DECEMBER 2022
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
NAEC returning $2.9 million to members North Arkansas Electric Cooperative will return $2,911,193 in capital credits to members in December. This marks the 35th consecutive year NAEC has refunded margins and brings the total returned to members to more than $44 million since the co-op was founded 83 years ago.
What are capital credits?
Unlike investor-owned utilities, NAEC operates as a not-for-profit cooperative and is owned by the members we serve. At the end of each year, the co-op subtracts, on a taxable basis, operating expenses from the amount of money earned through rates. The remaining balance is called taxable margins. Taxable margins left over at the end of the year are allocated, or assigned, to each member’s account based on the amount of electricity for which each was billed. Each member receives a capital credit certificate annually detailing how much of the previous year’s margins was allocated to his or her account. The capital is then retained by NAEC to use as operating capital for a period of time. This decreases the need to raise rates or borrow money to build, maintain and expand a reliable electric distribution system. Every fall, the NAEC Board of Directors evaluates the overall financial condition of the co-op and decides the amount of capital, if any, to refund.
Will I receive a refund?
The retirement represents 57.3% of the margins assigned for 1998 and 16.01% of the margins assigned for 2021. Only members who were billed for electricity during the years above will receive a refund in 2022.
How are refunds given?
Refunds will be distributed after Dec. 1. Members with a refund of less than $50 will receive a credit on their December statement. Members with a refund of $50 or more will receive a check in the mail. Non-active members with a refund of more than $2 will receive a check in the mail as well. That is why it's important to maintain a current mailing address on file with NAEC if you ever move off of co-op lines.
How many refunds will be given?
NAEC will mail approximately 20,000 checks to current and former members and apply approximately 22,000 bill credits.
How do I get more information?
Visit naeci.com/capital-credits, email info@naeci.com or call 870-895-3221. You also can visit an NAEC office in Salem, Mountain Home or Ash Flat. We are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Members’ small change funds scholarships, nonprofit grants If you would like to help fund scholarships to local high school graduates and grants to nonprofits, then please consider joining NAEC’s Operation Round Up® program. Members who join Operation Round Up agree to have their electric bill “rounded up” to the next even dollar amount each month. Enroll by calling 870-895-3221, visiting an NAEC office or completing the form at naeci.com/operation-round-up. Some members support Operation Round Up by donating their capital credits refund. If you would like to donate your refund, then please endorse your check and mail it to NAEC at P.O. Box 1000; Salem, AR 72576. You also can drop it off at an NAEC office. Donations to Operation Round Up are greatly appreciated and tax deductible. MERRY CHRISTMAS — NAEC’s offices will be closed Dec. 23, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Personnel will be on call. You may report an outage to the dispatcher on duty by entering information into NAEC app or Outage Viewer at naeci.com. You also can call 870-895-3221.
Explore ways to fight winter chill, save energy NAEC wants to help you manage your home energy use and keep winter bills in check. Here are five tips to help increase your home’s energy efficiency this winter:
Mind the thermostat. This is one of the easiest ways to manage your home energy use. We recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees (or as close to that as possible) when you’re home. When you’re sleeping or away for an extended period of time, try setting it between 58 and 62 degrees; there’s no need to heat your home when you’re away or sleeping and less active. Button up your home. The U.S. Department of
Energy estimates that air leaks account for 24% to 40% of the energy used for heating and cooling a home. Caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors is another simple, cost-effective way to increase comfort and save energy. If you can feel drafts while standing near a window or door, it likely needs to be sealed.
Use window coverings wisely. Open blinds,
drapes or other window coverings during the day to
POLE INSPECTIONS — NAEC contractor Osmose is inspecting poles in Henderson, Viola and surrounding areas through December. Employees drive trucks and wear apparel with Osmose logo. Inspections help prevent future outages.
allow natural sunlight in to warm your home. Close them at night to keep the cold, drafty air out. If you feel cold air around windows, consider hanging curtains or drapes in a thicker material; heavier window coverings can make a significant difference in blocking cold outdoor air.
Consider your approach to appliance use.
When combined, appliances and electronics account for a significant chunk of our home energy use, so assess how efficiently you’re using them. For example, if you’re running the dishwasher or clothes washer, only wash full loads. Look for electronic devices that consume energy even when they’re not in use, such as phone chargers or game consoles.
Think outside the box. If you’re still feeling chilly
at home, think of other ways to warm up — beyond dialing up the thermostat. Add layers of clothing, wear thick socks and bundle up under blankets. You can even add layers to your home. If you have hard-surface flooring, consider purchasing an area rug to block cold air that leaks in through the floor.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH Blocked air vents force your heating system to work harder than necessary and increase pressure in the ductwork, which can cause cracks and leaks. Ensure air vents are unobstructed from furniture, drapes or other items. If necessary, purchase a vent extender, which can be placed over a vent to redirect air flow from underneath furniture. — energy.gov
DAILY HIGHS & LOWS — OCTOBER 2022 Average Daily High: 72.67° compared to 73.7° in 2021
TEMPERATURE
Average Daily Low: 44.17° compared to 51.47° in 2021 Total Rainfall Amount: 1.81” compared to 4.06” in 2021 Warmest Day: Oct. 10, 82.7° at 3 p.m. Coolest Day: Oct. 19, 26.3° at 7 a.m.
DAYS
CONTACT NAEC 870-895-3221 info@naeci.com naeci.com
RIGHT-OF-WAY ROW work is finished for 2022.
IMAGES: TORI MOSS; KEENAN/ ADOBE STOCK; JASON/ADOBE STOCK
ON THE FRONT Kadance Brewer of Viola receives new athletic shoes through NAEC’s Sole Power Project. All public school third graders in the co-op’s territory were given shoes again this year.