Georgia Magazine - December 2022 - 14

Currents
News from Georgia's electric co-ops * Compiled by Amy Schneider
Habersham EMC tops co-op division
at annual rodeo
G
eorgia's electric membership
cooperatives (EMCs) took home
several prizes at the 38th Annual
International Lineman's Rodeo in Overland
Park, Kan., Oct. 12-15.
Carroll EMC in Carrollton, Cobb EMC
in Marietta, Flint Energies in Reynolds,
GreyStone Power Corp. in Hiram,
Habersham EMC in Clarkesville, Jackson
EMC in Jefferson and Snapping Shoals EMC
in Covington sent three-person journeyman
teams and/or apprentice linemen,
who compete as individuals, to the event.
Habersham EMC was the winner of the
journeyman division just for the 35 participating teams
from electric cooperatives. Both Habersham EMC's team
of Dillon Welborn, Tucker Dyer and Robert Morris and
Snapping Shoals EMC's team of Dylan Davis, Caleb Nix
and J.C. Bradshaw finished with 400 points and zero
deductions, but the Habersham team edged out first place
by completing the challenge in less time.
Also in the top 10 among EMC teams were two teams
from Cobb EMC, which finished fourth and ninth. Just out
of the top 10 were a team from Flint Energies at No. 11 and
another Cobb EMC team at No. 12.
Among apprentices competing in the EMC division,
Hunter Walton of Flint Energies finished fourth.
For more information about the rodeo and complete
results, go to linemansrodeokc.com.
Inset: Habersham EMC's team of, from left, Robert Morris,
Dillon Welborn and Tucker Dyer won the journeyman division for
cooperatives. Above: Habersham EMC linemen compete at the rodeo.
Walton EMC remains dominant in solar
F
or the fourth consecutive year, Walton Electric
Membership Corp. (EMC) in Monroe is a leader
among Southeast utilities in solar-power development,
according to a recent report by the Southern Alliance for
Clean Energy (SACE).
Walton EMC is included on the alliance's SunRiser list,
which recognizes seven Southeast utilities experiencing the
greatest solar-power growth. The co-op ranks first among all
Georgia electric utilities.
The co-op distributes 1,750 watts of solar power
per member. By 2025, that number is expected to rise to
4,064 watts per member. All together, electric utilities in
Georgia produced 2,970 megawatts of solar energy last year.
Walton EMC's continued expansion of its solar portfolio
for Meta (formerly Facebook) represents a large percentage
14 Georgia Magazine December 2022
of solar-energy development for the state. The cooperative is
providing 100 percent renewable energy for Meta's advanced,
energy-efficient data center in Newton County.
In collaboration with Nashville, Tenn.-based Silicon
Ranch, one of the nation's largest independent power
producers, Walton EMC generates carbon-free, renewable
solar energy at six solar facilities in the state. A seventh facility
is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Walton EMC also offers its members the opportunity
to buy blocks of solar power through its Cooperative Solar
program, which launched in 2015.
Walton EMC ranked second in the Southeast for the highest
increase in solar watts per customer last year. The SACE
region includes electric utilities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
COURTESY HABERSHAM EMC
COURTESY HABERSHAM EMC
http://www.linemansrodeokc.com
Georgia Magazine - December 2022

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