local students experience trip of a lifetime!
Clint Lowe and Ashlyn Phillips recently returned from an unforgettable adventure as Central Georgia EMC's (CGEMC) 2025 Washington Youth Tour delegates. The two students spent a week in our nation's capital on an all-expenses-paid trip that changed their lives forever.
During their time in Washington, D .C., Clint and Ashlyn walked the halls where history was made. They stood before the Lincoln Memorial, explored the Smithsonian Institution museums, and toured the Capitol building. They experienced democracy in action by meeting with Georgia's congressional representatives and joining nearly 2,000 other high school students from across America.
The Washington Youth Tour goes beyond memorials and museums. Students participate in leadership workshops, learn about the cooperative spirit that built rural America, and discover how electric cooperatives like CGEMC serve communities. Many delegates describe the experience as life-changing, returning home with a deeper understanding of their role as citizens and the confidence to make a difference.
Clint and Ashlyn now join a network of Washington Youth Tour alumni who stay connected long after graduation, supporting each other through college and careers.
Do you know a student who is ready for the experience of a lifetime? Each year, CGEMC sponsors delegates for the Washington Youth Tour—a week in Washington, D.C. filled with hands-on learning, leadership development, and unforgettable moments.
Applications for the 2026 tour open in October. Encourage the young leaders in your life to apply and be part of something truly impactful. Learn more at www.cgemc.com/washington-youth-tour.
Don't shoot the lines
Mourning dove season is almost here. Do not let one shot knock out power or the internet.
Birds may roost on power lines, but taking aim at them can have serious consequences.
Shooting near power lines or fiber cables can:
- Disrupt power or internet for entire neighborhoods.
- Damage critical equipment, causing costly repairs.
- Dangerous, and against the law.
Even a single round can bring down lines or shatter fiber strands, leaving you and your neighbors in the dark.
Help make it a safe season for everyone. Stay alert. Keep a safe distance. Know what is beyond your target.
2025-2026 Mourning Dove Season Dates:
- September 6-October 12
- November 22-November 30
- December 19-January 31
For regulations and updates, visit: https://georgiawildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources
capture your share of the sun!
Central Georgia EMC (CGEMC) is dedicated to providing reliable energy while reducing our carbon footprint. As part of this commitment, CGEMC partners with Green Power EMC to offer renewable energy options that help members make a positive environmental impact.
Want to enjoy solar energy without installing rooftop panels? CGEMC’s Cooperative Solar program makes it easy. For $19 a month, members can add a 1 kW block of solar power to their account.
The energy output varies with weather and seasonal conditions, but on average, a 1 kW block generates about 180 kWh a month. This is a hassle-free way to support clean energy without any installation costs or equipment maintenance.
In addition to Cooperative Solar, CGEMC supports Green Power biomass energy, which converts landfill methane from multiple landfills across Georgia into electricity.
By purchasing 150 kWh blocks for just $4.50 a month, members help reduce harmful methane emissions while supporting renewable power generation in Georgia.
Both programs are Green-e Energy Certified, ensuring they meet the highest sustainability and consumer protection standards. By participating in these programs, members actively contribute to a cleaner, greener future. Learn more at www.cgemc.com.
Repair, Refresh, and Renovate With a 2025 CGEMC Residential Rebate!
Did you know that nearly half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling? Upgrading an outdated or aging system can save you money. If your unit is more than 10 years old and needs frequent repairs, it may be time to replace it.
Water heaters use more energy than your refrigerator, clothes washer, dishwasher, and dryer combined. Upgrading your water heater can save you hundreds of dollars every year on energy costs. Visit www.cgemc.com for all the details and to see if you qualify.
*A load management switch must be installed on qualifying equipment by a Central Georgia EMC employee before the rebate can be processed. The load management switch must remain on equipment and in operating status as long as Central Georgia EMC has a load management program. Limit one (1) qualifying heat pump and/or one (1) qualifying water heater rebate per member/household. Heat pump and/or water heater must have been installed on or after January 1, 2025.
Nondiscrimination Statement
Central Georgia Electric Membership Corporation is the recipient of federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and in accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 711. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to file a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW Mail Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410
- Email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Pursuant to Executive Order 10925, as amended on June 22, 1963, by Executive Order 1114, and Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended by Executive Order 11375 of October 13, 1967, issued by the president, it is established policy that Central Georgia Electric Membership Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and that employment opportunities created by construction work involving federal financial assistance through RUS loans will be made equally available to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristic.
With fiber internet from Conexon Connect, you can:
- Stream your favorite shows with no lag or buffering.
- Work from home with ease with unmatched reliability and symmetrical speeds.
- Utilize online learning resources or even complete classes from the comfort of your home
- And more! Unlock a world of possibilities with Conexon Connect.
To sign up for services, visit www.ConexonConnect.com, click the link below, or call 844-542-6663. The future of internet is here, and it’s time to connect!
Student Programs Spark Curiosity!
Central Georgia EMC sparks curiosity in local students by turning electricity into an adventure through lively, hands-on programs. We weave safety tips, career exploration, and STEAM concepts into teachable moments.
- Safety Town—A tabletop neighborhood where big lessons unfold, live demos show students how to stay safe during storms, avoid downed lines, and why birds perched on a single wire do not get electrocuted (there is no path for current to flow through them to the ground).
- Career Day Spotlights—Careers in energy go far beyond the power lines! From lineworkers and engineers to customer service, accounting, information technology, human resources, and marketing, there is a role for every interest. CGEMC helps students explore the many paths that keep our cooperative running and encourages students to imagine their future in the energy world.
- STEAM Initiatives—CGEMC team members serve as science fair judges and mentors, offering real-world insight while cheering on tomorrow’s innovators. Their support helps students bring big ideas to life and connects classroom learning to real-world possibilities.
- Bucket Truck Days—A 55-foot boom, hard hats, and the occasional egg-drop challenge turn physics into pure excitement while highlighting the tools lineworkers use to keep the lights on. This is a great way for students of all ages to interact with our team!
These programs embody our cooperative commitment to education, innovation, and safety. Principals and teachers: Do you want to bring the experience to your school? Request a visit at www.cgemc.com/form/request-a-speaker.
Small Change, Big Difference! Operation Round Up
When you round up your electric bill each month through Operation Round Up, you are doing more than giving spare change. You are giving hope. Just a few cents each month adds up to real help for local families facing some of life’s greatest challenges.
One of the organizations supported through this program is United in Pink, a local nonprofit that provides care and resources to breast cancer survivors and their loved ones.
“On behalf of the United in Pink family, I would like to extend our gratitude to the members of Central Georgia EMC who choose to participate in Operation Round Up. Your generosity helps ensure that breast cancer patients and their family members receive vital support at no cost. Thanks to your donations, we were able to host our 17th Annual Kids in Pink Camp, where children learn healthy coping skills and build friendships with others facing similar challenges. Your support truly makes a difference in the lives of families in Central Georgia.”—Laura Paxton, Co-Founder and Executive Director, United in Pink Inc.
Qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations in our service territory are invited to submit an application to the Central Georgia EMC Foundation.
Through Operation Round Up, our members support local organizations with a mission to make our communities even better places to live, work, and dream big. By simply rounding up your monthly electric bill to the next dollar, you can join in! Our pennies add up to make BIG CHANGE!
Save Money and Energy When You Enroll in Load Management!
Ready to save money and reduce your environmental impact? Sign up for our Load Management Program before the summer heats up and enjoy cool savings this fall with up to $30 in bill credits with qualifying equipment!
Load management will allow you to:
Save Money: Get incentives for reducing electricity use during peak times.
Support Sustainability: Lower demand means cleaner, greener energy.
Enhance Reliability: Help balance the grid during times of peak heat and energy use.
Visit www.cgemc.com/load-management or call 770-775-7857 to enroll in the Load Management Program and start making a difference today.
Updates
Holiday Closing
The Central Georgia EMC office will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 1, 2025.
Right-of-Way
Asplundh, our right-of-way contractor, will be working in Bibb and Monroe Counties. Please call 770-775-7857 if you have any questions or concerns.
System Inspections
CGEMC has contracted with Cappstone Energy Group LLC to perform system inspections in Bibb and Monroe Counties. Cappstone Energy Group LLC technicians will have signs on their vehicles (pickup trucks and UTVs) identifying them as CGEMC contractors. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact CGEMC at 770-775-7857.
Georgia Magazine
Enjoy the latest digital edition of Georgia Magazine using the link below.
Credits:
Created with images by marcin jucha - "Solar Energy Farm in Fields. Aerial Drone View" • bmak - "Beautiful home exterior in evening with glowing interior lights and landscaping" • patpongstock - "Children engaging in creative play with a 3D printer, exploring design concepts and creating colorful models together." • vladimirfloyd - "a few LED bulbs placed around the piggy bank" • DreamPointArt - "Nutritional treats: A vibrant mix of healthy foods. Proper nutrition, healthy lifestyle."