STANDING STRONG
KEEPING POWER FLOWING
Think of the electric grid like a wellmanaged highway system. On a typical day, traffic flows smoothly — sometimes speeding up, sometimes slowing down, depending on how many cars are on the road. Similarly, energy demand rises and falls throughout the day. Just as traffic must be managed to prevent congestion and keep drivers moving efficiently, electricity must be carefully balanced to ensure reliable, affordable power for everyone.
At Jackson EMC, ensuring that balance starts long before the electricity reaches your home or business. An important part of keeping power reliable and affordable is forecasting—anticipating energy demand 5 and even 10 years ahead. By getting that forecast right, we can invest in power generation resources
that will serve our members well into the future.
Like city planners who decide where to build roads to prevent future congestion, we make strategic investments to ensure we have the energy supply we need when and where we need it.
Also, like traffic, mornings and evenings bring the highest energy use as people start and end their day, while extreme weather drives demand even higher. Long-term planning ensures we have the right amount of electricity, and a diverse generation mix to allow us to respond to changes in demand throughout the day. That's why we constantly adjust our generation resources in real time -- to keep electricity flowing reliably to your home or business all the time.
This all ties back to our commitment to affordability. By planning ahead, investing in reliable infrastructure, and exploring innovative solutions, we help ensure you get the best value for your money. Rest assured, we’ve got you — no delays, no detours, just reliable and affordable
CHIP JAKINS President & CEO
Ready to Dig? Stay Safe by Contacting 811
Spring is the perfect time to start your outdoor projects. Before you grab that shovel, take a moment to protect you and your family. Before you dig, contact Georgia 811. Here’s why it matters:
KNOW WHAT’S BELOW
Underground power and gas lines could be right under your feet. Damaging them can be dangerous and disrupt service for you and your neighbors.
AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES
Utility companies will mark underground lines with color-coded flags, so you can dig with confidence and avoid costly repairs.
IT’S EASY AND FREE
Just submit a dig ticket online or call 811 at least three business days in advance. Georgia 811 coordinates with local utilities to mark underground lines — so you don’t have to guess.
Your Schedule
Could Be Saving You Money on Your Bill
Did you know there's a "rush hour" when the power grid is in higher demand? That's typically between 3 to 8 p.m.
“When everyone comes home from work or school and starts cooking dinner, washing and drying clothes, and taking showers, we’re creating a ‘rush’ hour for the power system,” said Brent Cochran, Jackson EMC’s director of customer service.
Members who can shift their energy use to non-peak hours can benefit from lower electricity rates with Jackson EMC’s Time-of-Use rate. This rate option rewards members who reduce their electricity use during summer peak hours, helping them save money while also easing demand on the electric grid.
How Does it Work?
• Sign up by May 1 by calling 1-800-462-3691 or visit your local Jackson EMC office.
• We’ll install a meter that tracks when you use electricity.
• Use less electricity during peak times in the summer.
• Remain on the rate for at least a year when you can then elect to be removed from the rate plan.
When are On-Peak Times?
• June 1-September 15, excluding weekends and holidays.
• On weekdays, from 3 to 8 p.m.
• The rate charged for electricity during on-peak hours is higher at 34.35 cents per kWh.
When are Off-Peak Times?
• September 16-May 31
• On June 1-September 15, on weekdays from midnight to 3 p.m., and from 8 p.m. to midnight.
• The rate charged for electricity during off-peak hours is lower at 7.35 cents per kWh.
Your Energy Questions Answered
Q: I’m interested in an EV — but I’m not sure where to start. Can you help?
A: That’s a great question! The first thing I always tell people is to think about how an electric vehicle would fit into their daily life. Are you driving mostly around town? Do you have a place to charge at home? What kind of range do you need?
We’ve put together some great tools at jacksonemc.com/ev to help you compare EV models, estimate potential savings and see how charging an EV stacks up against paying for gas. You can also find local charging stations and explore other key factors to determine if an EV is the right fit for you.
Charging at home is a game-changer — it’s convenient and affordable. That’s why most EV owners install a Level 2 (240V) charger instead of relying on a standard outlet. A Level 2 charger adds 10 to 60 miles of range per hour, so you can fully recharge overnight. Compare that to a regular 120V outlet, which only adds 2 to 5 miles per hour — that might not be enough if you have a longer commute. For the best experience, we suggest a Level 2 charger.
We even offer a $250 rebate when you purchase a Level 2 home charger. And we make it super easy:
• If you buy your EV charger through the Jackson EMC Marketplace (jacksonemcmarketplace.com), the rebate is applied instantly at checkout.
• If you purchase one elsewhere, you can still apply for the rebate on our website.
It’s a great way to save a little extra while setting up your home charging station.
We want to make learning about EVs simple and stress-free. You can find everything you need—from savings calculators to charging options — at jacksonemc.com/ev.
If you still have questions, just give us a call at 1-800-462-3691 and ask for an energy advisor — we’re happy to help!
Looking for more ways to save energy at home? Send us your questions at residentialmemberservices@jacksonemc.com — your question might even appear in JEMCO News!
ANSWERED
BY CHRISTY QUEEN, Jackson EMC Director of Residential Marketing
For more information on the Time-of-Use rate, visit jacksonemc.com/time-of-use or scan this QR code
STANDING STRONG
Ensuring a Safe, Reliable Power Grid for You
For more than 85 years, Jackson EMC has been keeping the lights on for members like you. Back in the early days, crews dug holes by hand and used mules to pull wires to poles. Today, technology and expertise make installing and maintaining the cooperative's approximately 134,000 wood poles more efficient and reliable than ever.
“Poles play an essential role in delivering safe and reliable electric service to our members,” said Tommy Parker, Jackson EMC’s vice president of operations. “We proactively inspect and maintain our poles to ensure they meet safety standards and serve our members for as long as possible.”
The average lifespan of a pole is about 30-40 years. To extend durability, Jackson EMC uses treated poles to
prevent rot and slow aging. All poles in our service area are checked once every eight years. We inspect approximately 17,000 poles each year. Poles needing attention are either treated for longevity or replaced.
“You can tell a lot about a pole by looking at its base,” Parker explained. The base is the most vulnerable part, especially in Georgia’s warm, humid climate, where moisture and oxygen can accelerate rot.
Did you know?
Jackson EMC maintains approximately 134,000 poles to keep electricity flowing reliably. Here’s how we inspect, treat and replace poles to ensure your service stays strong.
Inspectors use visual and physical tests to evaluate a pole's integrity. If early signs of rot are found, they dig around the base and apply a special treatment that can add another 10-20 years to the pole’s lifespan, which can help save the cooperative's members money.
During inspections, crews also check guy wires, which stabilize poles, and ensure poles are correctly labeled with Jackson EMC’s triangle tag. If a pole needs to be replaced, crews use specialized equipment to remove the old pole and install a new one — usually completing the process in about four hours. Once a new pole is in place, we notify other utilities that attach to our poles, like cable companies, so they can move their lines and equipment.
As our community grows, Jackson EMC continues expanding and reinforcing the electric system. Whether it’s adding new poles to serve growing neighborhoods or replacing those damaged by storms or accidents, we’re always working to keep your power reliable. In 2024 alone,
we stocked nearly 4,000 new wood poles to be ready for storm response and system expansion.
By keeping a close eye on the infrastructure that powers your home and business, Jackson EMC ensures you can always count on us to deliver safe, reliable electricity.
$107,500 IN GRANTS RECENTLY AWARDED
The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors awarded a total of $107,500 in grants to organizations during a recent meeting.
Organizational Grant Recipients:
$10,000 to American Red Cross, to provide immediate and supplemental financial assistance, health assistance for families in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe counties after experiencing a house fire, and for local disaster response.
$10,000 to Athens Parent Wellbeing, Inc., Athens, which promotes the mental well-being of mothers and families in Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties throughout pregnancy and postpartum period by providing education, resources and support for psychological evaluations for uninsured and underinsured clients.
$10,000 to Bethel Haven, which provides help and healing to distressed children, teenagers, adults and families in all counties served by Jackson EMC to provide counseling sessions.
$10,000 to Community Helping Place, Dahlonega, to provide a community warming center with cots, sleeping bags, storage lockers, food and hygiene supplies, and a storage building for residents in Lumpkin County.
$10,000 to Eagle Ranch, Inc., which provides a whole-family approach to restoring and renewing relationships for children and families in Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin and Madison counties, for counseling sessions for clients in its First Step Counseling Program.
$10,000 to Madison County Rotary Foundation, Inc., Danielsville, to purchase materials to build ramps for handicap residents in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties.
$10,000 to Step by Step Recovery, Inc., Lawrenceville, which provides a safe and structured residential program for men and women in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Hall, Gwinnett, Jackson and Lumpkin counties suffering from homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, and recently-paroled people for its Residential Recovery Program.
$7,500 to Acceptance Recovery Center, Inc., Athens, which provides peer support recovery services to individuals in all counties served by Jackson EMC recovering from substance use disorders to support the housing fee for 3 parent residents enrolled in its program for almost 2 months.
$7,500 to the Fresh Wind Recovery Ministry, Inc., Athens, which is a residential ministry for men in all counties served by Jackson EMC struggling with substance abuse to support counseling sessions and meals for clients.
$7,500 to Judy House Ministry, Inc., Lawrenceville, which provides a safe environment for men and women in Gwinnett County facing homelessness for housing for its Transfer Program.
$7,500 to NSPIRE Outreach Ministries, Inc., Lawrenceville, which helps those in Gwinnett and Hall counties facing a cycle of homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, abuse and neglect for its Launch Program that includes housing, job training, recovery meetings and more.
$7,500 to Palm House Recovery Centers, Inc., Athens, which helps people in all counties served by Jackson EMC struggling with addiction for client intake fees and rent for individuals in its Helping Hands Program.
COMMUNITY IMPACT: MY SISTER’S PLACE
My Sister’s Place was founded in 2000 by Marty Owens, who saw a critical need for a safe haven for women experiencing homelessness in Gainesville. Owens’ vision began with her welcoming a few women into her own home, offering meals, a listening ear and support. With the help of a friend, she secured a donated home and named it My Sister’s Place to protect the dignity of the women it served.
Since then, the organization has grown into a resourceful nonprofit serving women and children across northeast Georgia. It provides not only housing and meals, but also lifechanging tools to help women rebuild their lives.
A recent $10,000 grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation supported My Sister’s Place and its Empowerment Program. This initiative provides women with the skills and resources needed to regain their independence, including life skills training, financial literacy courses, goal-setting support, resume workshops and connections to critical community and government resources. By addressing barriers, the program helps residents build a strong foundation for stable, selfsufficient living.
“Homelessness can affect anyone under the wrong circumstances- even those we interact with daily, often without knowing their struggles,” said Jennifer Bero, executive director. “With the support of this grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation, the Empowerment Program will continue to provide immediate assistance and empower women to rebuild their lives and make positive contributions to their communities.”
Understanding Electricity Demand & How It Saves You Money
At Jackson EMC, we work to keep electricity reliable and affordable. One way we do this is by managing demand.
What is Demand?
Demand refers to the amount of electricity used at any given moment. If too many people use energy at the same time — such as running air conditioners, dishwashers and washing machines simultaneously — demand spikes, and electricity becomes more expensive.
Why Does Demand Matter?
Jackson EMC provides electricity to more than 265,000 meters across 10 counties. The total demand for electricity at any given time affects how much power must be generated or purchased. Higher demand means higher costs, especially during peak periods when more expensive generators may be needed to meet the high demand.
By managing demand efficiently, we help control these costs, keeping electricity more affordable for everyone in the co-op.
How Can You Help Keep Costs Low?
By shifting energy use to off-peak hours (early mornings, evenings or weekends), we can avoid purchasing electricity at higher – peak – prices. This helps keep rates steady and affordable for all cooperative members.
Easy Ways You Can Reduce Demand During Peak Times:
• Run major appliances after 8 p.m.
• Set your thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer or lower in the winter during peak times (3-8 p.m.)
• Use smart thermostats and timers on water heaters and pool pumps for energy efficiency.
YOUR POWER. YOUR COMMUNITY. A PUBLICATION FOR JACKSON EMC MEMBERS
JACKSON EMC OFFICES
1000 Dawsonville Highway Gainesville, GA (770) 536-2415
85 Spratlin Mill Road Hull, GA (706) 548-5362
850 Commerce Road Jefferson, GA (706) 367-5281
825 Buford Dr Lawrenceville, GA (770) 963-6166
EMC SECURITY
55 Satellite Blvd., NW Suwanee, GA (770) 963-0305 or (706) 543-4009
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID
jacksonemc.com
INGREDIENTS: 32 oz. carton of chicken broth cup of water can diced tomatoes (do not drain) green
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all ingredients, except the tortellini, in a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add the tortellini and cook according to the package directions. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.
"A friend made it for us years ago when we were newlyweds and my husband was in seminary in Texas. It’s tasty and seemed so elegant, but when she shared the recipe, I realized how frugal and easy it is to make. It is now a family favorite.”
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