Year in Review Message from the President/Ceo
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2020 YEAR IN REVIEW MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO 2020 has been a year like no other, in every possible way. work, despite the pandemic’s disruption to our economy. There isn’t enough room on this page to list all of the The team had another banner year in helping to locate TABLE OF ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected electric nearly $1 billion in projects and Georgia’s economy Georgia EMC technical cooperatives in Georgia, not to mention how it has affected remains one of the strongest in the nation. This proves training participants adopt families and individuals. These last several months have that our work of bringing business to Georgia and the use of masks and CONTENTS been nothing short of difficult for all of us. EMCs have had preparing our communities to ensure those businesses social distancing in line to change the way they do business and likewise, Georgia are successful is undeniably worthwhile. with current COVID-19 EMC did too. So many of the services our association safety recommendations. 1 MESSAGE FROM provides had to be altered significantly to continue serving The Communications and Member Services team THE PRESIDENT/CEO our members. A majority of the work we typically do is provided much-needed support for young people through in-person, because Georgia EMC is the organization 4-H, FFA, GHSA, the Walter Harrison scholarship and 2 MESSAGE FROM that brings management, directors and staff from all many other youth development and agriculture programs. THE CHAIRMAN OF of Georgia’s 41 EMCs together — to learn, grow, share, The team worked to provide EMC Communicators with THE BOARD compromise and pool resources for the common good. content, resources and messaging coordination for local and statewide efforts related to the pandemic, grassroots Despite the circumstances this year brought, our initiatives and EMCs’ community support. 5 GOVERNMENT Government Relations team shepherded the first cost RELATIONS Georgia Magazine continues to be the largest circulation allocation manual approval — for Diverse Power’s DENNIS L. CHASTAIN Kudzu Networks, Inc. — through the Public Service monthly magazine in the state providing readers with engaging and educational content that promotes our 6 COMMUNITY AND Commission and blocked legislative attempts to Our mission: Provide leadership and unity through state, informs the general public about the latest trends ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT impose FCC rates, terms and conditions on EMC pole advocacy, education and communications. attachments. Our team led negotiations between of the electric industry and highlights all that EMCs do EMCs and telecommunications providers to establish as cornerstones of their communities. 8 TRAINING, EDUCATION to be reckoned with when it comes to protecting our a model agreement for small cell wireless attachments AND SAFETY This year has been challenging in other ways too. The 4.4 million consumers. and worked with members of Congress to highlight 2020 session of the Georgia General Assembly was EMC efforts to help consumers through the COVID-19 10 COMMUNICATIONS AND one of the most challenging in recent history. When the Georgia EMC was formed 80 years ago when our pandemic, among other initiatives. MEMBER SERVICES legislature passed House Bill 244 sending EMC pole members realized they were stronger together. I couldn’t agree more. Georgia EMC looks forward to serving our The Training, Education and Safety department took attachment rental rates to the Georgia Public Service Members for the next 80 years. 12 GEORGIA MAGAZINE many of their meetings virtual and implemented strict Commission, our network was given a herculean task on what may be the shortest timeline of all similar pole safety measures for classes that continued in-person. In cooperation, 14 IN MEMORY They found new ways to deliver safety programming attachment cases throughout the nation. The passage for co-ops online. Through these actions, the team of this bill brought great concern across the EMCs, but maintained the important work of ensuring your together with Oglethorpe Power, a hired team of experts 16 GEORGIA EMC and most importantly, YOU, every single one of our REPRESENTS YOU employees keep safety their first priority while increasing Dennis L. Chastain their knowledge and skills to perform at the highest level. Member EMCs, we made our case before the five public President/CEO service commissioners and received a favorable outcome. Cover photo: Linemen provide mutual aid The Community & Economic Development team Above all, EMCs came together to face this issue head assistance in Louisiana following Hurricane experienced increased prospect interest and project on showing our unity, our strength and that we are a force Laura. (courtesy of Walton EMC) GEORGIA EMC 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW_ 1 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD It has been my honor and pleasure to assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors for Georgia EMC and serve each of you in what has certainly been an unusual year. While I have missed the chance to see everyone at our annual events throughout 2020, I know that better times are ahead. Surely, these challenging times will soon be behind us and we can meet together again for the benefit of our cooperatives and ultimately, our members. In this new role and while serving on the Georgia EMC Executive Committee in the last three years, I’ve learned much about our statewide trade association and each of the members it serves. Georgia‘s 41 EMCs are different from each other in many, many ways – in size, geography, unique characteristics of the communities we serve, the way we conduct business, the number of employees we have and the resources we have access to, among others. To serve with Georgia EMC is a chance to see the bigger picture and realize that while the best way to accomplish our mission looks different at each electric cooperative, we also have so much more in common. Our mission, our cooperative principles and always putting our MICHAEL MCDONALD members first — just to name a few. Our predecessors knew 80 years ago that cooperatives in Georgia would achieve more together, just like it still is today. Over the last year, I’ve seen firsthand the very fabric that binds us — allowing us to improve service to our members, bolster our state’s economy and more effectively serve our communities’ needs — and that fabric is woven by the professional, knowledgeable, loyal and dedicated employees of Georgia Georgia EMC Employee Service Awards EMC. Advocating, educating and representing our unified EMC network with key audiences around the Gale Cutler, 20 years of service state is important work and we are all better for their many efforts. I hope you’ll join me in thanking the John Durden, 15 years of service employees of Georgia EMC for their devoted service to each of us. Jim Jess, 10 years of service Thank you to everyone for your cooperation and support over the past year. My best wishes to all for good Kevin Braun, 10 years of service health and happiness in 2021. Jack Rider, 10 years of service Amy Schneider, 5 years of service Sincerely, A line crew works to restore power following widespread damage from Tropical Storm Zeta. (courtesy of Michael McDonald GreyStone Power) Chairman, Georgia EMC 2 _ GEORGIA EMC 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW GEORGIA EMC 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW_ 3 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS On behalf of our Members and the more than 4.4 million Georgians they serve, Georgia EMC works to ensure legislation and regulations will not affect electric cooperatives’ ability to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity and other essential services to their communities, all while continuously strengthening the EMC grassroots network throughout the state. In the past year, the Government Relations team: > Continued leading EMC broadband efforts > Educated Georgia’s Members of Congress on PAC / ACRE since the passage of Senate Bill 2 last year. This RUS repricing legislation, securing five of > In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, included successfully working with the Public Georgia’s Congressmen – the third most of any facilitated Georgia EMC PAC / ACRE virtual Service Commission to develop criteria for the state in the country – and U.S. Sen. David Perdue meetings between EMC leaders, legislators required cost allocation manual (CAM) and as co-sponsors of the Flexible Financing for and Members of Congress. gaining approval for the first EMC broadband Rural America Act. affiliate - Diverse Power’s Kudzu Networks, Inc. > Delivered more than $115,000 in Georgia EMC > Organized conference calls with Congressional PAC support to more than 115 different political > Blocked all legislative attempts to impose staff to highlight EMC efforts to help consumers candidates who support electric cooperatives FCC rates, terms and conditions on EMC during the COVID-19 pandemic and advocate for in Georgia. pole attachments. EMC priorities in relief packages. > Successfully negotiated with railroads and worked > Worked with Oglethorpe Power Corp. to with legislators to pass a reasonable compromise continue educating lawmakers on the impact on EMC easement legislation without limiting of coal ash legislation. Senate Bill 2 easement provisions. ® > Worked with the Governor’s office and other key > Worked with Oglethorpe Power Corp. to pass elected officials to address EMC concerns arising business judgement rule legislation for nonprofits from COVID-19 shutdown restrictions. and cooperatives that will provide added legal protections for EMC boards. > Gained recognition