north arkansas electric cooperative edition
Report outage by phone, web or mobile app
Reporting via Phone
Help “beat the peak” on the hottest days by washing and drying laundry at night.
Reporting via Mobile App
Help lower wholesale power cost by limiting peak usage
Please call 870-895-3221. Log in to the app and complete the following steps: • Select the account experiencing an outage. • Tap the menu icon in the top left corner. • Tap the “Report an Outage” menu option. • Add your phone number and any comments, such as the outage cause, if known. • Tap “Report an Outage.” The app will confirm your outage has been submitted to our dispatch center.
Reporting via Outage Viewer
Visit www.naeci.com. Click on “Outage Viewer” under the “Outage Center” menu tab. Then click the “Report Outage” link and enter the requested information. 22
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Members can help keep NAEC’s wholesale power costs in check by reducing electricity usage during peak demand times in the summer months. Everyone using less on-peak power means lower wholesale power costs for the co-op, which ultimately benefits all members. NAEC uses advertising on local radio stations to request members’ help to “beat the peak.” Members can do this by delaying any unnecessary use of electricity during the afternoon and early evening hours on the hottest days of each summer month. A general guide is a day with a heat index forecast of more than 100 can be a peak alert day. Here are several easy ways residential members can help reduce the co-op’s peak: • Turn up the thermostat a degree or two. • Run the dishwasher at night and only when it is full. • Use the washer and dryer during the early morning hours or at night and only when there is a full load. • Cook lunch and dinner with appliances that use less electricity, such as the microwave, slow cooker or toaster oven, rather than larger appliances, such as the oven or range. • Turn off lighting and electronics, such as computers or televisions, not being used. • Use automatic timers to run hot tubs and pool pumps during off-peak hours.
NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
IMAGES: TOUCHSTONE ENERGY; GARY BEAN
NAEC requests members always report an outage. This often helps employees pinpoint the outage’s cause and restore service quicker. The co-op offers three ways for members to notify the dispatch center of an outage.
Goodwin, Wiles re-elected to Board of Directors
NAEC requests feedback via member survey
my co-op
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative members re-elected Larry Goodwin and Dennis Wiles to six-year terms on the NAEC Board of Directors. Goodwin represents members in Sharp County and ran unopposed. Wiles represents members in Izard County and ran against Phyllis Wolfe. Survey & Ballot Systems of Minnesota conducted the election on NAEC’s behalf. Each member was mailed a ballot the first week of May, and ballots received by Survey & Ballot Systems by June 2 were considered valid. Attorney Roger Morgan announced the election results during the 80th Annual Meeting at NAEC’s Salem office June 4. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Annual Meeting consisted of only a business session with all present wearing masks and maintaining social Goodwin distance. The meeting streamed live on the NAEC website. To view a recording of the meeting, please visit www.naeci. com/naec-annual-meeting. During the meeting, CEO Mel Coleman and co-op senior staff shared updates from their respective areas. Gov. Asa Hutchinson also recorded a message to NAEC members that was played. “We had a great 80th Annual Meeting planned for our membership,” Wiles Coleman said. “We were disappointed that we were not able to continue our traditional format, but the health and safety of our members, directors and employees always is our main priority. Once it is safe to do so, we look forward to hosting appreciation events at our offices and having the chance to visit with our members.”
NAEC appreciates feedback from our members and is conducting a survey this month. The printed survey may be found on the front page of The Messenger included in the June statements. The survey may be completed at www.naeci.com/ naec20 as well. In appreciation for members’ feedback, NAEC will draw from completed surveys received by July 8, 2020, for 12 Visa gift cards. More co-op news on page 26 NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
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north arkansas electric cooperative edition
LIHEAP can help qualifying members with electric bills The federal government’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides help for qualifying members with their energy costs during the summer and winter. LIHEAP is administered by community action agencies. In NAEC’s service area, those are Ozark Opportunities and Northcentral Arkansas Development Council. Summer assistance was not available yet when Arkansas Living went to print, but we encourage members needing assistance to reach out to the agency serving their county for more information. Ozark Opportunities serves residents in Baxter and Marion counties. Northcentral Arkansas Development Council serves residents in Fulton, Izard, Sharp and Stone counties. (Please see sidebars for phone numbers.) The amount of help available varies based on a member’s income, number of people in the household and other factors. NAEC tries to work with members who are experiencing hardships. As a reminder, the co-op will not disconnect anyone for nonpayment with the governor’s state of emergency declaration in place. Members with questions or concerns about their account my reach a member service representative by emailing info@naeci.com or calling 870-895-3221 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. As the suspension is not a bill waiver, we encourage you to pay at least some if able. This will keep you from having such a large balance when disconnection procedures resume.
Northcentral Arkansas Development Council
www.nadcinc.org Fulton County 870-895-3628 Izard County 870-368-4329 Sharp County 870-994-7353 Stone County 870-269-4381 Ozark Opportunities
www.ozarkopp.org Baxter County 870-425-5118 Marion County 870-449-6250
Internet | Television | Phone Proudly built for NAEC members www.mynextfiber.com 26 22
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NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE