July 2018 – Connections Member Newsletter

Cobb EMC linemen bring home top honors, page A

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OUTSMART your summer electric bills page E

CONNECTIONS JULY 2018 | THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF COBB ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION

Upcoming events Renewables & You Seminar Learn how to incorporate more renewables into your everyday life at the Renewables & You Seminar.

You’ll hear from experts about solar panels and energy efficiency. We’ll also have electric vehicles on-site.

When: Aug. 16 Time: 6-8 p.m.

Where: Cobb EMC – Bo and Mary Jean Pounds Auditorium

Linemen bring home top honors from statewide safety competition Cobb EMC linemen brought home top honors, including top lineman in the state, from May’s Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo, a day-long safety competition that tests linemen’s skills with a focus on training and improving safe work practices.

While linemen competed on a beautiful spring day with clear blue skies, the program helps keep safety top-of-mind for employees who, even during the worst of storms, must stay alert each second they are working. During events, linemen compete as journeymen teams or individually as apprentices.

Details: cobbemc.com/seminar

The rodeo, which is in its 24th year, is a family-friendly event that gives linemen an opportunity to showcase their skills and talent. Scores are based on speed and accuracy.

EV test drive event

Cobb EMC’s 2018 Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo awards include:

What does it feel like to drive an electric vehicle? Find out this fall at our exclusive EV test drive event, where you can experience the thrill of driving the future.

Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive event invites, giveaways and money-saving tips. Go to cobbemc.com/newsletter to subscribe.

small change

BIG DIFFERENCE

Individual Apprentice Awards • 1st Place in Overall Apprentice Awards: Tyler Dilbeck, Lineman – Step 4, Construction • 1st Place in Division Apprentice Awards – EMC Division: Tyler Dilbeck • 1st Place in Apprentice Hurtman Rescue – EMC Division: Austin Cunningham, Lineman – Step 2, Electrical Services • 2nd Place in Apprentice Written Test – EMC Division: Tyler Dilbeck • 2nd Place in Apprentice Secondary Connector Change Out – EMC Division: Dalton Cuthbertson, Lineman – Step 4, Line Maintenance • 2nd Place in Apprentice Mystery Event No. 1 – EMC Division: Austin Cunningham • 2nd Place in Apprentice Mystery Event No. 2 – EMC Division: Dalton Cuthbertson

The Cobb EMC Community Foundation has awarded more than $3,544,078 to local charities and nonprofits, as of May 2018. Thanks to generous members who round up their bills.

Visit cobbemc.com/foundation for a full list of recipients or to learn how to request funding.

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• 3rd Place in Apprentice Hurtman Rescue – EMC Division: Dalton Cuthbertson • 3rd Place in Apprentice Mystery Event No. 1 – EMC Division: David Gartrell, Lineman – Step 4, Construction Team Journeyman Awards • 4th Place in Overall Journeyman Awards: Josh Cash, 1st Class Lineman – Step 2,

Line Maintenance; Blake Goggins, 1st Class Lineman – Step 2, Line Maintenance; Kyle Moore, 1st Class Lineman – Step 2, Line Maintenance • 3rd Place in Division Journeyman Awards – EMC Division: Josh Cash, Blake Goggins, Kyle Moore • 1st Place in Journeyman Hurtman Rescue – EMC Division: Ian Hansman, 1st Class Lineman – Step 2, Construction; Jeremy McBrayer, 1st Class Lineman – Step 2, Line Maintenance; Aaron Wilmert, 1st Class Lineman – Step 2, Construction • 2nd Place in Journeyman Hot Tie – EMC Division: Brian Mathison, 1st Class Lineman – Step 2, Construction; Justin Maxwell, 1st Class Lineman – Step 2, Construction; Jeff York, Line Foreman, Line Maintenance • 3rd Place in Journeyman Hurtman Rescue – EMC Division: Josh Cash, Blake Goggins, Kyle Moore • 3rd Place in Journeyman Mystery Event No. 1 – EMC Division: Josh Cash, Blake Goggins, Kyle Moore • 3rd Place in Journeyman Mystery Event No. 2 – EMC Division: Ian Hansman, Jeremy McBrayer, Aaron Wilmert

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO We’re bringing the benefits of sensible, affordable solar to everyone.

As a community-focused electric cooperative, we’re always looking for new and innovative ways to power your lives.

Having a balanced mix of sources helps us bring you reliable energy 24/7.

We recently signed an agreement that will allow us to offer solar energy that is cheaper than most other energy sources, meaning you get the benefit of clean, renewable energy while paying less for it. You no longer have to choose between clean energy and affordable energy.

Because this new solar energy is part of our overall energy mix, everyone benefits – not just those who make the investment in rooftop solar panels.

Each time you flip a switch, a larger portion of that electricity comes from affordable, renewable sources.

We’re also proud to reduce our dependence on other energy supplies and to support our local economies. This new solar project has four locations – all right here in Georgia.

Peter Heintzelman President and CEO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tripper Sharp, Chairman David McClellan, Vice Chairman Bryan Boyd, Secretary-Treasurer Kelly Bodner Eric Broadwell Edward Crowell Malcolm Swanson David Tennant Rudy Underwood

CONTACTS & HOURS Phone: 770-429-2100 Fax: 770-429-3330 Pay by phone: 1-855-730-8714

FREE FAIR TICKETS • ACTIVITIES • PRIZES Mark your calendar! Come to the 80th Annual Meeting Saturday, Sept. 15 at Jim R. Miller Park. We’ll share our successes and show you how we’re working to make your co-op innovative and convenient, while delivering the reliable energy you expect.

Door prizes • • • • •

Bill credits Smart thermostats Big Green Eggs Visa and Home Depot gift cards Google Home

Activities • • • •

Electric vehicles on display Bucket truck photo booth Kids fun zone Energy efficiency tips and info

Learn more at cobbemc.com/annualmeeting.

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.)

Account questions: Monday – Friday (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

Report outage 24/7: 770-429-2100 Express Pay drop box is available for non-cash payments 24/7

EDITORIAL STAFF Brooke Melton Traci Washington Angela Croce, CCC

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Download the Cobb EMC app for a chance to win!

Entering is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Download and log into the Cobb EMC app.

Tap the Enter to Win icon.

Complete the entry form.

Once you complete the entry form, you will be entered into drawings for tablets, bill credits and more!

For more information: cobbemc.com/entertowin

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We’re proud to power your lives

Enjoy intere a lower s no cl t rate and o this s sing cos ts umm er on ly!

Working on projects at home this summer? Cobb EMC can help.

From the smallest DIY fix to a large-scale renovation, we’re here to help you get started. As a co-op member, you can take advantage of an energy efficiency loan to take away the financial stress of making costly improvements to your home.

6 simple steps to secure your Cobb EMC Energy Efficiency Loan: 1. Select energy-efficient, qualified improvement 4. Once approved, perform work at home

2. Obtain estimate from approved contractor

3. Apply for loan at cobbemc.com

5. Cobb EMC verifies work and you sign loan paperwork

6. Once loan closes, GEMC sets up auto-withdrawals for loan payment

Learn more at cobbemc.com/loan.

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SAVINGS

Outsmart your summer electric bills with simple energy-efficiency measures.

say yes to LED lights

82 get smart with your thermostat Save on your cooling bills by taking advantage of a smart thermostat. Program your thermostat to 78 degrees when you’re home and in need of cooling. Turn up the temperature when you’re away.

Setting the thermostat back 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day from its normal setting can save up to 10 percent on heating and cooling.

Cobb EMC is switching to LED streetlights because they’re a smart way to brighten your roadways and increase conservation.

Save $25 on smart thermostat installation when you choose a participating contractor.

Go to:

cobbemc.com/thermostat

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Lighting accounts for up to 15 percent of a home’s energy budget.

Trash your old, energyhungry incandescent bulbs and illuminate your home with LEDs. LED bulbs last up to 30 times longer and use about 50 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs.

watch the clock when you use extra watts

• Program your thermostat to an energy-efficient summer setting.

Get our free app to pay your bill quickly and easily. Payments post to your account in real time, and you’ll enjoy zero fees.

Peak hours are the times of day when the demand for power peaks. For Cobb EMC, peak hours occur on certain days in the months of June through September between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. when we experience the highest temperatures outside.

Limiting your energy use during peak hours helps you save on your electric bill. And it also helps the co-op save.

MORNING

2 p m-7

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• Run appliances during off-peak periods.

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• Don’t use several energy sources at the same time.

NIGHT

Thanks to smart metering technology, you can see exactly how and when you use electricity. Download our free app and sign in to see your daily energy use. You can compare bills, check the weather for the day and track your average energy use. Then, you can use this information to decide what changes you can make to impact your bill.

Tips to save energy during peak hours:

As a member of an electric co-op, you’re in the unique position to help keep rates low.

How? One way is to lower your energy use during summer peak hours.

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know when and how you use electricity

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Curious about electric vehicles and other ways to become environmentally friendly? Attend our Renewables & You Seminar Join us for light refreshments as we host our free Renewables & You Seminar. Hear from experts in different areas of the renewables arena on what it takes to become more environmentally friendly. If you are interested in finding easy ways to decrease your carbon footprint, don’t miss this event!

The seminar will feature an electric vehicle gallery where you can touch the vehicles and ask questions. Additional topics covered during the event include installing solar panels on your home, electric vehicle myths and understanding the differences between solar and electric water heaters.

To RSVP and save your spot, visit cobbemc.com/seminar.

Event details When: Thursday, Aug. 16 Time: 6-8 p.m.

Where: Cobb EMC – Bo and Mary Jean Pounds Auditorium 1000 EMC Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060

We’re proud to power your lives

cobbemc.com