THE GREYSTONE - GreyStone Power Corporation

THE
GREYSTONE
REPORT
VOLUME 16 • NUMBER 2 • MAY 2016
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
is cooperative
P2 What
solar?
Board seats up
for election
Three seats on the GreyStone
Power Board of Directors are up
for election in 2016, with those
elected announced at the Annual
Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Seats up for election this year
are District 3, Douglas and Paulding counties; District 5, Carroll
and Douglas counties; and District 9, Cobb County.
Director Ed Garrard, who
serves District 9, will not seek
re-election this year. He will
retire after 18 years on the Board.
David Hagenow, District 3, and
Board Chair Jennifer DeNyse,
District 5, are seeking re-election.
To become a candidate, you
must be a member in good standing, live within District 3, 5 or 9,
and meet all qualifications in Section 4.02 of the Bylaws online.
Application forms and a
more precise description of the
districts may be found in Section 4.04 of the Bylaws at www.
greystonepower.com or may be
obtained from any GreyStone
office. For information, call 770370-2080. If you have any questions regarding the application
process, contact Attorney Steve
Minor at 770-214-5108.
selected
P3 Students
for leadership trip
Co-op Connections
P4 Latest
Card deals
®
‘Wallet Watch’ rate reduction helps
members save as temperatures rise
Electric bills went down with the
for the majority of GreyStone’s memWallet Watch rate reduction, effective
bers (98.5 percent).
on April 1. Even with higher summer
Members Mark and Tracy Herrates and rising temperatures ahead,
rington are excited about the electricity
members can still look forward to
savings on their April bill. “Every little
saving with our new rate structure.
bit helps, and seeing rates go down is
GreyStone’s residential summer rates
a welcome surprise when it seems the
run June through October.
cost of everything is going up. It tells
Members can use our Wallet
me that GreyStone is really looking out
Watch Calculator, found at www.
for the members,” Tracy said.
greystonepower.com, to compare their
There were many factors contribelectric bill under the old rate with their uting to the rate reduction, including
bill under the new rate by entering
favorable renegotiation of a long-term
the amount of electricity (in kilowattwholesale power contract, several years
hours) that is used in any given month. of fiscal belt-tightening and a new billClick on the green Wallet Watch Caling system that will save money.
culator button at the
top of GreyStone’s
website to start seeing your potential
savings!
The average
residential member using 1,100
kilowatt-hours
(kWh) per month
will see a net savings
of around $9.50 per
month. Although
the monthly service
charge on residential
bills is increasing,
energy charges are
dropping substanAfter a rate reduction went into effect April 1, members like
tially. Bottom line,
Mark and Tracy Herrington are saving on their electric bills.
power bills are down That can mean more money for a summer vacation!
GSP-0516-1
What is cooperative solar?
Cooperative solar is changing the
way some electric co-op members get
their electricity. Many individuals who
want to support solar energy may be
deterred by the hassles of maintaining
a solar system. New cooperative solar
systems are giving members the chance
to support large-scale solar projects
that offer many advantages, allowing
participants to enjoy a greener lifestyle.
In a cooperative solar project, the
electric cooperative builds and maintains the solar farm, and individuals
can purchase a share of the generation
within the facility. The cooperative
handles upkeep, which means that individual members don’t have to worry
about maintenance costs. Plus, the
installation costs are reduced for the
co-op due to economies of scale.
Most residential rooftops are not
suited for solar panels. This can be due
to the orientation of the
home, shading, age and
condition of the roof, and
aesthetic concerns. Many
landlords and homeowner
associations do not allow
for the installation of solar
panels. With cooperative
solar, participants do not
have to worry about these
type of concerns.
This is an example of a cooperative solar farm.
In a cooperative solar
system, the co-op delivers solar electric- your home is not a deciding factor.
So whether you live in an apartment,
ity to the power grid. For those who
choose to participate, the kilowatt-hour mobile home or a residence that is sur(kWh) production (generation) of their rounded by the shade of trees, cooperative solar can work for you.
purchased share will be subtracted
GreyStone may have a cooperative
from their bill each month.
solar project in the works, so stay tuned
While many residences are not
to our newsletters for more informasuited for solar systems, any co-op
tion! Also, follow us on Facebook at
member can participate in a cooperawww.facebook.com/greystonepower.
tive solar project. Unlike rooftop solar,
Green Power EMC generates cleaner electricity
Fifteen years ago, Green Power EMC was
founded to support electric membership cooperatives
(EMCs) in Georgia in their search for cleaner, greener energy. Thirty-eight EMCs, including GreyStone
Power, participate in this renewable energy program.
Through Green Power EMC, power is generated from solar, wind, landfill gas, wood waste and a
low-impact hydroelectric project. By the end of 2016,
Green Power EMC renewable energy projects will
generate more than 253 megawatts of electricity.
Environmentally conscious members have the
chance to participate in the program by signing up
to buy one or more green power blocks. Each 150
kilowatt-hour (kWh) block adds $5 to the member’s
monthly power bill. Sign up for green power at www.
greystonepower.com, or call 770-942-6576.
Renewable energy produced by Green Power
EMC is added to the overall energy mix. This means
that when you buy green power, it is not delivered
directly to your home, but by subscribing you are
helping to support the purchase of additional clean
energy and encouraging more investment nationwide
in environmentally friendly ways to generate power.
2
2
PRODUCT CONTENT LABEL
The product is sold in blocks of 150 kilowatt-hours (kWh). The product will
be made up of the following renewable resources.
3
Green-e Energy Certified New Renewables in
GreyStone Power Green Power Program
-Biomass
-Geothermal
-Eligible hydroelectric
-Solar
-Wind
TOTAL
20151
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
20162
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
Generation Location
Georgia
1.
The 2015 figures reflect the resources that were supplied for the year ending Dec. 31, 2015.
2.
The 2016 figures are prospective and reflect the power that we have contracted to provide. Actual figures may
vary according to resource availability. We will annually report to you before Aug. 1 of next year in the form of a
Historic Product Content Label the actual resource mix of the electricity you purchased.
3.
New Renewables come from generation facilities that first began commercial operation within the past 15 years.
This product includes generation from a facility that is approved for extended use by Green-e Energy.
For comparison, the current average mix of resources supplying GreyStone Power includes: Coal (39.4%), nuclear
(12.6%), oil (0.1%), natural gas (43.7%), hydroelectric (0.1%) and other (4.1%).
The average home in the United States uses 909 kWh per month. [Source: U.S. EIA, 2013]
For specific information about this electricity product, please contact GreyStone Power, (770) 942-6576,
www.greystonepower.com/membership-benefits/green-power.
Green-e Energy certifies that GreyStone Power Green Power Program meets the minimum environmental and
consumer protection standards established by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. For more information on
Green-e Energy certification requirements, call 1-888-63-GREEN or log on to www.green-e.org.
Green Power is certified by Green-e Energy™, the nation’s leading
voluntary certification program for renewable energy.
Local high school students
selected for leadership trip
Five local students, including
Douglasville residents Raegan Allister, Austin Hawkinson and Andrea
Hill, Dallas resident Lena Allen and
Hiram resident Jamie Babecka were
chosen to participate in the 51st
annual Washington Youth Tour.
The all-expenses-paid leadership
experience is sponsored by electric
membership cooperatives (EMCs),
including GreyStone Power.
The Youth Tour was established with one thought in mind—
to inspire the next generation of
leaders. This year’s tour, which
takes place June 9-16, exposes students to the fast-paced world of
politics and leadership in Washington, D.C.
Each year the teens are challenged to consider the part they
play in government and the cooperative movement, to become
involved citizens and to consider
careers in public service.
GreyStone’s five chosen student
delegates were carefully selected
through a rigorous application
process which varies by each EMC.
This year, 52 high school juniors
from across GreyStone’s service
area competed to secure a spot on
the trip. Candidates are student
leaders chosen by counselors and
staff from area high schools. The
winners earned the top scores on
an exam that covered cooperatives,
the history of rural electrification,
electricity and U.S. government.
The teen delegates will explore
government on a local and national
level, gathering in Atlanta before
departing for Washington, D.C. When the group arrives in
D.C., participants will have the
opportunity to meet with their
elected officials and discuss the
issues that are important back
home. Georgia’s delegation will
convene with more than 1,700
youth representing cooperatives
across the nation, and they will
have the opportunity to mingle
with peers from other states.
Stop
power
surges
before they
stop your
appliances
You need GreyStone
Power’s SurgeMaster Plus
program, a residential
home protection system.
With SurgeMaster Plus
“Three Point” surge protection, you not only get
protection at your meter,
but we also provide surge
protectors at your phone
connection and cable or
satellite TV connection.
Learn more about the
SurgeMaster Plus program
today by calling us at
770-370-2070.
GreyStone President/CEO Gary Miller, left, and GreyStone Board Chair Jennifer
DeNyse, right, congratulate GreyStone’s Youth Tour delegates: Austin Hawkinson, Andrea Hill, Jamie Babecka, Lena Allen and Raegan Allister.
3
GreyStone Power: Home of the
World Champion Lineman Team
The goal of this publication is to keep you,
our members, informed about the cooperative you own. GreyStone Power is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
Editor: Ashley Kramer
Communications staff: Vicki Harshbarger,
Ashley Kramer, Amanda Busby, Trisha McBee,
Adam Elrod, Jaime Jacobs
Stay connected
Check out the
latest CCC deals!
GreyStone members who show
their Co-op Connections® Card (CCC)
at local businesses receive special discounts. At the pharmacy, show your
CCC to save up to 85 percent.
More than 325 local businesses
participate, and national deals are also
available at www.connections.coop/
greystonepower. To request your free
money-saving CCC, call 770-370-2273.
Want to increase sales at your business? Call 770-370-2436 to become a
CCC participant. It’s free to advertise
your business to 110,000! The only cost
is for the discount you offer.
New CCC offer:
Christian Family Auto & Detail
Douglasville . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-372-3780
10% off all services.
Updated offers:
Georgia Renaissance Festival
Fairburn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-964-8575
Save $6 per full price adult ticket and $3
per full price child’s ticket. Purchase at
the gate or online using discount URL
link: http://garenfest.com/promo. Enter
promo code: gpcc. Get Adult (age 13+)
tickets for $15.95 (regularly $22), Child
(age 6-12) tickets for $7 (regularly $10),
and children under 5 are free. Free park-
44
Offices
4040 Bankhead Hwy.,
Douglasville
Call Center open Monday- Gas South
Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
1-866-563-8129
Use promo code 510
Payment Kiosks (view
for GreyStone discount.
all locations)
www.gas-south.com/emc
www.greystonepower.com/
residential/payment-kiosks
Sign up for
Operation Round Up®
GEMC Federal
and/or Green Power
Credit Union
www.greystonepower.com
770-949-3557
770-445-2800
Save energy and money
www.gemc.org
www.togetherwesave.com
120 GreyStone Power
Blvd., Dallas
SurgeMaster Plus
770-370-2070
Report an outage
1-866-473-9786
EMC Security
770-963-0305
www.emcsecurity.com
Board of Directors
Jennifer DeNyse,
Chair
Jim Johns,
Vice Chair
Milton Jones,
Secretary-Treasurer
Genevieve Cole
John Walton
David Hagenow
Neal Dettmering
Maribeth Wansley
Ed Garrard
Contact us
memberservices@
greystonepower.com
President/CEO
Gary A. Miller
770-942-6576
P.O. Box 897,
Douglasville, GA
30133
ing (parking pass not needed).
Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags
White Water
Austell/Marietta . . . . . . . . .770-739-3400
Special online price for a One-Day Pass
to Six Flags Over Georgia/Hurricane
Harbor for $39.99 (pre-tax); One-Day
Pass to Six Flags White Water for $34.99;
or a Combo Gold Season Pass (Six Flags/
Hurricane Harbor/White Water/Parking
Pass) for $61.99 (pre-tax). Visit www.
sixflags.com, select your park and enter
promo code: gspower16 to receive the
discounted price.
Co-op Connections®
Card (discount card)
770-370-2273
www.connections.coop/
greystonepower
GreyStone cannot accept or hold
postdated checks. This could lead
to an extra cost for you.