The cold temperatures have caused an increase in energy usage, and electric cooperatives and other utilities in Arkansas and surrounding states have reached a point where demand has nearly exceeded the capacity. North Arkansas Electric Cooperative is requesting its members to limit non-essential usage to ensure service doesn’t get interrupted.
NAEC CEO Mel Coleman was live during the morning newscast on KTLO and Classic Hits 101.7, and he says the cooperative is not expecting any major system-wide problems, but it does remain a possibility.
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To assist in avoiding rolling brownouts, cooperative members are being asked to rotate the use of their appliances. Another helpful tip is to turn the thermostat down two or three degrees, if not more. Coleman says these steps are not only helpful to NAEC, but it also effects the entire grid, because a generating station going down in a surrounding state could have a negative effect.
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North Arkansas Electric Cooperative serves 37,000 active accounts throughout seven counties. The headquarters is located in Salem, and full-service offices are located in Mountain Home and Ash Flat. For more information, visit naeci.com or call 870-895-3221.
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