Welcome to the December edition of Current Lines newsletter, a monthly publication of Tri-County EMC. Below are a few samples of the articles in this current newsletter. To read the full article, just click on the "Click here to read more" link.
Fuel Costs Drive Wholesale Power Cost Increases
C. Hill Bentley CEO
For Tri-County EMC consumers, 2005 has been a volatile year. We began the year facing higher fuel costs due to higher crude oil prices. Then Mother Nature brought her influence to bear. High temperatures, violent hurricanes and record oil prices have consumers bracing for higher heating costs this winter in addition to higher prices for all consumer goods. While Tri-County members will not see the drastically increased costs predicted for natural gas and other fossil fuels, the cooperative’s members will see increased costs for electricity beginning in January. Click here to read more.
Tri-County EMC’s Annual Meeting took place Oct. 20. Directors representing Post 1 were re-elected to serve a three-year term. These are Dan Greene of District 1, Brenda P. Greene representing District 2 and Sammy Hall of District 3. A total of 1,008 ballots were cast. (36104-01)
In his opening address, Tri-County EMC Chairman Tom Thompson stressed the importance of cooperatives existing to provide necessities, like electricity, for rural Americans. He thanked EMC employees who, at times, sacrifice comfort with their families to restore electric service. Employees were also recognized for working diligently in the aftermath of the ice storm and Hurricane Katrina. Click here to read more.
Dan Greene District 1 Bibb, Jones & Twiggs counties
Brenda P. Green District 2 Jasper, Morgan & Putnam counties
Sammy Hall District 3 Baldwin & Wilkinson counties
It Pays to Participate in Your EMC's Annual Meeting
Taking part in your EMC’s business can be rewarding. The members featured below each won $50 for completing and returning their ballots. Bernard Whipple won the grand prize of $500.
The $500 Cash Prize Winner is: Bernard Whipple of Gordon
Arthur Allen Milledgeville
David Barnes Eatonton
Melvin Bishop Eatonton
Jerry Brown Eatonton
Sherry Greene Gordon
Bettie Harris Milledgeville
Ruth Larson Milledgeville
Sara Lowe Gray
Donald Morgan Eatonton
Whitney Washington Milledgeville
Plan to Bring Your Tree for the Chipper
Put your Christmas tree to use after the holidays. Bring it to the recycling center on Overland Way in Gray from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Jan. 7, and you will help “keep Jones beautiful.” During Bring One for the Chipper, your Christmas tree will recycle into mulch used countywide or to be used as fish habitat. (59206-01)
Demonstration Helps Families Stay Safe
>> Wells Primary School’s Fall Festival featured lessons in electrical safety by Tri-County EMC. Chuck Monnette, manager of Safety and Training (left) and Jonathan Stewart, energy services representative conducted a high-voltage demonstration.<<
Make Valentine's Day Special for Someone
You can fill a need for someone this Valentine’s Day. Give blood. Tri-County EMC and the American Red Cross will hold a community blood drive on Feb. 14 from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Community Room at the EMC office in Gray. Individuals of all ages will welcome your gift. Call (478) 986-8135 for a time to give.
Did You Know? ...
The Fuel Cost Adjustment, found on your electric bill, changes to adapt to the costs of fuel, transporting coal from the mine to the generating plant and meeting power plant emission regulations.
Energy Tip of the Month
Is moisture in control around your home? If you want your home to be energy efficient, it needs to have vapor barriers. Take a moment to check and see if the following moisture barriers exist.
• Untreated wood materials should be kept away from the earth. • Gutters provide rain drainage away from the house. Keep them clear of debris. (41091-01) • The dryer vent should be positioned to direct air away from the crawl space. • A clear, plastic 6-mil vapor diffusion barrier should lay across the crawl space floor.
• The foundation drain should be installed beside the bottom of the footing for slab homes and at the bottom of the footing for homes with a crawl space. Surround a four-inch perforated plastic drain pipe with gravel and cover with filter fabric.
