Arkansans can’t afford proposed utility rate increase, lawmakers tell regulatory agency

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Thousands of Arkansans would pay more for natural gas under an $87.7 million proposed utility rate increase, and lawmakers told leaders of the state’s utility regulator Monday they’re concerned constituents can’t afford it.

Summit Utilities, one of Arkansas’ natural gas providers, proposed a 30% rate increase for its approximately 525,000 customers in January. That was amended in an October settlement to instead raise rates by 23.4%. For the average household using 50 cubic feet of gas, that means an estimated monthly bill that’s $15.43 higher, plus a $4.37 monthly credit that’s about to roll off.

“We the taxpayers cannot afford this,” Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, said during Monday’s Joint Insurance and Commerce committee meeting. “We’ve had an increase in our water bills, we’ve had an increase in our energy bills. The hospitals that are saying they’re OK with this are going to go up on their prices, and all of that’s going to be passed on to us.”

Arkansans can’t afford proposed utility rate increase, lawmakers tell regulatory agency

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris, shares concerns about Arkansas’ poultry growers being left out of the conservation on a proposed rate increase for Summit Utilities during a committee meeting on Oct. 28, 2024.

Arkansas lawmakers discuss solar power, electric vehicle charging stations

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

State officials are preparing for an influx of as much as $1.5 billion in federal funding to go toward new clean energy projects.

The Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Joe Biden in August dedicates the funding to Arkansas over the next eight years to help fund new solar energy projects.

In a meeting of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Energy Monday, Lauren Waldrip, executive director of the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association, said farmers in the state have begun to adopt solar technology to help deal with rising energy costs.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-10-11/arkansas-lawmakers-discuss-solar-power-electric-vehicle-charging-stations

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

Sen. Bob Ballinger (R-Berryville) and Rep. Rick Beck (R-Center Ridge), co-chairs of the Arkansas Legislature's Joint Committee on Energy, listen at a committee meeting at Audubon Arkansas in Little Rock on Monday.

Energy bills to rise for SWEPCO customers in Arkansas

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Nearly 125,000 Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) customers in western Arkansas will soon see an increase in their energy bills. The utility company reported Wednesday (June 29) that the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) approved its rate request.

According to Shreveport, La.-based SWEPCO, the company’s western Arkansas customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) will see an increase of approximately $13.02 per month on their bill. The increase includes a 9.49% base rate increase, which makes up approximately $10.57 per month for an Arkansas residential customer using 1,000 kWh.

Base rates refer to the costs of building, maintaining and operating SWEPCO’s electric system, including power plants, transmission and distribution lines, and facilities to serve customers. Base rates do not include the fuel portion of the customer’s bill, which pays for fuel and purchased power and is passed through to customers with no profit to the company.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/energy-bills-to-rise-for-swepco-customers-in-arkansas/

Andrey Metelev

EIA says to expect ‘historically high’ energy prices through 2023

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

U.S. energy prices are expected to remain high through 2023 as a result of economic recovery and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The EIA released Tuesday (June 7) the June Short-Term Energy Outlook that shows the prices of oil, natural gas, coal and electricity will remain high through next year.

The share of renewables in U.S. electricity generation is expected to rise as a result of the high prices of natural gas and coal. Renewables are largely expected to offset the decline in coal’s share. Wind and solar generation are projected to account for more than 11% of U.S. electricity generation this summer, up from less than 10% in summer 2021. The natural gas share is projected to fall over the next two years but at a slower rate than coal.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/eia-says-to-expect-historically-high-energy-prices-through-2023/

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.

Solar a Viable Option to Power Arkansas Poultry Farms

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Springdale native Millard Berry had an idea that would transform the agriculture industry in the Natural State. In 1893, he bought an incubator to raise chicks. Four years later, he was a founding member of the Arkansas Poultry Association and started the poultry industry in Arkansas, one that pumps billions of dollars into the state’s economy and produces thousands of jobs each year, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

To support this expensive industry, scientists are constantly finding ways to reduce costs. Solar energy, net metering and grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have benefited a Cleveland County poultry grower, said Yi Liang, associate professor-biological and agricultural engineering.

“Poultry farming is an energy-intensive business, with gas and electricity as major expenses,” said Liang, who works as part of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/07/solar-a-viable-option-to-power-arkansas-poultry-farms/

PANELS — Banks of solar panels set up as part of the Boyd farm installation in Cleveland County, Arkansas. (Image courtesy Stephen Boyd)

PSC Chair: Winter Storm May Spike Electric and Natural Gas Bills in Arkansas

by George Jared

A generational storm may lead to all-time record electric and natural gas bills in Arkansas. Investigations have been opened by the Attorney General’s Office and the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

APSC Chairman Ted Thomas told members of the Arkansas Legislature’s Joint Energy Committee on Tuesday (March 2) the winter storm that hit the entire state and many parts of the country two weeks ago stressed the system to its maximum capacity.

How much this will cost consumers has not been tabulated, he added.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/03/psc-chair-winter-storm-may-spike-electric-and-natural-gas-bills-in-arkansas/

Need Help with Energy Bills?

The 15 community action agencies across Arkansas have started taking applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps low income households with energy bills. There will likely be more applications than usual because many more people are struggling financially during the pandemic.

Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little, River, Nevada, and Sevier County assistance programs:

Get applications to the following services. Rent help, government cash assistance, foreclosure prevention, free food pantries and programs; medical or dental care and more. The churches in counties including Sevier or Hempstead County region, charities, non-profits in Lafayette County and government assistance programs help low income families. They also give free cars or clothes, prescription medications, school supplies, Christmas presents and help families reduce their debts.

The non-profit community action agency Southwest Arkansas Development Council, Inc. provides a number of services to low income families and the working poor. Some of the other main beneficiaries include senior citizens, the disabled, and families with young children.

https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/hempstead__howard__lafayette__.html