AUGUST 2018
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
NEXT, Powered by NAEC bringing fiber-to-the-home to all members
App lets users pay bill, report outages and check usage With the NAEC Mobile App, members can pay their bill, report an outage and monitor their electric usage at any time. The free app is compatible with both Apple® and Android® devices. Log-in information is the same as the NAEC Member Account Portal at www.naeci.com. If logging in for the first time, use your account number (found in top left of your statement) in the first field and the same account number minus the last three digits in the second field. If you have trouble logging in, please call 870-895-3221 for assistance.
Labor Day Closing Our offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 3. Crews will be on call in case of an outage. Call 870-895-3221 or use our app to report.
The North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Board of Directors has approved the expansion of NEXT’s fiber-to-the-home network to all of the cooperative’s territory. NAEC formed the telecommunications subsidiary NEXT, Powered by NAEC in November 2015 to provide internet with speeds of up to one gigabit to three pilot areas in Baxter and Fulton counties. “The pilot project was a great success,” CEO Mel Coleman said. “We exceeded our goal of subscribers, and many have shared with us the benefits true broadband internet has brought to their families and businesses.” NAEC serves more than 36,600 member accounts across almost 5,000 miles of line. NEXT internet as well as phone and television services should reach all of them in approximately five years. The fiber-to-the-home network will be built in phases. Work is under way to determine which areas will be included in Phase Two. Potential subscribers in Phase Two will be mailed a packet on NEXT’s services once they can subscribe. “We hear daily from members wanting high-speed internet and the economic and educational benefits it can bring,” Coleman said. “We are excited to be our members’ local source for reliable, affordable broadband internet moving forward.” As construction of the fiber network progresses, look to www.naeci.com/next and www.facebook.com/NEXTbyNAEC for updates.
Operation Round Up awards 18 scholarships The member-supported Operation Round Up program awarded 18 scholarships to recent high school graduates for the 2018-2019 school year. Receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend Arkansas State University-Mountain Home are: Matty Dillard, Norfork High School; Megan Hiles, Calico Rock High School; and Destiny White, Viola High School. Receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend Ozarka College are: Mesa Barger, Melbourne High School; Abigail Brindley, Mammoth Spring High School; and Abby Greer, Salem High School. Receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend the university of their choosing are: Jared Alexander, Mammoth Spring High School; Sydney Brown, Calico Rock High School; Ragan Burris, Highland High School; Lenise Byrd, Izard County Consolidated High School; Alexa Darracq, Mountain Home High School; Caleb Davis, Calico Rock High School; Luke Foreman, Mountain Home High School; Hope Menendez, Mountain Home High School; Katelynn Miller, Highland High School; Elizabeth Pounds, Cave City High School; Allison Shands, Cave City High School; and Sydnie Zimmer, Mountain Home High School.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH Look for LED products and fixtures for outdoor use, such as pathway, step and porch lights. Many include features like automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors. You can also find solar-powered lighting for outdoor spaces. — energystar.gov
voltages of electricity that serve many homes in our communities.
Keep areas near transformers clear so that NAEC workers can safely maintain them as needed. Keep shrubs and structures at least 10 feet away from the door and 4 feet away from the sides.
Never touch, climb or play on pad-mounted transformers. Never put fingers, sticks or other objects through cracks in the transformer.
10 feet 4 feet
Report problems. If you notice anything amiss, such as an unlocked transformer, please contact NAEC immediately.
Never dig near a pad-mounted transformer. They are surrounded by underground cables. Hitting the cable could result in electrical shock or disruption of service. Always dial 8-1-1 before you dig.
Avoid the big green boxes Pad-mounted transformers (those big green boxes) carry high voltages of electricity that serve many homes and businesses in NAEC’s territory. Although safe, pad-mounted transformers are occasionally damaged by vehicles. Co-op employees regularly inspect them, but we ask that members stay clear and teach children to do the same for their safety.
DAILY HIGHS & LOWS — JUNE 2018 Average Daily High: 92.41 compared to 86.8 in 2017
TEMPERATURE
Average Daily Low: 66.85 compared to 62 in 2017 Total Rainfall Amount: 1.47” compared to 5.3” in 2017 Warmest Day: June 28, 100.6 degrees at 5 p.m. Coolest Day: June 4, 54.8 degrees at 6 a.m.
DAYS
CONTACT NAEC 870-895-3221 info@naeci.com naeci.com
IMAGES: CHRIS HICKMAN; ISTOCK.COM/BRUEV
RIGHT-OF-WAY West tree-trimming crews will be in the Viola, Mitchell and Wild Cherry areas.
ON THE FRONT NAEC’s delegates explore the U.S. Capitol on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour on June 12.