Little Rock, Arkansas — January 12, 2024 — As Arkansas braces for extreme winter weather in the coming days, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC), the generation and transmission cooperative for the 17 local electric cooperatives in Arkansas, is closely monitoring conditions, remaining alert and prepared to provide wholesale energy to nearly 600,000 electric cooperative members.
A pattern of significant arctic weather is predicted to move into Arkansas this weekend and early next week. While details of predicted storms are uncertain, AECC’s power generation facilities are prepared to meet demand. The facilities are located throughout the state and include natural gas, coal and hydroelectric generation resources.
AECC is a member of two Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs): Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) in the eastern part of the state and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) in the western part of the state. Both MISO and SPP are monitoring the impending extreme situation and have projected very high electricity usage during the winter weather.
Electric cooperative members are advised to continue monitoring communications from their local electric cooperatives regarding the winter weather. Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., the statewide cooperative association for Arkansas, and line crews at the 17 local electric cooperatives are on alert to efficiently and safely respond to any power outages that might occur during the upcoming weather event.
“Although weather can be unpredictable, at AECC, we work to provide reliable, affordable wholesale power to our members 24/7,” said Jonathan Oliver, chief operations officer for AECC. “While AECC has prepared for the worst weather possible, unforeseen events can always occur. We suggest that consumers monitor messages from their local electric cooperatives regarding any local weather-related outages and potential requests to safely conserve power usage.”
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise the 17 electric distribution cooperatives; Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based cooperative that provides services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC), a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 600,000 homes, farms and businesses in Arkansas and surrounding states.
For additional information, contact:
Rob Roedel, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, (501) 570-2296 or email Rob.