NAEC tackling dead trees along lines to avoid potential outages
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NAEC) and contractors are continuing to eliminate the threat dead trees pose to the more than 5,000 miles of line that make up the distribution system.
When dead trees in and near the right-of-way inevitably fall, they often take power lines and poles down with them. This not only poses a safety concern for members of the public but also causes sometimeslengthy outages for NAEC members while line personnel must repair the damage.
"For the past year, the co-op has taken a more proactive, systematic, circuit-by-circuit approach to these dead trees," said James Woody, vice president of operations. "The past few years, we've seen an increase in the number of dead trees, particularly ash trees, along our lines, and that has led to increased outages for our membership when storms or time eventually take them."
For the remainder of the year, NAEC employees and contractors will concentrate on the dead trees that are along the power lines, "topping off" dead trees inside of the right-of-way as well as dead trees outside of the right-of-way that will reach power lines when they fall.
As is consistent with NAEC's policy, crews will leave the dead tree or tree sections on the property where they do not cause an access issue.
NAEC members can help prevent future tree-related outages by considering the location before planting a new one. Guidelines include:
• Do not plant shrubs or trees within 30 feet of the power lines. Any vegetation taller than 10 feet in that area will be trimmed or removed.
• Plant medium trees that will be less than 40 feet tall when mature at least 30 feet away from power lines.
• Plant larger trees that will be more than 40 feet tall when mature at least 50 feet away from lines.
• Contact Arkansas 811 so that underground utilities may be marked at no cost. Dial 811, visit arkansas811.com or use the Arkansas 811 app at least two working days before digging is scheduled.
Members may email info@naeci.com or call (870) 895-3221 during NAEC business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays with questions.
Dead trees eventually will fall and often take down lines and snap electric poles in the process.
PAUL GARRISON
Dead trees in and near NAEC's right-of-way will be "topped off" so that they no longer pose a threat to the system.
Safety in a show
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS
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.
NAEC (870) 895-3221 info@naeci.com
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Electric safety important when hunting
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.
As you prepare for hunting season, keep in mind that along with general hunting safety, electrical safety should be a priority.
You might be preoccupied and excited about the big hunt, but be aware of power lines. Never place a tree stand on a utility pole or near a power line. Energized lines and related equipment on utility poles can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them, causing shock or electrocution.
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.
It is illegal to shoot near or toward power lines, utility poles, transformers or substations. Stray bullets or pellets could damage equipment, possibly interrupting electric service and causing physical risks to those nearby or line personnel forced to make repairs.
For your safety, follow these additional electrical safety tips:
• Familiarize yourself with the area before heading out to hunt. Take note of power lines and equipment, especially when hunting in densely wooded areas.
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.
• Observe all signs or postings that advise electrical safety, especially when scouting out a location for your tree stand.
• Look up and look out for power lines, and do not come within 10 feet of an overhead line or pole when setting up or taking down a stand.
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.
• Never climb a utility pole.
• Do not place dove decoys on power lines or other utility equipment. Nonelectrical attachments can pose an obstruction and serious hazards to our lineworkers.
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.
For more information about safety around power lines and other sources of electricity, go to safeelectricity.org
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.
OUTAGE (870) 895-3221 (844) 335-4461
NAEC App naeci.com ▶ Outage Viewer
FOLLOW NAEC Twitter.com/NorthARElectric Facebook.com/NorthARElectric NAEC's offices will be closed Sept. 2 in observance of Labor Day. A dispatcher will be on duty, and personnel will be on call in the event of an outage. Report an outage to the NAEC app or (870) 895-3221.
(870) 895-3221 (844) 335-4461 NAEC App naeci.com ▶ Outage Viewer 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.
Magician Scott Davis teaches 4-H Kids College attendees how to stay safe around electricity through his "Making Accidents Disappear" show at Ozarka College in Ash Flat. The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas sponsor the show across the state.
EPA rule threatens electric reliability
In May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule that impacts energy production from power plants. The power plant rule will threaten access to reliable electricity for our local community and communities across the country.
The rule constrains existing coal and new natural gas plants by requiring them to install carbon capture and storage (CCS) –– a technology that has potential but has not been proven to be viable as required. No power plant in North America currently uses CCS at the scale and levels mandated by EPA. When power plants aren’t able to comply with EPA’s CCS requirements, they will be required to shut down, significantly limit operations or switch fuels. These unrealistic standards will force the unnecessary and early shutdown of many power plants that currently provide reliable electricity 24/7.
Intermittent sources, such as solar and wind, are important components of our Balance of Power generation mix. But given the intermittent nature of these energy sources, we simply cannot depend on them because the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine. The need for always-available power generating resources is still essential.
The timing of the power plant rule is equally troubling. At the same time the EPA is leading our nation down the path to fewer power plants, utilities are facing a surge
in electricity demand — driven by the onshoring of manufacturing, the growth of the American economy and the rapid expansion of data centers to support artificial intelligence, e-commerce and cryptocurrency.
Many states have already experienced rolling outages, and if the supply of electricity is further threatened by the EPA’s power plant rule, the problem will only get worse. In fact, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the nation’s electric reliability watchdog, recently forecasted that over the next five years, all or parts of 19 states are at high risk of rolling power outages during normal peak electricity demand conditions.
It’s also no secret that when demand is high and supply is low, costs go up. We’re concerned about threats to reliability as well as cost increases to our members.
Just as electric cooperatives have always done, we will look for solutions that serve our members best. We are joining electric co-ops across the country to fight these regulations, and we are working with our local elected officials to help them understand the consequences this would have on all.
Electric cooperatives deliver power to 42 million Americans. At the end of the day, our top priority is to meet our members’ energy needs, and we must have reliable electricity available to do that.
For more information, visit aecc.com/balance-of-power.
