north arkansas electric cooperative
Short reelected to NAEC Board of Directors
Conserving during hottest times helps lower co-op’s power bill Members can help keep NAEC’s wholesale power costs in check by reducing electricity usage during peak demand times. 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, if not being used. • Use automatic timers to run hot tubs and pool pumps during off-peak hours. 22
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IMAGES: DUSANPETKOVIC1/ADOBE; JAMES WOODY
Members doing laundry at night can help “beat the peak” and lower NAEC’s power bill.
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative members reelected Jim Short to a six-year term on the NAEC Board of Directors. Short, who lives in Salem, represents members in Fulton County. He ran unopposed and has been an NAEC director since 2013. 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 1 were considered valid. Attorney Roger Morgan announced the election results during the 81st Annual Meeting at NAEC’s Salem office June 3. CEO Mel Coleman and co-op senior staff also shared updates on their respective areas. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, NAEC’s Annual Meeting consisted of only a business session again this year. The meeting streamed live. A recording is posted at naeci.com/naec-annualmeeting.
Know how to stay safe in car accident with pole North Arkansas Electric Cooperative personnel responded to a vehicle accident involving an electric pole on both May 25 and June 2. In both instances, the drivers avoided the threat of electrocution because they knew to remain in the vehicle and wait until line technicians had deenergized the downed lines before exiting. NAEC wants everyone to know how to stay safe if they are in a vehicle accident involving an electric pole, downed lines or pad-mounted transformer. To avoid electrocution, stay in your vehicle, call 911 and warn people outside of the vehicle to stay away. Emergency dispatchers will contact the appropriate electric utility. Remain inside the vehicle until line technicians have de-energized and removed any downed lines and given you the all-clear to exit.
The exception to remaining in the vehicle is if you see smoke or fire. Remember this method to help avoid electrocution when exiting. Open a door away from any visible downed lines, jump free from the vehicle and hop away with both feet together at least 40 feet. You cannot touch the vehicle and ground at the same time, so make sure you do not fall back into the vehicle once you land. If you see someone in trouble who could be exposed to an electric current, do not approach. You can help by calling 911 and keeping others away from the area. Always assume downed lines are energized and dangerous. A power line still can be energized even if it is not sparking, moving or making a sound. If you see downed lines, please stay clear and report them to NAEC at 870-895-3221 or local authorities immediately.
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NAEC personnel replace a pole broken during a vehicle accident June 2. The driver knew to stay in the vehicle and call 911, so line technicians could de-energize the downed lines before exiting the vehicle.
north arkansas electric cooperative
LIHEAP can help members pay electric bill during summer 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 (ozarkopp.org) and Northcentral Arkansas Development Council (nadcinc.org). Summer assistance should begin in July. NAEC encourages 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. 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. Members needing an extension may email info@naeci.com or call 870-895-3221. A member service representative can answer any questions or make an extension during business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Northcentral Arkansas Development Council Fulton County 870-895-3628 Izard County 870-368-4329 Sharp County 870-994-7353 Stone County 870-269-4381
Ozark Opportunities Baxter County 870-425-5118 Marion County 870-449-6250
Internet | Television | Phone Proudly built for NAEC members www.mynextfiber.com
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