Arkansas governor’s order sparks hope of energy conservation

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

There are hopes that an executive order by Gov. Asa Hutchinson will lead to reduced energy consumption and costs savings. Members of the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association (AAEA) are celebrating executive order 22-01 which was signed by the governor in January. The association is made up of 160 members including public utilities, engineering firms, contractors and solar developers.

Matt Bell, a partner at Entegrity Energy Partners and a board member of the AAEA, spoke at a press conference Wednesday in the Rotunda of the state Capitol. He said the energy saving initiatives could lead to an annual cost savings of over 20%.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-02-10/arkansas-governors-order-sparks-hope-of-energy-conservation

Michael Hibblen/KUAR News

Former state senator and current Arkansas State University Vice President of University Relations Shane Broadway speaks at Wednesday's press conference by the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association.

Arkansas Utilities Call For People To Conserve Energy Or Face Planned Outages

By ALEXANDRIA BROWN & MICHAEL HIBBLEN

Arkansas utility companies are asking people to conserve electricity usage as the state braces for another round of winter weather. Companies say heavy snowfall and unusually cold temperatures have prompted many consumers to use a substantial amount of natural gas and electricity to stay warm in their homes.

Melody Daniel, a spokeswoman for the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, says lowering thermostats to within the 60 to 65 degree temperature range will help conserve power.

"Heating sources are the biggest draw during these extended cold weather events," Daniel said. "So, if you’re able to reduce that by about five degrees or so, and then bundle up, wear a few extra layers and maybe have a blanket with you, that is just one simple step that most Arkansans can take that will drastically reduce the load on the power grid and help our electricity stay on."

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-utilities-call-people-conserve-energy-or-face-planned-outages

Entergy Arkansas worker Jason Penny addresses a problem on a power line Sunday in west Little Rock.

CREDIT ENTERGY ARKANSAS