Georgia Magazine - June 2023 - 15

SHORTTakes
EMC reps go to Washington
Academic advisers: Clarkesville-based
Habersham Electric Membership Corp. (EMC)
has entered into a five-year strategic
partnership with Truett McConnell University's
(TMU) Hans Hut School of Business in Cleveland.
Habersham EMC will be involved with
on-campus business seminars and classroom
speaking engagements and will provide
internship and employment opportunities. The
cooperative also will provide input on business
curriculum and other professional-development
resources and will offer scholarship funding for
qualified TMU business students.
Leaders from 20 Georgia electric cooperatives met with the state's two senators and
13 members of the House of Representatives during the NRECA's annual legislative
conference in Washington, D.C. Here, a group from Georgia meets with U.S. Rep. Sanford
D. Bishop Jr. (center).
A
bout 90 leaders from 20 Georgia electric membership cooperatives (EMCs)
joined a contingent of 2,000 directors, managers and representatives from the
Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
April 16-19 to educate members of Congress and administration officials about
legislative issues affecting EMC members.
The Georgia electric co-op leaders met with U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and
Raphael Warnock as well as 13 members of Georgia's delegation to the U.S. House
of Representatives to urge support for initiatives in four key areas: Farm Bill
reauthorization, infrastructure permitting, reliable and affordable electricity,
and supply-chain challenges.
Participating in the meetings were leaders from the following Georgia
cooperatives: Altamaha EMC, based in Lyons; Canoochee EMC, Reidsville; Carroll
EMC, Carrollton; Central Georgia EMC, Jackson; Coastal Electric Cooperative, Midway;
Cobb EMC, Marietta; Coweta-Fayette EMC, Palmetto; Flint Energies, Reynolds;
Georgia EMC, Tucker; Georgia Transmission Corp., Tucker; Jackson EMC, Jefferson;
Jefferson Energy Cooperative, Wrens; North Georgia EMC, Dalton; Oconee EMC,
Dudley; Oglethorpe Power Corp., Tucker; Sawnee EMC, Cumming; Snapping Shoals
EMC, Covington; Southern Rivers Energy, Barnesville; Tri-County EMC, Gray; and
Upson EMC, Thomaston.
-Walter Jones Sr.
Tough on crime: Gov. Brian Kemp
signed legislation on April 26 that
increases criminal penalties for those
who damage the state's critical
infrastructure, including electric grids
and equipment. The government
relations team of Tucker-based
Georgia EMC had advocated for
the passage of HB 227, and
representatives were on hand to
see the governor sign it into law.
Good hygiene: Jackson EMC in Jefferson
packed 3,000 hygiene kits during a company
volunteer event in April. The kits were delivered
to schools in the cooperative's service area to
help students in need.
Ground transportation: Flint Energies in
Reynolds showcased electric vehicles (EVs) in
conjunction with the Museum of Aviation in
Warner Robins at the museum's EV Day event
on April 29. While adults could get information
about EVs, the free event also featured
food trucks and hands-on learning activities
for students.
Bridge builders: Upson EMC in Thomaston
was a sponsor of a new program called the
Thomaston Police Department Citizens
Academy. Sixteen residents participated in
the six-week program, which works to
strengthen relationships between law
enforcement and the public.
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15
Achievement recognition: Gary Miller, CEO of
Hiram-based GreyStone Power Corp., received
the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award at the
Douglas County Chamber's Winter Ball on
Feb. 4 (below). The award recognizes a
person who has a long track record of civic
and professional contributions to his or her
community. Miller also received the new Curtis
Wynn Diversity Champion Award at the NRECA
PowerXchange in Nashville, Tenn., March 5-8.
The Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association (NRECA) honored two
co-op leaders with the award, which recognizes
outstanding contributions to promoting
diversity, equity and inclusion at their co-ops.
COURTESY OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
COURTESY GEORGIA EMC
BOWTIE PHOTOS
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Georgia Magazine - June 2023

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