News Release

Walton EMC Annual Meeting Gives Customer-Owners the Power

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2007

Contact Heather Hodges, 770/266-2408

MONROE, Ga. - At the 71st annual meeting of Walton Electric Membership

Corporation (EMC), over 2,000

A young annual meeting attendee cools off with an ice cream sandwich, compliments of Walton EMC.

customer-owners and guests learned that getting their power from a cooperative means they have the power-literally.

"In a cooperative like Walton EMC, the customers really do have the power," said Board Chairman Sam Simonton.

Customer-owners exercise that power by attending the annual meeting and voting on a board of directors. During the business session, those attending re-elected three customer-owners for three-year terms to represent them on the co-op's board of directors. Incumbent Mary Ann Hartman of the North Snellville district, Bobby Williams of the Mountain Park District and Johnny Allgood of the Southwest Walton district were re-elected without opposition.

Walton EMC customer-owners learned that they also have the power to save the environment.

Each customer-owner received bucket of giveaways, including a light bulb, an annual meeting tradition. However, this year's light bulb was not the usual incandescent bulb, but a compact fluorescent, which uses 75 percent less energy and can last ten times as long.

President/CEO Ronnie Lee highlighted Walton EMC's green power program through Green Power EMC, as well as plans to add another green power source-chicken litter-soon. "We all know how important the poultry industry is to our state's economy," said Lee. "But with more and more land being used for housing and development, poultry farmers are losing places to dispose of by-products from their operations." Not only will the poultry litter project allow for disposal of by-products, but it will give customer-owners another green power option in addition to the current landfill gas, solar and hydroelectric options.

Whether customer-owners receive their power via green options or traditional options, Lee had good news about Walton EMC's reliability. "I'm pleased to report that over the past year, Walton EMC's reliability was over 99.9 percent," he said. "We work hard to make sure the lights stay on."

Lee also had good news about rates. "We don't see any rate increases in the near future," he said. "It's our aim that you continue to have the electric power you need at an affordable price."

"We care about the same issues and have a vested interest in what happens down the street," said Lee.

That concern for community is what has driven nearly $150,000 in Operation Round Up donations in the past year, proving that Walton EMC customer-owners also have the power to make a difference in the community.

"Ten years ago, at this meeting, Walton EMC introduced the Operation Round Up program," said Simonton. "Round Up is a small, simple way to make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors."

Not everything at the annual meeting was about business. Children played on moonwalks, created candy art and cooled off with free ice cream sandwiches. Healthcare professionals conducted a variety of screenings and exhibitors demonstrated energy-saving equipment and tips. Customer-owners also had a chance to show their support for the troops by contributing items and notes of appreciation to Operation Sandbox.

Attendees enjoyed the music of The Calvarymen, The Fowler Connection and Moriah Martin. Several lucky customer-owners won door prizes, including Bill Matheny of Monroe who won the main prize-a refurbished pickup truck.

Walton EMC is a customer-owned power company that serves 115,000 accounts over its ten-county service area between Atlanta and Athens.

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Click here for photos from the event