April 2006
23
Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter
Member Newsletter
Middle Georgia
Middle Georgia
The Official Newsletter of Middle Georgia Electric Membership Corporation
P.O. Box 190, Vienna, GA 31092
April 2006
MANAGER'S
MANAGER'S
Comments
Comments
By Hugh Richardson
ower fuel cost brought us lower power bills in
February and March and this should continue
through April. For those months, all our members
received credits through the power cost adjustment
(PCA). The PCA will probably go back to a positive
number from May through August and then become
a credit again for the rest of the year. Remember that
the PCA tracks fuel cost, kwh sales and other factors
that increase or decrease our wholesale power cost.
We are continuing our gas-to-electric rebate
program and our energy-efficient home rebate. To
date, 134 homes have converted their gas heating
systems to an efficient heat pump, and we have
certified 44 new homes.
Bill payments can be
made on our Web site.
Contact us for a pass-
word, then log on to our
Web site: www.mgemc.com and click on "Pay Bill on
Internet." Credit cards are accepted over the Internet,
at our offices or by phone.
The annual meeting of our members will be held
July 13 at the Dooly Campground. We title this our
66th meeting even though we did skip some meet-
ings during the mid 1940s because of the war. Our
cooperative's Articles of Incorporation were signed
and approved in March 1940.
L
L
Updates
endan Laney (right) is pictured here
with Jeff Francouer, right fielder for
the Atlanta Braves. Kendan pur-
chased two tickets to have Francouer sign
his rookie baseball card from when he
played with the Mississippi Braves,
along with an autographed base-
ball. Francouer was in Plains on
Feb.11, 2006, signing auto-
graphs to help the Plains
Better Hometown
earn money
for Habit for
Humanity.
K
Cooperative
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I N S I D E A
substation
Substations contain equipment that controls the flow of electricity from
a power supply to the end user. Cooperatives locate substations
according to consumer demand; areas of high demand are likely to have
a substation nearby. Cooperative specialists inspect substations at least
every month. They also read the meters inside on a regular basis to
determine how much power is passing through the substation.
Reprinted with permission from
Carolina Country, the monthly magazine of North Carolina's Touchstone Energy cooperatives.
24
GEORGIA MAGAZINE
Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter
WARNING
ADVERTENCIA
Keep Out!
No Entran!
!
WARNING
ADVERTENCIA
Keep Out!
No Entran!
!
FRANKLIN 115 SUBSTATION
Cooperative
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NCIA
n!
EN
n!
8
Illustration for Carolina Country © Ed Vernon
Transmission Lines
Electric power enters the substation in three
separate lines ("three-phase power"). The lines
contain very high voltage (a measure of the
current's pressure), ranging from 44,000 volts
to 760,000 volts, depending on consumer
demand in the area.
Circuit Switchers
Like the switches inside the wall panel circuit-
breaker box in your house, these protect the
transmission system's equipment in the event
of a circuit interruption. They can disconnect
the circuit if necessary.
Power Transformer
Lowers voltage from transmission voltage to
distribution voltage, typically down to 7,200
volts. Functions similarly to a transformer on
the pole outside your house, which lowers
voltage to be handled by your house's electri-
cal system. Contains mineral oil and fans to
cool the windings inside.
Potential Transformers
Measures how much electricity passes through
the substation. This is how the co-op is billed
for its power. Functions like the meter on your
house. Measurement is read at box below.
Voltage Regulators
Controls voltage according to demand. They
can step up the voltage, or step it down. They
contain mineral oil to cool the coils inside.
Reclosers
If a fault occurs on the distribution circuit,
reclosers open the circuit to protect the
substation, similar to the circuit breaker in
your home.
Distribution Lines
Power leaves the substation on three-phase
circuit to be distributed to consumers along
the system.
Warning/Danger Signs
Warning signs posted on the gate and fence,
and danger signs inside the substation, warn
about high voltage. Signs are written in
English and Spanish on most substations. Gate
remains locked at all times. Security devices
on gates notify the co-op if someone enters
the substation yard.
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April 2006
25
Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter
26
Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter
Board of Directors
Don Wood
President
Johnny Noble
Vice President
Kay West
Secretary
Ronnie Youngblood
Treasurer
John David McCall
Director
Jerry F. Rhodes
Director
Royce Conner
Director
Ronnie Fleeman
Director
David Dunaway
Director
Davis and Forehand
Attorneys
Staff
Hugh Richardson
General Manager
Lisa Laney
Executive Secretary,
Newsletter Editor
Randy Kent
Office Manager
Mike McGee
Manager of Operations
and Engineering
Vienna Area (229) 268-2671
Rochelle
(Day) (229) 365-2263
(Night) 1-800-342-0144
Hawkinsville
(Day) (478) 892-3436
(Night) 1-800-342-0144
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
(Branch offices closed from
12-1 p.m. daily)
Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
There is a dispatcher on call 24 hours
a day for your convenience.
GEORGIA MAGAZINE
Years of Service Recognition
Years of Service Recognition
Years of service recognition for Middle Georgia EMC's employees who celebrated
an anniversary in March 2006:
Eddie Rountree
, Middle Georgia EMC's line crew
leader, is celebrating his 32nd year at the co-op as of March 5.
Sheila Keen
, Middle
Georgia EMC's Rochelle branch office cashier, is celebrating her 15th year of service to
our customers on March 18. And
Peppy Chancy
, Middle Georgia EMC's equipment
operator, is celebrating his eighth year as of March 11.
Walter Harrison Scholarship winners!
iddle Georgia EMC has selected three stu-
dents to each receive a $500 Walter
Harrison Scholarship to help with their book or
dorm costs. Jessy Wayne Braden Jr. is the son
of Wayne and Debra Braden of Abbeville.
Jessy is a senior at Wilcox County High
School and plans to attend Abraham
Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall of
2006. Lori Hobbs is the daughter of Gloy
and Linda Hobbs of Vienna. Lori is attend-
ing Georgia Southwestern University and is in
the nursing program. She will continue to attend Georgia
Southwestern University and the nursing program there in the fall of
2006. Jessica Thompson is the third and final winner this year. She is
the daughter of David and Lisa Thompson of Pineview. Jessica is a
senior at Fullington Academy and plans to attend Mercer University in
the fall of 2006. She will be attending the liberal arts program.
Jessy Braden will also be eligible for a chance to win the
statewide contest for an additional $1,000 scholarship.
M
Lori Hobbs
Jessica Thompson
Jessy Braden
Walter Harrison Scholarship winners!