AS I SEE IT Manager’s Viewpoint

20 The Tennessee Magaz ine

A solid investment in your electric co-op

As a member of Cumber-land Electric MembershipCorporation, you make aninvestment in the co-op

every time you pay yourbill. This collective invest-ment in the co-op benefitsyou and the communityimmediately and overtime. So what exactly isthis monthly investment,and how do you benefitfrom it?

The customer charge isa monthly investment thathelps your co-op cover theexpenses of maintainingthe overall electric system.Combatting cyber securitythreats and maintaining poles, wires,substations and co-op equipment takestrategic planning and significantresources. The customer chargeessentially ensures that all equipmentoperates properly and staff is trainedand ready so the lights turn on whenyou need them.

Regardless of how muchelectricity a particular family uses,

the cost of delivering power to thathouse is the same. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, webelieve the operational costs should

be spread fairly andequitably across all of ourmembers, regardless ofthe level of electricityuse. That is why everymember pays thecustomer charge eachmonth to cover basicoperational costs. Allmembers are charged thesame amount for the costof operation since allmembers benefit from thesame service. In essence,this gives each co-op

member an equal share in CEMC’soperation.

Your monthly investment ensuresyou have access to safe, reliable andaffordable power when you need it.We appreciate and value theinvestment that you make in the co-op each month, and we strive to usethat investment wisely for the benefitof all members of our community.

Cumberland Electric Membership CorporationCEMC Management and StaffJim Coode, General ManagerDavid Abernathy,Operations Division ManagerChris A. Davis, Administrative Division ManagerMark T. Cook, P.E.Engineering Division ManagerMichael Blackwell,District Operations ManagerAnnebelle Chester,Human Resources ManagerSeth Roberts, Member Services ManagerCEMC Co-op News EditorJulie WallaceP.O. Box 3300Clarksville, TN 37043Open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 800-987-2362Ashland City officeJosh Gill,District Operations SupervisorClarksville officeKenny Davis, District Operations SupervisorDover officeTerry Odom, District Operations SupervisorGallatin officeTravis Akins,District Operations SupervisorPortland/White House officesTodd Hesson, District Operations SupervisorSpringfield officeNicky Roberts, District Operations SupervisorCEMC Board of DirectorsTommy G. Whittaker, Sumner Co., PresidentWesley H. Aymett, Cheatham Co., Vice PresidentShela K. Williams, At Large, Secretary-TreasurerK. Jean Beauchamp, Robertson Co., Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Stephen E. Douglass, Stewart Co.Charles R. Hancock, Stewart Co.Michael A. Mason, Robertson Co.C. David Morgan, Montgomery Co.Edward L. Oliver, Montgomery Co.Joe H. Whitaker, Sumner Co.Mission StatementCumberland Electric MembershipCorporation is committed to providingdependable, affordable electric servicethrough the expertise and dedication ofcompetent leadership and a well-trained and responsive workforce.

Jim Coode,General Manager,

Cumberland Electric Membership

Corporation

Warmer weather is on the way! Use energy-effi-

cient window treatments or coverings like

blinds, shades and films to reduce heat gain in

your home. These devices not only improve the

look of your home but also reduce energy costs.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Rural broadband discussedduring electric co-op day on the Hill

March 2017 21

Directors and staff from Cumberland ElectricMembership Corporation were among morethan 200 electric co-op leaders in Nashville onMonday and Tuesday, Jan. 30 and 31, for the

2017 Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association Legisla-tive Conference.

CEMC Board President Tommy Whittaker, VicePresident Wesley Aymett, secretary-treasurer ShelaWilliams, assistant secretary-treasurer K. Jean Beauchampand directors Stephen Douglass, Charles Hancock, AndyMason, David Morgan and Edward Oliver joined GeneralManager Jim Coode and Operations Manager DavidAbernathy in meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill tohelp them better understand electric cooperatives and theissues that impact rural and suburban Tennessee.

Governor Bill Haslam welcomed the group toNashville.

“I’m really glad you are here today,” Haslam said. “Ifyou have an interest, it matters that you show up andrepresent that interest. The people who don’t engage onkey issues are the people who don’t get their voices heard.There’s nothing like showing up in person.”

The event came just days after Gov. Haslam announcedthe Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act, which wouldlift regulations that currently prevent electric cooperativesfrom providing retail broadband service.

“There are about 800,000 Tennesseans who don’t havebroadband, and they’re primarily in rural areas,” said

Haslam. “We’ve had a long discussion on Capitol Hillabout how to address that. Our proposal uses you — folkswho are already in the community — who have thoserelationships.”

“Electric cooperatives have deep roots in thecommunities we serve,” says David Callis, CEO of theTennessee Electric Cooperative Association (TECA). “Ourday on the Hill is an opportunity to help lawmakers betterunderstand the issues that matter to rural and suburbanTennesseans.”

“Decisions made in Nashville can have seriousconsequences for our co-op, our members and thecommunities we serve,” says Coode. “We have aresponsibility to our members to see that their voice isheard.”

Attendees reminded legislators that co-ops are not-for-profit, consumer-owned and -regulated private businessesthat impact rural and suburban Tennessee in many ways.

“We need legislators who are educated and informed,and our members make a powerful impression when theycome to Nashville,” says Mike Knotts, TECA director ofgovernment affairs. “Whether it’s broadband expansion orsome other issue, co-op members can be certain that weare giving a voice to their concerns.”

More than 100 legislative visits were made during theconference, and dozens of legislators from across the stateattended a reception honoring members of the TennesseeGeneral Assembly.

Cumberland ElectricMembershipCorporationrepresentatives speakwith Sen. Mark Green atthe 2017 LegislativeConference in Nashville.From left are Green,CEMC General ManagerJim Coode and CEMCboard membersEdward Oliver andDavid Morgan.

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CEMC offers DIY energy-efficiency workshopsLearn how to save on energy costs at home

Join Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation for a FREEdo-it-yourself energy-efficiency workshop and learn easy energy-efficiency improvements that anyone can do at home.

These two-hour workshops will cover how electricity is consumedand billed and include suggestions on low- to no-cost upgrades thatcan be completed by homeowners to lower energy costs. Hands-ontraining will teach how to properly caulk, replace weather stripping,install spray-foam sealant and more.

These sessions are limited to the first 25 households that register,and each will receive a FREE energy-saving tool kit valued at $25 tohelp you get started.

Friday, March 109-11 a.m.

Mid Cumberland CAA600 Small St., #112

Gallatin

Saturday, March 119-11 a.m.

CEMC Operations1810 Ashland City Road

Clarksville

Register at www.cemc.orgfor the workshop in your area.

Rebates and financing for home upgrades!Learn easy ways to reduce energy use for FREE!

Receive a FREE energy-savings kit!

March 2017 23

Smart options to manage your account

At Cumberland Electric MembershipCorporation, we understand that con-venience is a must when it comes tomanaging your electric account. That’s

why we are making it easier than ever to do justthat by offering smart options tailored to meet ourmembers’ needs.

Mobile app CEMC’s SmartHub mobile app allows members

to make payments, track daily electric use, viewbilling history, update contact information, reportoutages and more, all from a smartphone. The appis free and available in the iTunes App Store andGoogle Play.

WebsiteManage your account online, read the latest

CEMC news and events, view CEMC’s outagemap, chat with a customer service representativeor view current and past issues of The TennesseeMagazine on CEMC’s website: www.cemc.org.

Payment methodsCEMC offers a number of ways to pay your

electric bill, including: • Bank Draft Payment: Automatically drafted from

your checking/savings account each month onyour due date.

• Credit/Debit Card by Phone: Pay your bill byphone using your credit card or debit card. Thereis no fee for this service.

• Mail: Mail your payment in the return envelope includedwith your monthly statement.

• Smarthub: Pay your bill through the app or online with acredit/debit for no additional fee.

• District offices: You can make payments at our districtoffices. Our district offices are open 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.each day (expect for weekends and holidays). For yourconvenience, each district office is equipped with apayment kiosk station that is available 24/7.

Prepaid billing Prepaid billing is a great option for members on a

budget. With prepay, members can avoid large depositsand manage their accounts in a way that suits theirindividual needs. Prepaying members can view theirelectric use as it occurs daily rather than seeing and paying

bills all at once at the end of the month. Prepayingmembers are often more aware of their use and find waysto stretch their energy dollars.

Levelized billingCEMC offers a levelized billing program that helps

make electric bills more predictable each month andallows members to budget more carefully. Bills arecalculated by finding the average of the current monthand previous 11 and multiplying by the currentresidential rate — so payments will vary slightly frommonth to month.

CEMC is always looking for ways to pair innovationand technology to meet the evolving needs of ourmembers. We know your time is valuable, and CEMCwillcontinue to strive to offer options to help make life easierfor you!

Download CEMC’s SmartHub app to view and pay electric bills,monitor use, report outages and more — all while on the go.

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The importanceof interconnection agreements

Electric cooperatives are responsiblefor maintaining a safe, reliableelectric grid to power the commu-nities they serve. As an increasing

number of consumers install grid-connecteddistributed generation systems like solar pan-els or small wind turbines, electric co-ops areprepared to assist members while still main-taining the safety of the grid.

Grid-connected generation systems allowyou to power your home or business withrenewable energy, but the system must beconnected to the grid to keep power flowingwhen the sun does not shine or the winddoes not blow. In most cases, these systemsmust be interconnected to feed excesspower back into the electric grid.

Co-op members interested in distributed generationsystems for their homes or businesses should contactCumberland Electric Membership Corporation first. Wewant to help you choose a system that includes the safetyand power quality components necessary to keep you, co-op crews and members of the community safe. If, forexample, a storm hits and causes a power outage,distributed generation systems must be able to properlydisconnect from the electric grid to ensure lineworkers arenot injured or electrocuted while restoring power.

An interconnection agreement must be reviewed andsigned before your distributed generation system is

connected to the electric grid. The agreement is intended toensure safe, reliable and quality electric service for all.

In addition to safety concerns, members who areinterested in distributed generation systems should contactCEMC to review available renewable energy programsthrough which participants get paid for every kilowatt-hourgenerated by their renewable energy systems, helpingdefray energy costs.

The ways we generate and use electricity are evolving.Let’s work together to ensure a safe, reliable electricsystem. CEMC is here to help. If you have questions aboutgrid-connected generation systems, please contact us at 1-800-987-2362.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIMEDon’t forget to spring forward on March 12!Set your clocks ahead by one hour. This is also the best dayto change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxidedetectors — even if the batteries aren’t dead.

March 2017 25

Easy steps to greater efficiencyBy Anne PrinceDo you want to save money and electricity but

have limited time, money and patience? Ac-cording to the Department of Energy, a “typi-cal American family” spends nearly $2,000 per

year on home energy bills. Much of that money, however,is wasted through leaky windows or ducts, old appliancesor inefficient heating and cooling systems.

Luckily, there are several relatively easy ways to saveenergy without a substantial commitment of time andmoney. These efforts will help you save whether you ownor rent an older or newly constructed home. And, youwon’t have to hire a specialist or call in a favor fromsomeone who is handy with tools to help you.

Where to startAccording to Money Magazine, “improving the

envelope” of your home is a good place to start. Sunlight,seasonal temperature changes and wind vibrations canloosen up even a tight home, increasing air leakage. Doorsand windows may not close tightly, and ductwork canspring leaks, wasting cooled and heated air. By placingweather stripping and caulk around windows and doors,you can keep cool air inside during warm months andprevent chilly air from penetrating the indoors duringcolder months. Sealing gaps around piping, dryer vents,fans and outlets also helps seal the envelope and createsgreater efficiency. Apply weather stripping aroundoverlooked spaces like your attic hatch or pull-downstairs.

Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs, light-emittingdiodes, can make a big difference in home efficiency andis one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bill. Knownfor their longevity and efficiency, LED bulbs have anestimated operational lifespan of typically 10,000 to20,000 hours compared to 1,000 hours of a typicalincandescent. According to the Department of Energy, byreplacing your home’s five most frequently used lightfixtures or bulbs with models that have earned theENERGY STAR rating, you can save $75 each year.

Wrapping up savingsInstalling a blanket around your water heater could

reduce standby heat losses by 25 to 45 percent and saveyou 7 to 16 percent in water-heating costs, according to theDepartment of Energy. For a small investment of about$30, you can purchase precut jackets or blankets andinstall them in about one hour. On a safety note, the

Department of Energy recommends that you not set thethermostat above 130 degrees on an electric water heaterwith an insulating jacket or blanket; a higher temperaturesetting could cause the wiring to overheat.

Given that a large portion of your monthly energy billgoes toward heating and cooling your home, it makessense to ensure your home’s heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) system is performing at an optimallevel. Checking, changing or cleaning your filter extendsthe life of your HVAC system and saves you money.

Air filters prevent dust and allergens from cloggingyour HVAC system. Otherwise, dust and dirt trapped in asystem’s air filter leads to several problems, includingreduced airflow in the home and up to 15 percent higheroperating costs, lowered system efficiency and costly ductcleaning or replacement. Many HVAC professionalsrecommend cleaning the system filters monthly. A simpletask like changing the filters on your HVAC system makesyour unit run more efficiently, keeping your house coolerin the summer and warmer in the winter.

Take control of your energy savingsTake a look at your programmable thermostat. When

was the last time you checked to make sure it wasprogrammed for the current season and family schedule?This is one of the best energy-saving tools at yourfingertips. It enables you to fine-tune the temperatureduring particular hours of the day. Many models allow youto differentiate between weekday and weekend schedules,and internet-connected thermostats can learn yourschedule and make adjustments automatically. Mostmodels come with an override option so you can makemanual adjustments without losing overall programing.You can only achieve these efficiencies and savings if it isprogrammed properly and adjusted periodically to keeppace with changes in household routines.

Remember: There are easy steps you can take now toimprove the energy efficiency of your home. To learnabout additional ways to save, contact CumberlandElectric Membership Corporation at 1-800-987-2362 orvisit us online at www.cemc.org.

Anne Prince writes on consumer and cooperative affairsfor the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association,the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electriccooperatives.

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