Keo Fish Farms to build $1.5 million solar array

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Keo Fish Farms will spend $1.5 million to build an 856-kilowatt solar array at its Lonoke County facility. It will save the farm $110,726 during its first year and is projected to save up to $4.1 million during the next three decades, according to the owners.

The company partnered with Delta Solar to build the array.

Keo Fish Farms co-owner Mike Freeze was skeptical about building the array. He thought it would cost too much and have a negative impact on land use. But his son-in-law and company General Manager Seth Summerside convinced him that the benefits outweighed the potential costs.

Keo Fish Farms to build $1.5 million solar array

Green energy and education event to be held at UAFS

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

Sustainability, energy justice, and energy efficiency are some of the discussion topics in the second annual River Valley Green Energy and Education Program (RV-GEEP) seminar set for Oct. 3-4 at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) offices in the Bakery District.

The two-day event will begin with a reception and exhibit unveiling beginning at 6 p.m., Oct. 3, in the Bakery District Collection Room in downtown Fort Smith. The reception is hosted by the City of Fort Smith and is also sponsored by Entegrity Energy Partners, and Fort Smith-based Hanna Oil & Gas.

Partners in the seminar include UAFS, the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas Climate League, and CLEAResult: Energy Efficiency and Energy Sustainability Services.

Green energy and education event to be held at UAFS

State accelerates EV charging station program; solar farm completed

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

As another advanced energy project comes online, the state continues to invest in electric vehicle charging stations.

The Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment (E&E) recently announced it’s accelerating the final disbursement of money for Level 2 charging stations. The Level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Program is open to government, private and nonprofit organizations in Arkansas.

According to E&E, the final disbursement includes $227,791, or enough to reimburse up to 45 chargers. The average rebate for a Level 2 charging station is $5,000.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/10/state-accelerates-ev-charging-station-program-solar-farm-completed/

Energy officials tout benefits of Inflation Reduction Act; UA solar project announced

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

A new federal law that’s expected to impact climate change will extend or establish tax incentives for solar arrays, electric vehicles and U.S. manufacturers of solar array components, Arkansas energy officials said.

On Friday (Aug. 26), the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association hosted a virtual event to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act will affect the energy industry. On Aug. 16, President Joe Biden signed the act into law after Congress approved it along party lines. The Arkansas Congressional Delegation voted against it.

Paul Osborne, partner for HCJ CPAs and Advisors, discussed the act’s $369 billion in climate and energy-related provisions that includes new or extended tax credits. He said a solar production tax credit that had expired in 2006 has been restored under the new law.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/08/energy-officials-tout-benefits-of-inflation-reduction-act-ua-solar-project-announced/

Energy leaders say more supply, stable policy needed for lower costs

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

As inflation eats into family and business budgets, energy is one component of the economy that has been driving higher prices. Two energy leaders – Chad Kinsley, VP of operations for Black Hills Energy, and Lauren Waldrip, executive director of the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association, shared their perspectives in Talk Business & Politics’ latest State of the State report on energy.

Kinsley, whose company provides natural gas across north Arkansas, said the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the supply and demand balance that had kept energy prices stable and low.

“We’re seeing inflation across all aspects of the economy and natural gas commodity prices, like you mentioned, certainly are no exception. Unfortunately, that’s impacting our customer’s bills and kind of a short answer is, it’s supply and demand in the marketplace,” Kinsley said…

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/04/energy-leaders-say-more-supply-stable-policy-needed-for-lower-costs/

Entergy Announces Plans For Largest Solar Plant In Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas announced plans Monday to purchase a 900-acre, 100-megawatt solar farm near Brinkley. Pending approval by the Arkansas Public Service Commission, Walnut Bend Solar will be among the largest solar generating facilities in the state.

Walnut Bend will provide approximately 200 jobs during the construction phase, then 2-3 full-time employees once operational. The facility will generate an estimated $700,000 in annual property taxes for Lee County.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/entergy-announces-plans-largest-solar-plant-arkansas

Entergy Announces Plans For Largest Solar Plant In Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas announced plans Monday to purchase a 900-acre, 100-megawatt solar farm near Brinkley. Pending approval by the Arkansas Public Service Commission, Walnut Bend Solar will be among the largest solar generating facilities in the state. Walnut Bend will provide approximately 200 jobs during the construction phase, then 2-3 full-time employees once operational.