Loading

Central Dispatch CGEMC Newsletter | January 2023

Washington Youth Tour

Central Georgia EMC is seeking two outstanding local high school students to represent our cooperative and state as delegates on the Washington Youth Tour.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a leadership experience that includes a tour of Washington, D.C., meetings with state and federal officials, and visits to all the major attractions.

Our delegates will spend an amazing week at the nation's capital with more than 1,500 students from across the country and over 100 other delegates from Georgia, all expenses paid!

The Washington Youth Tour is open to:

  • High school sophomores or juniors, who will be at least 16 years old by the first day of the tour.
  • Students who live and attend school in one of our 14 serviced counties.

Applications are due by February 10, 2023. Interviews are by invitation only and will be held on February 28, 2023.

Visit www.cgemc.com/washington-youth-tour for all the details!

broadband update

Fiber-to-the-home update

New Year, new internet!

Leave slow internet in 2022! Instead, start the new year with reliable, affordable, ultra-fast internet service offered in partnership with your local, trusted electric cooperative.

High-speed service will keep everyone on track with their resolutions and make saying goodbye to your old provider easy. With three different residential speed tiers, you can find the perfect internet package for your family's needs. Gone are the days of fighting over the internet!

Fiber internet from Connect, powered by Central Georgia EMC, will bring you into the future with the following:

  • Fiber-fast, symmetrical speeds.
  • Reliable connectivity and unlimited data.
  • Affordable pricing.
  • And more!

You don't need to put up with bad internet anymore! Upgrade your connection today to enjoy all the benefits fiber internet has to offer! Check availability at www.ConexonConnect.com or call us at 1-844-542-6663.

Fight the winter chill and save energy

We all have our favorite season. Some people love crisp, cool weather and bundling up under a favorite blanket, while others prefer the warm temperatures summer brings and all the fun outdoor activities that go with it.

But there is one thing we can all agree on: High winter bills are never fun. Central Georgia EMC is here to help you find ways to manage your home energy use and help keep winter bills in check.

  • Mind the thermostat. We recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees (or lower) in the winter when you are home. When you are away for an extended period, try setting it between 58 and 62 degrees. A programmable thermostat makes this task simple.
  • Button up your home. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that air leaks account for 24% to 40% of the energy used for heating and cooling a home. Caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doors is a simple, cost-effective way to increase comfort and save energy.
  • Use space heaters wisely. Using space heaters as your primary heating source saves less than you would think. For the energy used to run two space heaters for one hour, you could run a central heat pump large enough to heat a 1,800-square-foot home. Always follow safety recommendations for space heater placement and use.

Winter months often bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. However, by being proactive about saving energy, you can increase the comfort of your home and reduce monthly bills. We invite you to take advantage of our free self-guided,energy-saving tools at www.cgemc.com/together-we-save.

Capital credits checks announced

The Central Georgia EMC Board of Directors announced a capital credits refund to electric consumers who received service during portions of 2003 and 2004. The refund checks were mailed to customer-owners on December 2, 2022.

The total amount of this refund was $2,885,098, which represents the remaining margins for the year 2003 and a portion of the margins for the year 2004. The margins are used as capital until they can be returned through a general refund without impairing the cooperative’s financial condition. Capital credits are a benefit of your membership. Thank you for your patronage.

Important Announcements

NOTICE OF PURPA HEARING (Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act)

As prescribed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Central Georgia EMC (CGEMC) will be considering two new provisions that were amended to the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) for qualifying utilities.

The new provisions pertain to:

  1. Demand response
  2. Electrification of the transportation sector

The hearing will be held at the Locust Grove Recreation Center Auditorium at 10 Cleveland St., Locust Grove, GA 30248, with the participant sign-in beginning at 8 a.m. and the hearing commencing at 9 a.m. on May 9, 2023. The hearing schedule may be revised or updated.

For the latest information regarding the hearing and deadlines, please consult the PURPA manual and Significant Event Schedule. The documents are all available on Central Georgia EMC's website, www.cgemc.com/purpa, and also available for inspection and copying between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the office of Central Georgia EMC, 923 S. Mulberry St., Jackson, GA 30233.

Questions? Contact Tina Kitchens at tkitchens@cgemc.com, call 770-504-7904, or mail: Central Georgia EMC, Attn: Tina Kitchens, 923 S. Mulberry St., Jackson, GA 30233

Important Notice for Estate Accounts

Following CGEMC Bylaws sections 2.04 and 2.06, member accounts listed in estate status (where the original account holder is known to be deceased) will be subject to disconnection beginning in January 2023. If your bill statement is listed as an estate account, please contact customer service at 770-775-7857, and we will assist you in transferring ownership of the account.

Holiday Notice

Central Georgia EMC's office will be closed Monday, January 16, 2023, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 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.

The Deadline for Scholarship Applications is January 27

We are now accepting applications for the statewide $1,000 Walter Harrison Scholarship program. Additionally, the top three applicants from CGEMC will receive a $500 Central Georgia EMC Scholarship! Qualifications and applications can be found at www.cgemc.com. Applications are due January 27, 2023.

System Inspections

CGEMC has contracted with Cappstone Energy Group LLC to perform system inspections in Henry and Clayton 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, please contact CGEMC at 770-775-7857.

In December, the Central Georgia EMC Foundation awarded $18,972.60 in grants to charitable organizations in our territory.

  • Community Bible Fellowship Church (CEO Ministry): $3,000 - To help fund their Community Christmas Program for children in need.
  • Crosswalk Ministries USA, Inc.: $2,500 - To purchase supplies for the ARTreach program.
  • Henry County Arts & Culture Alliance: $4,000 - To assist with acquiring ownership of the Unity Grove Rosenwald School building.
  • Humane Society of Morgan County: $2,972.60 - To purchase surgical supplies.
  • Manna from Above: $2,500 - To purchase food for children in the Touch of Love Backback Buddies program.
  • Morgan County High College and Career Academy: $4,000 - To purchase four animal pens and two water dispensers for their agricultural facility.

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!

Qualifying organizations are invited to submit an application to the Operation Round Up Foundation. The Foundation Board will review grant requests and administer the funds, based on the merit of each grant application and available funds.

co-op connections

Give Your Business A Boost in 2023 With Co-op Connections!

We want to say thank you to all our local participating businesses! If you own a business and want to join Co-op Connections visit www.connections.coop to sign up.

It's a free benefit from Central Georgia EMC. If you would like more information, email us at marketing@cgemc.com. We are glad to help!

energy tip

Did you know insulating your electric water heater could reduce standby heat loss by 25-45%? This could save you 7-16% on annual water heating costs. Insulating your electric water heater is an easy, inexpensive project that can improve energy efficiency and save you money each month.

The U.S. Department of Energy rates this project level as medium difficulty, meaning most homeowners can tackle this project on their own. You can purchase pre-cut jackets or blankets for about $20 at most home improvement stores. Visit energy.gov for project tips and additional considerations.

Keep it cozy with fuel Georgia!

Our Fuel Georgia team would love to welcome you to the neighborhood! We are local and available to help you stay cozy this winter. 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!

Do you have the cgemc mobile app?

It's free and easy to use! Download the CGEMC Mobile App today!

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Credits:

Created with images by digidreamgrafix - "york south carolina white rose city" • juliasudnitskaya - "Dollar bills in glass jar on wooden background. Saving money concept." • zimmytws - "Scholarship cap on money" • StaCheck Photography - ""Support small businesses" text on a plain brown paper bag flat lay with pine cones and stars - Christmas shopping message concept" • niekverlaan - "lamp idea pear" • denisismagilov - "Blond woman drawing light bulbs" • goodluz - "Kids in cooking class workshop preparing apple pie"