News Releases

Walton EMC Aces Safety Test

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2005

Contact Greg Brooks, 770/266-2307, or Katie Woodall, 770/266-2572

MONROE, Ga. – Walton Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) just scored well on a very important exam. The customer-owned power company passed its every-three-year safety accreditation with 99 out of 100 points.

The Rural Electric Safety Accreditation Program (RESAP) is a three-part exercise consisting of a field observation, comprehensive application and verification. It operates as a peer-review process and is administered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association for electric cooperatives.

RESAP, with the main goal of preserving life and preventing injuries, began in 1967 and continues to be developed and refined.  There are presently 437 accredited systems; only outstanding electric co-ops get the designation. Average scores don't make the grade.

So what does this mean to Walton EMC customer-owners?

“First, we know our customer-owners care about our employees and want them to work safely,” said WEMC's Larry Thompson, who spearheaded the accreditation process.   “Next, safe operating practices mean electric service is more reliable and costs from injury and damage are avoided.”

“Even though we scored extremely well, there's still room for improvement,” continued Thompson. “We've already looked at the comments from the review and have started preparing for the 2008 accreditation process.”

Walton EMC is a customer-owned power company that serves 110,000 accounts over its ten-county service area between Atlanta and Athens. It's subsidiary, Walton EMC Natural Gas, serves natural gas accounts statewide.