Central Dispatch CGEMC Newsletter | May 2025

clearing the way for power

Delivering safe and reliable electric service at Central Georgia EMC (CGEMC) requires careful planning, coordination, and consistent maintenance, especially when it comes to managing trees and vegetation near power lines.

In partnership with professional contractors like Asplundh, CGEMC maintains clear rights-of-way (ROW)—the designated areas around power lines that must remain free of encroaching trees and limbs. Vegetation growing too close to electrical equipment is the leading cause of outages, particularly during storms.

To stay ahead of potential issues, CGEMC follows a four-year rotation to manage vegetation system wide. Each phase of the process is carefully planned:

  1. Planning: ROW areas are mapped and prioritized based on growth and reliability needs
  2. Assessment: Crews inspect trees and limbs that could interfere with electric service
  3. Trimming and Removal: Hazardous vegetation is safely cleared using specialized equipment.
  4. Debris Disposal: After trimming, debris is removed or managed according to CGEMC’s standards.
  5. Ongoing Monitoring: Areas are reviewed regularly to address new growth between cycles.

While no electric system can completely eliminate outages, proactive, routine maintenance reduces risk and strengthens reliability, ensuring CGEMC can continue to meet the needs of our members, even in challenging weather conditions.

Among the Lowest in Georgia for Affordable Electric Rates!

We are proud to share that Central Georgia EMC has once again been recognized as one of the most affordable electric providers in Georgia!

According to the most recent Georgia Public Service Commission’s Winter Residential Rate Survey, CGEMC ranks:

4th lowest EMC at the 1,500 kWh level

4th lowest EMC at the 2,000 kWh level

10th lowest EMC at the 1,000 kWh level

The survey compares rates from all electric providers across Georgia—investor-owned utilities, electric membership corporations, and municipal systems.

What does this mean for you? You are getting reliable service at one of the lowest rates in the state. We are committed to keeping your power affordable and dependable every day.

Thank you for being a valued member of Central Georgia EMC!

Data as of 1/1/2025

Powering a sustainable future

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.

Bright Futures Ahead: Meet Our 2025 Scholarship Winners

Central Georgia EMC is excited to announce our 2025 Powering the Future Scholarship winners. The $500 scholarship, awarded to our top three Walter Harrison Scholarship candidates, is based on GPA, SAT scores, academic standing, scholastic honors, and financial need.

L to R: Ricardo Diaz, Valeria Herrera, and Ava Harrison

This year’s recipients—Ricardo Diaz, Valeria Herrera, and Ava Harrison—have shown strong academic performance, leadership, and clear goals for their futures.

Ricardo, a senior at Mary Persons High School in Monroe County, plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to study horticulture business management. Ricardo hopes to start his own business in the green industry, creating opportunities for others to gain experience and employment in horticulture. Ricardo is also committed to giving back to the community through mentorship and support for future students.

Valeria, a senior at Griffin High School in Spalding County, will attend Mercer University to major in biomedical engineering. She has overcome personal challenges and demonstrated leadership as captain of the varsity cheerleading squad. Valeria has also been active in the National Technical Honor Society, Beta Club, and Future Business Leaders of America. She plans to use her education to contribute to science and help others.

Ava, a senior at Strong Rock Christian School in Henry County, will attend Georgia College and State University to study architecture. She is also working toward her real estate license and plans to work in real estate while in school. Ava’s goal is to help families and businesses find the right spaces, while also contributing to her community through design and service.

Central Georgia EMC congratulates these outstanding students and is proud to support their education.

Interested in future scholarships? Visit www.cgemc.com this fall for all the details.

Experience the Speed, Power, and Possibilities of Fiber-Fast Internet from Conexon Connect!

Life moves fast, and your internet should keep up! Connect, powered by Central Georgia EMC, is bringing cutting-edge fiber internet straight to your home.

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.

Your neighbors have already made the switch—will you? Join the growing community experiencing the reliability and lightning speed of fiber. Say goodbye to buffering and hello to a seamless online experience.

To sign up for services, visit www.ConexonConnect.com, click the link below, call 844-542-6663. The future of internet is here, and it’s time to connect!

Co-op Kids

Fuel Lab for Kids, Sponsored by Fuel Georgia!

Every month, Fuel Georgia releases easy-to-do science projects for you to enjoy at home with the kids! Check out the Fuel Georgia website and pick one to try this weekend!

2025 Annual Meeting of Members

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

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 6, 2025, 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
  • Ms. Lynne Tanner, 4810 Clay 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 15, 2025

The date set for the meeting of the Nominating Committee is Thursday, May 15, 2025, 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 6, 2025.

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 20, 2025, 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 20, 2025, 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:

  • Henry, Clayton, and Fayette Counties, incumbent Warren E. Holder
  • Jasper, Jones, Morgan, Newton, and Putnam Counties, incumbent Betty Jean Jordan
  • All Members At-Large (Post 1), incumbent Pam Nutt

We are so thankful for our members who participate in Operation Round Up!

Choosing to round up your bill to the nearest dollar each month makes a big impact! With an average yearly contribution of $6, you help support amazing local initiatives and programs.

In the first quarter of 2025, our foundation board awarded more than $32,500 to 14 local organizations, including:

  • Jasper County Beta Club: $2,100
  • Gordon State College Foundation: $1,500
  • Anchor of Hope Foundation: $2,500
  • Morgan County 4-H: $2,000

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!

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 on Monday, May 26. In the event 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.

Attention Members

Please make sure your contact information is current to ensure timely communication about outages, billing, important updates, and Capital Credits. Update your information today by visiting our website or calling our office. Thank you!

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 Jasper, Morgan, and Newton 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.

Our Fuel Georgia team is local and ready to help you find the right natural gas plan to fit your needs! Give us a call today!

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Recipe of the Month

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

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Credits:

Created with images by Looker_Studio - "saving energy and money concept. idea for save or investment. businessman holding lightbulb beside piggy bank and coins stacking on desk with note book." • 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."