DELIVERING VALUE BEYOND ELECTRICITY
We work diligently to minimize the impact of rising costs industry-wide and remain committed to providing the most competitive electric rate in the state for our members. In fact, our rates have been among the five lowest in the state since 2014, compared to 94 utilities according to the Public Service Commission. Cobb EMC members have enjoyed stable electricity prices since 2015, which has enabled members to keep nearly $76 million in their pockets and in the local economy in the form of a power cost adjustment (PCA), formerly known as a wholesale power adjustment (WPA), on their monthly bills since 2013.
Our members' bills are $58 lower per month than the state average according to the PSC 2025 Winter Rate Survey, and we rank #1 for the lowest rates in the state among all 94 electric utilities for the third year in a row.
The lowest rates in the state among all 94 electric utilities:
How we're working for you
Our leadership, board of directors and every employee in our co-op family has worked diligently to offset the hurdles we have endured in recent years. From our working relationships with our suppliers and lending partners, to our financial strength thanks in part to the success of Gas South, to our dedicated employees working hard to control costs we have been able to keep costs down.
Gas South, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, offers our members a permanent natural gas discount. We receive an annual dividend from Gas South, which is used to invest in infrastructure. Gas South helps us remain financially strong, which helps to keep electric rates low and reliability solid.
Cobb EMC uses a diverse mix of fuel sources to provide your electricity, including coal and natural gas (47%), nuclear (38%), and renewable energy (15%). This balanced fuel mix helps reduce dramatic fluctuations in generation costs.
What you can do
Every kWh Cobb EMC members avoid using is one the cooperative doesn’t have to buy and deliver. Here are a few ways you can adjust your family’s routine and help lower your energy use, such as:
- Spread out the use of large appliances during off-peak hours, before 2 p.m. and after 7 p.m., including your washer and dryer, dishwasher, and stove.
- Set your thermostat as high as comfortable in the summer months and as low as comfortable in the winter months. The Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78ºF in the summer and 68ºF in the winter.
- Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and while cooking to keep humidity at bay. Humidity accounts for up to half the cost of air conditioning.
Energy Savings Resources
We also offer a variety of programs and services to help members save on their energy bills including rate options to fit your lifestyle, HVAC Tuneup vouchers and energy improvement incentives. Visit our Energy Resource Center and videos for tips to help you shift your energy use to off-peak hours, an appliance calculator, and DIY tips to help you save energy year-round.
Watch our energy efficiency webinar for more practical ways to save energy and money.
By making small changes to our energy-use habits, we can help relieve pressure on the grid during extreme heat and save a little money along the way.
What is the Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment
You may have noticed the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) line item on your monthly bill. The PCA provides a monthly adjustment dependent on any differences in the base cost of wholesale power. For example, if the kilowatt-hour cost to Cobb EMC is lower than the base cost of power, the PCA is applied as a credit on your bill. In fact, since 2013, nearly $76 million has gone back to Cobb EMC members in the form of PCA credits. Now, if the kilowatt-hour cost is higher than the base cost of power, the PCA is applied as a charge. Having the PCA benefits members by covering monthly power cost fluctuations without having to continually restructure or permanently increase electricity rates.
What impacts WPA
The PCA changes based on the cost of wholesale power, which fluctuates for a variety of reasons including fuel costs, weather and your energy use.
During hot summer months when the demand for electricity is much higher, power may need to be purchased from more expensive sources at market price, which includes additional generation costs. Increased costs for fuels like natural gas also impact the price of wholesale power.
OTHER WAYS WE WORK HARD FOR YOU
- We purchase electricity through several different suppliers and power purchase agreements at a wholesale cost to meet the needs of our members. Economic decisions are made hourly to ensure the lowest-cost resources are being used.
- We continuously add economic renewable energy resources to maintain stable power costs, diversified power supply, and help achieve long-term clean energy goals.
- We have a robust peak shaving program that helps us reduce the purchase of expensive power during high load periods.
- We proactively invest in and maintain our system to provide members with the most reliable power in the nation, according to the IEEE's 2023 and 2024 benchmark year study results.
We’re here to help and are always working for you — our members. Contact us if you have questions about your bill or ways to save energy.