georgia`s electric membership corporations

GEORGIA’S ELECTRIC
MEMBERSHIP CORPORATIONS
Serving Georgia Together
Turning on the lights. Plugging in the coffee maker.
Just normal parts of your morning routine.
The mission of Georgia’s electric membership corporations is to
ensure that electricity is always there to make these and other
essential parts of your daily life possible. Supporting these EMCs
are Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Georgia Transmission Corporation
and Georgia System Operations Corporation, along with the EMCs’
statewide trade association, Georgia Electric Membership Corporation.
Working together, they serve Georgia in the same manner as other
fully integrated utilities across the country.
This brochure explains each of these organizations and their
relationships to each other.
Georgia’s electric membership
corporations serve more than
70 percent of the state’s
land area.
EMCs: A Historical Perspective
EMCs Are Rooted in Rural America
Electric cooperatives are private, independent electric utilities owned by the members
they serve. Democratically governed businesses, electric cooperatives are anchored
firmly in the communities they serve and are responsive to their consumers’ needs.
Electric cooperatives began to spread across rural America after President Franklin D.
Roosevelt created the Rural Electrification Administration in 1935, an idea conceived at
the Little White House in Warm Springs, Ga. The executive order establishing the REA and
the passage of the REA Act a year later marked the first steps in a public-private partnership that
has lasted for more than 70 years. That partnership has bridged the vast expanse of rural America
to bring electric power to businesses and communities willing to organize cooperatively for the
provision of safe, affordable and reliable electric power on a not-for-profit basis.
Today, there are more than 900 electric cooperatives in the United States, 41 of them in Georgia.
These nationwide cooperatives provide reliable and technologically advanced service to 40 million
Americans while maintaining a unique consumer-focused approach to business.
Georgia’s EMCs
Altamaha EMC
altamahaemc.com
Amicalola EMC
amicalolaemc.com
Blue Ridge Mountain EMC
brmemc.com
Canoochee EMC
canoocheeemc.com
Carroll EMC
cemc.com
Central Georgia EMC
cgemc.com
Coastal Electric Cooperative
coastalemc.com
Cobb EMC
cobbemc.com
Colquitt EMC
colquittemc.com
Coweta-Fayette EMC
utility.org
Diverse Power Incorporated
diversepower.com
Excelsior EMC
excelsioremc.com
Flint Energies
flintenergies.com
Grady EMC
gradyemc.com
GreyStone Power Corporation
greystonepower.com
Habersham EMC
habershamemc.com
Hart EMC
hartemc.com
Irwin EMC
irwinemc.com
Jackson EMC
jacksonemc.com
Jefferson Energy Cooperative
jec.coop
Little Ocmulgee EMC
littleocmulgeeemc.com
Middle Georgia EMC
mgemc.com
Mitchell EMC
mitchellemc.com
North Georgia EMC
ngemc.com
Ocmulgee EMC
ocmulgeeemc.com
Oconee EMC
oconeeemc.com
Okefenoke Rural EMC
oremc.com
Planters EMC
plantersemc.com
Rayle EMC
rayleemc.com
Satilla Rural EMC
satillaemc.com
Sawnee EMC
sawnee.com
Slash Pine EMC
slashpineemc.com
Snapping Shoals EMC
ssemc.com
Southern Rivers Energy
southernriversenergy.com
Sumter EMC
sumteremc.com
Three Notch EMC
threenotchemc.com
Tri-County EMC
tri-countyemc.com
Tri-State EMC
tsemc.net
Upson EMC
upsonemc.com
Walton EMC
waltonemc.com
Washington EMC
washingtonemc.com
THE ABCs OF EMCs
Georgia EMC, OPC, GTC and GSOC exist to serve the
state’s electric membership corporations, or EMCs.
EMCs are consumer-owned, consumer-governed, not-for-profit cooperatives whose purpose is to
ensure safe, reliable and affordable delivery of electricity to homes and businesses. Together, Georgia’s
EMCs deliver more than 33 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year and have approximately 180,000
miles of transmission and distribution line — the state’s largest energy distribution system.
Many EMCs have been asked by their consumer-owners to deliver more than electricity. Responding
either individually or in alliance with others, these co-ops often provide other utility or telecommunication
services, from natural gas and geothermal heat pumps to Internet access.
Of the state’s 41 EMCs, 38 receive wholesale power through Oglethorpe Power Corporation and rely
on Georgia Transmission Corporation for power transmission. Georgia System Operations Corporation
serves to control and monitor electric generation, transmission and distribution assets. Some EMCs also
have entered into long-term, supplemental power supply contracts with third-party power suppliers and
purchase hydropower from the Southeastern Power Administration. Three EMCs in north Georgia receive
their power supply under contract from the Tennessee Valley Authority and one other from a contract
with Southern Power Company.
A study conducted by Georgia Tech indicated that the EMCs have a $6.1 billion economic impact on
the state of Georgia. The EMCs positively affect the state in other ways as well. They work as integral
partners with their communities. Georgia’s EMCs design industrial parks; partner with local schools
to offer scholarships and youth development programs, such as 4-H and FFA; light Little League fields;
sponsor community beautification; and collect and deliver food to families in need. These EMCs also
partner with their trade association, Georgia EMC, as well as the Georgia Department of Economic
Development and other entities, to bring new jobs to the state.
Georgia Electric
Membership Corporation
Statewide trade association
for Georgia’s EMCs
Oglethorpe Power
Corporation
Generating power for
38 Georgia EMCs
Georgia Transmission
Corporation
Delivering power to
38 Georgia EMCs
Georgia System
Operations Corporation
Controlling and monitoring
electric generation,
transmission and
distribution assets
Enabling the
state’s EMCs
to speak with
one voice
nnin
Strength in Numbers
Georgia Electric Membership Corporation is the trade association serving Georgia’s 41 electric
membership corporations, Georgia Transmission Corporation, Oglethorpe Power and Georgia
System Operations Corporation. Through Georgia EMC, the state’s electric cooperatives join
together to maximize their strength and efficiency in addressing the challenges they all face.
The services of Georgia EMC include safety and training programs, legislative advocacy at the
state and national levels, economic development, youth and community programs, media relations
and a monthly magazine for Georgia’s EMC consumers. A 501 (c)(6) not-for-profit association,
Georgia EMC is a member-owned organization governed by a board of directors composed of
one representative from each member cooperative.
For more information, visit georgiaemc.com.
Georgia EMC Offices
Union
White
er
s
ee
Towns
Lumpkin
Dawson
Forsyth
Rabun
Catoosa
Dade
Habersham
Stephens
Hall
Banks
Franklin
Walker
Hart
Chattooga
Fannin
Whitfield
Murray
Gordon
Union
Towns
Walker
White
Gilmer
Pickens
Catoosa
Dade
Dade
Lumpkin
Chattooga
Rabun
Whitfield
Murray
Fannin
Union
White
Gilmer
Habersham
Catoosa
Gordon
Stephens Pickens
Towns
Lumpkin
Fannin
Union
Rabun
Habersham
Towns
Stephens
Rabun
Dawson
Franklin
Whitfield
Hart
Banks
White
Gilmer
Murray
Hall
Walker Banks Franklin
Hart Forsyth
Habersham
Bartow
Cherokee
Barrow
HallFloyd
Lumpkin
Gwinnett
Clarke
Executive, Finance/ Jackson
Forsyth
Bartow
Cherokee
Stephens Elbert
Madison
Gordon
Floyd
Chattooga
Community
Oglethorpe and
Pickens
Administration
OconeeEconomic Development,
Madison
Jackson
Communications
&
Wilkes
Elbert Dawson Barrow
Dekalb
Franklin
Polk
Walton
Hart
Government Relations Lincoln
Banks
Gwinnett
Member
Services, Hall
Clarke
nt,
Atlanta Office
Barrow PauldingBartowCobb &Cherokee
Georgia Magazine
Polk
Forsyth
Oglethorpe
ns
Rockdale
Morgan
Floyd
Gwinnett
Oconee
Clarke
Tucker
Exec
ayton
Wilkes
Dekalb Office Walton
Cobb
Greene Taliaferro
Haralson
Madison
Jackson
Newton
Columbia
Elbert Lincoln
Oglethorpe
Community andPaulding
Ad
Fulton
Douglas
Oconee
McDuffie
EconomicHaralson
Development,
Com
Wilkes
Dekalb
Henry
20
Barrow
Rockdale
Morgan
Polk
Walton
Carroll
Warren
Government
Relations
Lincoln
Me
Gwinnett
Clayton
Clarke
Fulton
Greene Taliaferro
Douglas
Jasper
Putnam
Richmond
Cobb
Atlanta Office
Newton
Columbia
& Ge
Oglethorpe
Paulding
palding
Butts
Hancock
Rockdale
McDuffie
Morgan
Carroll
Oconee
Glascock
T
Henry
85
Clayton
Wilkes
Dekalb
20
Haralson
Fayette Taliaferro
Greene
Warren
Walton
Lincoln
Newton
Columbia
Coweta
75
Fulton
Douglas
Jasper
Putnam
Richmond
ke Lamar
McDuffie
Baldwin
Heard
Burke
Spalding
Butts
Jefferson
Rockdale
Morgan Hancock
Monroe
Henry
Carroll
Jones
Fayette
Glascock
Washington
Warren
Clayton
Greene Taliaferro
Coweta
Newton
Columbia
Jasper
Putnam
Richmond
75
McDuffie
Heard
Pike Lamar
Spalding
Butts
Hancock
Upson
Baldwin
Henry
85
Troup
20 Burke
Meriwether Fayette
Jefferson
Bibb
Glascock
Monroe
Wilkinson
Jones
Training, Education
Jenkins
Washington Warren
Screven
Coweta
Jasper
Putnam
Richmond
&
Safety
Crawford
Heard
Twiggs
Spalding
Johnson
Butts
Hancock
Pike Lamar
Smarr Office
Glascock
Baldwin
Upson
Burke
Troup
Meriwether
Jefferson
Monroe
Wilkinson
Jones
Emanuel
n Taylor
Jenkins
Washington 75 Bibb
Screven
Peach
Harris
Pike Crawford
Talbot
Lamar
Baldwin
Burke
Twiggs
Troup
Johnson
Meriwether
Jefferson
Laurens Education
Bleckley Training,
Monroe
Houston
Jones
Candler
Bulloch
Treutlen
Washington
Upson
Effingham Bibb
Macon
Emanuel
& Safety
Taylor
Wilkinson
Peach
Jenkins
16
Screven
Smarr
Office
Muscogee
Montgomery
Harris
Pulaski
Upson
Talbot
Crawford
Bibb
Laurens
Bleckley
Schley
Twiggs
Wilkinson
Houston
Marion
Candler Jenkins
Johnson
Bulloch Screven
Treutlen
Dodge
Evans
Dooly
Toombs
Harris
Effing
Macon Crawford
Wheeler
Talbot
Chattahoochee
16
Emanuel
Twiggs
Taylor
Johnson
Sumter
Peach
Chatham
Montgomery
Pulaski
Muscogee
Wilcox
Bryan
Schley
Tattnall
Emanuel Evans
Telfair
DoolyPeach Candler Dodge
Laurens Taylor
Bleckley
Houston
Crisp
Marion
Toombs
Bulloch Wheeler
Treutlen
Muscogee
Stewart
Webster
Effingham
Macon
Laurens
Bleckley
Houston
Jeff DavisChattahoochee
MarionSumter
Candler
Bulloch
Treutlen
ll
Chatham
Long Liberty
Lee
Wilcox
Bryan
Ben Hill
Macon
Tattnall
Montgomery
Telfair
PulaskiChattahoochee
Appling
Turner
16
Crisp
Schley
Montgomery
Pulaski
Dodge
Evans
Dooly Quitman
Schley
Toombs
Coffee
Worth
Wayne
Dodge Jeff Davis
Terrell Wheeler
Evans Liberty
Bacon
Dooly
Irwin
Long
Lee
Dougherty
Stewart Webster
Toombs
Ben Hill
Sumter
Wheeler Chatham
Appling
Jackson
Madison
Elbert
Dawson
a
Atlanta
Atlanta
Atlanta
85
75
20
Our Mission:
To promote the EMCs of Georgia
by providing member-focused
leadership and a unified voice
through advocacy education
and communication
16
A Leading Power Supply Cooperative
Formed in 1974, Oglethorpe Power Corporation (OPC) is among the nation’s largest power supply
cooperatives in revenue, assets and kilowatt-hours delivered. OPC provides power to 38 of Georgia’s
41 electric membership corporations, or EMCs. These EMCs, in turn, serve nearly half of Georgia’s
population and more than 70 percent of the state’s land mass.
OPC is one of the largest private corporations in
Georgia, with 2011 assets of more than $8 billion
and annual revenues exceeding $1 billion. Assets
are projected to increase to more than $11 billion as
OPC’s 30-percent share of the two new units of the
Alvin W. Vogtle nuclear plant are placed into service
in 2017 and 2018.
Portfolio Diversity
Nuclear
16%
Coal
20%
Gas
54%
Hydro
10%
2012 Capacity
Nuclear
38%
Hydro
4%
Coal
29%
Gas
29%
2012 Energy
In 1997, OPC spun off its transmission and system operation functions into two new corporations
to address changes in the industry and to better meet the needs of its Member Systems. This restructuring
created Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) and Georgia System Operations Corporation (GSOC).
The three corporations work closely together to ensure that their business strategies are aligned to provide
maximum benefit to the member EMCs.
OPC manages and maintains a balanced and diverse portfolio of power-generating assets and
contracts to provide reliable, long-term capacity and energy for its member EMCs. These wholly owned,
co-owned, managed or purchased assets include gas, nuclear, coal and hydroelectric facilities. In 2009
and 2011, OPC added substantially to its asset base with the purchase of about 2,000 megawatts (MW)
of gas-fired capacity. OPC’s portfolio of owned and leased generation includes a total of 7,074 MW of
capacity (summer reserve capacity). In addition, the corporation manages another 725 MW under contract.
OPC places a strong emphasis on environmental compliance and stewardship. By 2015, the corporation
will have invested approximately $1.5 billion to maintain compliance with various regulations. OPC is
committed to helping preserve the environment through various initiatives, including a carbon sequestration program, community participation and research. This commitment allows the corporation to provide
clean and affordable energy to its members while working to preserve the environment today and for
future generations.
For more information, visit opc.com.
One of the state’s largest privately
owned corporations, with assets
of more than $8 billion
To meet Georgia’s electricity
demands, GTC constructs more than
$100 million in new transmission
facilities each year.
Meeting the Demands of Dynamic Growth
Georgia Transmission Corporation is charged with providing a safe and reliable electric
transmission grid for approximately 4 million people and with getting it ready for millions more.
To meet growing demand, the corporation constructs more than $100 million in new high-voltage
power lines and substations each year. GTC is a not-for-profit corporation owned by 38 of the state’s
EMCs, and it serves as the link between power generation and the EMCs’ individual electric
distribution systems.
GTC provides planning, construction and maintenance for a transmission system of more than
3,000 miles of lines and more than 600 substations. Maintenance includes system monitoring
and inspection, vegetation management, load planning, upgrades and repairs to keep power
outages to a minimum throughout the state.
Through a rare and progressive arrangement in the electric utility business, more than 17,000 miles
of the state’s electric transmission assets are jointly planned and operated by GTC, Georgia Power,
MEAG Power and Dalton Utilities. Under a set of Integrated Transmission System agreements, these
organizations work together to set guidelines, reduce duplication of facilities and increase efficiency.
Facilities are jointly planned and operated and individually owned, built and maintained.
For more information on GTC, visit gatrans.com.
1997
Year Founded
38
Customers
$2
Billion
Total Assets Including:
• 1997, when Oglethorpe
Power divested itself
of the transmission
business
• 38 electric
membership
cooperatives
• More than 3,000 miles
of transmission line
•M
ore than 600 substations
A Powerful Partnership
Georgia System Operations Corporation ensures economic and reliable system operations by
controlling and monitoring electric generation and transmission assets owned by OPC, GTC, the
member EMCs and their supplemental power suppliers. GSOC works with OPC and GTC to deliver
wholesale electric power to its 38 member EMCs.
To balance moment-to-moment supply and demand requirements of its members, GSOC directs
and economically dispatches more than 7,000 MW of OPC’s generating capacity. GSOC also approves,
schedules, and monitors hourly energy and transmission transactions through GTC’s portion of the
Integrated Transmission System.
On a daily basis, GSOC operators coordinate planned and unplanned switching activities to manage
equipment outages and maintenance. And when the lights go out, GSOC is a first responder. With an
extensive supervisory control and data acquisition system GSOC’s 24/7 operators are there to direct
and coordinate outage restoration efforts to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
The control center team monitors this system with heightened situational awareness using the latest
in energy control system programs and technology. GSOC then ensures all the data necessary for
operating, monitoring, analyzing, and billing GTC’s and OPC’s assets are captured.
More information about GSOC is available at gasoc.com.
GSOC 10-year Peak Load Growth*
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
2002 2003
2004 2005
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
In megawatt-hours*
GSOC ensures reliable system
operations by controlling and
monitoring electric generation
and transmission assets.
Green Power EMC has
generated more than
525 million kilowatt-hours
of green energy.
Maximizing the Potential of Renewable Energy
and Conservation
Georgia’s first renewable energy program, Green Power EMC, provides electricity through its
38 member EMCs to approximately 4 million Georgians. A nonprofit corporation, Green Power EMC
uses green resources available in Georgia, such as a low-impact hydroelectric plant, wood-waste biomass,
landfill gas plants, solar and wind.
Landfill gas and wood-waste biomass plants are Green-e Certified. Green Power EMC is the first and
largest renewable energy utility in Georgia.
Since 2003, Green Power EMC has brought online two landfill generating sites, one wood-waste biomass
plant, two small solar facilities and a low-impact hydroelectric facility. This brings Green Power’s total
renewable generating capacity to 28 megawatts, enough to supply the energy needs of more than
13,000 homes.
Since its inception, Green Power EMC has generated more than 525 million kilowatt-hours of green
energy, providing the same environmental benefits as taking 279,000 cars off Georgia’s roads for one year
or planting 398,000 acres of trees. A portion of all Green Power EMC energy sales supports research and
continued growth of energy generated from cleaner resources.
In 2005, Green Power EMC introduced Sun Power for Schools, a program that educates students in
34 middle and high schools about renewable energy and its impact on the environment. It’s the first statewide program to showcase solar energy benefits by installing 1-kilowatt grid-tied photovoltaic systems that
harness the energy from the sun and provide online data monitoring to the classrooms. More schools are
being added to the program every year.
In addition to Green Power EMC, Georgia’s EMCs helped its member-consumers realize almost 35 million
kilowatt-hours in estimated energy savings during 2011 through energy efficiency programs. EMCs
also continue to support load management programs, using 145,500 load management switches installed
on air conditioners, water heaters and irrigation systems — 183 MW of summer peak load control.
For more information, visit greenpoweremc.com.
28
Megawatts
279,000
Vehicles
35,000,000
Kilowatt-hours
183
Megawatts
Enough to supply the energy
needs of more than 13,000 homes
The equivalent number of cars
taken off Georgia’s roads through
Green Power EMC’s initiatives
The amount of energy savings
Georgia’s EMCs helped their
member-consumers realize
in 2011
Capacity available to reduce
summer peak demand using
145,500 load management
switches
Georgia’s Electric Suppliers Assigned Service Areas
DADE
2
CATOOSA
MURRAY
WHITFIELD
1
WALKER
CHATTOOGA
3
FANNIN
TOWNS
GORDON
PICKENS
HABERSHAM
WHITE
4
5
LUMPKIN
DAWSON
FLOYD
BARTOW
8
PAULDING
9
10
HARALSON
7
BARROW
GWINNETT
CARROLL
13
CLAYTON
12
FAYETTE
COWETA
HEARD
PIKE
22
21
OCONEE
15
WILKES
GREENETALIAFERRO
MORGAN
20 19
LAMAR
18
HANCOCK
BIBB
TAYLOR
MARION
CHATTAHOOCHEE
23
PEACH
WEBSTER
DOOLY
SUMTER
QUITMAN
9
EARLY
33
PULASKI
34
MILLER
GRADY
30
THOMAS
EFFINGHAM
JEFF DAVIS
COFFEE
APPLING
WAYNE
BACON
McINTOSH
PIERCE
BRANTLEY
WARE
CLINCH
LOWNDES
CHATHAM
39
37
LONG
36
ATKINSON
LANIER
BRYAN
LIBERTY
COOK
BROOKS
BULLOCH
27
TELFAIR
35
40
CANDLER
EVANS
TOOMBS
TATTNALL
WHEELER
BERRIEN
41
28
MONTGOMERY
IRWIN
COLQUITT
26
TREUTLEN
29
DODGE
WORTH
SCREVEN
JOHNSON
TIFT
MITCHELL
SEMINOLE
DECATUR
25
JENKINS
BEN HILL
LEE
DOUGHERTY
BAKER
BURKE
JEFFERSON
LAURENS
WILCOX
TURNER
CALHOUN
24
BLECKLEY
31
CRISP
RANDOLPH TERRELL
RICHMOND
EMANUEL
HOUSTON
MACON
32
16
WILKINSON
TWIGGS
SCHLEY
STEWART
GLASCOCK
WASHINGTON
TALBOT
MUSCOGEE
COLUMBIA
MCDUFFIE
17
JONES BALDWIN
MONROE
EMC Boundaries
LINCOLN
WARREN
JASPER PUTNAM
BUTTS
CRAWFORD
CLAY
OGLETHORPE
UPSON
HARRIS
Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG)
Unassigned
Electric Power Board of Chattanooga
and City of Dalton
ELBERT
HENRY
SPALDING
TROUP MERIWETHER
Georgia Power Company (GPC)
6
CLARKE
14
NEWTON
Electric Membership Corporations
FRANKLIN HART
MADISON
JACKSON
DEKALB
DOUGLAS
WALTON
FULTON
ROCKDALE
11
STEPHENS
BANKS
HALL
CHEROKEE FORSYTH
COBB
POLK
RABUN
UNION
GILMER
In 1973, the Georgia General Assembly created the Georgia Territorial
Electric Service Act, assigning power supply areas throughout the state.
The state’s electric membership cooperatives were assigned 73 percent
of the state’s land area, with the remaining area designated to Georgia
Power Company or municipal power systems. This map is a graphic
depiction of those service areas.
CHARLTON
GLYNN
38
CAMDEN
ECHOLS
Key to Electric Membership Corporations
1. North Georgia
2. Tri-State
3. Blue Ridge Mtn.
4. Amicalola
5. Habersham
6. Hart
7. Jackson
8. Sawnee
9. Cobb
10. GreyStone
11. Carroll
12. Coweta-Fayette
13. Snapping Shoals
14. Walton
15. Rayle
16. Jefferson
17. Washington
18. Tri-County
19. Central Georgia
20. Southern Rivers
21. Upson
22. Diverse Power
23. Flint
24. Oconee
25. Planters
26. Excelsior
27. Canoochee
28. Altamaha
29. Little Ocmulgee
30. Ocmulgee
31. Middle Georgia
32. Sumter
33. Three Notch
34. Mitchell
35. Irwin
36. Satilla
37. Coastal
38. Okefenoke
39. Slash Pine
40. Colquitt
41. Grady
Rev 03/13