2024 April JEMCO

Thank you linemen for caring for your community. Be safe out in the field.

PATRICIA G.

Thank you for all the handwork and long hours. Much appreciated.

REBECCA K.

Thanks to all these hardworking line men!!!

LAURA L.

Our power went off in the middle of the night, Jackson EMC was out immediately and they have worked nonstop and so hard to locate and restore our power it is almost 11 am and I am so grateful for their hard work and determination. I feel so proud of the job they have done!

THOSE GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!!!

NASH A.

You guys are the best. Thanks for being there when we needed you!

ANDY H.

Thank you to all the linemen. Proud of the Jackson EMC team!

MARY S.

APRIL 2024

LINEMEN HAVE THE RIGHT STUFF

April is celebrated as Lineman Appreciation Month by many electric utilities across the U.S. Being a lineman is a tough job. The hours can be long. Weather conditions can be challenging. And power outages never seem to occur at a convenient time. There’s a great deal of sacrifice involved in responding when the lights are out.

Mike Rowe, the well-known TV host of “Dirty Jobs,” shared a post on social media about the “Electric Cowboys” competing at the International Lineman’s Rodeo last fall. Several of our linemen earned a top award at that event.

“This is what the trades need to do across the board – celebrate the skill that makes the underlying vocation cool,” Mike wrote, “Every week, I go somewhere to promote the skilled trades, and everywhere I

go … I say the same thing. These industries have to celebrate their own, in a way that makes people pay attention, and the next generation of skilled workers sit up and take notice. These guys are doing it right.”

Mike’s right. Beyond their compassionate hearts and sacrifices, linemen are highly-skilled professionals, proficient in technical expertise, safety protocols and problem solving. They're also very resilient.

The show may be called “Dirty Jobs,” but it’s really about learning and respecting those in challenging professions that demand certain skills. In one episode, Mike even worked alongside linemen to replace a pole. “I did this job for a day in Wyoming, and walked funny all month,” he wrote on Facebook. “These men (and women) are on call around the clock.

They are fearless and dedicated and crazy brave. And they are quite possibly the toughest bunch of professionals I’ve had the pleasure to hang out with in a very long time.”

Linemen really do have the right stuff. We appreciate their hard work and service to our community! Thank you!

Have a story to share about our linemen? Share it with me at chip@jacksonemc.com.

CHIP JAKINS President & CEO

Because April is Lineman Appreciation Month, utilities and their customers across the U.S. pay extra tribute to these highly skilled professionals by showing their appreciation for linemen. Linemen are champions in our community. Rain or shine, linemen are ready to keep electricity flowing to their homes and businesses.

Jackson EMC members are encouraged to show their appreciation for linemen by using the hashtags #ThankALineman and #JacksonEMC this month on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Members can also share their appreciation for linemen by sending an email to info@jacksonemc.com, calling 1-800-462-3691, or sending a letter to Jackson EMC at P.O. Box 100, Jefferson, GA 30549.

We’ll share your comments or stories with our linemen.

JACKSON EMC HONORS

AREA HOMEBUILDERS

Jackson EMC recognized local homebuilders for their outstanding commitment to constructing new homes within the cooperative's service area that meet the rigorous Right Choice standards for energy efficiency and comfort.

“Jackson EMC works closely with homebuilders to ensure they’re meeting the important efficiency standards of the Right Choice new home program from the design phase all the way through performance testing and completion of construction,” said Nelson McGinnis, Jackson EMC’s manager of residential new development. “We’re proud to honor the builders who excel in our Right Choice program.”

Each year, Jackson EMC recognizes homebuilders with best-inclass awards and several Community Spotlight awards in each of four categories based on the number of Right Choice homes completed in a year:

• The diamond class category includes companies that have built more than 100 Right Choice homes.

• Platinum class awards honor companies that build 26-99 Right Choice homes.

• Gold class awards recognize builders who built fewer than 26 Right Choice homes.

• The multi-family class honors builders who have built apartment projects of any size using Right Choice’s energyefficiency standards.

The following list of winners includes the location where they are currently building Right Choice homes:

The Builder of the Year award recognizes the effort and excellence of a company and its team. Builder of the Year awards went to:

DIAMOND CLASS Paran Homes

Gwinnett and Jackson counties

PLATINUM CLASS Richardson Housing Group

Gwinnett County

GOLD CLASS Sterling Residential

Jackson County

MULTI-FAMILY CLASS Oxford Properties

Gwinnett County

The Leadership Award recognizes a builder’s or superintendent’s individual efforts. The Leadership Awards went to:

DIAMOND CLASS Brian Scheessele

Paran Homes | Gwinnett and Jackson counties

PLATINUM CLASS Ryan Brown

Southern Heritage Homes | Jackson County

GOLD CLASS Ryan Rudolph

Sterling Residential | Jackson County

MULTI-FAMILY CLASS James Brenowitz

Oxford Properties | Gwinnett County

The Community Spotlight Award honors Right Choice builders whose dedication to energy efficient construction has a tremendous impact on the Jackson EMC community.

The Community Spotlight Awards went to:

Belatan Properties, Gwinnett and Hall counties

Brand Properties, Gwinnett County

Century Communities, Banks, Gwinnett and Hall counties

Clayton Properties Group, Inc. DBA Chafin Builders, Gwinnett and Hall counties

Creekside Homebuilders Group, LLC, Jackson County

EMC Homes, Hall and Jackson counties

MB Endeavors, Hall and Jackson counties

Oxford Properties LLC, Gwinnett County

Paran Homes, Gwinnett and Jackson counties

Pedcor Companies, Gwinnett County

Pulte Group, Gwinnett and Hall counties

Jackson EMC recently honored several builders with a Right Choice Builder of the Year Award. They included (L-R): James Brenowitz, Oxford Properties; Mark Richardson, Richardson Housing Group; Ryan Rudolph, Sterling Residential; and Brian Scheessele, Paran Homes.

Richardson Housing Group, Gwinnett County

Smith Douglas Homes, Barrow County

Southern Heritage Homes, Jackson County

Southernwood Homes, Hall and Jackson counties

Summit Contracting Group, Hall County

TBG Residential, Barrow County

Solar Without the Strings: Everything You Need to Know About Cooperative Solar

Did you know you could get solar energy without installing solar panels on your home or property? Better yet, did you know there’s an affordable option that doesn’t tie you down with a contract, financing or approval from your homeowners’ association?

Jackson EMC’s Cooperative Solar program allows you to receive solar energy without the long-term commitment and risk of ownership or maintenance. You can purchase solar energy blocks from Jackson EMC at a monthly rate.

: Q How does Cooperative Solar work?

: A Jackson EMC co-owns several off-site solar facilities through our membership in Green Power EMC. Electricity is generated at those solar facilities and sent to our power grid. Cooperative Solar subscribers receive energy credits on their bill while getting the benefits of solar energy. The amount of energy produced by your share of Cooperative Solar will offset the same amount of energy usage on your bill each month.

: Q What’s the difference between participating in Cooperative Solar and installing solar panels on my house?

: A Installing solar panels on your house requires many considerations. Do you own your home? Does your homeowners’ association have rules about rooftop solar panels? Will you sign a long-term contract? Do you have the funds necessary to install solar panels? If not, how much will you finance? How will you maintain the operation of solar panels in the future?

Cooperative Solar offers an alternative: No installation on your home, no long-term contracts and no financing required. It's ideal for renters and homeowners seeking affordable solar energy.

: Q How much does it cost to participate in Cooperative Solar?

: A Purchase up to three solar blocks at $23 each per month, generating 200-225 kWh/month each. For context, the average Jackson EMC household uses 1,200 kWh/month.

: Q How will my participation in the program affect my monthly bill?

: A Your bill will show a line item with your monthly solar energy block fee and your share of the solar facilities’ generation in kWh during the month, which will offset your electric use based on your number of Cooperative Solar subscription blocks. Charges for remaining energy use are included as per your existing residential rate.

: Q Can renters participate in Cooperative Solar?

: A Yes! Since there’s no need to install solar panels, Cooperative Solar is a great option for renters who want to receive solar energy.

: Q Does Cooperative Solar help decrease my reliance on other energy sources in my home?

: A Cooperative Solar is an ideal option for members who want to receive solar energy as a renewable energy source. The Cooperative Solar program is designed to allow you to support solar through your monthly subscription and isn’t intended to result in energy or cost savings.

: Q What happens if there’s not enough solar energy generated to serve everyone in the program?

: A Each solar block's output changes monthly due to factors like sun position, time of year and cloudy days. Sometimes, production may be lower than before. Program members will still receive solar energy, although it might be less occasionally based on performance.

: Q Can I unsubscribe from the program at any time?

: A Yes. There’s no long-term commitment with Cooperative Solar and you can leave at any time.

: Q How can Jackson EMC help me determine if signing up for Cooperative Solar or installing solar panels is best for me?

: A As an electric cooperative, we’re your trusted energy expert. Our website has a tool that allows you to answer a few questions about your home and goals for renewable energy. The rooftop solar assessment tool will give you a personalized estimate for installing solar panels. You can also call us Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to speak to an energy advisor about your plans. If you chose to install rooftop solar panels, please give us a call before to evaluate your electricity needs and complete our interconnection agreement for safety and reliability. Call us at 1-800-462-3691.

$109,457 IN GRANTS RECENTLY AWARDED

The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $109,457 in grants, including $104,457 to organizations and $5,000 to an individual, during a recent meeting.

Organizational Grant Recipients:

$19,957 to Boy Scouts of Northeast Georgia, Inc., to provide uniforms, handbooks and camp fees to help underprivileged youth participating in scouting in all counties served by Jackson EMC.

$15,000 to Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc., for construction materials and landscaping for its build for a new home build.

$15,000 to Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, Too!, Inc., to improve the quality of life for those who are mobilityimpaired due to any physical disability, illness or injury for its Home Medical Equipment Program for equipment and client care services in all counties served by Jackson EMC.

$15,000 to Gwinnett-Walton Habitat for Humanity for plumbing, appliances and paint for a new home build.

$15,000 to Jackson County Habitat for Humanity for plumbing, electrical installation, dry wall and an HVAC unit for a new home build.

$10,000 to Angel House of Georgia, Inc., to provide entrance and program fees at the Gainesville recovery residence for women throughout the Jackson EMC service area with alcohol and/or drug addiction.

$10,000 to Positive Impact International, Inc., Suwanee, for food, clothing, hygiene supplies and counseling services for its Safe Place program, which helps homeless youth in Gwinnett County in unsafe conditions or situations get immediate shelter.

$4,500 to Comics Appreciation Project, Inc., Bogart, a nonprofit organization that shares and fosters an appreciation for comics through literacy engagement programs to purchase books for its Share-Care Books Program to serve residents in all counties served by Jackson EMC.

Individual Recipient:

$5,000 for a handicapped accessible vehicle for a man who is disabled.

Community Impact: Good News Clinics

Good News Clinics has offered free medical and dental care for more than 30 years to Hall County residents facing poverty and lacking health insurance.

The nonprofit’s volunteer healthcare providers serve around 3,000 patients each year. The Gainesville-based clinic was recently awarded a $20,000 Jackson EMC Foundation grant to provide laboratory tests and medications for patients.

“Our patients aren’t always who you’d anticipate,” said Daphaney Teaver, Good News Clinics’ development director. “Sometimes, people can fall on hard times and they don’t have insurance to cover their basic healthcare needs.”

Good News Clinics treats many patients with chronic conditions that can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication, such as autoimmune diseases, congestive heart failure, diabetes and hypertension.

“A lot of our patients feel very dignified for learning how to take care of themselves,” Teaver said.

Around 40-50 physicians and 35 dentists volunteer to serve the clinics’ patients, providing on-site healthcare services and medication. Founded by physicians who recognized the need while working at a homeless shelter, Good News Clinics relies on partnerships, like the one with the Jackson EMC Foundation, to continue serving the community. Notably, the clinic assists individuals with household incomes below 150% of the federal poverty level.

“Without the consideration, care and compassion of those in our community, we wouldn’t be able to open our doors.”

DAPHNE TEAVER Development Director, Good News Clinics

Pound Cake

Our cooperative was built on the idea that investing in our communities improves the lives of everyone. Community involvement is an important part of each employee’s job. This April, our Jackson EMC Cares community involvement program helps employees boost their volunteerism in our community.

While Jackson EMC employees volunteer year-round throughout Northeast Georgia, this month emphasizes our employees working together to make a big impact in the lives of others. Jackson EMC Cares offers special volunteer projects for employees, such as stocking food and clothing pantries, building benches for schools, packing donations for local students in need, writing encouraging cards for seniors and more.

Look for Jackson EMC employees volunteering all around the community this month.

INGREDIENTS: sticks of butter cup shortening cups of sugar scant cup of milk cups plain flour

DIRECTIONS:

tsp. almond extract JACKSON

tsp. baking powder eggs

tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and sugar together with hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add milk and flour alternately (sift baking powder into flour first). Add vanilla and almond extracts last. Pour batter into a pan greased with Crisco and dusted with flour. Bake for one hour and 30 minutes.

If using a dark interior pan, bake at 305-310 degrees. If using a medium interior pan, bake at 325 degrees. Cake can be plain or topped with caramel icing, vanilla or chocolate glaze, strawberries and/or whipped cream after cooling.

This recipe was handed down to me by my mother-in-law, Grace Owens Theus. She was not only a wonderful cook, she set the standard for being a good person. I have baked hundreds of these pound cakes over the past 50 years and it never fails to get raves and ‘please, give me your recipe’ requests. My children sometimes tell people that I am famous for my pound cakes, but the glory goes to the beautiful-hearted woman who taught me how to cook so long ago. “ “

MARIE

PEVLER, Buford

SEND US YOUR BEST RECIPES: RECIPES@JACKSONEMC.COM OR MAIL TO: COOPERATIVE COOKING | JACKSON EMC | PO BOX 38 | JEFFERSON, GA 30549 FIND RECIPES AT JACKSONEMC.COM/RECIPES.

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

Clearing the Way for Safe, Reliable Power

Tree limbs falling on power lines are the top cause of power outages. To provide safe, reliable electricity, Jackson EMC starts on the ground – by maintaining vegetation near power lines and equipment.

Overgrown trees and vegetation near co-op lines and equipment can be dangerous if they come in contact with power lines. They can also cause service disruptions. That’s why we regularly trim and clear vegetation growth in the right-of-way and near our lines and equipment. Our trained arborists work with trusted contractors to proactively maintain reliable power.

Clearing the right-of-way areas keeps power lines free of potential debris, minimizing storm-related outages. Linemen are also given a safe space to perform maintenance and make any repairs, allowing us to best serve you - our members.

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