Serving 19 counties (including Gwinnett) in and around Northeast Georgia, Jackson EMC is a non-profit cooperative that provides electricity to its members. With over 200,000 members, the utility seeks to aid its customers -who are also its members- efficiently conserve energy and to give back to the very communities that it serves.

As a cooperative, Jackson EMC is owned by its customers. Accordingly, each of its members have a vested interest in maximizing energy efficiency. EMC achieves this goal by working with its customers to reduce their energy usage. They suggest tips like using LCD TVs and improving home insulation. They even conduct a “home audit” so that their members can figure out what specific steps are needed for each to reduce their “carbon footprint” and save themselves money in the meantime. For new homes, they utilize the Energy Star program, which ensures that certain energy-saving features will be included.
 
To help the communities they serve, Jackson EMC charges a 50 cent monthly fee that goes to the Jackson EMC foundation. Proceeds from this foundation are used for scholarships, charitable grants, programs for children with disabilities and certain school programs. Bonnie G. Jones, their director of public relations, emphasizes that “this makes a powerful contribution to the local communities.” Coming up soon in April they will be announcing its Youth Citizenship Award which includes a trip to Washington, D.C. and a $2000 scholarship. The following month 5 or 6 other students will be also receiving scholarships.
 
To learn more about Jackson EMC and see if you can qualify as a member, they can be contacted at (706) 367-6114. Or you can visit their website at www.jacksonemc.com. With more than 70 years of service to their growing community, Jackson EMC provides the savings from energy efficiency consumers are seeking today and the concern for the future that our shared environment requires.
 

Tags: utilities