CONNECTIONS
The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JANUARY 2026
CELEBRATING THE 2025 COBB EMC WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR DELEGATES In June, Georgia’s electric membership corporations (EMCs) sent their 60th—and largest ever—delegation of students to Washington, D.C., for the all-expenses-paid, weeklong Washington Youth Tour (WYT). Representing 38 Georgia EMCs, 116 high schoolers attended, along with 14 chaperones sent by co-ops and three representatives from Tucker-based Georgia EMC. Four students from Cobb EMC’s service territory represented the co-op and participated in this leadership and citizenship development experience in the nation’s capital. In addition, delegates also participated in Cobb EMC’s Youth Leadership Program, which aims to develop the students’ networking and leadership skills while learning about their electric cooperative and the community. When selected, the four students were also eligible to receive the George R. Ford Scholarship and apply for a paid internship as part of the Youth Leadership Program. Applications for the all-expenses-paid 2026 Washington Youth Tour leadership experience will be available spring 2026 at cobbemc.com/Scholarships. Highlights of last year’s event included stops at the Smithsonian Institution museums, the National Archives, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Arlington 2025 Washington National Cemetery and the World War II, Youth Tour Cobb EMC Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Martin Luther representatives from left: Hamilton Fish; Ben Ostell; King Jr., Jefferson, Lincoln, Korean War and Nkenna Uzoho; Ishaan Saini. Vietnam Veterans memorials. On Capitol Hill day, students met with U.S. representatives in a congressional town hall, then spent time with U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock on the Capitol steps.
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CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JANUARY 2026
Leading in service, savings, and reliability Our promise for 2026 and beyond Your membership at Cobb EMC extends beyond electricity—it’s about empowering lives and building a stronger community. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative owned by our members, we’re committed to serving you with integrity, heart and care while delivering safe, reliable energy. Providing you with reliable power remains a top priority. Thanks to our dedicated line crews and operations team, Cobb EMC ranks #1 in the nation for restoring outages quickly1. To keep power flowing, we proactively maintain approximately 400 miles of right of way each year by trimming trees and clearing brush around power lines to prevent interference. We also consistently inspect our systems and replace infrastructure to stay ahead of challenges. As part of our commitment to safety, we focus on maintaining a secure electric system that protects both our crews and the community. We’re proud to report that our members’ bills are currently $52 lower per month than the state average. Cobb EMC ranked #1 in Georgia for the lowest rates three years in a row2, according to the Public Service Commission. As a not-for-profit, we focus on putting money back in your pocket, operating with integrity and transparency in every financial decision. In addition to offering low rates, we’ve returned $187 million to our members since 2013 through Power Cost Adjustments and capital credits. Your membership also powers our community. This year, we awarded more than $38,000 in mini-grants to 81 local school projects, supported leadership training for 140 students and partnered with MUST Ministries to provide meals for children in need. At our 14th annual Literacy Week, we reached 25,000 students across 50 schools. We’re also leading the way in renewable energy. Our goal is to reduce our carbon footprint by 75% and triple our renewable energy portfolio by 2030. With more than 5,000 solar panels and a solar flower garden on our campus, we’re building a cleaner, more resilient future. Cobb EMC’s 386 employees work around the clock behind the scenes to serve you every single day, and each success we achieve is a reflection of their dedication to you. As we begin a new year, we will continue to provide value to you and our community. Thank you for being a valued Cobb EMC member.
THE VALUE OF YOUR
MEMBERSHIP
#1
IN THE NATION FOR RESTORING OUTAGES QUICKLY1
#1
IN THE STATE FOR LOW RATES AMONG ALL 94 UTILITIES2
highest-rated natural gas provider in the state3
LEADERSHIP
Kevan Espy, President & CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kelly Bodner, Chair Tripper Sharp, Vice Chair Bryan Boyd, Secretary-Treasurer Eric Broadwell Edward Crowell David McClellan Malcolm Swanson David Tennant Rudy Underwood
CONTACT US
Phone: 770-429-2100 Web: cobbemc.com
1 - According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 2025 reliability benchmark study results.
Kevan Espy President & CEO
2 - According to the Georgia Public Service Commission 2025 Summer Rate Survey.
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3 - According to Google reviews as of 2025. Gas South is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC.
CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JANUARY 2026
UPDATES & TIPS FOR MEMBERS CELEBRATE “CUT YOUR ENERGY COSTS DAY” ON JAN. 10 A new year brings new opportunities to save energy and money. Take simple steps, like changing out air filters, adjusting the thermostat and turning off lights, to save energy and lower your monthly bill.
WRAPPED IN SAVINGS FOR THE WINTER Ensuring your home is properly insulated can improve energy efficiency and make your home more comfortable. Insulation acts like a cozy coat that reduces heat loss during winter months and a protective layer that reduces heat gain during summer months. The most common areas to insulate are attics, ceilings, crawl spaces or unconditioned basements, exterior and interior walls, floors and ductwork located in unconditioned spaces. It’s important to understand how insulation effectiveness is measured. Insulation is rated in R-value, which measures the material’s resistance to conductive heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value you’ll need depends on factors like climate, type of heating and cooling system and which area of the home you plan to insulate. Insulation is offered in a wide range of materials from bulky fiberglass rolls to cellulose materials made from recycled paper products. If you’re considering installing additional insulation, talk to an expert who can offer guidance on the right materials for your budget, climate and comfort needs. Investing in proper insulation for your home not only enhances comfort but also reduces energy consumption.
SAVINGS FOR COBB EMC MEMBERS • •
Incentives: Cobb EMC offers incentives for members to help purchase and install energy improvements at home, including insulation. Visit cobbemc.com/Network for available incentives. Resources: We’ve curated a list of organizations in the community that offer assistance for a variety of needs, including replacing water heaters for qualifying seniors. cobbemc.com/Assistance.
Visit cobbemc.com/Save to learn about Cobb EMC’s energy efficiency programs designed with members in mind. OFFICE CLOSING Offices will be closed Jan. 19 for the MLK holiday. Crews are always standing by for emergencies. If you have an outage, report via text at 898-362, on the phone at 770-429-2100 or via our outage center online at cobbemc.com/ OutageCenter. TIPS TO AVOID ENERGY SCAMS Never make a utility bill payment to anyone calling you on the phone, coming to your door, texting you or emailing you. Always call Cobb EMC at the number provided on your bill or on our website if you have a question about payment or billing information. Know your bill payment options online, by phone, financial institution, mail or in person by visiting cobbemc.com/Pay. Cobb EMC Valid Phone Numbers: 770-429-2100 - Member Care and Automated Payments 898-362 - Outage Alerts 855-949-3524 - Billing Alerts
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CONNECTIONS | The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JANUARY 2026
DEDICATED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND RELIABLE POWER From ongoing training for all of our employees to maintaining and inspecting our electric system, Cobb EMC is dedicated to making safety our #1 priority. Our commitment to excellence has also earned us a top-ranking in member satisfaction. Here are a few ways we maintain the safety of our electric grid:
Regular inspections, improvements and upgrades to more than 9,000 miles of line across our fivecounty service area.
Ongoing crew visits to ensure member and crew safety, proper use of equipment and safe work practices in the field.
Claim your member savings in time for the new year! Why wait to get the great natural gas savings and service you deserve? As a Cobb EMC member right now, you get special discounts with Gas South to help you save and stay comfy all season long. Joining today means: •
$50 in bill credits
•
A 2¢-per-therm permanent discount*
•
No deposit and no connection fee
Plus, claiming your special member savings with Gas South is easy. And it only takes minutes online using promo code COBB. Get your member discounts today with Gas South, Georgia’s highest-rated natural gas provider. *Conditions apply. See website for details.
Visit: GasSouth.link/Cobb-Savings
For safety tips, emergency information and more, visit cobbemc.com/Safety.
Consistent safety audits for buildings and systems to maintain an “Outstanding Performer” safety accreditation rating.
Company-wide safety ambassador program teaching everyday safety to all employees while encouraging a safe working environment.