBSITE

ACCOUNT PORTAL

SOCIAL MEDIA

ALERT PHONE LINE 770-429-2223

How do you beat the peak?

It’s easy! Simply shift your energy use during peak conservation hours.

•• Spread out the watts! Don’t use too many energy sources at the same time.

•• Program your thermostat to an energy-efficient summer setting: 78 degrees when you’re at home and need cooling.

•• Run the dishwasher, dryer and other appliances during off-peak periods.

•• Turn off unnecessary lights and unplug unnecessary appliances.

•• Ensure your air filters are clean.

• Schedule payments.

• Monitor account on-the-go with an app for tablets and smartphones.

• Manage your account 24/7.

• Track your energy usage.

Sign up for SmartHub: cobbemc.com/smarthub Learn more about SmartHub: cobbemc.com/aboutsmarthub

Learn more at www.cobbemc.com/beatthepeak.

GEORGIA MAGAZINE

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BRINGING YOU THE

POWER OF

ENERGY

Turn off ceiling fans when leaving the room. Fans cool people, not rooms. cobbemc.com/conserve

You’re invited! Free solar energy seminar Attend our free solar energy seminar Thursday, Aug. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Cobb County Safety Village.

A look at what to expect: • Answers to commonly asked questions about residential solar energy.

• Cooperative Solar details.

• Learn how solar energy systems work, information on the solar industry, current trends and opportunities for homeowners.

• Weather permitting, tour the Safety Village at 4:30 p.m. and see the small-scale Cobb EMC building and solar power generating station.

Registration is required, and seats are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

Reserve your seat: cobbemc.com/solarseminar

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U.S. Marine veteran and wife gifted Home Energy Efficiency Makeover Cobb EMC, in partnership with Gas South and the Cobb Heating and Air Association, gave one deserving Cobb EMC member a Home Energy Efficiency Makeover at a ribbon-cutting event held May 18, 2016.

The makeover winners, Wes and Shannon Pilgrim, of Marietta, were nominated by their neighbors Bill and Tracey Phillips and ultimately selected from more than 40 nominations. The Phillips attended the ribbon-cutting for the Pilgrims, along with Cobb EMC President and CEO Chip Nelson, Gas South Senior Brand Manager Kim Callaway and Cobb Heating and Air Association members Barry Abernathy, Richard Eppers, Dennis McKeon Sr. and Michael Cumbie.

“Wes is the type of guy who would cut everyone’s grass in the neighborhood.

He’d do anything to help,” said Bill Phillips. “His character is phenomenal, and he truly deserves this. We jumped at the opportunity to nominate our neighbors and are so excited they were selected.”

The Pilgrims received new energy-efficient appliances, a bill credit from Cobb EMC, two years of free natural gas service from Gas South, and a new HVAC unit, water heater, insulation and duct work from Cobb Heating and Air Association members. The total financial worth of the makeover is valued at approximately $20,000.

“We’re blessed to have wonderful neighbors like Bill and Tracey. The generosity that they have shown us is unbelievable,” Wes Pilgrim said. “I’m at a loss for words. We appreciate everything everyone has done, and I can’t imagine a better day.”

The Home Energy Efficiency Makeover serves to increase awareness of how energy efficiency can lower energy consumption—ultimately leading to cost savings for members of the community.

“In our first year, we received dozens of applications and visited the finalist homes.

We wish we could have helped all of them. We selected the Pilgrims based on their home improvement needs, their personal story, Mr. Pilgrim’s service to our country and the positive impact we believed the makeover would have on their life,” said Kevan Espy, vice president of marketing and communications at Cobb EMC. CONNECTIONS

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BRINGING YOU THE

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MEMBERSHIP

When you can’t control messy rooms...

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Control what you can—your bill.

Get started today with the Smart Choice Rate.

The Smart Choice Rate gives you a simple way to manage and reduce your annual electric bill.

By lowering your energy use during peak hours just a little, you can lower your annual cost of service.

Sign up today at www.cobbemc.com/takecontrol.

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BRINGING YOU THE

POWER OF

SAFETY

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When planting trees or shrubs, maintain 10 feet of clearance from the front of the transformer and 3 feet on all other sides. cobbemc.com/safety

Our Outage Center keeps you informed While summer brings much fun in the sun, it can also bring the occasional severe storm. In the event of a power outage, you can trust that we’re ready to respond safely and quickly.

Stay up-to-date during an outage with our outage map: Our mobile-friendly outage map shows outages our crews are already aware of and provides an estimated restoration time.

Visit the Outage Center: cobbemc.com/outage

Power lines are for the birds Have you ever wondered how birds safely perch on power lines? After all, they don’t wear hard hats, rubber shoes and other proper safety equipment.

To know how birds safely sit on power lines, we’ll need to look deeper into how electricity works.

In order for an electrical charge, or electrons, to move from one spot to another, it must be in contact (or sometimes close proximity) with conductive material that has at least two different points of potential. Electrons will move toward lower potential. That is why it’s said that electricity is always looking for a path to ground (lower potential).

A bird remains safe because it is sitting on a single wire and is at one point of contact, so electric current does not run through the bird. If the bird sitting at this one potential was to also make contact with another object of different potential, that bird would be completing a path to ground, causing severe electric shock or electrocution. For larger birds with wider wingspans, reaching and touching another cable is a real hazard.

What might be safe for the birds, however, is not safe for people. Stay aware of your surroundings and follow safety precautions when it comes to overhead power lines.

• Always look up and look out for overhead power lines, and stay away.

• Keep any tools or equipment a minimum distance of 10 feet away from power lines in all directions at all times.

• Remember that getting too close to a power line, even without touching it, is very dangerous.

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• Always assume that power lines are live and carry an electrical charge.

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Source: safeelectricity.org

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BRINGING YOU THE

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COMMUNITY

Cobb EMC was built by our community, is owned by our community and is proud to give back to our community. cobbemc.com/community

Cobb EMC makes paying for college a little easier

Your little change makes a BIG difference The Cobb EMC Community Foundation awarded more than $1,818,195 in Operation Round Up® funds to-date, with $68,145 going to the following nonprofits in May:

The Cobb EMC Community Foundation recently awarded $70,000 in scholarships to 14 students from across Cobb EMC’s service territory.

The scholarships, in the amount of $5,000 each, can be applied to any accredited twoor four-year university, college or vocational-technical school.

At Cobb EMC, we’re pleased to support our members and empower their dreams of a Scholarship recipients are honored during college education. That’s one the Cobb EMC Community Foundation of the things that’s different Scholarship reception. about us. We’re more than a utility provider that you pay each month for electricity—we’re a cooperative, and we work solely for the benefit of you, our members.

A total of 240 applications were reviewed and 14 were selected. To earn the scholarship, candidates had to be accepted in an undergraduate degree program at any accredited two- or four-year university or any accredited vocational or technical institute. In addition, applicants were required to complete a two-page application and write an essay with reference to future plans and goals.

• American Diabetes Association • American Heart Association • Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta • Camp Twin Lakes • Destiny’s Daughters of Promise • Devereux Georgia • Camp to Belong – Georgia • Georgia Transplant Foundation Inc. • Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta • GRACEPOINT Christian School Visit cobbemc.com/roundup for a full list of recipients or to learn how to request funding.

The annual scholarship was created in late 2014 and is funded and administered by the Cobb EMC Community Foundation.

Congratulations to all winners!

GEORGIA MAGAZINE

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BRINGING YOU THE

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MEMBERSHIP

Looking for an HVAC expert?

We’ve already done the research for you! As a member of Cobb EMC, you are connected to a network of contractors through our Approved Contractor Network. Below are our approved HVAC contractors, listed H through W. A complete list of approved contractors is available at www.cobbemc.com/contractors.

Air Conditioning and Heating H&H Mechanical www.hhmec.com Hammock’s Heating & Air www.hammockshvac.com Herndon Heating & Air Phone: (770) 479-8889 John Anderson Service Company www.johnandersonservice.com Kirkland Heating & Air www.kirklandheatandair.com Northwest Heating and Cooling www.northwesthvac.com Neese-Jones Heating & Cooling www.neesejones.com O’Callaghan Heating & Air Conditioning www.ocallaghanair.com Perfection Air www.perfectionair.net

Precision Heating & Air www.precision-hvac.com

Shriver Mechanical www.shrivermechanical.com

Premier Indoor Comfort Systems www.premierindoor.com

Shumate Mechanical www.shumateheatingandair.com

R&D Mechanical Services www.randdmechanical.net

South Air www.southairinc.com

R.S. Andrews www.rsandrews.com

Swann Mechanical Services www.swannmechanical.com

Ragsdale Heating & Air www.ragsdaleair.com

Wade Heating & Air Conditioning www.wadeheatingandair.com

Rainwater Heating Air www.rainwaterheating-air.com

Weaver Heating & Air www.weaverheatingandairinc.com

Reliable Heating Air & Plumbing www.reliableair.com

Weldon’s Heating, A/C & Plumbing www.weldonscomfort.com

Reliance Heating & Air Conditioning www.reliance-hvac.com

Weldon Smith Services www.weldonservices.com

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Wilson Air Conditioning Service www.wilsonac.com

Robinson Heating & Air www.robinsonheatingandair.com

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Peachtree Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning www.peachtreeserviceexperts.com

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