2024 January NAEC Center Pages

MEL COLEMAN CEO

Understanding power curtailments

Winter Storm Uri was an unprecedented weather event in February 2021 that left a lasting impact on all electric utilities. The historic storm caused significant disruptions to the regional power grid and highlighted the need for improved resilience in the face of extreme weather events.

The bitter cold led to an extraordinary surge in demand for electricity as more power was needed for heating and other essential needs.

Part of our preparation is to educate our members about the importance of having a diverse energy mix through an educational campaign called the Balance of Power. Please read the first in a very important series of articles on page 20.

Another key component is for members to better understand and prepare for potential curtailments.

When electric demand is extremely high, and there is not enough available generation, curtailments are mandated by our wholesale power generation organization to protect the electric grid from collapsing and to keep power flowing.

A curtailment is a CONTROLLED reduction of power. It has a LIMITED duration. Curtailments are a last resort measure to safeguard the electric grid.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas have adopted a statewide curtailment communications plan to keep you informed of potential service interruptions. As the National Weather Service keeps Arkansans informed during potential bad weather, this communications plan serves a similar purpose. When directed by our wholesale power generation organization, we will begin the following curtailment alerts based on level of concern and action needed:

LEVEL 1 – Watch in place. Members are asked to conserve energy.

LEVEL 2 – Warning in place. Members are asked to prepare for the strong possibility of curtailments.

LEVEL 3 – Curtailments have started. Members are informed of the area impacted.

North Arkansas Electric will make every effort to alert you about potential curtailments as quickly as possible through numerous means of communication. Unfortunately, there are times that the electric demand spikes so rapidly that there is little to no time to give warning and notify members prior to curtailments occurring. We encourage our members to keep your contact information upto-date, especially phone numbers that may be used for automated calls. Also, we will utilize social media as a means of communication with members. Follow our Facebook page at Facebook.com/ NorthARElectric

North Arkansas Electric works to provide our members with Affordable, Reliable and Responsible energy. Winter storms like Uri and Elliott in December 2022 were reminders of the challenges that extreme weather and the resulting high power demand place on the electric grid. The storms’ impact highlighted the need for continued investments in infrastructure, diversification of energy sources, improved communication and emergency preparedness strategies.

Learn more about the Balance of Power at aecc.com/balance-of-power/

A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS

North Arkansas Electric Cooperative line personnel and family members get ready for the Mountain Home-Town Christmas Parade. NAEC employees also brought the decked-out bucket truck to the Salem Christmas parade.

Heat pumps need checkups, too!

NAEC recommends having a licensed HVAC technician inspect your system annually. He or she can inspect ducts, filters, blower and indoor coil for dirt and other obstructions; seal any duct leakage; verify correct refrigerant charge; and inspect system for any other needed maintenance or repairs. This will help ensure your system is operating efficiently and likely will extend its life.

HEADQUARTERS

225 S. Main St., Salem

DISTRICT OFFICES

824 Hwy 56, Ash Flat

1520 Hwy 62/412 E., Mountain Home

CONTACT NAEC

(870) 895-3221 info@naeci.com

PAY/VIEW BILL

naeci.com ▶ Account Login

REPORT OUTAGE

(870) 895-3221

(844) 335-4461

NAEC App

naeci.com ▶ Outage Viewer

Electricity supplier seeks rate adjustment

North Arkansas Electric Cooperative's (NAEC's) wholesale electricity supplier, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC), is seeking to adjust wholesale power rates to provide an additional 5% in wholesale revenues.

The request was filed in December with the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC). If approved by the APSC, NAEC estimates that the adjustment would raise the average monthly NAEC residential member’s bill by $4.44. Money generated from the rate adjustment would be applied strictly to wholesale costs. No money from the rate adjustment will go to NAEC.

AECC's reason for the rate adjustment is due to the need to recover the increased cost of providing wholesale generation and transmission service to NAEC and the 16 other electric distribution co-ops, which includes operation and maintenance expenses and investment credit compensation AECC provides to the co-ops, as well as increased costs resulting from above-average economic inflation.

As a member-owned cooperative, NAEC is not concerned with stock prices or stockholder profits. It is our obligation to be upfront with our members about any and all issues, especially those that impact them financially. NAEC has passed through two wholesale rate decreases and three wholesale rate increases since 1984.

NAEC strives to keep retail rates in check. The co-op's mission remains to provide affordable, responsible and reliable electricity to the members we serve.

FOLLOW NAEC

Twitter.com/NorthARElectric Facebook.com/NorthARElectric

Osmose employees are inspecting poles throughout the service area.

Affected members will receive a postcard as well as an email if an adddress is on file. Inspections allow damaged poles to be repaired or replaced before causing outages.

ALYSSA PERRYMAN GSTUDIO/ADOBE STOCK

LIHEAP can help qualified members with electric bill

The federal government’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides help for qualifying members with their energy costs during the winter.

LIHEAP is administered by community action agencies. In NAEC’s service area, those are Ozark Opportunities and Northcentral Arkansas Development Council.

Winter assistance is expected to be available in January. We encourage members needing assistance to reach out to the agency serving their county for more information.

Ozark Opportunities serves residents in Baxter and Marion counties. Northcentral Arkansas Development Council serves residents in Fulton, Izard, Sharp and Stone counties. (Please see sidebar for the websites and phone numbers.)

The amount of help available varies based on a member’s income, number of people in the home and other factors.

Fulton

HOW ELEC TRICITY GETS TO YOU

step 1

Generation

Electricity is generated from various sources.

step 2

Step -Up Transformer

Voltage is increased to push the electricity over long distances.

step 3

Transmission Power Lines

Lines carr y electricity over long distances.

step 4

Transmission Substation

Voltage is lowered so electricity can travel across the local system.

step 5

Distribution Substation

Voltage is lowered further for safe distribution.

step 6

Distribution Power Lines

Electricity travels across these lines in your community.

step 7 Final Stop

transformer reduces

is sent to your home.