MAY 2021
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
MESSAGE FROM CEO
Some third-party payment services mail NAEC a check. That can lead to NAEC receiving payment after the due date. Pay through NAEC’s free methods for the fastest processing.
Retiring coal plants early could affect reliability February’s record cold spell not only caused heating systems to work overtime, but it also highlighted the drawback of relying too heavily on one source of electricity generation — in this case, natural gas. As a publicly traded commodity, the price of natural gas is dependent on supply and demand. During the week of Feb. 14, prices increased 10 to 100 times normal as supplies decreased due to frozen wells in Texas and Oklahoma and demand increased across several states. Because of this potential for volatility, NAEC’s wholesale power provider Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation strives See RELIABILITY on back.
Using third-party payment options often leads to delayed processing NAEC wants members to be aware of possible drawbacks to using third-party payment services. All payment methods provided by the co-op include no additional charge; however, many third-party payment services charge their users a fee. Also, some third-party payment services mail NAEC a check for the electric bill once a user pays them rather than using a direct payment method. Depending on when the payment is processed, this could lead to the co-op not receiving payments by the due date. NAEC offers several payment options. The most convenient is automatic bank draft. Enrolling in this free service ensures the bill is paid on time each month and eliminates the cost of a stamp or trip through the drive-through lane. Automatic bank draft is an electronic transfer from a member’s checking or savings account to NAEC’s each month. The member will continue to receive an itemized statement of the bill unless he or she prefers E-Bill notifications only. On or about the 10th of each month, the amount of the bill will be deducted from the account. To enroll in automatic bank draft, please call NAEC at 870-895-3221 during regular business hours or sign up through the Member Account Portal at naeci.com. Other NAEC payment methods include: • Member Account Portal — Go to naeci.com, click “Account Login” and enter user ID and password. If using for the first time, please click “New User” to get started. The system accepts payments from a checking or savings account as well as a debit or credit card. • NAEC Mobile App — Log in to an account using the free app. • Phone — Call 870-895-3221 to make a payment with a Member Services employee during business hours or any time through our automated system. • NAEC offices — Visit the Salem or Mountain Home drive-throughs 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, or drop a payment in the night deposit box available at each office. (No cash please.) • Mail — Send a payment in the return envelope enclosed in the statement. Please note: NAEC’s fiber internet subsidiary NEXT cannot receive electronic funds transfers from third parties, such as banks, at this time.
ATTENTION MEMBERS WITH OUTSTANDING BALANCES — The Arkansas Public Service Commission’s moratorium on disconnects for nonpayment will be lifted May 3, 2021. Payment arrangements for past-due balances may be made by contacting NAEC at 870-895-3221 during business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or completing the form at naeci.com/covidDPA.