JULY 2021
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
Members re-elect Short North Arkansas Electric Cooperative members re-elected 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, Annual Meeting consisted of only a business session again this year. The meeting streamed live. A recording is posted at naeci.com/ naec-annual- meeting. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! — Our offices will be closed July 5. In case of an outage, please call 870-895-3221 or use the NAEC app to report to dispatcher on duty.
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.
Except in case of fire, remain in vehicle if accident involves 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 de-energized 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. If you see smoke or fire coming from the vehicle, 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. A power line still can be energized even if it is not sparking, moving or making a sound. Always assume downed lines are energized and dangerous.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH In the summer, run large appliances that emit heat, such as clothes dryers and dishwashers, during the evening when it’s cooler. If available, make use of the dishwasher’s delayed-start feature. This will minimize indoor heat during the day. — energy.gov