April Newsletter 2026

Fast Facts About Lineworkers

You probably don’t think about them until your power goes out, but electric lineworkers protect our homes and communities 24 hours a day. Like other first responders who keep us safe, lineworkers endure all kinds of weather and challenging conditions.

On April 13, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day to honor the men and women who power our lives. Here are some quick facts about lineworkers:

What Electric Lineworkers Do

Restoring electricity after a power outage is just one of the many duties of lineworkers. They also:

• Install and connect new power lines to homes and businesses

• Maintain and upgrade the electric grid

• Diagnose and pinpoint power-delivery issues

• Plan and manage large-scale projects

• Ensure safe work practices in often challenging conditions

Lineworkers are responsible for maintaining and upgrading the nation’s electric grid, which connects more than 7,300 power plants to 145 million consumers through 60,000 miles of high-voltage lines, millions of miles of distribution lines and more than 50 million transformers. In Georgia, EMC lineworkers maintain the largest distribution network in the state with 196,921 miles of electric power lines in 157 of 159 counties.

Many lineworkers enjoy showing off their skills at lineman rodeos. These competitions provide the public with an opportunity to see what it takes to get the job done. For lineworkers, rodeos help inspire camaraderie and strengthen passion for the trade. In 2026, Georgia’s Lineman Rodeo is May 1-2 at Camp John Hope in Fort Valley. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Wild Side of Work

Snakes and squirrels can climb poles or jump onto poles from nearby trees and are a major cause of power outages. Lineworkers encounter plenty of both while working. They’ve also been known to rescue kittens that climb too high in trees and curious bear cubs that reach the tops of utility poles. Lineworkers use bucket trucks to make these rescues. When your office is outdoors, these encounters are part of the job.

Geared for Safety

Lineworkers climb with up to 40 pounds of safety gear and tools. Here’s what they typically wear to stay safe while working:

• Hard hats

• Safety glasses

• Clothing that protects against flames and arc flashes

• Rubber gloves and sleeves

• Climbing belts

• Fall-protection harnesses

Inspiring Safety

Each year, roughly 60,000 lineworkers respond to devastating storms and the damage they leave behind. In addition to extreme weather exposure, lineworkers face a variety of dangers. Safety is always the No. 1 priority, which is why apprenticeship programs were created and why lineworkers continuously receive training on the latest equipment and procedures.

Lineworkers power our lives. The next time you see one, remember to thank them for the essential work they do.

Lightning, high winds and torrential downpours can put your home and neighborhood at risk of power surges and outages, and those can damage your expensive household electronics.

So, prepare for spring storms with these helpful tips to protect yourself and your electronics:

• First, install surge protectors as a first line of defense. Use them for computers, televisions, exercise equipment and other sensitive devices. Look for protectors with indicator lights that show when protection is active.

• During severe storms, unplug electronics and turn them off—excluding things like the refrigerator and medical oxygen tanks. Even the best surge protectors cannot block a direct lightning strike.

• If your home experiences frequent outages, consider installing whole-house surge protection, which is installed at the electrical panel. An electrician can explain whether this option makes sense.

• Backup power options, such as battery packs or portable generators, can help keep essential devices running in case the power goes out. Portable generators should only be used outdoors and far from windows and doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

• After an outage, wait a few minutes before turning electronics back on. This helps protect devices from voltage spikes as power is restored.

Expanding Our Reach

Crossbeam is proud to bring dependable fiber internet to the communities we serve. Working alongside Carroll EMC, we’re expanding access—one connection at a time.

Service is now available to more than 15,000 Carroll EMC members (shown in teal), with an additional 8,000 members gaining access over the next 18 months (shown in lime green).

Check your address and follow project updates on our website. At Crossbeam, you can count on us to be there when you need us.

crossbeam.net | @Crossbeam Fiber | (678) 821-6000

Would you like to eliminate the paper bill you receive each month and simply get an email alert instead? If you forgo your paper statement and elect to receive an electronic bill only, your account will receive a credit of $2.50 each month. If you want to eliminate paper use all together, we offer automatic drafts and online bill pay for your convenience. To view and print your bill, simply log into the Member Portal at billing.cemc.com/onlineportal.

Please note: PrePay accounts cannot receive e-bills.

TIPS TO AVOID

ENERGY SCAMS

Don’t fall victim to power outage scams. When widespread outages occur, scammers may target affected utility customers. They can contact you via call, text or email, urging you to act quickly and provide personal information to restore service. Always communicate with your utility through official channels, such as their website, mobile app or phone number listed on your bill. Your safety and personal information are worth taking a moment to verify unknown senders.

Source: ftc.org

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH

As we prepare for the seasonal shift, remember to set your ceiling fan rotation accordingly. In winter months (or whenever your home heating system is running), fan blades should rotate clockwise, which produces an updraft that pushes warm air down. In summer months (or whenever your home cooling system is running), blades should rotate counterclockwise, which produces a downdraft or windchill effect that makes you feel cooler. When used correctly, ceiling fans can boost comfort and allow you to adjust the thermostat a few degrees for energy savings.

Source: energy.gov

155 N. Hwy 113

Carrollton, GA 30117

member.services@carrollemc.com carrollemc.com (770) 832-3552

PRESIDENT/CEO

Tim Martin

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alvin Ginn, Chairman

Donnie Brannon, Vice Chairman

Ronnie Jordan, Secretary/Treasurer

Don DeFoor

Eddie Gore

Nan Philpot

Lynn Joyner

Emmett Harrod

Delores Goldin

EDITOR

Kelly Jimenez WRITER Brittany Shadix

OFFICE HOURS

Carrollton

Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Buchanan

Monday and Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

24-HOUR OUTAGE LINE

To report a power outage, call (770) 832-3552, option 1.

Remember: If you have multiple accounts, you will need to enter your account number for that location.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

BYLAWS – ARTICLE III

2026 DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

ANNUAL MEETING – OCTOBER 1, 2026

SECTION 3.06. Nominations

(a) The Board of Directors shall appoint, not less than one hundred thirty (130) days before the date of the meeting at which members of the Board of Directors are to be elected, a committee on nominations, consisting of not less than two (2) Members residing in the Districts in which Directors’ terms expire in that year (the “Nominating Committee”). No Member nor Close Relative nor member of the same household of a Director may serve on such committee. The committee shall meet and nominate not less than one (1) nor more than two (2) qualified Member(s) residing in the District where a vacancy will occur by term expiration. The committee shall prepare and post at the principal office of the Cooperative at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the meeting its list of nominees.

(b) In addition, any one hundred (100) or more Members of the Cooperative acting together may make additional nominations in writing not less than seventy-five (75) days prior to the meeting (the “Nominating

Petition”), and the Secretary shall post such nominations at the same place where the list of nominations made by the Committee is posted. The Nominating Petition shall: (1) list on each page of the Nominating Petition the name of the Member; (2) indicate on each page of the Nominating Petition the director position for which the Member so nominated will run; and (3) contain the printed names, addresses, telephone numbers and original dated signatures signed within sixty (60) days of the first signature.

(c) At the Member Meeting, no nominations may be made from the floor except that such nominations may be made and shall be allowed for any directorate to be filled for which there would not otherwise be any eligible nominee. Notwithstanding the provisions contained in this Section 3.06 failure to comply with any of such provisions shall not affect in any manner whatsoever the validity of any action taken by the Board of Directors after the election of Directors.

SECTION 3.07. Notice of Nominees. The Secretary shall be responsible for posting at the headquarters of the Cooperative the nominees for the election made by the Nominating Committee and by petition.