News you can use from Jackson EMC.

November

What the Smart Grid Means to You Randall Pugh, president/CEO, says developing Smart Grid technology can eventually help utilities improve power reliability and give consumers more control over their energy usage.

Jackson EMC Helps Make Habitat for Humanity Homes Energy Efficient Jackson EMC is partnering with area chapters of Habitat for Humanity and vendors of energy-efficient technologies to make new Habitat homes ENERGY STAR® qualified.

Exploring Smart Grid Technology Smart Grid technology proposes transforming the current electricity transmission grid to one that uses digital technology to share information and use electricity more efficiently.

Apply for Scholarship Money through Jackson EMC Traditional and non-traditional students can begin applying for three types of scholarships offered through Jackson EMC beginning November 17. Applications are due by January 29, 2010.

Financing for ENERGY STAR® Improvements Whether you’re buying a house or refinancing, you can help finance the cost of energy-efficiency improvements with an Energy Efficient Mortgage. Federal tax credits and other types of loans can also help pay for efficiency improvements.

Jackson EMC Foundation Awards More Than $91,000 in Grants The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors awarded a total of $91,200 in grants during their September meeting, including $86,200 to organizations and $5,000 to individuals. For details, see the Operation Round Up® grants list.

October

Helping Others through Operation Round Up Stories from the 2009 Jackson EMC Foundation Annual Report highlight how members' Operation Round Up contributions are helping area residents, including supporting literacy; improving the lives of the working poor; assisting new mothers; and making life easier for a special needs teen and her family.

Jackson EMC Foundation Awards Nearly $120,000 in Grants in July and $70,000 in August The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors awarded a total of $119,317 in grants during their July meeting, including $112,317 to organizations and $7,000 to individuals. The Board awarded $69,547 in grants during their August meeting, including $58,050 to organizations and $11,497 to individuals. For details, see the Operation Round Up® grants list.

ACES Energy Legislation is a Losing Hand for Consumers Randall Pugh, president/CEO, says that the proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act will significantly increase the cost of electricity, and he urges members to contact their Congressional representatives about the bill.

Have Your Young Einstein Sign Up for Energy Bowl 2009 The deadline for applying to compete in the Jackson EMC Energy Bowl is November 2. The lucky winning 11th grader will walk away with scholarship money, prizes and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Fixing Leaky Ducts Saves Energy and Improves Air Quality Leaky ductwork can account for as much as 30% of your total heating and cooling costs, as well as reducing indoor air quality.

Don’t Forget to Call Before You Dig Don’t let a simple landscaping project turn deadly. Call 881 three days before you dig to be sure you’re clear of all utility lines, especially electric and gas lines.

Winter Rates in Effect Our rate structure allows us to decrease your electric rates during winter because demand for electricity decreases. Winter rates go in effect in October, and last through April.

September

• Don’t Gamble on Being Heard
• Winter Rates in Effect
• Have Your Young Einstein Sign Up for Energy Bowl 2009
• The Power of Many
• Don’t Forget to Call Before You Dig
• Ducking Ductwork Repairs?

August

• Learn More about Jackson EMC at the Annual Meeting
• Earth Day Video Contest Winners Get Solar Powered
• The Kingsmen Quartet to Appear at Annual Meeting
• Notice to Members of 2009 Annual Meeting
• Save a Stamp! Make Your 2009 Annual Meeting Reservations Online
• Jackson EMC Foundation Board Awards Nearly $106,000 in Grants
• Summer Scholars Institute Receives $15,000 from Operation Round Up® Funds
• Dog Days of Summer Have You Panting Over Your Bill?
• Electronic Billing is a Greener Way to Pay

July

• Right Choice™ Home Checkup Services Can Help You Save
• Jackson EMC Foundation Board Awards More Than $105,000 in Grants
• Operation Round Up® Funds Send Underprivileged Children to Camp
• Energy Saver or Scam? Be Wary of Inflated Claims for Lower Power Bills
• Electronic Billing is a Greener Way to Pay
• Nominations Committee Appointed
• Clean Energy Act Will Impact Your Bill for Years to Come

June

• Saving Safely with CFLs
• Meet the 2009 Scholarship Winners
• Grant Aids Mentoring Program for Foster Children
• Jackson EMC Foundation Awards More Than $105,000 in Grants
• Set to Save: Programmable Thermostats Save Energy Automatically
• Our Goal: Affordable Electricity for the Future

May

• Meet Heather Styles, 2009 Youth Citizenship Award Winner
• Summer Rates in Effect
• Scam Alert: Look Out for Security and Electricity Company Imposters
• Jackson EMC Foundation Awards More Than $105,000 in Grants
• Lumpkin County Community Helping Place Offers Helping Hand
• Clearing the Way for Power
• Do-It-Yourself Caulking? Tips for a Smooth Job
• Beware of Counterfeit Electrical Products

April

• Winter Storm Hits Hard
• Your Video Could Win a Solar Water Heater
• Jackson EMC Foundation Awards More Than $54,000 in Grants
• Operation Round Up® Contributions Aid Road to Recovery from Cancer
• Power to Go
• Change Your Bad Energy Habits into Good Ones and Save
• After the Storm

March

• Bringing the Energy Blueprint to Life
• EMC Security Offers Protection and Peace of Mind
• Reduce Your Electric Bill up to 25 Percent with Time-of-Use Rate
• Calculate Your 2008 Capital Credits
• Change Heating and Air Filters Regularly for Optimum Performance
• Jackson EMC Foundation Awards over $68,000 in Grants
• Applications Available for Grant Money from Operation Round Up®
• Preparing Your Landscape for Drought

February

• Pinching Pennies to Keep Rates Down
• Make the Right Choice When Buying Your New Home
• Letting the Sunshine In with Solar Water Heating
• Youth Citizenship Award Competition Deadline is February 27
• Save on Water Heating Costs with These Tips
• Green Power Green-e Certification
• Jackson EMC Foundation Awards over $83,000 in Grants
• The Potter's House Receives $6,000 Jackson EMC Foundation Grant

January

• New Services in the New Year
• Jarrett Morgan Wins the Energy Bowl
• Can Meters Talk? Smart Meters Can
• A Greener Way to Pay
• Small Steps Add Up to Savings for Apartment Dwellers
• New Ratings for Televisions
• EMC Foundation Awards More Than $100,000 in Grants
• Fragile Kids Foundation Receives $15,000 Jackson EMC Foundation Grant