Tri-County EMC Hosts 72nd Annual Meeting
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Members of Tri-County EMC, employees and local and state dignitaries gathered on October 27th for the 72nd Annual Meeting at Tri-County Headquarters in Gray, GA. CEO C. Hill Bentley gave an overview of last year’s accomplishments, and addressed the challenges of the coming years. Tom Daniel, Tri-County EMC Attorney, announced election results. The reelected members were Dan Greene (District 1), Brenda P. Green (District 2), and Sammy Hall (District 3). These members will serve three year terms.
Hill Bentley gave a review of the current EPA regulations in discussion and what pressures they will place on the future of the power industry. Three major EPA issues currently in discussion include the Clean Air Act, Coal Ash, and Boiler Mact Requirements. The EPA has not set standards for co-ops in the Clean Air Act, but the standards set will most likely lead to an increase in energy cost. The use of coal as a power source is currently in debate, with the possibility of coal ash being named a hazardous waste. Also, the EPA has yet to certify boilers as an efficient way to produce power. Depending on the EPA’s actions on each of these issues, it could mean a 5% increase in prices by 2017 to cover the onset environmental costs.
“Doing our part to protect the environment is important to us, but mandating additional costs to protect the environment when everyone is struggling with the economy is the wrong thing to do,” said C. Hill Bentley, CEO. “I encourage you to talk to your representative to let them know how these regulations will affect you.”
Tri-County EMC Board Chairman Tom Thompson believes efficiency is key. “We identify what the costs are and try to find the most efficient way to provide power and good service to all of our members.” Tri-County EMC continues to operate as efficiently as possible in order to keep the rates down. The operating cost for Tri-County has only changed by points of a percent over the past 10 years, while the number of meters continues steady growth.
Community service and safety continue to be priorities at Tri-County. Through Operation Roundup, the co-op has awarded over $900,000 since 2001 to people in need in the service area. Seven scholarships were awarded in the past year, and two students from the service area were chosen to participate in the Washington Youth Tour. Tri-County has had 6 years of no loss time, with only 1 medical attention in the past 3 years.
Hill Bentley gave a review of the current EPA regulations in discussion and what pressures they will place on the future of the power industry. Three major EPA issues currently in discussion include the Clean Air Act, Coal Ash, and Boiler Mact Requirements. The EPA has not set standards for co-ops in the Clean Air Act, but the standards set will most likely lead to an increase in energy cost. The use of coal as a power source is currently in debate, with the possibility of coal ash being named a hazardous waste. Also, the EPA has yet to certify boilers as an efficient way to produce power. Depending on the EPA’s actions on each of these issues, it could mean a 5% increase in prices by 2017 to cover the onset environmental costs.
“Doing our part to protect the environment is important to us, but mandating additional costs to protect the environment when everyone is struggling with the economy is the wrong thing to do,” said C. Hill Bentley, CEO. “I encourage you to talk to your representative to let them know how these regulations will affect you.”
Tri-County EMC Board Chairman Tom Thompson believes efficiency is key. “We identify what the costs are and try to find the most efficient way to provide power and good service to all of our members.” Tri-County EMC continues to operate as efficiently as possible in order to keep the rates down. The operating cost for Tri-County has only changed by points of a percent over the past 10 years, while the number of meters continues steady growth.
Community service and safety continue to be priorities at Tri-County. Through Operation Roundup, the co-op has awarded over $900,000 since 2001 to people in need in the service area. Seven scholarships were awarded in the past year, and two students from the service area were chosen to participate in the Washington Youth Tour. Tri-County has had 6 years of no loss time, with only 1 medical attention in the past 3 years.
About Tri-County EMC…
Tri-County EMC is a consumer-owned cooperative providing electricity and related services to approximately 16,500 members in Baldwin, Bibb, Jasper, Jones, Morgan, Putnam, Twiggs and Wilkinson counties. Through this statewide network, the 42 customer-owned EMCs provide electricity and related services to 3.7 million people across 73 percent of the state’s land area.
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