NEWS & EVENTS2013 annual meeting set for Sept. 14
Newly approved Supplemental Residential Rate implementedBeginning April 1, Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation’s newly approved Supplemental Residential Rate (SRS) went into effect. CEMC is proud to be one of the first co-ops in the Tennessee Valley to introduce this new rate, which provides significant cost savings to qualifying members. Those who qualify will see a decrease in the amount of the customer charge and the energy charge compared to the current General Service-1 rate. The following metered services are eligible for the Supplemental Residential Rate:• Detached garage • Personal shop • Pool house/pool pump • Electric gate • Storage shed The new rate is available to any single-phase, noncommercial meter where the electric service is for a separately metered application on the same parcel of property as an existing single-family dwelling where the meter is for domestic purposes such as lighting, household appliances and the personal comfort and convenience of those residing in the single-family dwelling. Those with such an application need only to apply to start saving today. Types of services that do not qualify for the SRS rate include temporary services, barns and greenhouses. The newly approved SRS rate contains parts A and B. The determination for which part of the rate applies (A or B) will be made based on the existing engineering setup in the field. (See images below for examples of A and B). • Part A — Service provided by the same transformer as home service (customer charge: $19.00) • Part B — Service provided by a second transformer (customer charge: $27.60) In March 2013, CEMC sent a direct mailing to all members who may have a qualifying account. Member response to the mailing has been excellent, and many qualifying accounts have already begun benefitting from this new rate. To obtain additional information about this rate or to view the information sent out in the direct mailing, please visit our website at www.cemc.org. For other questions or to voice concerns, please contact CEMC at 800-987-2362 or come by your local CEMC office. 
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That vibration or ring tone from your mobile phone could be a text message from CEMC indicating that your power is out and crews are on the way! Unfortunately power outages are a part of life and occur for various reasons such as weather conditions, vehicle accidents, downed tree limbs and more. While CEMC makes every effort to restore your power safely and efficiently we also want to keep our members informed during outages. Get notified by CEMC when the power is out at your home by signing up for Outage Alert! After you signup for Outage Alert you will receive a text message to your mobile phone when an outage is predicted in your area either by our Outage Management System, by another customer in your area, or by you.There are no charges for this service, although messaging and data rates apply based on your mobile carrier plan. |
Safety at Jo Byrns Elemetary School
Chat line enhances CEMC customer service
Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation recently added two ways to communicate with members online. During business hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday CEMC Contact Center Assistant Joe Woodard is available for live member support through the online chat service. Woodard, in manning the Contact Center within the Headquarters, can answer questions from members in real time regarding topics such as billing inquiries and power outages as well as assist members who wish to update their contact information or need help navigating our website. Customer Service Representatives in the Contact Center provide support for the chat line whenever Woodard is unavailable.
Members can utilize this service by logging on to our website, www.cemc.org, and clicking on “Live Support” at the top right-hand side of the page.
Since its introduction earlier this year, utilization of the chat line by members has increased each month and those who use the service provide positive feedback about their experience.
“It is a quick, easily accessible and efficient way to communicate with CEMC,” says Janet Henon, contact center supervisor. According to Henon, the ability to serve more members more effectively is the biggest advantage of the chat line. “We are able to assist several members simultaneously with chat, unlike the phone calls that are handled one at a time.”
After business hours, members can leave a message via email that will be answered the following business day.
Watt's your story?
CEMC will celebrate 75 years in 2013. In preparation for this milestone, we are gathering members’ stories to share when power first came to their homes or businesses. Your story may be a fond memory told by a family member who shared the experience with you. While 2013 seems like a long time off, we need the time to organize the stories and possibly to come visit you for a photo to go with your story.We are looking forward to receiving your story about how electric power changed the lives of your family 75 years ago! Contact the Member Services Department at 800-987-2362.
How much electricity do you use each day?
The old adage that “knowledge is power” has probably never been truer than it is today. The world grows increasingly more complex with each passing year, and the more information that we have available to us, on which to base our decisions, the better. This is true when making large purchases, evaluating employment options, or even monitoring our electricity usage. With that in mind, Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation is proud to introduce a way for you to monitor and take control of your electric usage.CEMC’s new Meter Data Management (MDM) system has many unique tools available to provide you with personalized usage information and analysis. For example, a graphical display of daily usage and temperature information is available and updated each day with the most recent meter data. Now, you can keep track of how your usage is accumulating throughout the month and have a good estimate of your bill amount based on that usage. This daily information also provides you with an opportunity to curtail any excess usage in order to save on monthly electric bills. In addition, daily temperature data helps you see how changes in weather can greatly impact your energy consumption.
Another feature of MDM is an interactive bill comparison tool. You can compare any two bills side-by-side to view similarities or differences in total usage, charges, number of days, or average temperatures. This tool can be used to compare the current month’s bill with the previous month or with the same month last year. These comparisons allow you to see if your usage is consistent over time or if it spikes during certain times of the year; which may be avoidable with minimal effort.
In addition to monitoring daily usage and comparing monthly bills, you can also create “energy markers” specific to your household. For example, you can place an energy marker on your account signifying the date you installed high efficiency light bulbs, powered up the seasonal pool pump, or to denote when family was visiting from out of town. By creating these markers, you can proactively measure the results of any household changes and see how those changes impact your energy usage.
All of these new features are available now to CEMC’s membership. To access these useful tools, simply visit us at www.cemc.org and click the My Account Login icon at the top of the page. As a first time user you will need your CEMC account number and will be prompted to register. Once logged in select the “Usage & Billing Analysis” link and you’re ready to start taking advantage of all that MDM has to offer. MDM will give you the opportunity to take control of your monthly electric costs through access to daily meter information and analysis tools. Check it out today!
For more information on MDM, please visit us at www.cemc.org or give us a call at 1-800-987-2362.
Promoting electric safety
CEMC employees consider electric safety a top priority year around as they perform the many different job tasks required for our business. When visiting schools, community clubs, fire halls, highway safety group, etc., our goal is communicating electric safety and to stress how important it is to CEMCs employees that everyone understands thoroughly how dangerous electricity is.
If you are interested in an electric safety presentation and would like to schedule one, contact CEMC at 800-987- 2362 extension 1143.