APRIL 2020
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
NAEC closes lobbies until April 20 North Arkansas Electric Cooperative and NEXT, Powered by NAEC are taking preventative measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19. “We want to assure our members that we are prepared to continue to be their reliable electric provider and do not anticipate any interruptions in electric service,” said CEO Mel Coleman. “The safety of our employees and our members is our first priority. As such, we are taking precautions.” NAEC lobbies in Salem, Mountain Home and Ash Flat as well as the Salem office’s Orange Room are closed to the public until at least April 20. In addition, energy audits and in-home high-bill investigations are postponed. Employees who must enter homes and businesses are practicing preventative measures, such as avoiding close contact and sanitizing hands. Members may conduct business with NAEC and NEXT via phone at 870895-3221, the Salem or Mountain Home drivethroughs or the drop-boxes found at each office. NAEC members can access their account through the Member Account Portal at naeci.com or the NAEC mobile app. Any member who needs more time to pay their electric bill is asked to call NAEC. NEXT subscribers can access their account portal at mynextfiber.com. Those See COVID-19 on back.
Let’s thank lineworkers for powering our lives!
Lineworker Appreciation Day April 13, 2020
NAEC mailing members’ capital credit certificates this month If you had electric service with North Arkansas Electric Cooperative in 2019, you should receive your capital credit certificate for that service later this month. These certificates are notices only and cannot be cashed or used as credit against electric bills. They are the co-op’s way of informing you of the amount assigned to your account in capital credits for the year. The cooperative business structure is different from most. NAEC does not return the money earned to an unknown Members’ Economic Participation investor or stockholder. Cooperative profThe third of seven Cooperative Principles its, called margins, are assigned to you, the states members contribute equitably to, owners, who are also users of the co-op’s and democratically control, the capital services. of their cooperative. These margins are assigned on a prorated basis according to the amount of electricity used during the year in question. When and how much of your capital credits will be refunded depends on whether the co-op’s financial condition warrants such a refund. The decision to refund capital credits is a complex one because margins represent system equity. This equity is essential to the co-op’s financial strength. If NAEC returns too much of the system’s equity as capital credits, then it could jeopardize our standing with See CAPITAL CREDITS on back.