Upson EMC Holds 85th Annual Members Meeting

Chairman Raphael Brumbeloe recognized retired director, Mr. Bradford Wright, for his 16 years of dedicated service.

President and CEO Neal Trice welcomed attendees, highlighting the work of Upson EMC employees, and announced that for the 14th year in a row, Upson EMC was awarded by Georgia EMC for another year without a lost time accident.

“In our line of work, this is quite an accomplishment,” Trice said. “On top of that award, last month we passed our safety accreditation for the ninth consecutive time. Every three years our facilities, right-of-way, buildings, vehicles… are inspected by a team from Georgia EMC. Since the inception of this program in 1998, we have passed every year with a very high score.”

Trice also shared success from Operation Roundup, which allows members the option to round their bill up to the next dollar for charity, and encouraged attendees to take part in the program. Upson EMC has donated $75,500 to “worthy 501-(c)-3s since the last annual meeting. Total donated since 2010 is $462,868.

As Upson EMC has received questions regarding why it has not joined “the fiber business,” Trice explained that through three feasibility studies, costs came back at more than $26 million.

“Currently, our total electric utility plant is only $33 million, and it took us 85 years to build it out. We have 9,496 meters in our six counties which serve 7,219 members. We have 1,387 miles of line over our entire system. That 1,387 miles averages out to five EMC members per mile. For co-ops who are currently providing internet right now, their average signup rate has been only 40 to 50 percent of their membership. If we provided internet, those averages would put us at two to three members per mile signing up. The cost to run fiber at the time of our studies was roughly $25,000 a mile. I was informed last week that the cost is 30 percent higher now.

“Our board of directors and staff concluded it would not be wise for our EMC to borrow $26 million to venture into the internet business, especially when we already have Windstream, Spectrum, AT&T, and Public Service Telephone serving most of our territory today. And… Highline has started running fiber in Upson County.”

Trice addressed the “pretty astonishing” problems faced in the community regarding disruptions to the supply chain, stating that delivery on residential meters is 52 weeks, wooden poles are 16 to 18 weeks, an overhead transformer is 52 weeks, an underground transformer is 70 weeks, overhead wire is 24 weeks away, and underground wire is 20 weeks from delivery.

“Regulators are 106 weeks away from delivery to us,” Trice added. “Yep, you heard me right, two years! These items form the infrastructure we use daily just to keep the lights on… and a very frustrating situation we have been fighting on your behalf.”

Trice explained that Upson EMC faces costs 28 percent higher compared to this time last year, while electric bills are one fourth higher than one year ago, attributing the increase to “the worst energy crisis in five decades.”