Jackson EMC has begun a joint-use pole survey in which contractors will review 130,000 poles, starting in Gwinnett County, and work their way through Jackson EMC’s service territory. The survey is expected to take eight months.
Contractors’ vehicles will display “Contractors for Jackson EMC” decals. All contractors have Jackson EMC contractor photo identification badges, along with a letter of authorization to conduct work on behalf of Jackson EMC.
“Our contractors will be in all areas where our wood poles are located, sometimes this will be close to members’ homes as they inspect our poles. We want to be sure members are aware of this project,” said Greg Broussard, JEMC engineering services director.
“Unfortunately, imposters sometimes pose as utility personnel to gain access to homes,” he added. “We want to be sure this doesn’t happen to our members. This work doesn’t require contractors to enter members’ homes.”
Cable television and telephone companies attach their wires to the cooperative’s poles. The joint-use contracts between these companies and Jackson EMC requires a field audit of poles every five years to confirm the pole connections.
Jackson EMC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that provides power to more than 204,000 meters in 10 Northeast Georgia counties.