Cobb EMC’s board of directors approved lower energy charges and an increased monthly fee effective January 2013. The power rates will drop from 1.9 to 1.7 cents per kilowatt hour and monthly service charges will increase from $9.75 to $20. Cobb EMC says more than 80 percent of customers will see unchanged or lower bills as a result of the changes. Info: www.cobbemc.com.