Walton EMC Realite Newsletter | August 2021

AUG ’21

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> be prepared for storms > energy saving tips > cca awards

Customer-Owners Drive Record Attendance Walton EMC Communicators Win Awards in National Competition Walton EMC communicators Greg Brooks and Savannah Chandler, along with line technician Brandon Brooks, recently received awards in the Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) contest held in conjunction with the organization’s annual Institute.

Brandon Brooks, a Walton EMC line technician, shot this award-winning photo with his smartphone while he was on power restoration duty after Hurricane Laura. The photo captured first place in the smartphone photography category in the Cooperative Communicators Association annual contest.

Communicators representing cooperatives from across the United States and Canada submitted nearly 500 entries in the competition. The awards recognize the best in writing, photography, programs, projects and publications.

Greg Brooks placed in one category:

Greg Brooks and Chandler working together placed in two categories:

Brandon Brooks shot his winning photo when he was helping restore power after Hurricane Laura at Jeff Davis Electric Cooperative in Jennings, La.

• First place, Documentary Video (less than 3 minutes) • Second place, Documentary Video (more than 3 minutes)

• Second place, News Release Brandon Brooks placed in one category: • First place, Smartphone Photography

This year marks the 22nd year Walton EMC has entered and placed in the CCA contest.

The duo collaborated with Radar Productions, a Statham–based video production company, on the winning projects.

RE-ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS INCLUDE: Jason Sidwell, District 2 – Bostwick/Apalachee/Rutledge Jim Whitley, District 4 – Eastville Jason Sidwell, left, Sam Simonton, center, and Jim Whitley, right.

Customer-owners also voted to approve an amendment to the bylaws that extends the timeline of nominating and accepting petitions for those wishing to serve as cooperative directors.

• First place, Video Series • Second place, Promotional Video Chandler teamed with Between Pixels on the winning entries. The company is a Marietta–based creative agency.

770.267.2505 waltonemc.com > Report an Outage

WHEN WE’RE AVAILABLE

Monroe 842 US Hwy. 78 Snellville 3645 Lenora Church Rd. Watkinsville 2061-D Hog Mountain Rd. Web waltonemc.com Facebook facebook.com/waltonemc Twitter twitter.com/waltonemc Youtube youtube.com/emctv

our leaders CEO Ronnie Lee

Board Chair Dawn Taylor touted the electric cooperative’s reasonable rates. "The PSC recently did a survey where we were more than $19 lower than the state average cost per 1,500-kilowatt-hours,” she said.

Senior VP Corporate Services Russell DeLong

In lieu of traditional door prizes, Walton EMC selected the names of 200 customer-owners to receive $50 bill credits. You can see a list of winners at waltonemc.com.

VP of Engineering and Operations Tim Morris

Ava Truitt, a Walton EMC customer-owner from Snellville, was drawn as the new owner of the grand prize, a retired Walton EMC Ford pickup truck.

Watch our Annual Meeting video at youtube.com/EMCtv.

SAVE THE DATE:

86th Walton EMC Annual Meeting Saturday, June 18, 2022

Senior VP Power Supply Robert Rentfrow CFO/Senior VP Finance Marsha Shumate VP Walton Energy and External Affairs Jim Bottone

Board Chair Dawn Taylor Board Vice Chair Michael Lowder Board Secretary/Treasurer Billy Ray Allen Board Members Tommy Adcock, Billy Ray Allen, Johnny Allgood, Dan Chelko, Jason Sidwell, Sam Simonton, Jim Whitley Community and Public Relations Director Greg Brooks, MCC Communications Coordinator Savannah Chandler, MCC Design mPrint Design Studio

walton gas NEED NATURAL GAS SERVICE? 770.GAS.HEAT or waltongas.com

emc security

Chandler placed in three categories: • First place, Website

IF YOUR POWER IS OUT

COO Ron Marshall

"They [board members] are elected by you to serve you,” CEO Ronnie Lee told customer-owners.

Sam Simonton, District 8 – Bold Springs/Gratis

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Walton EMC employee Monica Gaither welcomes a customer-owner with a bucket of gifts in the Annual Meeting drive-thru line.

From 8 to 11 a.m., customer-owners exercised the cooperative principle of democratic member control by electing directors, voting to amend the bylaws and approving minutes from the 2020 business meeting.

REALITE AUG 2021 VOLUME 71, NO. 8

Power Outages and Emergencies > 24/7 Contact Center > M–F, 7A–7P Business Offices > M–F, 8A–5P

85TH ANNUAL MEETING

Walton EMC hosted 1,966 customers-owners at the 85th Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 19. The attendance was the highest ever recorded.

waltonemc.com

NEED SECURITY SERVICE? The Cooperative Communicators Association is an organization of 300 professionals who communicate for cooperatives. The organization is unique in both its mission and membership. CCA works toward helping members excel in communications techniques. Just as important, CCA emphasizes ideas and strategies aimed at making communications more successful for cooperatives.

Learn more at communicators.coop.

770.963.0305 or emcsecurity.com

Walton EMC employees greet 1,966 customer-owners with a traditional bucket of prizes at the electric cooperative’s 85th Annual Meeting at its headquarters on Highway 78 in Monroe.

©2021 Walton EMC is a customer-owned power company.

That means our cooperative focuses on service, not profit.

We serve more than 133,000 accounts in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, DeKalb, Greene, Gwinnett, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Rockdale and Walton Counties.

Our subsidiaries supply natural gas and security services.

WALTON EMC’s

Tips to Cut Energy Bills in Hot Weather

BE PREPARED FOR

SOLAR STORMY DAYS STATS

Walton EMC customer-owners typically see the highest temperatures during July and August. That means the annual increase in energy use to keep cool on those hot days is right around the corner.

Let Walton EMC’s advice be your umbrella

FIELD 1

acres

panels

6 4,280 FIELD 2

acres

panels

15 10,700 FIELD 3

acres

panels

15 12,350 1 BLOCK OF SOLAR =

Approximately 5 panels which amounts to $25 per month.

The amount of energy supplied from one block of solar energy can run an Energy Star refrigerator AND an electric dryer for an entire month.

Visit WaltonEMC.com or call 770-267-2505 to get your solar blocks today.

Peak hurricane and tropical storm season arrives this month. That’s important news even in Walton EMC’s landlocked service area since the heavy rain and high winds that accompany tropical storms can extend into northern Georgia.

“The best way to remain safe and comfortable in the event of severe weather is through preparedness,” says Walton EMC’s Director of Safety Brad Adcock. “An easy way to kick off your preparations is to watch our video (bit.ly/WEMC_Extended_Outage) that provides tips for readying your family and home for a prolonged outage.”

Storm Safety Q & A

What should I do if I see a downed power line on the road while I’m driving my car?

• Close blinds, shades or curtains to keep the sun’s rays out.

What if a power line comes down onto my car or I didn’t see it until I’ve driven into it?

• Avoid using heat-producing appliances – like ovens, ranges and dryers – during the hot part of the day.

If you must leave your car because it’s on fire, jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid contact with the live car and the ground at the same time. Then, shuffle away from the car.

POWER LINES

Can I install my own portable generator?

How can I help someone who has come in contact with a downed power line?

Don’t touch the person. Call 911 instead.

Can I use something that is not metal to try to move a downed power line?

• Make sure rugs, furniture or anything else do not block your cooling system’s indoor vents.

Stay in your car and wait for emergency responders. Tell others to stay away from your vehicle.

PORTABLE GENERATORS

Move at least 10 feet away from the line and anything touching it. The human body is a ready conductor of electricity. The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times.

NO-COST TIPS

Stop! Don’t drive over downed power lines.

You’ll also want to be aware of the electrical safety hazards that severe storms can cause in and around your home. Here are responses to some of the questions Walton EMC is frequently asked.

What should I do if I see a downed power line?

“Cooling is the largest part of most residential electric bills,” says Walton EMC’s Greg Brooks. “But that doesn’t mean it has to be out of control. There are plenty of steps consumers can take to help keep energy use down.”

No! Never attempt to move a downed power line or anything in contact with the line.

We strongly recommend that you hire a licensed electrician to install any home generator to ensure it meets all local electrical codes and is properly grounded.

Can I wire my generator directly into one of my home’s outlets?

• Don’t pile things like garden tools or debris around your air conditioner’s outdoor unit. Make sure plants, shrubs or coverings designed to hide the unit aren’t too close to hamper air circulation.

• Remind your kids to keep outside doors closed.

• Turn off lights when not in use. Even today’s energy-efficient LEDs still produce some heat.

Steps to take if your power goes out…

REPORT AN OUTAGE Contact us at: waltonemc.com Walton EMC’s mobile app 770-267-2505

No. Don’t connect a generator directly to the household wiring unless an appropriate transfer switch has been installed by a licensed, qualified electrician.

An improperly installed generator can “backfeed” along Walton EMC’s power lines, creating a significant electrocution hazard for lineworkers who are making repairs.

LEARN MORE about storm preparation, post-storm safety and power restoration in this month’s blog at waltonemc.com/blog, or by visiting the Walton EMC Storm Center at waltonemc.com.

LOW-COST TIPS • Use ceiling or box fans to supplement the cooling power of your AC. • Change air conditioner filters regularly.

• Reapply caulk to cracks around windows and doors and replace torn or worn weatherstripping.

Want to monitor your energy use?

See your energy use down to the hour at

myWaltonEMC.com

MEDIUM- TO HIGH-COST TIPS • Have a licensed HVAC contractor service the air conditioner.

• Add insulation to the home’s attic if its level is less than R-30.

“Customer-owners can monitor their energy use down to the hour on our web portal,” says Brooks.

“That’s an excellent way to catch problems before they get too big or make sure there are no surprises when the power bill arrives.”