SEPTEMBER 2020
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
Never forget bill with auto bank draft Automatic bank draft is the most convenient payment method NAEC offers, especially while lobbies remain closed to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. Enrolling in this free service ensures the bill is paid on time each month. It also eliminates the cost of a stamp or time spent in the drivethrough lane. Automatic bank draft is an electronic transfer from your checking or savings account to NAEC’s each month. You can continue to receive an itemized statement of the bill. On or about the 10th of every month, the amount of the bill is deducted from your account. To enroll in automatic bank draft, please call 870-895-3221 to speak with a member service representative. You also can sign up for bank draft by logging into your account on the Member Account Portal at www.naeci.com.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR HUNTERS
This hunting season, we encourage all members to be aware of electrical equipment and take necessary precautions while hunting. Keep these safety tips in mind as you enjoy the great outdoors.
Take notice of posted warning signs and keep clear of electrical equipment.
Do not shoot at or near power lines or insulators.
Know where power lines and equipment are located on the land where you hunt.
Be especially careful in wooded areas where power lines may not be as visible.
Do not place deer stands on utility poles or climb poles. Energized lines and equipment can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them, causing shock or electrocution.
Do not place decoys on power lines or other utility equipment. Any non-electrical equipment attached to a pole can pose an obstruction and serious hazards to our line crews.
Stay safe: Dial 811 before digging Before building a fence, planting a tree or beginning other projects that require digging, remember to dial 811 first. Underground utilities, such as buried electric, gas and water lines, can be a shovel thrust away from turning a project into a disaster. Stay safe by dialing 811 to find out where utility lines run on your property. Your call will be routed to a local “one-call” center. Tell the operator where you’re planning to dig and what type of work you will be doing. A locator then will designate the approximate location of any underground lines, pipes and cables at no charge. These areas will be marked with flags or paint, so you’ll know what’s below. Then the safe digging can begin.
Rebuilt Southland Substation goes online in Mountain Home North Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s rebuilt Southland Substation is now online and serving more than 1,150 Mountain Home members. The substation is located on Pebblecreek Drive off of the Sheid-Hopper Bypass. The original structure was destroyed by fire following a lightning strike June 7, 2019. “We are happy to announce the new substation’s completion,” CEO Mel Coleman said. “We truly appreciate the patience shown by members this past year as construction required occasional planned outages for the safety of our employees and contractors.” A temporary substation was constructed by NAEC with equipment from Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation immediately after the fire. It operated while the site was cleared and a new substation built. “NAEC employees built a temporary substation from scratch in 16 hours,” Coleman said. “That is a testament not only to their skill but also to their dedication to those we serve.” The transformer and remaining equipment from the temporary substation will be removed from the site in the coming weeks. “Southland originally was built in 1984, and the new substation employs more advanced technology,” Vice President of Engineering Jason Strong said. “Employees now can operate its feeders and breakers from our 24/7 dispatch center and have access to additional data, which will facilitate faster outage restoration.”
Many NAEC employees contributed to the rebuilding of the Southland Substation. They included, from left: Shannon Beard, Jay Jones, Shawn Hardin and Benton Hardin.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH Clothes dryers make up a large portion of your appliance energy consumption. Clean the lint filter after each cycle, and scrub the filter with a toothbrush once a month to remove film and increase air circulation. — energy.gov
HAPPY LABOR DAY — NAEC’s offices will be closed Sept. 7. Crews will be on call in the event of an outage. Report an outage by using the app or calling 870-895-3221.
DAILY HIGHS & LOWS — JULY 2020 Average Daily High: 92.23° compared to 90.97° in 2019
TEMPERATURE
Average Daily Low: 70.67° compared to 67.5° in 2019 Total Rainfall Amount: 8.88” compared to 2.96” in 2019 Warmest Day: July 20, 98° at 5 p.m. Coolest Day: July 13, 63.3° at 5 a.m.
DAYS
CONTACT NAEC 870-895-3221 info@naeci.com naeci.com
IMAGES: TORI MOSS; ISTOCK/SMARTSTOCK
RIGHT-OF-WAY Ravenden and Ozark Acres out of Hardy; Salem to Oxford on Highway 9; Salem, Glencoe and Ash Flat along Highway 62
ON THE FRONT The newly rebuilt Southland Substation serves more than 1,150 members in Mountain Home.