Members Gather for 2026 Annual Meeting
SRE members gathered in Barnesville for cooperative updates on growth, fiber and energy costs, along with an important announcement about changes coming to the Annual Meeting in 2027.
Southern Rivers Energy (SRE) held its Annual Meeting of Members Aug. 29 at the Lamar County Fine Arts Center in Barnesville. Members enjoyed a Health Fair provided by Upson Regional Medical Center and the Lamar County District 4 Health Department, along with educational booths on home energy efficiency, Operation Round Up, Conexon Connect and other cooperative programs. SRE also provided breakfast and giveaways before a brief business meeting and update on the state of the cooperative.
A total of 318 members were registered for the 2026 Annual Meeting, including 243 in person and 75 represented by proxy.
Cooperative Update
President/CEO Michael McMillan shared several updates from 2025, including continued residential and commercial growth. SRE added 365 new meters during the year and electric sales increased by 93 million kilowatt-hours. Commercial and industrial loads also increased by 12.5 megawatts, primarily from a cryptocurrency facility and a 3.5-megawatt rock quarry.
Crews built 26 miles of new power line to help serve the additional growth, while 34 miles of fiber were built or replaced. SRE now maintains nearly 3,500 miles of primary power line throughout its service area.
McMillan also talked about the cooperative’s ongoing efforts to improve reliability. Crews trimmed nearly 370 miles of power line corridors and treated 630 miles of low-growing vegetation as part of SRE’s right-of-way maintenance program. Field service technicians also completed 13,657 Georgia 811 locate tickets, compared to 8,115 in 2024. The increase in locate requests is another sign of the amount of construction taking place throughout the area.
SRE closed the year with more than $198 million in assets and paid $1.3 million in property taxes and more than $900,000 in sales tax. Nearly 10,500 SRE members now have Conexon Connect fiber internet service, representing a 47% take rate.
McMillan also addressed higher summer electric bills and some of the factors that affect the cost of electricity. Wholesale power continues to be SRE’s largest expense, accounting for 54% of total expenses last year. Members were encouraged to use the SRE Mobile App or online customer portal to monitor daily energy use and see how temperatures and household habits can impact their monthly bill.
Changes Coming in 2027
Members were also notified of an important change to next year’s Annual Meeting. Beginning in 2027, the meeting will move from its traditional Saturday in August to a weekday in June.
The 2027 Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lamar County Fine Arts Center. Members should watch Current Comments in Georgia Magazine, southernriversenergy.com and SRE’s Facebook page for additional details in the coming months.
Door Prize Winners
William Broome of Williamson took home the $500 cash grand prize at SRE’s Annual Meeting of Members. Ten members received $75 bill credits, and 45 door prizes ranging from weather radios to a Blackstone griddle were awarded. Milton McGill Sr. of Concord won the 55-inch television in a special drawing for Operation Round Up participants. This drawing recognizes members who round up their monthly electric bills to the next dollar to help support local organizations and community needs.
Thank you to all of our members who joined us this year!