current lines April 2016
A monthly publication for Tri-County EMC members
In this issue:
Co-op Welcomes CEO, Cooperative Solar page 1
Bright Ideas Grants page 2
Tri-County EMC Introduces Cooperative Solar
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ntroducing ourSolar, Tri-County EMC’s new cooperative solar program. With ourSolar, Tri-County EMC members have the opportunity to get solar generation for your home or business without any of the risks of installing solar panels on your roof or property. The energy for ourSolar will come from our new 1 MW solar array in Putnam County, which will begin generating electricity in May 2016. For $25 per month for each 1.22kW block, you will have all of the energy generated by your block credited against the normal usage on that month’s electric bill. Each block should generate approximately 160 to 250 kWh per month. Best of all, there is nothing to install or finance and no contract. You can end your participation at any time, although to rejoin you must wait twelve months. Cooperative Solar Advantages: • No installation or maintenance costs for you • No holes in your roof • Lower costs per kWh through economies of scale • No issues with shading or roof direction • Renters or homeowners with restrictive covenants can participate • No up-front costs, financing, or long-term contracts • Limited to 4 blocks per account About ourSolar: When completed this spring, our 1 MW solar site will be the largest and the first of its kind in our area. The 10 acre site will have over 4,400 solar panels and generate over 2 million kWhs per year. The facility will be located adjacent to our Eatonton District Office in Putnam County. “Many of our members have asked for a solar option,” said Greg Mullis, Tri-County EMC senior vice president. “This project makes economic and environmental sense. In the long run, it will pay for itself and offer our members a no risk solar option.” Learn More and Enroll: To learn more or to enroll, visit tri-countyemc.com/cooperativesolar.cms or give us a call at 1.866.254.8100 or 478.986.8100.
Walter Harrison Scholarship, Right-of-Way Maintenance page 3
Relay Raffle, Recipe Box page 4
Co-op Welcomes CEO Tri-County EMC’s Board of Directors has named Ray Grinberg to the position of chief executive officer. Ray has served as general manager of Lakeview Light and Power in Lakewood, WA since 2014. He will succeed C. Hill Bentley, who has led the cooperative since 1999. Grinberg begins his duties on May 16. Following the announcement, Brenda Green, Tri-County EMC board chairman, commented, “The Board of Directors is thrilled to bring a great manager, community leader and team player for the members of Tri-County.” Grinberg has over 30 years of utility experience. Prior to Lakeview Light and Power, Ray served as the power resources director at Peninsula Light Company in Gig Harbor, WA. He began his career at Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, Ore. working in power supply and power trading. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Oregon State University and a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Oregon. "Tri-County EMC is a great organization and I thank the Board for giving me the opportunity to be its CEO,” said Grinberg. “I am looking forward to moving to Georgia and joining the Tri-County EMC family." Ray and his wife Diana have been married for 26 years. Diana is an elementary school science teacher in Gig Harbor, WA. They have two children. Diana and Ray enjoy travelling, playing golf and enjoying winter trips to Arizona and Palm Springs. They also enjoy cooking and working in their garden.
Bright Ideas Grants Reward Classroom Innovation
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ast month, Tri-County EMC surprised 26 local teachers with $30,000 in educational grants. Since 2008, Tri-County EMC has provided nearly $160,000 in grants to local schools through the Bright Ideas Grant Program. Funded by unclaimed capital credits, the grants help teachers improve education in their classrooms through innovative projects that would otherwise not be funded. From books to iPads to drones, Bright Ideas Grants fund classroom projects that help spark a love of learning in students. A list of winning projects and teachers can be found below. For more information about the Bright Ideas Grant Program, visit us online at tri-countyemc.com/bright-ideas.cms.
2016 Bright Ideas Grant Winners Monica Daniel Blandy Hills Elementary School Step into Math and Science: $1,152.00
Monica Tritto Gray Elementary School To The Beat of Their Own Bucket Drum: $674.13
Danielle Adams Wells Elementary School Building Mathematicians Through Math Centers $1,194.00
Yvonne Thompson Blandy Hills Elementary School Math in Armed Forces Careers: $811.00
April Wade Jones County High School Adobe Cloud Software/Paw Print Designs, $1,495.00
Amy Marlowe Clifton Ridge Middle School Cougar Robotics: $1,400.00
Lee Blount Baldwin Early Learning Center SOS‌Sensory on the Spot: $752.87
Jessica Smith Jones County High School Virtual Business: $1,500
Clay McElheney GMC Preparatory School Kinematics of Water Rockets: $1,065.90 Shannon Smith Clifton Ridge Middle School News in the Classroom: $1,175.68 Pamela Elkins Clifton Ridge Middle School Cubes and Calculations: $1,025.00 Kristen Beaver Gray Elementary School Ants in the Pants: $1,485.16
Kristi Harley Jones County Pre-K Cooking in the Classroom: $995.20 Jamy Meeks Jones County Pre-K Pre-K Playground: $1,489.85 Rusty Owens Turner Woods Elementary School A More STEAMulating Classroom: $1,465.76 Danielle Wheeler Wells Elementary School Sight Word Central: $497.58
Find Out More...
Elizabeth Allison Wells Elementary School Fractured to Whole: $1,376.65 Marcina Lee Gatewood School Home Ec 2015 Style: $400
Kelly Smith Putnam County High School Grow Your Own Way: $1,288.18 Mary Sue McMichael Putnam County Middle School Why Do You Always Have to Complicate Things, Rube?: $1,500.00 Becky Nipper Putnam County Middle School Makerspaces, Media Center and Magic, Oh My!: $1,156.81
Linda Walker Putnam County Elementary School iPad Science Lab for Student Engagement: $1,376.65
Holly Hardie Putnam County Primary School Math and Movement: $1,402.39
Cathy Tuel Putnam County Elementary School Walk it Out at Recess: $1,349.00
Daphne Todd Wilkinson County Middle School I Can See Clearly Now: $1,497.84
April Smith Putnam County High School Autism: Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration: $350
The next deadline for applications will be due December 7, 2016. A detailed list of this year’s projects, as well as photos of each check presentation, can be found on our website at tri-countyemc.com/bright-ideas.cms.
Walter Harrison Scholarship Finalist
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ast month, Stephanie Sanchez of Putnam County was chosen as winner for the local area competition in the Walter Harrison Scholarship Contest. She was awarded a gift card from the cooperative and will go on to compete in the statewide competition. Cooperatives from around the state invite students to take part in this state-wide scholarship contest. Winners from each cooperative will go on to compete in the state contest. This year, seven $1,000 scholarships will be awarded by the Walter Harrison Scholarship Executive Committee in mid-April. (1421002)
About Stephanie... Stephanie is a senior at Putnam County High School in Eatonton and plans to attend Agnes Scott University in the fall. During her high school career, Stephanie was active in JROTC, Cross Country, Skills USA, 4-H, Key Club and the Future Business Leaders of America. At Agnes Scott, Stephanie plans to study neuroscience and then attend graduate school and medical school. Congratulations, Stephanie!
Right-of-Way Seasonal Maintenance Begins In May, Tri-County EMC will work with NaturChem for herbicide application to keep trees, brush and foliage from interfering with the delivery of your electric service. Overgrown trees and other vegetation within 20 feet of overhead power lines are trimmed year-round. Each site is trimmed every seven years. Herbicide is applied to brush annually with each quadrant of the service area treated every four years. This year’s herbicide application will occur mostly in eastern Putnam County. The map to the right shows the general area where the maintenance will occur. For a full list of addresses that will be affected, visit tri-countyemc.com and click on Your Energy then click on Right of Way. Only nonrestrictive, nonresidual chemicals are used. Landscaped areas such as lawns, streams or ponds will not be sprayed. (12063001)
Morgan County
Greene County
Putnam County
When planting trees this spring, always be sure to observe the 20 foot clearance on each side of a power line. It is important to keep trees, limbs and climbing plants away from power lines to prevent outages and power blinks. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tri-County EMC at 1.866.254.8100.
Did you find your account number?
Baldwin County
Find your complete account number in this issue of Current Lines and win a $50 bill credit. Call 478.986.8126 to claim your bill credit.
Raffle to Benefit American Cancer Society You Could Win a Fit Bit BlazeTM
Heart Rate Monitor, GPS, On-Screen Workouts, Activity Monitor, Music Control, Call, Text & Calendar Alerts & More WINNER ANNOUNCED ON FACEBOOK ON MAY 13
Name:_________________________________ Phone Number:_________________________ # of Raffle Tickets Purchased:____________ Amount Enclosed: ____$_________________ Pricing: 1 ticket for $1, 15 tickets for $10 No limit on the amount of tickets purchased. Return Ticket to Tri-County EMC Checks Payable to American Cancer Society
To purchase a ticket, please complete the form shown above and mail it, along with your total, to Tri-County EMC, Attn: Raffle, PO BOX 487, Gray, GA, 31032. Tickets can also be purchased at the Gray office. Checks are acceptable and can be made to the American Cancer Society. The last day to purchase tickets is May 14. The winner will be announced on TriCounty EMC’s Facebook page on May 15. The winner will also be notified by phone. (74729001)
Recipe Box Stir Fry Cabbage Thanks to Karen Powers of Jones County for submitting this recipe. Did you know your recipe is worth $20 if chosen? Send your best recipes to kimb@ tri-countyemc.com or mail to P.O. Box 487, Gray, GA 31032.
Ingredients: • • • • •
1/2 lbs. diced bacon, cooked 1/2 head chopped cabbage 1/2 tsp. canola oil 1/2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce 1/2 tsp. sesame oil
Directions: Stir-fry cabbage in canola oil over medium-high heat until crisp, but wilted. Add bacon, soy sauce, and sesame oil to wok or pan. Stir-fry until done. Add additional soy sauce if needed and toss to coat. With two wooden spoons or spatulas, continue cooking and tossing until cabbage is crisp-tender. Serve as a hot side dish. Makes two servings.
C. Hill Bentley, CEO
Owned By Those We Serve
P.O. Box 487 Gray, GA 31032 478.986.8100 FAX 478.986.4733 www.tri-countyemc.com
Board of Directors Brenda P. Green, Chairman Sammy Hall, Vice-Chairman Thomas Noles, Secretary/Treasurer George “Buck” Comer, Dan Greene, Sammy Hall, Chester Mercer, Marion Nelson, Cecil Patterson, Mike Rainey
current lines Monthly Publication for Tri-County EMC Members Kim Broun, Editor Communications Specialist