October 2019
Member Spotlight
In 2019, SECC will be recognizing a member each month, providing an organizational profile and highlighting the member's accomplishments and output in the smart energy space.
About Cobb EMC
Cobb EMC is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative located just north of Atlanta, Georgia. The company safely delivers reliable electricity to nearly 200,000 residential and commercial consumers in five counties. Cobb EMC is consistently recognized for its competitive rates, commitment to renewable energy and for giving back to the communities it serves. Cobb EMC is one of the largest EMCs in the nation, and the company’s wholly owned subsidiary Gas South is a leading provider of natural gas in the Southeast.
Solar Energy
Cobb EMC’s eyes are always on the future, which is why the co-op strives to bring its members innovation and continual improvement each and every day. In the last two years, Cobb EMC has added more solar to its energy mix. In fact, Cobb EMC has increased solar by 360 percent, with as much as 30 percent of its overall generation coming from solar resources on a sunny day. By doing this, Cobb EMC provides solar to all of its members at no additional cost.
Electric Vehicle Adoption
Cobb EMC is excited to be leading the charge towards electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the Southeast. Recently, Cobb EMC added several EVs to its fleet for cleaner, more efficient driving. These fleet cars are also available to members who are interested in checking out an EV overnight to see how it can fit into their lifestyle.
To further support EV adoption, Cobb EMC became the first EMC in the nation to offer free overnight charging with its NiteFlex rate plan. In addition to free charging, Cobb EMC members also enjoy free EV events, manufacturer discounts on EVs and commercial members are even eligible for grants that aid with the purchase and installation of EV charging equipment. So far in 2019, 12 EV charging stations have been installed in Cobb EMC’s service territory, with 20+ expected to come online in 2020.
Lifestyle Rate Options
Cobb EMC recognizes that each home it serves has a unique set of energy needs. This is why the utility recently rolled out a suite of lifestyle rate options for its residential members. Members can use an online rate selection tool to see which rate plan best fits their needs. Rate options include Smart Choice for energy savers who can shift their electric usage; NiteFlex for EV and smart appliance owners who use power during super off-peak hours; Even Bill for members who want to pay the same bill amount each month; and the Fixed and Standard Rates for members who like simplicity and convenience.
Reliability and The Trusted Energy Advisor
Cobb EMC is committed to providing its members with the best electric experience possible. This has led the utility to deploy a complete AMI network throughout its entire service territory. This network allows Cobb EMC’s power control team to know exactly when a meter loses power and restore it as quickly as possible, most of the time without even needing to roll a truck. Cobb EMC has also integrated underground substations, the first of their kind in the Southeast, into its grid to further improve reliability. Reliable power and continuous technology improvements are why Cobb EMC members to trust the utility. However, new and innovative programs are what further increase their levels of satisfaction and keep them engaged.
Some of Cobb EMC’s engagement programs include a free mobile app, which allows members to pay their bill, report an outage, or view their daily or hourly energy usage; an approved contractors list, which is comprised of vetted contractors that are ready to help members with any home improvements; and, most recently, access to Cobb EMC’s Amazon Influencer Page, a shop that showcases product recommendations in categories such as energy efficiency, EV chargers and emergency preparedness. These resources allow members to be more aware of their energy use so that they can save energy and take control of their power bill. As a result, Cobb EMC is truly their trusted energy advisor.
