CONNECTIONS
The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JULY 2022
Cobb EMC rates remain low Cobb EMC is committed to providing you value through low rates. Despite volatile energy markets and steadily increasing power costs, our priority remains to keep our members’ bills as low as possible. In fact, we provide you with some of the lowest rates in the state at an average 8 cents per kWh, which is also well below the national retail rate of 12.7 cents per kWh. Our partnership with Gas South, our wholly-owned subsidiary, helps keep Cobb EMC strong by returning profits to the co-op, which helps to keep electric rates low and reliability solid.
Notice of 2021 Patronage Capital allocation Each member receiving electric service is hereby notified that for year 2021, Cobb EMC’s excess margins totaled $6,230,468. Each member can calculate the amount of assigned 2021 Patronage Capital by multiplying the total amount billed for electric service in 2021 by .014625937%. Capital credits are your individual portion of the cooperative’s profits beyond the costs of providing electricity. As a not-for-profit business, we exist to provide you reliable electricity – not to make a profit. When we have a good year and earn profits, or margins, we assign capital credits to our members until the board approves them to be given back in the form of a bill credit or check. *Excludes taxes, Operation Round Up and other ancillary services.
OUTAGE MAP BRINGS MEMBERS ENHANCED EXPERIENCE Cobb EMC has launched a new stateCobb EMC’s new outage map will of-the-art outage map designed to keep you informed with features help members – that’s you – easily that include: find all the information you need when • Real-time information that is you experience an outage. updated every 10 minutes to provide We work around-the-clock to improve the latest outage information in reliability and minimize outages for Cobb EMC’s service territory. our members. We hope you don’t Outages are viewable by location, experience a power outage. However, county and ZIP code. if you do lose power, our enhanced outage map allows you to follow along • More information and details about your outage. with your outage status in real time, The enhanced map will provide including when crews are en route members with a summary of active or on-site restoring power, and the outages, total members affected estimated restoration time. by an outage, the current weather, “When our members experience an outage cause, an outage status outage, our priority is to restore power and an estimated restoration time. as quickly and safely as possible,” During storms, members will see says Kevan Espy, President and special icons in the map depicting CEO of Cobb EMC. “As a result, we’re major hazards, alerts and even ranked 1st in the nation for restoring photos from nearby damage to stay outages quickly and 2nd in the informed. nation for providing reliable power, according to the IEEE. We understand Members can access the outage the importance of keeping members map by downloading the Cobb EMC informed during outages. This outage app or through the online Outage map delivers the most up-to-date Center at cobbemc.com/outage. outage information, building on our commitment to making our members’ experience better.”
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CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JULY 2022
THE PROOF IS IN THE POWER
SAVE ON HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES Take your home to the next level with energy-saving and smart technology improvements through Cobb EMC’s Energy Network. You can receive up to $500 toward qualifying energy-efficient improvements for your home. The Energy Network offers an incentive to help you purchase and install energy improvements in your home. In return, you join Cobb EMC’s Energy Network, where you will share information about your energy-saving experiences via focus groups, surveys, webinars and more. Give your home the energy-efficient upgrade it deserves with an incentive from the Energy Network. Get started at cobbemc.com/energynetwork.
#1
IN THE NATION FOR RESTORING OUTAGES QUICKLY
#2
IN THE NATION FOR RELIABILITY
TOP 10 IN THE STATE FOR LOW RATES
ARE YOU CONSIDERING SOLAR? CONSIDER THIS!
1
Know your solar goals so you can decide which solar system or program is the best fit for you.
LEADERSHIP Kevan Espy, President & CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2
Be aware of statements that sound too good to be true. Do your research and read reviews before choosing a solar contractor.
3
Call before you install. As your energy expert, Cobb EMC can help you navigate the solar process. Questions? Visit cobbemc.com/solar or email us at gogreen@cobbemc.com.
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David Tennant, Chairman Rudy Underwood, Vice Chairman Kelly Bodner, Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Boyd Eric Broadwell Edward Crowell David McClellan Tripper Sharp Malcolm Swanson
CONTACT US Phone: 770.429.2100 Pay by phone: 1.855.730.8714 Web: cobbemc.com
CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JULY 2022 CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JULY 2022
DIY SAFETY
Smarter than the average security.
While you’re busy with summer DIY projects, remember to keep electric safety in mind. Here are five tips to help keep you safe while you spruce up your space.
Alarm Monitoring from $16.95 per month. No Contract Required
1. Use a qualified, licensed electrician to perform electrical work in your home.
PER MONTH
2. Unplug appliances before working on them. 3. Plug power tools into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to avoid electric shocks. 4. Use caution when cutting or drilling into walls with live wires. 5. When working outside, call Georgia 811 before you begin a digging project.
*
Source: ESFI
FIND MORE SAFETY TIPS:
A Jackson/Walton/GreyStone EMC Company MARKETING PARTNER:
cobbemc.com/safety
BRIGHTENING OUR COMMUNITY
RECYCLE DAY A SUCCESS
SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS
FOSTERING THE FUTURE
This year’s Recycle Day was a success for our members and the environment. Together, we were able to recycle 21.2 tons of metal and 17.7 tons of paper. That’s enough to save more than 300 trees and power 19 homes for one year! This is one way we work to support a cleaner community.
The Cobb EMC Foundation awarded $70,000 to high school seniors in our community. The award can be applied to any accredited two- or four-year university, college or vocational-technical school. A total of fourteen students were selected to each receive a $5,000 scholarship.
Recently, Cobb EMC employees greeted Cobb County middle and high school students at the Future Fest career and education expo. More than 1,300 students from 28 schools had the opportunity to learn about career opportunities in the electric industry and other high-demand career fields.
Learn more at cobbemc.com/events.
Learn more at cobbemc.com/news.
Learn more at cobbemc.com/careers.
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CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JULY 2022
Come to our member appreciation event and hear how we’re working to make your electric company more convenient and reliable. Plus, get free fair tickets!
Saturday, September 17 8-11:30 a.m. at Jim R. Miller Park 8-9:30 a.m.: member registration More info: cobbemc.com/annualmeeting Bring this magazine, a copy of your bill or the Cobb EMC app to simplify registration. For the safety of our employees and members, we will be following CDC guidelines during the event.
Dedicated to
making a difference. With Gas South, you get more than everyday low natural gas rates and excellent customer care. Our mission to “Be A Fuel For Good” means you’re part of making a difference in the communities we serve. As part of that mission each year, we’ve committed to giving 5% of profits to support children in need— over $1.5 million in 2021. And we’ve also committed to investing $50 million to solar projects by the end of 2023 to help create a more sustainable planet for future generations. When you join Gas South, you’re choosing more than Georgia’s highest-rated natural gas provider. You’re choosing to be part of making a difference. And the difference is good. Visit: GasSouth.com
Call: 877.472.4932