2020 July North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Inc. The Messenger

JULY 2020

THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members

LIHEAP offers members help with electric bill 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 The Messenger went to print, but we encourage members needing assistance to reach out to the agency serving their county for more information. The amount of help available varies based on a member’s income, number of people in the household and other factors.

Ozark Opportunities serves residents in Baxter and Marion counties. It may be reached at 870-4255118.

Northcentral Arkansas Development Council serves residents in Fulton, Izard, Sharp and Stone counties. It may be reached at 870-793-5765.

NAEC always tries to work with members who are experiencing financial hardships.

Members needing an extension may send an email to info@naeci.com or call 870-895-3221. A member service representative can answer any questions.

Attorney Roger Morgan announces the results of the 2020 director election during the co-op’s 80th Annual Meeting at the Salem office June 4. Also pictured is Chairman Mike Dover.

Members re-elect Goodwin, Wiles Members re-elected Larry Goodwin and Dennis Wiles to six-year terms on the North Arkansas Electric Cooperative 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 distance.

The meeting streamed live on the NAEC website. To view a recording of the meeting, please visit www.naeci.com/ Goodwin 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,” 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 havWiles ing the chance to visit with our members.”

FEEDBACK REQUEST — Please visit www.naeci.com/naec20 to complete our 2020 member survey. It will be available through July 8.

Members can help lower power cost by limiting usage at peak 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 any 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 coop’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 offpeak hours.

Running the dishwasher at night rather during the afternoon or early evening hours in the summer can help “beat the peak” and lower NAEC’s wholesale power costs.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY — NAEC’s offices will be closed July 3. Crews will be on call in the event of an outage. Report an outage by using the app or calling 870-895-3221.

Spending more time at home? Try an online energy audit to assess the overall efficiency of your home. Visit www. energystar.gov, then enter “home energy yardstick” in the search box to get started.

— energy.gov

DAILY HIGHS & LOWS — MAY 2020 Average Daily High: 75.61° compared to 80.31° in 2019

TEMPERATURE

Average Daily Low: 53.27° compared to 56.2° in 2019 Total Rainfall Amount: 7.38” compared to 10.06” in 2019 Warmest Day: May 2, 89.6° at 2:30 p.m.

Coolest Day: May 9, 34.2° at 6:30 a.m.

DAYS

CONTACT NAEC 870-895-3221 info@naeci.com naeci.com

RIGHT-OF-WAY Nelsonville area of Sharp County

IMAGES: TORI MOSS; GARY BEAN; TOUCHSTONE ENERGY; FANCYCRAVE1/PIXABAY.COM

ON THE FRONT CEO Mel Coleman gives a co-op update during NAEC’s 80th Annual Meeting in Salem on June 4.