2024 Annual Meeting Recap
C Canoochee EMC’s 86th Annual Meeting of Members was held in an in-person format at Tattnall Campground in Claxton on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. There were 221 members registered in total.
Registration began at 10 a.m. and closed at 11 a.m. Before the meeting began, CEO Michael Wasson and Canoochee EMC Foundation Board Secretary Lyn Gosseck presented the Bryan County High School Junior ROTC with a check for $5,000 from the foundation to support their efforts for the school year.
The business meeting was called
to order at 11 a.m. The meeting started with the presentation of colors by the Bryan County High School Junior ROTC, followed by announcements and a business report.
There were three directors to be elected at this year’s Annual Meeting by the members in their respective districts. The Canoochee EMC Nominating Committee nominated Lavanda Lynn, Robert E. Dasher and Marven E. Bradley Jr. No opposition was presented for consideration, and no nominations
were made by petition.
The meeting adjourned shortly before 12 p.m., with the announcement of the 2024 prize winners. By registering for the Annual Meeting, members were automatically entered into drawings for door prizes. William Frost of Glennville was named the Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Year and was awarded a $500 bill credit.
Canoochee EMC has been serving its members since 1938, providing safe, reliable and affordable power to the communities of Bryan, Chatham, Liberty, Long, Emanuel, Bulloch, Evans, Tattnall and Toombs counties.
Thank you to everyone who attended our 2024 Annual Meeting. We look forward to seeing you this fall for our 2025 meeting.
Georgia’s Electric Advantage
G G
eorgia’s electric market is a model for the nation, providing safe, reliable and affordable power to every corner of the state. This is thanks to the unique structure of our electric market and the collective efforts of Georgia’s 41 electric membership corporations (EMCs).
Your Voice, Your Power
As a valued member of Canoochee EMC, your voice is essential in shaping the future of Georgia’s electric landscape. Plugged In Georgia, a grassroots platform, empowers you to connect directly with your legislators and advocate for policies that protect our reliable and affordable power.
Why Your Voice Matters
• Safeguard Georgia’s electric future. By engaging with your legislators, you help preserve the stability and affordability of your electric service.
• Strengthen local communities. Reliable and affordable electricity fuels economic growth and job creation, benefiting communities across the state.
• Protect consumer interests. Your involvement helps ensure that
Engage with legislators through the Georgia EMC Government Relations team’s Plugged In Georgia grassroots platform. Receive the most recent updates throughout the legislative session and inform legislators of EMCs’ policy priorities.
policies prioritize the needs of consumers, not special interests.
How You Can Get Involved
• Stay informed. Sign up for Plugged In Georgia online at voicesforcooperativepower.com/ georgia to receive timely updates on key legislation impacting your electric service.
• Connect with your legislators. Reach out to your state representatives and senators to share your concerns and support for sound energy policies.
• Share your story: Share your experiences with Canoochee EMC and how reliable, affordable electricity has positively impacted your life.
Together, we can ensure that Georgia continues to lead the way in providing a reliable, affordable and sustainable electric future for all.
pluggedingeorgia.com
Legislators want to hear from YOU. EMC members can contact their legislators directly through the platform to share EMCs’ policy positions and concerns.
Quarterly updates from Plugged In Georgia.
Pertinent messages throughout the legislative session with how you can support EMC policy priorities. Opportunities for EMCs to share positions with legislators directly.
Apply for the 2025 Washington Youth Tour
Are you a high school junior? It’s not too late to apply for the 2025 Washington Youth Tour! The deadline to apply is Thursday, Feb. 6. Email pr@canoocheeemc.com for an application.
Office Closure
Canoochee EMC’s offices will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 5, for employee training. However, we will still be monitoring the system, and you can still reach us at (800) 342-0134.
Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month
Congratulations to Lu Jean Dufel of Glennville for being selected as the February 2025 Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month.
KATHRYN GREEN
Uncover Savings With a DIY Energy Audit
By Miranda Boutelle
Ahome-energy audit may sound daunting, but it can be as easy as creating a checklist of improvements based on what you see around your home.
Here’s what you’ll need to find opportunities to save energy and money: a flashlight, dust mask, tape measure, notepad and cooking thermometer.
1 Check the heating and cooling equipment. Determine the age and efficiency of the equipment by looking up the model number on the nameplate. The average lifespan of HVAC equipment is 10-30 years, depending on the type of equipment and how well it’s maintained. If your equipment is older, it may be time to budget for an upgrade. Check the filter and replace it if needed.
LEDs come in a range of color temperatures. For a warm glow similar to incandescent bulbs, buy bulbs with a color temperature around 2700 Kelvin.
2 Check the envelope of your home, which separates the heated or cooled areas from the exterior, for drafts and air leakage. Feel around windows and trim for any drafts. Pay special attention to spots where different building materials come together. Check under sinks for gaps around pipes. Seal with weatherstripping, caulk or expanding foam as needed.
3 Replace incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs with LEDs. They use significantly less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
4 Check for leaking faucets, and make sure aerators and showerheads are high-efficiency models in good condition. The gallons-per-minute (GPM) ratings should be etched onto them. To reduce wasted energy from using more hot water than needed, aerators should be 0.5-1.5 GPM, and showerheads should be no more than 2 GPM.
5 Check the insulation in the attic. Use a tape measure to check the depth of the insulation, which should be a minimum of 12 inches deep. This can vary depending on the type of insulation used and your geography. Insulation can become compacted over time. It should be evenly distributed throughout the attic. Loose fill or blown-in insulation should be fluffy and evenly dispersed. Rolled batt insulation should fit tightly together without gaps.
Also, exterior walls should be insulated. If your home is older than the 1960s, the walls are probably not insulated. Homes from the 1960s or 1970s likely need more insulation. Sometimes, you can see wall insulation by removing an outlet cover or switch plate and using a flashlight to look for insulation inside the wall cavity. Turn off the power at the electrical panel to avoid the risk of electric shock. Wall insulation can be blown in from the inside or the outside of the home. This is a job for a professional.
A dirty furnace filter can cause your heating and cooling system to work harder than necessary, decreasing efficiency and shortening the system’s life.
6 Unfinished basements should have insulation on the rim joists, at minimum. This is the area between the top of the foundation and the underside of the home’s first-story floor. Use closed-cell spray foam or a combination of rigid foam and spray foam to insulate rim joists. Crawl spaces should have insulation on the underside of the floor between the floor joists. Insulation should be properly supported in contact with the floor with no air gaps. Water pipes and ductwork should also be insulated.
7 Check the temperature of your water by running it for three minutes at the faucet closest to your water heater. Then, fill a cup and measure it with a cooking thermometer. Hot water should be between 120-140 degrees. You can reduce the temperature on your water heater to reduce energy waste and prevent scalding.
Once your home energy audit is finished, review your findings and start prioritizing home energyefficiency projects. For step-by-step instructions, visit www.energy.gov/save Miranda Boutelle has more than 20 years of experience helping people save energy at home, and she writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing nearly 900 electric co-ops.
