Don't Shoot the lines
As dove-hunting season approaches, Central Georgia EMC (CGEMC) reminds hunters of the hazards of firing at doves perched on power and fiber-optic lines. Shooting at these lines can cause extensive damage, costing thousands in repairs, and leaving homes and businesses without power and internet. Fiber-optic cables run beneath electric lines and are glass tubes (wrapped in a thin layer of plastic) that shatter when shot, disrupting phone and internet service.
CGEMC experienced 15 incidents of shooting damage during the 2022 and 2023 hunting seasons. We are still calculating the construction, labor, and material costs for replacing the damaged fiber, but splicing costs alone have already exceeded $27,000. The total cost of labor and materials is expected to be much higher.
“Fiber repairs are costly and tedious because a fiber strand is as thin as a hair. Splicing involves perfectly matching and fusing these thin strands,” says CGEMC Chief Operating Officer Ben Thomason. “For a 96-count fiber line, two crews need to make 192 splices, taking six to eight hours to complete.”
Damaging electrical equipment violates Georgia law*, which states that anyone who “knowingly and without authority and by force or violence interferes with the operation of any system of public communication, public transportation, sewerage, drainage, water supply, gas, power or other public utility service or with any constituent property thereof” could face criminal charges and/or be held liable for the cost of repairs.
Although most hunters are safety-conscious, gunfire damage to power and fiber lines is a growing issue. To ensure a safe dove-hunting season, CGEMC urges hunters to be aware of the dangers and potential damage from shooting at birds on these lines. *Code O.C.G.A. § 16-7-22(b)(2).
CGEMC Enhances Payment Security
To better protect your financial information and meet increasing regulations from the credit card industry, Central Georgia EMC will discontinue payment processing by customer service representatives over the phone, effective August 15, 2024.
CGEMC members can still make phone payments through the interactive voice response system, utilizing option 2, when calling 770-775-7857.
We encourage you to take advantage of our secure and convenient payment options, including our online portal, mobile app, onsite payment kiosk, and authorized payment locations. For a full list of locations and payment options, please visit our website at www.cgemc.com.
CGEMC appreciates your understanding and cooperation as we strive to maintain the highest data protection standards.
Capture Your Share of the Sun with Cooperative Solar!
Did you hear the great news? We've expanded our Cooperative Solar program to include solar fields across the state. This growth comes with increased capacity, enhanced performance reliability, and no waiting list!
Commit to a smaller carbon footprint in 2024 without installing or maintaining any equipment. Call 770-775-7857 to learn more about adding solar energy to your monthly energy mix.
Considering Rooftop Solar?
As your trusted energy advisor, Central Georgia EMC can help you make smart energy investments, including right-sizing a rooftop solar installation to best meet your needs, goals, and financial objectives. We can help you understand your current electricity use, the many important factors to consider with a rooftop solar installation, and what you can expect to gain from your investment. Click the link below to take our Rooftop Solar Assessment, or call 770-775-7857 to speak with one of our experienced energy advisors.
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.
Fast. Reliable. High-Speed Internet. That’s the Conexon Connect guarantee.
Connect, powered by Central Georgia EMC, is here and offering some of the fastest and most reliable internet available, all in partnership with your local, trusted electric cooperative.
With Connect, powered by Central Georgia EMC, you will be able to stream your favorite shows, game online with no lags, utilize online learning opportunities, streamline your workday, and more!
Plus, we offer three different speed tiers to best fit your needs:
- Ultimate 2 Gig** Speed for $99.95/month
- Premium 1 Gig Speed for $79.95/month
- Basic 100 Mbps Speed for $49.95/month
**Connect Ultimate offers download speeds of up to 2 gigabits per second; upload speeds are typically between 1 and 2 gigabits per second. 2 gigabit speeds can be obtained by directly connecting via ethernet cable to the ONT. The device conducting the speed test must be capable of sending and receiving data at a minimum of 2 gigabits of throughput.
What are you waiting for? Check availability online at www.ConexonConnect.com or call 844-542-6663 to speak to our Customer Care Team.
In June, the CGEMC Foundation Board granted $14,584 to charitable organizations in our territory. The funds will support programs and initiatives in the communities CGEMC serves.
- Adventures in Recovery, Inc.: $384 to purchase freeze-dried backpacking meals for a three-day trip for 8 participants.
- Angel House of Georgia, Inc.: $1,700 to provide a grant for one woman entering the substance abuse program from CGEMC's service territory.
- Friends of Monroe County Library: $2,000 to assist with the purchase of themed kits to introduce various skills, hobbies, and recreational experiences to the community.
- Joshua's Place, Inc.: $5,000 to assist with the purchase of a forklift
- Manna from Above: $3,000 to purchase food for the Touch of Love Backpack Buddies program
- Red Cross of East Central Georgia: $500 for the Disaster Recovery Fund.
- Tennis People, Inc.: $2,000 to assist with the cost of a tennis tournament held for adults and children with intellectual disabilities.
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!
Holiday Closing
The Central Georgia EMC office will be closed Monday, September 2, in observance of Labor Day. 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.
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.
Crews Working 24/7
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.
System Inspections
CGEMC has contracted with Cappstone Energy Group LLC to perform system inspections in Butts County. 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 would love to welcome you to the neighborhood! Give us a call at 678-774-6010 or visit us at www.fuelgeorgia.com.