DAVID VONDRAN CEO/GENERAL MANAGER
EPA’s power plant rule wrong for Arkansas’ future
Keeping the lights on is job No. 1 for Arkansas’ 17 electric cooperatives, which provide reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than 1.2 million homes, farms and businesses across our state.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making our job more difficult.
In May, the EPA published its final power plant rule regulating greenhouse gases from existing coal and new natural gas-based power plants. EPA’s rule jeopardizes affordable and reliable electricity by forcing the premature closure of always-available power plants while also making it more complicated to permit, site and build mission critical power plants.
This rule couldn’t come at a worse time for Arkansas and our nation. Electricity demand is surging, meanwhile the EPA is forcing dramatic cuts to our energy supply and potentially our national security.
Data centers, new manufacturing facilities and our daily lives require more and more electricity. In fact, U.S. power consumption is expected to rise to record highs this year and next. National grid planners forecast that by 2028, demand for electricity will grow by an additional 38 gigawatts. That’s like adding another California to the grid.
Meanwhile, our supply of electricity is already decreasing as always-available power plants are being prematurely shut down. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has warned that 19 states — including Arkansas — could see rolling blackouts during times of high electrical usage over the next five years.
You might be wondering why electric cooperatives can’t just use more solar and wind energy. The answer is: We are. But solar and wind simply can’t meet our state’s needs alone when the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow.
Here’s just one example: Winter Storm Uri. In February 2021, for 58 hours, the five wind facilities we depend on produced virtually no power. No electricity means no lights. No internet. And no heat. That can be deadly during winter storms.
When supply can’t meet demand, prices go up and the lights go off. These EPA rules will increase energy costs and reduce reliability for consumers everywhere, especially in rural America.
There still is hope that common sense will prevail. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) — the association that represents nearly 900 of America’s electric cooperatives — immediately filed a lawsuit against the EPA to block the rule after it was finalized. That lawsuit is moving through the courts and a decision is expected by the middle of next year.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas have one mission: To provide reliable, affordable and responsible electricity for our members. Unfortunately, the EPA’s power plant rule is standing in the way. It could lead to more blackouts, higher costs and greater uncertainty for Arkansans. That’s a future we’re working every day to avoid.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s power plant rule jeopardizes the future of affordable and reliable energy.
2024 Holiday Card Art Contest winner announced!
We are excited to announce that the winner of our 2024 Holiday Card Art Contest is Kinsley R. Kinsley’s artwork was featured on C & L Electric’s Holiday Card, and she will receive copies of the cards along with a $25 gift card. With so many amazing entries, C & L Electric employees had a hard time narrowing down the talented artwork to just three. Find our two runners up and our honorable mentions at clelectric.com/holidaycard
Thank you to everyone who participated!
C & L ANNOUNCES OUTAGE TEXTING ALERTS
As of October, members with a cellphone number linked to a C & L Electric account will be automatically enrolled in outage text alerts. These alerts will come from (870) 628-4221. This is not a scam, and members can opt out at any time.
Texting is the easiest and most convenient way to let C & L Electric know that your power is out. Save (870) 628-4221 in your phone contacts to use to report outages in the future. When you use this option, there is no waiting or busy signals.
Opting Out of Text Alerts
Any member that does not want to remain enrolled for text alerts should simply text “QUIT” to (870) 628-4221 to opt-out. Once opted out, you will not receive C & L Electric outage or emergency-related information through texts. If you change your mind and want to opt back in, simply text “CLE” from your cellphone to (870) 628-4221. Please note that standard text and data rates may apply.
IMPORTANT
Your mobile number must be in our database associated with your account. If your number has changed, and you have not updated it on your C & L account, you have a couple of options:
•Call (870) 628-4221 to update your information.
• Visit clelectric.com/update-member-info to update your phone number.
Note: This number is not monitored for comments or questions. This service is for automated reporting of outages only.
900 Church St. (870) 628-4221
Hours: Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
SHERIDAN OFFICE
1586 S. Rock St. (870) 942-2732
Hours: Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-11 a.m., 12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.
BOARD MEMBERS
Frank Wilson
John Ed Ashcraft
Lawrence “Bubba” Hudson II
Charles S. Searcy
Philip C. “Phil” Wilson
William “Bubba” Humphrey
Robert Wilson Floyd
Keith Griffin
Tony Cathey
Our Offices will be closed Dec. 24-25 for Christmas and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day.
Three employees retire from C & L Electric
Congratulations to Jennifer Walker, Johnny Pevey and Tommy Judkins on their retirement from C & L Electric Cooperative. The cooperative recently honored them with a luncheon in celebration of their retirement. They were recognized for their contributions and time of service. Each were given an engraved rifle commemorating their career at the cooperative. We wish them long, happy and healthy retirements.
Jennifer Walker joined the cooperative in 2001 and served as a consumer accounts representative. She was promoted to operations assistant in 2014. She has been an important part of the operations and service departments providing plenty of humor and wit. She plans to travel with her husband, Mike, and spend more time with her children, Emily Walker Smith (Kameron); Abby Walker Bristow (Pierce); Caleb Walker and grandchildren, Cohen Smith and Olivia Bristow.
Johnny Pevey joined C & L in 1984 as a right-of-way crew member trainee. He was promoted to serviceman in 1990, where he worked until 2017 when he was promoted to right-of-way supervisor. After 40 years of service and dedication to the cooperative, he intends to take an Alaskan cruise with his wife, Renee, and spend more time hunting and fishing with his grandsons.
Tommy Judkins began his career at C & L in 2003 as a right-of-way crew member. He was promoted to apprentice lineman in 2006 and became a journeyman lineman in 2014. His fellow lineman say that Tommy’s work was the neatest and “high quality” work that they have seen and that his work stood out from the rest. Tommy will be spending more time traveling and visiting his children and grandchildren.
Jennifer Walker
Johnny Pevey
Tommy Judkins