Central Georgia EMC (CGEMC) is offering two local high school students an opportunity of a lifetime—an unforgettable trip to Washington, D.C., as part of the 2026 Washington Youth Tour. From June 12-19, 2026, selected delegates will join more than 1,500 students from across the country and more than 100 from Georgia to explore our nation’s capital. The trip offers an unforgettable experience, touring famous memorials and museums, meeting members of Congress, and walking in the footsteps of history, while fostering leadership skills and lifelong friendships. Students are eligible if they are 16 or older by June 1, 2026, and attend high school in one of the following counties: Bibb, Butts, Clayton, Fayette, Henry, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Morgan, Monroe, Newton, Pike, Putnam, or Spalding. You do not have to live in a CGEMC household to apply. Applicants should demonstrate leadership, community involvement, and a genuine curiosity about government and energy. Delegates return with a standout experience for college and scholarship applications! Do not miss your chance. Apply now and make history! Questions? Contact Christy Chewning at cchewning@cgemc.com or 770-504-7917.
Don't Shoot The Lines
Know what is beyond your target and hunt safely!
Birds may roost on power lines, but taking aim at them can have serious consequences.
Shooting near power lines or fiber cables can:
- Disrupt service for entire neighborhoods.
- Damage crucial equipment, with costly repairs.
- Be dangerous, and is 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:
- November 22-November 30
- December 19-January 31
For regulations and updates, visit: https://georgiawildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources
Community Enrichment, the co-op way!
Central Georgia EMC presented 24 checks in October totaling $328,270 to area chambers of commerce, industrial development authorities, and school boards throughout the service territory. These funds come from capital credits that remain unclaimed after five years. Capital credits are margins over and above the cost of providing service for CGEMC members for a specific year after financial obligations have been met. Unclaimed capital credits that remain after five years stay in the communities served by CGEMC for the sole purposes of funding education, economic development, and 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in the CGEMC service area. A list of unclaimed property can be found at www.cgemc.com/capital-credits.
Keep an Eye on Your Mailbox, Capital Credits Checks Are on the Way!
Capital credits refunds totaling approximately $1,500,203 are being mailed during the month of December. This year’s checks are your portion of margins over and above the cost of providing electric service during the year 2004. Capital credits are just one of the many additional benefits of your membership. According to the cooperative business principles that govern our not-for-profit business model, capital credits may be returned to each customer-owner on a pro rata basis.
From Linepersons to LifeSavers!
Congratulations to CGEMC’s own Gage Brown and McClain Allgood, who were recently honored with Georgia EMC’s 2025 Lifesaving Award.
During a July 4th boating accident on Lake Oconee, they immediately jumped into action—distributing life jackets, pulling victims from the water, and making repeated dives beneath an overturned boat to search for a missing child. Their courage exemplifies the heart of the EMC family.
We are grateful for their bravery and proud to celebrate this achievement with them.
2025 Rebate Program ends soon
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.
Brighten your nights!
Did you know CGEMC offers Outdoor Lighting?
Automatic dusk-to-dawn lighting and maintenance included. An affordable monthly rate is added to your electric bill.
Two light-radius options to suit your needs:
- Small (120 ft) overhead
- Large (200 ft) overhead
Underground options also available.
With less daylight in winter, CGEMC Outdoor Lighting helps keeps your evenings well-lit and welcoming all season long.
Visit our website at www.cgemc.com/outdoor-lighting or call our customer service team at 770-775-7857 to learn more.
Note: If a pole or transformer must be added, an additional charge will apply.
Get connected today! Sign up and schedule your install at ConexonConnect.com, call our customer service team at 844-542-6663, or scan the QR code in the graphic.
Two Scholarship Opportunities, One Application!
Central Georgia EMC is proud to support the next generation of leaders through two exciting scholarship opportunities designed to help students achieve their educational goals. The Walter Harrison Scholarship honors the legacy of Walter Harrison, a visionary leader in the electric cooperative movement. In 2025, the Walter Harrison Trust will award 19 $1,000 scholarships across Georgia. Scholarships are available to high school seniors and undergraduate students who live in a Central Georgia EMC member household and are enrolled or accepted into a Georgia college, university, or vocational-technical institute. Winners are selected based on financial need and academic ability. Central Georgia EMC will select three semifinalists from its service area to advance to the state level. Each semifinalist will automatically receive a $500 Powering the Future Scholarship, providing applicants with two opportunities to earn scholarship support with one application.
A year of small change with big impact
A few cents may not seem like much, but together, Central Georgia EMC members are proving that small change truly adds up to something powerful. Through the Operation Round Up program, members round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar, and those pennies go directly toward helping people and programs that make our communities stronger. As we wrap up 2025, Operation Round Up has given more than $175,000 to support local schools, veterans organizations, community groups, and preservation efforts across our service area. From helping students reach their goals to assisting those who serve our country, this program is lighting the way for a brighter future. None of this would be possible without the generosity of CGEMC members who choose to participate. By simply rounding up your bill each month, you join a community of givers who believe that every little bit counts. When we come together, small change creates a big impact. If you are not yet enrolled in Operation Round Up, now is the perfect time to make your pennies count toward something extraordinary! All contributions are tax-deductible.
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!
Thank you for participating in load management!
Central Georgia EMC thanks the members who participated in the 2025 Load Management Program. Your cooperation helps reduce peak demand, and keeps power reliable and affordable for everyone. In November, participants received a $20 bill credit for an air conditioning switch and a $10 credit for a water heater switch, up to $30 per year. Not yet enrolled? It is simple, free, and requires no maintenance. Load management switches briefly cycle select equipment during peak times, then automatically return to regular operation. Together, we are managing costs and strengthening our cooperative system. To learn more, call 770-775-7857. Let's beat the peak in 2026!
Gate Card Renewal Reminder
Updates
Holiday Closings
- Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, for Christmas
- Thursday, January 1, for New Year's Day
- Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Year-End System Maintenance
Central Georgia EMC will be performing year-end computer maintenance beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31. The customer information and payment system will not be available again until Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Right-of-Way
Asplundh, our right-of-way contractor, will be working in Butts, Monroe, and Spalding 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 Spalding 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.
Credits:
Created with images by Kryuchka Yaroslav - "Silhouette of a successful man with a raincoat on a mountain on a sunset background." • lamppost - "Autumn Thanksgiving Colorful Setting Background" • bmak - "Beautiful home exterior in evening with glowing interior lights and landscaping" • simba kim - "showcasing a modern street LED lighting pole. Generative AI" • patpongstock - "Children engaging in creative play with a 3D printer, exploring design concepts and creating colorful models together." • DreamPointArt - "Nutritional treats: A vibrant mix of healthy foods. Proper nutrition, healthy lifestyle."