During this season of giving thanks, we at Georgia Watch want to thank you for your strong support of our work protecting, educating and empowering Georgia consumers.
Nearly half the population of Georgia is served by Electric Membership Corporations or Cooperatives (EMCs), and a majority claim tax-exempt status under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.), � 501(c)(12). Rural EMCs were founded in the 1930s on principles of democracy to meet the energy needs in remote and rural areas of the country.Are today's EMC boards still as democratically controlled as they were intended? Georgia Watch conducted research into EMC practices regarding IRS requirements and democratic membership involvement in governance. Today, we release this report on our findings.
Our Court Watch program will now be producing timely blog posts about important consumer decisions rendered by Georgia courts. A decision released on October 6, 2015 by the Georgia Court of Appeals has important implications for consumers who assume the responsibility for signing hospital admission forms on behalf of adults who lack the capacity. In this decision, the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of shielding a mother from liability for her incapacitated adult son's emergency hospital bills.
According to a 2014 study from the Atlanta Community Food Bank, 76% of their client households had to choose between paying for food and utilities. Starting this week and through December, families seeking food assistance may also receive a kit to help them lower their energy bills. Georgia Watch helped connect Georgia Power and the Georgia Food Bank Association in a creative partnership to distribute more than 9,000 Energy Efficiency Kits through food pantries throughout the state. Georgia Watch also has a resource page and educational programming to show consumers some helpful ways to reduce their energy costs. Contact Elise Blasingame to learn more or to schedule a workshop. Find a listing of all our educational workshops here.
