by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Conservation and advanced energy executives recently highlighted industry-related concerns, economic drivers and focus areas during the 7th annual Arkansas Environmental Policy Summit in Little Rock, hosted by Audubon Delta and multiple Arkansas environmental organizations.

Ted Thomas, former chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission, spoke about the high price of natural gas and how solar can be an economic driver. He cited Entergy Arkansas’ 250-megawatt solar farm that’s expected to provide electricity for the U.S. Steel Corp. plant in Mississippi County.

Thomas, who recently established a consulting company and started to collaborate with utility software firm Recurve, also noted the challenges the commission has faced to establish policies when some electric utilities and cooperatives pack the commission’s agenda with items that take precedence. As a result, the decisions on whether to approve new policies go to the back burner, such as demand response.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/11/environmental-advanced-energy-execs-talk-solar-regulatory-issues/

KUAR | By Remington Miller

Several energy and environmental groups collaborated on Saturday at an event geared toward educating Arkansans about electric vehicles.

Audubon Delta hosted “Drive Electric for Earth Day” outside the Little Rock Zoo. Owners of electric vehicles stayed on-site to answer questions and display the features of their cars.

Glen Hooks, Audobon Delta Arkansas policy manager, said in an interview the event was needed to allow people to interact with the vehicles.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-04-23/arkansas-groups-push-for-more-electronic-vehicle-awareness

Environmental, advanced energy execs talk solar, regulatory issues

Arkansas groups push for more electric vehicle awareness