November 2017 – Connections Member Newsletter

CONNECTIONS

NOVEMBER 2017 | THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF COBB ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION

In September, Cobb EMC dispatched crews to middle Georgia to aid with power restoration efforts following Hurricane Irma. In total, 36 employees including line crews, superintendents, mechanics, as well as safety and training personnel, departed before dawn for Irwin EMC, which is located north of Tifton, Ga. “Our crews did an incredible job of quickly restoring power to all of our members following the storm,” said Chip Nelson, president and CEO of Cobb EMC. “Now it’s time to turn our attention to our neighbors in need. Utilities across our state are struggling with finding resources to help safely restore power to their members. We’re proud to help where we can.”

Cobb EMC’s crews packed trucks with tools and equipment, which are in scarce supply in areas hardest hit by the storm. Once they arrived, they helped Irwin EMC survey and repair damage throughout their service area.

Cobb EMC’s five-county service area weathered the storm well compared to other areas across the state and metro Atlanta, peaking at only 2,000 outages at the storm’s worst. This is in part due to the cooperative’s multiyear focus on trimming branches and trees in the right of way that hang over or near power lines and could fall during high winds.

Upcoming events Homeowners’ Association meeting The next Cobb EMC Homeowners’ Association Meeting will be held Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP: www.cobbemc.com/hoa

Office closing Cobb EMC will be closed Nov. 23 and 24 for Thanksgiving.

Employees are always on call for emergencies. Please call our automated outage system at 770-429-2100 in the event of an outage, and visit our outage center at www.cobbemc.com/outage.

Open board meeting The Cobb EMC board of directors will host an open board meeting on Nov. 28 at 4 p.m. RSVP at: www.cobbemc.com/boardmeeting

The Cobb EMC Community Foundation has awarded more than $2,884,179 to local charities and nonprofits, thanks 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.

cobbemc.com

Cobb EMC sends crews to aid with Hurricane Irma aftermath

Cobb EMC dispatched 36 employees to middle Georgia to aid with power restoration efforts following Hurricane Irma.

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NOVEMBER 2017

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Cobb Electric Membership Corporation

Many reasons to be thankful this season

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

Chip Nelson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman

Tripper Sharp

Vice Chairman

David McClellan

Secretary-Treasurer

Editorial Staff

Bryan Boyd Kelly Bodner Eric Broadwell Edward Crowell Malcolm Swanson David Tennant Rudy Underwood

Brooke Melton Leslie Thompson Traci Washington 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.)

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

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Chip Nelson, President and CEO

With the holidays approaching, I can’t help but think of our Cobb EMC family and of the many reasons we have to be thankful this season.

First, I’d like to thank everyone who joined us on Sept.16 for our 79th Annual Meeting and member appreciation event. Each year, we look forward to updating you on your cooperative and creating a day where you can bring your family and enjoy the day with ours.

This year’s Annual Meeting was particularly meaningful to me, because it was my last Annual Meeting as your president and CEO before retiring after 45 years with Cobb EMC. Along with our board of directors and dedicated employees, I have worked to make this the wonderful company it is and to keep our focus on you, our members.

With that focus in mind, our board of directors returned $13.6 million in capital credits to Cobb EMC members this fall. Many of you received checks or bill credits based on the amount of money you paid for electricity in 2016. We’re working to make a difference in your lives by keeping rates low and putting money back in your pockets.

But we’re also working to make sure that we provide you reliable electricity.

Tropical storm Irma was no exception. We added extra crews who worked 12-hour shifts (around-the-clock) to repair damage from the storm. Our average outage was less than two hours, and we’re extremely proud of our team’s efforts. Once our work was done at home, 36 of our employees left for the Tifton area to help neighbors in need at Irwin EMC. Our crews worked alongside their teams to help restore power to their members, as well.

This sense of co-op family is one of the many things that makes Cobb EMC unique, and it’s one of the many reasons I’m proud to have spent the past 45 years here, serving our members.

Thank you,

Chip Nelson President and CEO

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NOVEMBER 2017

BRINGING YOU THE

POWER OF

ENERGY

Lower your water heater’s temp and install low-flow showerheads to reduce your water heating bills. cobbemc.com/conserve

Free app, free prizes!

5 ways to save energy this fall As the cooler weather sets in, we know you’re thinking about pumpkins, sweaters and football. But don’t forget about energy efficiency! Here are five ways to save energy this fall: 1. Grab the fuzzy socks and a blanket, because it’s time to turn the thermostat down.

Setting the thermostat back 7-10 degrees can save you as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling.

Download the Cobb EMC app, and you can enter to win a tablet, bill credits and more.

#sign up to win

Entering the drawings is as easy as 1, 2, 3: Download and log into the Cobb EMC app.

Tap the Enter to Win icon.

2. Schedule a tuneup appointment for your heating system to ensure it’s operating at an optimal level.

Complete the entry form.

3. Take advantage of the sun. Open curtains during the day on south-facing windows and let the sunlight heat your home naturally.

4. Dodge the drafts to keep heat from escaping. Drafts around windows and doors let cool air in. Weather strip your home. It’s an easy fix!

5. Try using a slow cooker, microwave, toaster oven or warming plate instead of the oven and stovetop. We have a list of slow cooker recipes to help you get started at www.pinterest.com/cobbemc.

Learn more: www.cobbemc.com/entertowin Active Cobb EMC members only. One entry per member. Must be at least 18 years of age.

Source: energy.gov

GEORGIA MAGAZINE

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BRINGING YOU THE Ways to pay your bill We provide several ways to pay your bill so you can select the option that works best for you!

POWER OF

MEMBERSHIP

Your electric rates are low!

Cobb EMC rates are the 10th lowest in the state among 94 utilities according to the 2017 PSC Summer Residential Survey. Cobb EMC members save approximately $18.36 on their summer bills compared to Georgia’s average electric utility customer.

Mail: Send a check or money order payable to Cobb EMC. Mobile: Download the free Cobb EMC app available on the App Store and Google Play.

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$127.34

RANK

Online: View and pay your bill at cobbemc.com/myaccount or through your participating financial institution.

10

$120.00

$106.69

Phone: Call 1-855-730-8714.

In person: Pay at our office or take a copy of your bill to any MoneyGram location (fees may apply).

Cobb EMC

Marietta Power

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, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 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 1,000 kWh use and only apply to Cobb EMC members who pay bills on time.

Know someone in need of an Energy efficiency makeover?

Don’t miss the chance to nominate a deserving Cobb EMC member to win our 2018 Home Energy Efficiency Makeover.

Nominations for the Home Energy Efficiency Makeover are open!

Barbara F. Bryant, the 2017 winner, received a makeover package valued at more than $20,000 that included new energy-efficient appliances, a bill credit from Cobb EMC, two years of free natural gas service from Gas South, new low-flow faucet adapters, showerheads and toilets, a new HVAC unit and a water heater.

Your family could win next! Visit cobbemc.com/makeover for details.

GEORGIA MAGAZINE

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