Cooperatives Prepare for Freezing Weather

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With predicted severe winter weather bearing down on the state, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. of Little Rock is getting ready.

The statewide generation and transmission cooperative for the state’s 17 electric cooperatives said it’s monitoring conditions, staying alert and bracing to continue providing wholesale energy to nearly 600,000 electric cooperative members.

Arctic weather is expected to move into the state this weekend and early next week. AECC said in a news release that its power stations are prepared to meet demand around the state.

“The facilities are located throughout the state and include natural gas, coal and hydroelectric generation resources,” the release said.

The company is a member of two regional transmission organizations, Midcontinent Independent System Operator, known as MISO, in eastern Arkansas and Southwest Power Pool of Little Rock 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,” AECC said.

Cooperative members have been asked to monitor communications from their local cooperatives. Arkansas Electric Cooperative Inc., the statewide cooperative association, reported that line crews at all co-ops are on alert and ready to respond to any power outages.

“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.”