As a member-owned cooperative, we put a lot of thought into where we invest our resources to ensure you have safe, reliable and affordable electricity. Safety is an area we cannot compromise on. We’re always looking for ways to enhance our safety protocols and procedures to keep you and our employees safe.
Our linemen work tirelessly to keep power flowing to homes and businesses, and they do it with the utmost care and caution. That’s why we’re thrilled to add a new tool to our lineman training program – a stateof-the-art live line simulator.
The introduction of this innovative technology allows our linemen to train on real, energized power lines within a safe environment much like an electric fence. By simulating the real-life conditions they may encounter in the field, our linemen gain firsthand experience, enhancing their preparedness for working on energized lines safely and confidently.
You may be wondering, “Why does this matter to me?” When our linemen are equipped with the tools and training they need, it means better service for you. This real-world training better prepares our linemen to keep safety in mind when addressing issues, which can help minimize downtime if there’s an interruption to your service.
The response from our linemen has been overwhelmingly positive. They appreciate the opportunity to train on live, energized lines in our training yard, knowing that their safety is essential.
Beyond the practical benefits, this investment reflects our commitment to safety. At Jackson EMC, all our employees participate in monthly safety training. We also provide community safety demonstrations, such as those for students and local emergency services personnel. In addition, we use JEMCO News, social media, our website and
Being a member of a cooperative can help you save money. Recent data shows that Jackson EMC members save an average of $37 per month compared to the state average for electric utilities.* Jackson EMC was also #2 in Georgia among cooperatives for the lowest rates. During the summer, there’s a higher demand to produce electricity for cooling homes and businesses. Our summer rates are among the lowest in the state.**
Stay comfy and cool this summer by considering these few steps to save energy:
• Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees. Lower settings increase your operating costs approximately 5% for every degree below 78 degrees.
• Using blinds, shades or curtains to block heat from the sun warming your house.
• Turning on ceiling fans to circulate air and feel cooler.
other channels to educate members about safety. This month is Electrical Safety Month. In this issue of JEMCO News, you’ll find information about electric shock drowning.
Electricity is hazardous. We train, wear protective clothing and follow safety procedures so it’s not dangerous. If you’re curious about our live line simulator, flip a couple pages to learn more. We’re proud to offer this technology directly to our linemen and be the first electric cooperative in the U.S. to own one.
CHIP JAKINS President & CEO
First 650 kWh: 8.81 cents per kWh
Next 350 kWh: 11.06 cents per kWh
Over 1,000 kWh: 11.66 cents per kWh
+The Wholesale Power Cost
Adjustment, service charge and applicable taxes are also part of your total electric bill.
May is Electrical Safety Month. While we often think of safety around electricity indoors, there could be a hidden danger lurking in our lakes and swimming areas.
Electric shock drowning can occur when an electric current from boats, docks or other electric equipment in the area travels into surrounding water. There are no visible signs of the current seeping into the water, which makes it a hidden danger. The electric shock paralyzes swimmers, making them unable to swim. IF YOU SEE
I went to our church soup dinner and knew I had to find whoever made this buffalo chicken soup. She shared the recipe and my family has already requested more. If you like the taste of buffalo sauce, you will love this! I love using the recipes from the JEMCO News and I can’t wait to tell my church friend that her recipe is in the magazine. “ “
DENEEN SEGARS KINNEY Winder
Don’t enter the water: You could become a victim, too.
Turn off the power source: Prevent further danger.
Throw a life ring to the swimmer: Assist the swimmer without risking your safety.
Call 911: Swift action can save lives.
• Never swim near a boat or launching ramp. Residual current could flow into the water from the boat or marina’s wiring.
• If you feel tingling sensations while in the water, swim back in the direction in which you came. Report it immediately to the dock or marina owner.
• Regularly inspect your boat’s electrical system with a certified electrician to ensure it meets local and state safety codes.
• Use portable Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) or shore extension cords when using electricity around water.
Remember, electrical shock drowning is a hidden danger, but awareness and vigilance can save lives. Share this information with your friends, family and fellow swimmers.
INGREDIENTS:
tbs. vegetable oil
medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
tsp. minced garlic
cups chicken broth
cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
can (16 oz.) diced fire-roasted tomatoes, drained
can (15 oz.) sweet corn, drained
can (15 oz.) great northern beans, drained (can substitute 1 cup of uncooked rice)
cup buffalo sauce
cup salsa verde
tsp. dried oregano
oz. cream cheese, cubed (room temperature)
cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded (plus more for topping)
Salt and pepper, to taste
GARNISHES:
1 medium jalapeño, diced
In a large pot, over medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add onion and cook for 5-7 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the chicken broth, chicken, tomatoes, corn, beans (or rice), buffalo sauce, salsa verde and oregano. Bring to a simmer and allow mixture to simmer for about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cheeses are fully melted (10-12 minutes).
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with extra buffalo sauce, jalapeño, sour cream and cilantro, as desired.
ARECIPESFEATUREDRECEIVE PRIZE PACKAGE WITH AN AIR FRYER & GOODIESKITCHEN
Thanks to Jackson EMC Bright Ideas grants, local middle school teachers are bringing exciting concepts to their classrooms.
This school year, 48 teachers from 30 schools received a total of $73,600 in Bright Ideas grants. Since 2015, Jackson EMC has awarded more than $550,000 in Bright Ideas grants to local educators.
The Bright Ideas grant program provides middle school teachers with up to $2,000 for classroom projects that would otherwise not be funded. Bright Ideas grant applications for the 2024-2025 school year will open in August.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT JACKSONEMC.COM/BRIGHTIDEAS OR SCAN THE QR CODE:
OSBORNE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Gwinnett County
$ 1,873
Putting students in a high-pressure situation can help them develop decision-making skills that can be the difference between a healthy life or living with lifelong consequences. Health teacher Kellyn Aguilar used funds from her Bright Ideas grant to purchase tricycles and specialized goggles that simulate the impact of alcohol consumption. While wearing the goggles, her students rode tricycles through stations that simulated the effects of alcohol on fine and gross motor skills. “Activities like this not only make learning more engaging and memorable, but also provide life skills that students can carry with them beyond the classroom,” Aguilar said.
WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Barrow County
Science teacher Tamra Morris used funds from her Bright Ideas grant to purchase a life-sized model of a human torso with removable organs. While holding model organs, her students learned more about how each organ works with others to perform life’s functions in the human body. “Organ systems are normally a pretty popular unit. Although we can see pictures of the organ systems, we can’t ‘hold’ the organs and explore them,” said Morris, who shared her students continued to ask to take apart and reassemble the models. “I feel that Bright Ideas grant program is really helping me to build our science resources to reach many children in the future,” she added.
“I’m already thinking, ‘What can we do next?'”
LEGACY KNOLL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Jackson County
$ 1,958 $ 1,550
$ 850
MADISON COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Madison County
Marilyn Hilley used funds from her Bright Ideas grant to purchase various rocks, minerals and fossils for a hands-on “gallery walk” in Madison County Middle School’s media center. Through hands-on exploration, students delved into the properties of these specimens, from hardness to color and fracture breaks. “The students’ reactions were awesome as they used magnifying glasses to examine shark fossils, dinosaur fossilized droppings and more,” Hilley said of the “in-house field trip.” She added, “They learned that fossils help scientists understand what life was like millions of years ago.”
Band director Chandler Dickerson encouraged his students to use their imagination to bring music to life using advanced software purchased with funds from his Bright Ideas grant. The professional-level software allowed band students to visualize their songs and the possibilities of how to play them. “They learned how to build a melody, harmony, bass line, rhythm patterns and more,” he said. Several students have taken a deep interest in writing music and plan to work toward publishing their pieces, Dickerson said. “Our band program is extremely grateful to Jackson EMC for this opportunity to explore our bright ideas,” he added.
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded $107,795 in grants to organizations during a recent meeting.
$20,000 to Hi-Hope Service Center, Inc. , Lawrenceville, to help fund part-time nursing and nutrition services for 20 Gwinnett County residents with developmental disabilities who require onsite nursing care.
$15,000 to Heirborn Servants, Inc. , serving Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties, to provide assistance with its Give Rides program, which partners with community groups, transitional housing organizations and rideshare companies to ensure survivors of human trafficking or domestic violence can get to therapy and employment.
$15,000 to Rape Response, Inc . serving Hall and Lumpkin counties for its training expenses, fees and transportation for educators in its Prevention Education Program.
$10,000 to Athens Area Diaper Bank to provide diapers for low-income families in Clarke County.
$10,000 to Legacy Youth Mentoring, Inc. , for its youth mentoring program serving students in the Commerce City, Jefferson City and Jackson County school systems to provide training resources and support for adult mentors.
Ferst Readers of Hall County introduces reading and literacy to children from birth to five years old so they develop into successful students. Ferst Readers' vision is to create better learners, brighter futures and stronger communities by giving each child access to quality books in their homes.
Ferst Readers was started in Madison, Ga. by Robin Ferst to improve childhood literacy. The Hall County chapter began in 2021 with only 3 children and now serves 605 children in the county and climbing.
The nonprofit was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation to allow children, many from lowincome families in Hall County, to participate in its Childhood Literacy Program.
$10,000 to Wheels of Hope-Athens, Inc. , for its transportation services program that provides rides for disabled and elderly residents in Barrow, Clarke, Hall, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties.
$10,000 to Vision to Learn to provide free vision screenings, eye exams and prescription glasses for K-12 students in need in Gwinnett County schools.
$7,500 to NOA’s Ark, Inc. (No One Alone) for its Trauma Counseling Program, designed to serve adults and children in all counties served by Jackson EMC recovering from family violence, child sexual assault and dating violence.
$5,295 to Jackson County Extension/4-H Club for its 4-H SAFE (Shooting Awareness, Fun, and Education) Shotgun Team Program to purchase a trailer to help store and transport their supplies.
$5,000 to Georgia Transplant Foundation, Inc. , serving all Jackson EMC counties, to provide financial assistance for organ transplant candidates and recipients for medication, insurance premiums, lodging, transportation, emergency assistance and other services.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO APPLY FOR A FOUNDATION GRANT, VISIT JACKSONEMC.COM/FOUNDATION
“When parents help deliver the book's message, reading and understanding can come easier to children.”
LISA GIBLIN, community action team leader
Each month, children registered with Ferst Readers receive a monthly book at no cost and a newsletter containing a learning guide for parents and guardians. “This helps parents deliver the message of the book sent,” said Lisa Giblin, community action team leader for Ferst Readers of Hall County.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FERST READERS, OR TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD IN A PARTICIPATING COUNTY, VISIT FERSTREADERS.ORG
Jackson EMC’s linemen are getting hands-on experience with a state-of-the-art simulator. The cooperative is now using a live line simulator, which allows linemen to train using real, energized power lines. The system keeps the electric current to a safe, non-lethal level – like that of an electric fence. Using controlled, live lines allows linemen to train in a more realistic setting, with more realistic consequences.
“There is an immediate change in attitude and work practice when the guys go from working on deenergized lines to when I turn on the simulator and the lines go hot,” said Jeremy Gee, Jackson EMC safety and training specialist. “All of a sudden, especially with the newer linemen, when the lines become energized, it puts the training they’re doing into a different perspective – it becomes more real to them.”
Jackson EMC added the Timpson Trainer to its safety and training program in late 2023. This type of live line simulator is often found at linemen training schools, but Jackson EMC is the first EMC in the country to own one, proving its ongoing commitment to safety.
This tool is valuable for training newer linemen and is also beneficial to more seasoned linemen. Jackson EMC’s safety team can build and set up special pole structures that allow linemen to work through troubleshooting certain situations. With energized lines, training will be more realistic and linemen can see actual results as they work through the issues.
According to Gee, the live line simulator has been a great addition to the lineman training program.
They’re linemen – they signed up to work on live, energized lines and this trainer lets them do that in a safe environment. When they can hear and feel the energy – that’s the real deal and they love it.
JEREMY GEE
Jackson EMC safety and training specialist
“Our vision is to be the best, forward-thinking, innovative energy supplier providing a friendly and fulling work environment and this equipment is allowing us to achieve that vision,” shared Stephen Poole, Jackson EMC’s director of safety and training. “Having this training equipment allows us to continue to grow our already impressive training program and continue to work to the highest standards of safety.”
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
@JacksonEMC
jacksonemc.com
Trees and shrubs beautify the community. Planting in the right spot can help lower your energy use and helps ensure you and your neighbors have safe, reliable power. You can help by:
Planting Trees in the Right Place.
Large trees (such as maple, oak and Leyland cypress) should be planted at least 50 feet from power lines.
Medium trees (such as dogwoods) should be planted at least 25 feet from power lines.
Giving Space Around Pad-Mounted Transformers.
Plant shrubs at least 10 feet away from transformer doors and four feet from transformer sides.
Small trees (such as crabapple) should be planted at least 20 feet from power lines. When planting within 20 feet is unavoidable, use only shrubs.
Reporting Dangerous Branches.
If you spot a tree or branch that’s dangerously close to power lines, call us at 1-800-462-3691 . Don’t try to trim a branch or tree close to a power line.