2020 Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program

2020 Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program
The study materials in this document will prepare you for the Cobb EMC Youth
Leadership Program Quiz. Please come to the Cobb EMC Bo and Mary Jean Pounds
Auditorium on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. for the Youth Tour Quiz. The top
scoring student from each school, must score at least an 80, will return to the Auditorium on
Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. for a finalist interview.

Directions:
 I-75
 From I-75 take exit 267B to Highway 41. Turn right (north) onto Highway 41 at traffic
 signal. At next traffic signal turn left onto EMC Parkway. Take second street on right
 through security gate. The building will be directly in front of you (Building 1000). Enter
 through the double doors marked Bo and Mary Jean Pounds Auditorium.

Important Facts and Figures

Rural Electrification Administration

1935 - Franklin Roosevelt signed the executive order creating the Rural Electrification
Administration (REA). A reorganization of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) in the mid-1990’s resulted in REA becoming the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
1938 - Senator Richard B. Russell energized Cobb EMC’s first electric lines on
December 17, 1938. When he flipped the switch, he provided power to 489 homes and
14 businesses.

Why do you call your cooperative “Cobb EMC?” Shouldn’t it be Cobb REMC?

The letters REMC mean Rural Electric Membership Corporation. Cobb County was once
considered a rural area. However, Cobb County was dramatically affected by Atlanta’s
growing pains. Appropriately, our name officially became Cobb Electric Membership
Corporation in 1976.
Current Events
•   Cobb EMC employs 369 people, serves over 180,000 members and maintains over
    9,223 miles of line. With more than 195,000 meters served, Cobb EMC is one of the
    largest of Georgia's 41 EMCs and among the largest of the nation's 900 EMCs.
•   The EMCs in Georgia serve in excess of 4.4 million members.
•   Cobb EMC’s average cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity, as of this printing, is
    approximately 6 cents.

Affiliated Organizations
Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Oglethorpe Power Corporation was established in 1975 to provide electricity to 39 of the 41
EMCs in Georgia. Cobb EMC does not generate its own power. Thirty-nine EMCs (this
includes Cobb EMC) in Georgia banded together to form OPC to provide them with
electricity for their members. Currently, we purchase electricity from
Oglethorpe and then sell this power to our members. Oglethorpe Power Corporation
is in Tucker, Georgia.

Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (GEMC)
GEMC was formed in 1940 as the statewide EMC organization. Georgia EMC represents
the 41 EMCs in the state. Georgia EMC provides legislative service, job safety training
and coordination, as well as programs in public relations, advertising, and any other
subject that may be of interest to the EMCs. Georgia EMC also publishes a magazine
called Georgia Magazine. Cobb EMC members receive this magazine on a bi-monthly
basis. The magazine contains many helpful articles on energy conservation, etc. Georgia
EMC is located in Tucker, Georgia.

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
NRECA is the national EMC organization. It represents the approximately 1,000
EMCs in the United States. NRECA provides similar programs on a national basis that
Georgia EMC provides on a state level. One of the activities NRECA sponsors is the
Youth Tour in which you are participating. NRECA’s headquarters is in Washington, D.C.

Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46
states that provides resources and leverage partnerships to help member cooperatives and
their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone
Energy cooperatives stands as a source of power and information to their 32 million-owners
every day.

About Cobb EMC
How is Cobb EMC different from Georgia Power?
The goal of both companies is the same—to serve the people in their respective service
areas with an adequate supply of electricity. However, there are quite a few differences
between Cobb EMC and Georgia Power. Georgia Power is referred to as an “investor
owned utility” (IOU for short). This means that anyone may purchase stock in this
company and, therefore, they become a stockholder of Georgia Power Company.
Georgia Power then operates on a profit basis so their stockholders can make money as
a result of their investments. So, stockholders benefit from the corporation’s profits.

As with all EMCs, Cobb EMC is non-profit that is owned by the members we serve. This
means only customers of Cobb EMC can own the company. By merely applying for
electric service and paying a small membership fee, a person becomes part owner and a
“member” of this corporation. Therefore, any and all money in excess of operating costs
and expenses (margins) is assigned back to the members (customers) of Cobb EMC. The
money returned to our members is referred to as Capital Credits. Cobb EMC also does not
pay income or profit taxes, because we have no net income or profit.

Our Difference

As a not-for-profit, member-owned corporation, Cobb EMC is dedicated to providing
members the best service at the lowest possible price. We strive to be a good corporate
citizen and neighbor, as well as a recognized leader in the utility industry.

The Seven Cooperative Principles

1.   Open and Voluntary Membership
2.   Member Control
3.   Member Economic Participation
4.   Autonomy and Independence
5.   Education Training and Information
6.   Cooperation Among Co-ops
7.   Concern for Community

COBB EMC Community Foundation

The Cobb EMC Community Foundation Mission is to carefully assess the financial
requests of charitable organizations, and to apply our collective wisdom to the allocation.
of available funds for the broadest benefit of the community and the members we serve.

Operation Round Up

Many generous Cobb EMC members round their bills up each month, through Operation
Round Up, to donate to charitable organizations in our community. The Cobb EMC
Community Foundation is a third-party foundation, separate from Cobb EMC and
directors, set up to administer and distribute the funds collected through Operation Round
Up. Decisions made by the volunteer board are based on funds available and the
community impact of requests

Request Funding
Community service, religious or scientific organizations, education or youth programs
and nonprofits that quality as exempt under section 501(c)(3) may benefit from this fund.
For additional questions, contact Helen Wilson 678-355-3271

Solar Initiatives
Cobb EMC remains at the forefront of adding solar projects to our energy portfolio.
During certain times of the year, 30 percent of Cobb EMC’s energy needs can be met
by solar. Our focus on affordable renewable energy options is what helps support rate
stability and favorably position our co-op for future environment regulations.

Homeowner’s Association Meetings
Cobb EMC hosts two Homeowners’ Association Meetings each year. The next
Homeowners’ Association Meeting will be held November 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Cobb EMC in
the Bo and Mary Jeans Pounds Auditorium. Each HOA represented by a board president or
representative will receive a $50 account credit.

Wattson’s E-Smart Kids page

The E-Smart Kids page is learning about electricity and how to use it safely and wisely.
This page has a host of games, videos and activities to stay safe around electricity.

Solar Facilities
• Hazlehurst Solar Facility- Cobb EMC receives 5.04 megawatts from a facility near
   Hazlehurst, GA. This facility includes more than 633,600 solar panels across 480 acres
   in Jeff Davis County, Ga.
• Azalea Solar Power Facility- Cobb EMC receives 7.7 megawatts from Azalea Solar in
   Washington County, one of the largest solar power plants in Georgia. The power
   purchase agreement will provide solar power generation for 25 years.
• Sandhills Solar Facility- Cobb EMC receives 111 megawatts-77 percent of the facility’s
   output- from the Sandhills Solar Facility. The Taylor-county based facility is the largest
   solar facility operating east of the Mississippi River.

Who runs Cobb EMC?
The members run Cobb EMC. Now, of course, we can't have 180,000+ members directly
determining our rates and policies, but they do determine these things indirectly. In
September of each year, Cobb EMC holds an annual business meeting for all our members.
The members are reminded of this meeting date and its importance annually. Cobb EMC
has 9 directors who are the governing body and they represent the entire membership.

Who are Cobb EMC’s Directors?

District 1 - Edward Crowell
             Vice Chairman

District 2 - Rudy Underwood
             Secretary-Treasurer

District 3 - Kelly Bodner

District 4 - David McClellan
             Chairman

District 5 - Tripper Sharp

District 6 - David Tennant

District 7 - Malcolm Swanson

District 8 - Bryan Boyd

District 9 - Eric Broadwell

Who is Cobb EMC’s President/Chief Executive Officer?
Peter Heintzelman

Cobb EMC’s Youth Tour
What is the Washington Youth Tour?

The Youth Tour was created from extemporaneous comments made by Senator Lyndon B.
Johnson as he addressed the 1957 NRECA Annual Meeting in Chicago. Beginning that year
and for several more, some of the Texas Electric Corporation sent groups of young people to
Washington, D.C. to work in Senator Johnson’s office. As a result, the students were given
an opportunity to learn about government during a portion of their summer vacations. The
idea caught on and soon an increasing number of young people came to tour Washington
D.C. and get familiar with government. In 1964 NRECA began to coordinate the program
and suggests that groups arrange their schedules to be on tour the same week.
Current Youth Tour Objectives:

•   Educate youth on all aspects of rural electrification in order to promote a better
    understanding of the value of rural electric cooperatives
•   Provide an opportunity for youth to visit monuments, government buildings, and
    and cooperative related organizations in order to become familiar with the
    historical and political environment of the nation’s capital
•   Provide an opportunity for youth to meet elected officials in order to better
    understand how the federal government works
•   Develop leadership skills through training and communication
What is the Cobb EMC Women’s Task Force?

The Task Force began in 1976 and consists of approximately 50 ladies of all ages who are
member/consumers of the Cooperative. The organization has 3 basic goals: (1) assist in
improving public relations for Cobb EMC in our service area; (2) learn about Cobb EMC
and energy; and (3) encourage community improvements among youth & adult service
organizations in the Cobb EMC service area. One unique thing about the Task Force is
that they are merely members of Cobb EMC. They are not wives of directors or
employees, nor do they receive any compensation.

The Women’s Task Force President: Cathy Lane

Energy Conservation
Heating Tips

•   Allow the sun to help heat your home by opening your draperies. At night keep all
    drapes closed to reduce both infiltration and conduction of heat. Insulated drapes will
    increase comfort levels.
•   If you have a fireplace, keep the damper closed whenever you do not have a fire.
•   Electric heat pumps can provide highly efficient heating when properly sized and
    installed. Plus, you get a cooling system.
•   Set your thermostat on 78 degrees in the summer.

Cooling Tips

•   Trees, shrubbery and awnings will help reduce your air conditioning costs by
    simply shading your home or its doors and windows from the hot summer sun.
•   Keep draperies closed to block the sun from entering through windows. Insulated
    drapes will increase the comfort level of your home.
•   If you are considering purchasing either a room or central air conditioner, we highly
    recommend the high efficiency units. These units can save considerably as compared
    to standard units. It may cost more initially but the savings will usually offset this.
    Check for S.E.E.R. This is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and it is used as a
    standard of measurement to determine air conditioning efficiency. Look for the yellow
    label on the window unit, ask your contractor or call your Cobb EMC representative.
    The higher the S.E.E.R., the more efficient the unit.
•   Set your thermostat on 68 degrees in the winter.

Water Heating

•   A timer, used properly, will reduce operating costs.
•   Avoid letting hot water run constantly when washing dishes, shaving, cleaning, etc.
•   A quick shower will use less hot water than tub baths, but hot showers of more
    than about 5 minutes will normally use more hot water than a tub bath.
•   The water heater and hot water pipes can be insulated to conserve energy. Check
    with your local building or plumbing supplier for availability of various materials.
•   Check all faucets for leaks, especially hot water leaks. This can result in surprisingly
    large amounts of wasted hot water and increased operating costs.

Lighting

•   Make use of natural lighting whenever and wherever possible.
•   Keep lamp bulbs, fixtures, and shades clean. Dust and dirt sometimes absorb light by
    as much as 50%.
•   One large bulb gives more light than several smaller one, even though the total
    wattage is the same.
•   Install three-way switches and solid-state dimmers where various lighting levels are
    needed. They help to adjust lighting to just the right setting.
•   Install photo electric controls on outdoor lighting. This will allow them to operate
    automatically at dusk. Timers may be used on indoor lighting when the occupants are
    out of the home.
•   Fluorescent lamp bulbs give two to four times as much light as incandescent bulbs of
    the same wattage, and last about 25 times longer.
•   In the mid 1920’s, Russian inventor Oleg Losev independently created the first light-
    emitting diode (LED). In 1927, Losev published his findings in a Russian journal.
•   The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of the most energy efficient light technologies.
    Some of the advantages of LED’s are:

    ✓ Longer lasting (LED last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting)
    ✓ More durable (made from epoxy lenses, much more resistant to breakage)
    ✓ More efficient (uses at least 75% less energy)

Home Weatherization for Year-Round Protection

•   Good insulation always comes first. Increased insulation will normally provide the
    greatest savings in energy costs in any home.
•   Keep attic insulation uncompressed. Limit flooring and storage in attics
•   Keep all outside openings and seams such as windows and doors well caulked
•   Use double pane or storm-type windows to keep heat in or keep heat out.

All insulation materials are rated and should be labeled in R-Values. R-Value shows the
resistance of the material to the flow of heat. A higher R-value shows an insulation
material will be more effective. R-values will help determine efficiency.

Recommended R-values for:

New Construction

•   Ceiling- R-30
•   Walls- R-13
•   Floors- R-19

Adding to existing construction

•   Ceiling- R-30
•   Floors- R-19

Lifestyle Choice Rates

•   Smart Choice Rate - Established in 2016 for members who like to save by reducing
    energy usage during peak demand periods.
•   Even Bill Rate - Established for members that like to budget and pay the same
    amount each month.
•   Nite Flex Rate - Established in 2018 for members who like to shift their usage to
    super off peak hours.
•   Fixed Rate - Established in 2019 for members who like simplicity and enjoy the
    convenience of paying the same rate all year.
•   Standard Rate - Established as a multi-tiered rate with pricing increasing during
    summer and decreasing during the winter.

Payment Options

•   Online - Members can securely pay their bill online with no fee.
•   App – Members can manage their account on the go with our App.
•   Financial Institution - Members can pay their bill using their banking institution.
•   Mail - Members can mail checks or money orders to Cobb EMC.
•   Phone - Members can make payments through our automated system.
•   In Person - Members can come in and make a payment by cash, check, money
    order or Money Gram. Express pay and Drop Box are available 24/7.

Electric Vehicles
EV Basics

Electric Vehicles (EV’s) get their power from electricity supplied by the grid, and they use
battery energy for all transportation needs.

How Do EV’s Work?

Using battery technology similar to the battery in your smartphone, but on a much larger
scale, EV’s convert electricity from the grid into stored energy that is then used to power
the electric engine, as well as the rest of the car’s systems, including lights, wipers, air
conditioning and entertainment. And EV’s have fewer parts than gas-powered cars,
meaning fewer things to repair.

How Do EV’s Charge?

Home Charging

Every new electric vehicle can be recharged from your home’s own standard 120-volt wall
outlets, requiring several hours to recharge. For faster charging, an electrician can install a
charger in your home that can reduce charging time. And with the NiteFlex rate, you can
charge your EV overnight for free!

Charging stations

There are also charging stations that provide fast charging for your EV for a small fee, like
gas stations for electric vehicles. You can drive from coast to coast now, and apps like
ChargeHub and PlugShare can help you plan your route to find charging stations along the
way. Many employers are also providing charging stations at work.

Electricity Facts
What is Electricity?

It is the most versatile form of energy. No one can see, smell, or hear electricity.

Where does electricity come from?

Electricity is electrons in motion. It occurs in nature in the form of lightning, electric eels,
and even the small shock you sometimes get when you touch a doorknob. There are two
kinds of electricity: static and current. Most of the electricity we use in our everyday lives
is made in a power plant by spinning a magnet inside coils of wire. This puts electrons in
motion and creates a flow of electricity. It’s made the same way, whether it’s produced in
a small coal-burning power plant or the most modern nuclear plant.

What is an Electron?

It’s a very small particle of an atom carrying a tiny electrical charge. To give you an idea
of its size, it takes six billion electrons to light a 100-watt light bulb for a single second.

What is the difference between voltage and amperage?

Electric current is the flow of electrons. Amperage is the amount of flow. And voltage
is the amount of pressure behind the flow.

Why doesn’t a bird get electrocuted when it lands on an electric line?

Electricity takes the path of least resistance. A bird will not get hurt if it only
lands on one wire. It’s simply easier for the electricity to continue along the metal wire
than it is for it to enter the bird. But, if the bird lands on two wires with different voltages,
the electricity would flow through the bird from the wire with the higher voltage to the
wire with the lower voltage, and the bird would be electrocuted. Electrocution is death by
electric shock.

Does the human brain produce electricity?
Not only the brain, but the entire body produces electricity through chemical reactions
in the cells. The body is a highly complex electrical system with the brain function as
the control and switching center. Most of everything we see, hear, taste, smell, and feel
are the result of tiny electrical signals sent to the brain from various parts of the body

What is static electricity?

Static electricity is the electricity that is “standing still”. Every substance in nature has
atoms. And every atom has electrons. But some atoms can have too many electrons, and
some atoms do not have enough. If a substance doesn’t have
enough electrons, it is positively charged. If it has too many, it is negatively charged.
Another important thing to remember is that electricity travels at the speed of light –
186,000 miles per second, so you can’t see it!

What is the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

Nuclear fission is the splitting apart of heavy atoms. Nuclear fusion is the joining together
of light atoms. Both actions release enormous amounts of energy. All nuclear plants today
operate by nuclear fission.

Can electricity be made from the sun?

Yes, it can. Solar power must be used as it is made or converted into other forms of energy
for storage. Cobb EMC is dedicated to advancing our commitment to renewable energy.
During certain times of the year, 30 percent of Cobb EMC’s energy needs can be met by
our solar contracts at three facilities.

Can electricity leak out of electric sockets?

No. The air between the two contacts of the socket actually block the flow of electricity.
Unless the socket is damaged, or there is some sort of electrical short circuit, the only way
the electricity can get out of the socket is when something is plugged into the socket. This
completes the electric circuit and allows the electricity to flow from the outlet.

What is Current electricity?

It is a constant flow of electrons. Direct current (DC) means the electrons move in one
direction. Alternating current (AC) means the electrons flow in both directions. Power plants
make AC.

What are those reset buttons on some of the outlets in my bathroom and kitchen?
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are devices that quickly shut off power when
problems occur. They minimize electrical shock hazards. Never use a penny or piece of
aluminum foil to replace a burned-out fuse.
What fuels are used to generate power for electric consumers of Georgia?

At present, the electricity generated in Georgia uses nuclear as the predominant source of fuel.

        The breakdown is:
                 Nuclear                   41%

                  Coal                     25%

                   Gas                     38%

                  Hydro                      6%

                  Other                      1%

Cobb EMC’s Safety Ambassador

          “Wattson”
     The Red-tailed Hawk