Central Dispatch CGEMC Newsletter | May 2024

power restoration: key steps

Electricity is an essential part of modern life. It powers our homes, workplaces, and various infrastructures. Unfortunately, power outages are bound to occur due to unforeseen circumstances. When outages happen, it is crucial to have a plan to restore electric service as soon as possible.

One of the first steps is to assess the damage by dispatching crews to inspect the affected areas and identify any issues causing the power outage. It is important to determine the extent of the damage and the resources required to make repairs.

Once the damage has been assessed, Central Georgia EMC (CGEMC) begins to prioritize the areas that need to be restored first. This can be done by looking at factors like the number of customers impacted and the severity of damage in affected areas. Prioritizing areas ensures that the restoration process is efficient and effective.

After the areas have been prioritized, the next step is to mobilize the necessary resources, including employees, equipment, and materials to the affected areas.

Once the resources are in place, the actual work of power restoration can begin. This may involve clearing debris and repairing or replacing damaged infrastructure, such as power lines, broken poles, transformers, and substations.

CGEMC understands the importance of restoring power promptly, efficiently, and safely. By following these steps, we can minimize the impact of power outages to our members and keep our communities powered and our crews safe.

In the event of an outage, you can find real-time outage information on our website at www.cgemc.com/outage-center and by following us on social media.

2024 Annual Meeting of Members

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Summary of Bylaws on Annual Meeting, Membership, Nomination and Election of Board Members, and Board Representation

The Bylaws of the Cooperative require that the Annual Meeting be held each year at such date, time, and place in one of the counties in Georgia within which the Cooperative serves, and beginning at such hour, as the Board of Directors shall from year to year designate. The purpose of the meeting is to elect directors, pass upon reports covering the previous fiscal year, and transact such other business as may come before the meeting. The Board of Directors has set the Annual Meeting for Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Central Georgia EMC Annex, 1083 S. Mulberry St., Jackson, GA 30233.

Cooperative Membership

Each member who is not in a status of suspension, as provided for in Section 2.01 of the Bylaws, shall be entitled to only one (1)vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of the members. Any person, firm, or corporation may become a member of the Cooperative by filing an application for membership, paying a membership fee, and agreeing to purchase electric power and energy from the Cooperative. The applicant further agrees to be bound by, and comply with, the Cooperative’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and all rules, regulations, rate classifications, and rate schedules as they exist or may thereafter be adopted or amended.

Committee On Nominations

The Board of Directors of the Central Georgia EMC has appointed an eight-member Committee on Nominations consisting of:

  • Ms. Janice Brooks, 44 Briarcliff Road, Griffin, 30223
  • Mr. Jack Andrew Garland, 1290 Lester Mill Road, Locust Grove, 30248
  • Mr. Harry Clark, 2161A Brownlee Road, Jackson, 30233
  • Mr. Randy Dougherty, 100 Cabin Creek Circle, Griffin, 30223
  • Mr. Douglas Ray Bowden, 350 Rumble Road, Forsyth, 31029
  • Mr. Dan Jordan, 1726 Jordan Road, Monticello, 31064
  • Ms. Kathy Price, 1251 Broughton Lane, Newborn, 30262
  • Mr. Richard Lewis, 172 Ridgeway Road, Jackson, 30233

Committee On Nominations Meeting, Thursday, May 9, 2024

The date set for the meeting of the Nominating Committee is Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 9 a.m. The Nominating Committee is required by the Bylaws of the Corporation to post at the Cooperative office in Jackson the names of nominees to the Board of Directors, at least, forty-five (45) days prior to the Annual Meeting, which will be held Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

Other Nominations

Any fifteen (15) or more members of the Cooperative may nominate a Cooperative member for director by filing a petition with the Secretary of the Cooperative, who is D.A. Robinson III, 923 S. Mulberry St., Jackson, GA 30233, not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the Annual Meeting. (That is, no later than Friday, June 21, 2024, by the close of business at 5 p.m.) The nominations are to be posted at the office of the Cooperative. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting, provided that written notice of the full name of such nominee shall have been given to the Secretary of the Cooperative at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Annual Meeting. (That is, no later than Friday, June 21, 2024, by the close of business at 5 p.m.)

Three Directors To Be Elected At Annual Meeting

Three directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting for three-year terms each:

  • Butts County, incumbent Rod Mangham
  • Monroe and Bibb counties, incumbent Phillip B. Ham, Jr.
  • Spalding-Lamar-Pike counties (Post 1), incumbent D.T. Hamil

DIY Energy Savings

Spring and summer offer ideal opportunities for home upgrades and DIY projects geared toward enhancing efficiency. Consider incorporating upgrades that save energy and money to improve your home's comfort.

Installing a smart thermostat is a straightforward way to manage energy use and reduce summer expenses, allowing control of HVAC systems via smartphone.

Sealing air leaks by applying fresh weatherstripping around doors and windows is another effective method to boost comfort and lower energy consumption.

Additionally, for landscaping projects this planting season, prioritize energy efficiency by planting shade trees around your home and away from power lines. Deciduous trees, particularly on the south side, can reduce air temperatures by up to 6 degrees and provide cooling shade during the summer while allowing sunlight to warm your home in colder months. These minor adjustments can contribute significantly to year-round energy efficiency.

2024 Residential Rebates

Is it time for an upgrade? Save energy and money with CGEMC's 2024 rebates!

Nearly half of 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 yearly on energy costs. Visit www.cgemc.com for details.

*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, 2024.

Stay cool and save!

Spring is in the air, and it is time for your HVAC Tune-Up. Let one of our local Co-op Connections business partners get you ready for air conditioning season.

Important notice

We want to inform you that CGEMC crews and/or contractors of CGEMC will be working around-the-clock in the upcoming weeks. Please do not be alarmed if you see activity outside of regular hours. This is part of our efforts to improve our services and facilities for your convenience.

If you have questions or concerns, Customer Service Representatives are available during business hours, and System Operators are available after hours at 770-775-7857. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Skip the bandwidth battles! Get connected to high-speed, reliable internet for the whole family this summer.

Gone are the days of fighting over who gets to be on what device. With fiber internet from Connect, powered by Central Georgia EMC, you can stream your favorite shows, level up your gaming, video call loved ones, and more with no lags or delays.

Why choose Connect?

  • Internet in partnership with your local cooperative
  • No data caps or throttling
  • Affordable pricing for every household
  • Phone services are also available
  • And more! Fiber internet opens up a world of opportunity.

With school out and kids being home for the summer, it’s the perfect time to upgrade your internet! Plus, we offer several plans to fit your family’s needs.

What are you waiting for? Let’s Connect! You can check your availability by visiting www.ConexonConnect.com or calling 844-542-6663 to speak to our Care Team.

Co-op Kids

Thank you to Unity Grove Elementary for inviting us to help out with your egg drop event!

In April, the CGEMC Foundation Board granted $32,000 to charitable organizations in our territory. The funds will support programs and initiatives in the communities CGEMC serves.

  • Anchor of Hope Foundation: $2,500
  • Bloom Our Youth: $4,000
  • Ferst Readers of Henry County: $2,000
  • Foster Siblings Reunited/ Camp to Belong: $1,500
  • Fun Galaxy Jackson Kids Camp: $1,500
  • Giving Health, Inc.: $2,000
  • Henry County Veterans Support Group, Inc: $2,000
  • Jackson High School - Family, Career, and Community: $2,000
  • Monroe County 4-H: $2,500
  • Nick's New Beginnings: $1,500
  • Southern Crescent Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center: $4,000
  • Special Olympics Georgia: $2,500
  • Wheelchairs 4 Kids: $4,000

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!

Join Our Load Management Program Today and help Beat the Peak!

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!

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.
  • Embrace Technology: Access real-time data for smarter energy choices.

Learn more at www.cgemc.com/load-management or call 770-775-7857. Enroll in the Load Management Program and start making a difference today!

Postal Delays

Due to issues beyond our control, we have not consistently received mail from the US Postal Service in recent months.

We offer a variety of convenient ways to pay to avoid postal delays and late fees. Visit our website at www.cgemc.com to learn more.

Holiday Closing

Central Georgia EMC's office will be closed on the following date:

  • Monday, May 27, 2024

Our remote self-service account options and the on-site payment kiosk will be available. In case of a power outage, please call our 24-hour automated system at 770-775-7857 or 1-800-222-4877 for an immediate response. System Operators are on duty to assist you.

System Inspections

CGEMC has contracted with Cappstone Energy Group LLC to perform system inspections in Butts, Lamar, Monroe, and Spalding 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.

Fuel Georgia—the natural choice for natural gas

Our Fuel Georgia team would love to welcome you to the neighborhood! Give us a call at 678-774-6010 or visit us at www.fuelgeorgia.com.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Recipe of the Month

Submit your original recipes to marketing@cgemc.com. Published recipes receive a $20 bill credit!

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