The Transformer OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF CANOOCHEE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
September 2025
Your Voice, Your Co-op Why Attending the Canoochee EMC Annual Meeting Matters
A
s a member of Canoochee EMC, you’re not just a customer—you’re an owner. This fundamental difference sets us apart from other utilities, and it’s precisely why attending our Annual Meeting of Members is so incredibly important. It’s your opportunity to actively participate in the direction and future of your electric cooperative, ensuring your needs and the needs of our community remain at the forefront of our operations. At Canoochee EMC, we operate on the cooperative principle of Democratic Member Control. This isn’t just a fancy phrase. It means that you, our members, have a direct say in how your cooperative is run. The Annual Meeting is the cornerstone of this principle. It’s where key decisions are made and the strategic vision for Canoochee EMC is shaped. One of the most crucial aspects of the Annual Meeting is the election of your Board of Directors. These individuals are fellow members, your neighbors, who volunteer their time and expertise to guide the cooperative. They understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing our service territory because they live and work right here alongside you. Your vote at the Annual Meeting ensures that the board truly represents the diverse perspectives and priorities of our membership. Without your participation, the democratic process that is so vital to our cooperative model cannot function effectively. Beyond elections, the Annual Meeting provides invaluable transparency and accountability. You’ll receive
comprehensive reports on the cooperative’s financial health, operational performance and future plans. This is your chance to understand how your co-op is managing resources, investing in infrastructure and ensuring reliable power delivery. We believe in open communication, and your attendance demonstrates your commitment to staying informed. But the importance of the Annual Meeting extends beyond formal business. It’s also a vital community gathering. In today’s fast-paced world, opportunities to connect with neighbors and friends are increasingly rare. Our Annual Meeting offers a welcoming environment to socialize, share concerns and build a stronger sense of community. It’s a chance to meet the dedicated employees who work tirelessly to keep your lights on and see firsthand the impact your cooperative has on our region and beyond. We often feature engaging activities, local entertainment and door prizes, making it an enjoyable event for the whole family. Furthermore, your attendance directly contributes to meeting our quorum requirements. For important business decisions and elections to be official, a certain percentage of members must be present. By simply showing up, you help us fulfill this essential requirement, ensuring that the business of your cooperative can proceed efficiently and effectively. In essence, attending the Canoochee EMC Annual Meeting is an investment in your own future and the future of your community. It’s a powerful demonstration of your ownership, your voice and your commitment to a strong, member-controlled cooperative.
Join Us at the Annual Meeting!
We’re excited to announce that this year’s Annual Meeting will be held at the Tattnall Campground—3769 Campground Road, Claxton, GA 30417— on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Registration begins at noon, and the business meeting will promptly start at 2 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there, and we appreciate your participation in shaping the future of Canoochee EMC!
Canoochee EMC Newsletter
A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative
www.canoocheeemc.com
22A
ree energy from the sun and lower electric bills—where do I sign up?” The benefits of installing rooftop solar panels may seem like a nobrainer, but the reality is, not every home (and homeowner’s situation) is always right for solar. There are several factors to consider before pulling the trigger on a rooftop solar system, such as determining whether your home will receive enough sun to achieve your goals, finding the right contractor, negotiating contracts and other important details. Investing in solar for your home is a major decision. If you’re considering rooftop solar, Canoochee EMC can help. Here are eight questions to consider before installing rooftop solar panels: 1. What are my goals? If your primary goal is to save money on electric bills, you may be able to achieve this through our energy audit program, which can identify areas of the home for maximum energy savings. If your goal is to have power during a storm, consider a whole-home generator.
If you decide to install solar panels, finding a licensed, qualified contractor for the job is extremely important.
VIVANT SOLAR, UNSPLASH
2. Is my roof suitable for solar? Your roof should be in good condition before installing solar panels. If your roof is old and in poor shape, it may need to be replaced before panels can be mounted. Additionally, your roof should receive a lot of sun to make the most of a rooftop system. Consider how much sun (and shade) the roof receives and if any trees will need to be removed. Solar panels perform best when facing south, so keep this in mind as you think about where the panels will be mounted. 3. How long will I own the home? If you’re considering rooftop solar, you’re likely planning to stay in the home for several years. But if you plan to sell the home at some point down the road, consider that not all potential buyers will want to maintain a rooftop solar system. The condition of your roof and how much sun it receives are 4. Am I eligible for important factors to consider before installing solar panels. tax credits? Federal tax
22B
Georgia Magazine
September 2025
A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative
credits can help cover some of the costs for a new system (up to 30%), but are you able to receive these benefits? Talk with your tax professional before you buy. 5. Can the contractor provide upto-date documentation? Be sure to request proof and documentation of a contractor’s licensing, permitting and other credentials. Comb through company reviews, check the contractor’s status with the Better Business Bureau, etc. Do your homework on the front end before signing a contract. 6. Does the contract seem reasonable and fair? If you decide to hire a contractor to install rooftop solar, carefully read the fine print of the contract. Do the system performance calculations seem realistic? Does the project time frame sound reasonable? Negotiate the contract terms to fit your goals and needs. 7. Who will maintain the solar panels? Determining who is responsible for maintaining the solar panels will depend on who owns the system. If you lease the system from a solar installer, it may be their responsibility. Solar panels Continued on page 22C Canoochee EMC Newsletter
BILL MEAD, UNSPLASH
8 Questions to Consider Before Installing Rooftop Solar “F
Stay Safe With Outdoor Lighting
Find a Dead Mouse? Check Your Outlets
A
dding outdoor lights around your home is one of the best ways to protect it from break-ins. You can add safety and style with a few well-placed lights. Some tips: • Place a light at every entry point to your home; above or beside windows and doors, including the garage door. • Mount lighting fixtures on exterior walls near first-floor and basement windows to discourage burglars. • Illuminate your front, back and side yards with floodlights so nobody can skulk around without being seen. • Light up your driveway with pathway lights and another light above the garage door to lower the chances someone will break into your car. • Send a message to prowlers that the neighbors will notice them. Mount lanterns in trees to pour light into your yard and onto your deck. Likewise, post up lights at the base of trees and shrubs. • If you have a security camera or a security system warning sign, train a light on it so it’s visible to intruders.
T
• Arrange outdoor lights so they’re high enough to be out of the reach of vandals—9 feet off the ground. • Rig your outdoor lights to a timer so they come on at dusk and off at dawn. That way, you’ll have lights around your house all night. • Take care with placement so light doesn’t glare into your home or your neighbor’s. • If your lights are rigged to motion detectors, set them so they “see” what’s going on near your house, but so they’re not sensitive enough to trip when birds, bats or bugs buzz around them.
Installing Rooftop Solar, should periodically be cleaned, as dirt and debris can impact panel productivity. Parts may also need to be replaced, so it’s important to know who will take on these responsibilities. 8. How will I work with Canoochee EMC? Finally, but equally important, you should contact Canoochee EMC if you decide to install solar. The system Canoochee EMC Newsletter
he next time you think you smell a dead mouse in the house but can’t find one, check your electrical outlets. Overheated, damaged or exposed wires literally can start to smoke and burn inside your wall. So can a dead mouse—or anything from loose insulation to debris of any kind—if it gets trapped in the box behind the outlet. The dead-animal smell, or a smell like burning rubber, is a warning sign, so don’t ignore it. Instead, inspect every outlet in the house until you locate the one that smells. Unplug everything from the outlet; the plug will probably be hot. Then, call a licensed electrician to diagnose the problem and repair the outlet.
Continued from page 22B
must be connected to the electric grid, so you’ll need to sign an interconnection agreement. We can walk you through the steps, including how our solar rates and fees work. For many homeowners, solar panels are a great way to help the environment and save on electric bills, but there are many factors to consider A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative
before diving in and installing a system. As with any major home project, do plenty of research up front and contact Canoochee EMC if you have questions or decide to move forward with installation. We’re your local energy partner and can serve as a helpful resource throughout the process. www.canoocheeemc.com 22C
The Transformer
Grant Funds New Uniforms
Official Publication of Canoochee EMC P.O. Box 487 Reidsville, GA 30453 (800) 342-0134 Joseph A. Sikes, Editor BOARD OF DIRECTORS Connie Thrift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 3 President Bob Floyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 4 Vice President Kim Blocker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 9 Treasurer LaNell M. Oliver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 6 Secretary Ed Bradley Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 5 Robert Dasher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 8 Kenneth L. Durrence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 7 Lavanda Lynn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 2 Bernard Purvis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 1
T
he Bryan County High School Marching Band recently received a $5,000 grant from the Canoochee EMC Foundation to purchase new uniforms. The band was in urgent
need of additional uniforms for the upcoming school year, and the foundation stepped in to help, emphasizing the co-op’s commitment to investing in local youth.
Michael Wasson, Chief Executive Officer Andy Whiten, Chief Operations Officer
Holiday Office Closing
Mat Olson, Chief Financial Officer Patrick Burkhalter, Chief Administration Officer Kyle E. Durrence, Member Services Manager
Canoochee EMC’s offices
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR POWER IS OFF . . . 1. Check your fuses or breakers. 2. Check with your neighbors. 3. Call (800) 342-0134 or (912) 557-4391. There is a dispatcher on call 24 hours a day for your convenience.
will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day.
OFFICE HOURS Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays
Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month
Branch offices Highway 196 West Hinesville, GA 31313
Congratulations to Barbara Burgess of Ellabell
Highway 280 East Pembroke, GA 31321
22D
Georgia Magazine
September 2025
for being selected as the September 2025 Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month.
A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative
Canoochee EMC Newsletter