Cooperative News

November 5, 2024

Ouachita Electric Brings Willie Wiredhand to Downtown Camden: Congrats to Prize Winner Kylie Burchfield!

In October, Ouachita Electric took part in the business scarecrow contest in downtown Camden, showcasing Willie Wiredhand. In addition to the contest, Ouachita Electric organized a prize drawing for community members who submitted their photos with Willie. We are thrilled to announce that the winner of the drawing is Kylie Burchfield! Congratulations, Kylie, and thank you to everyone who participated by sending in their photos!


November 4, 2024

Ouachita Electric’s Youth Delegate Leads Community Food Drive to Support Local Children


Emma Tuberville, the Youth Tour Delegate from Ouachita Electric, was selected to serve on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Leadership Council in June of this year. As part of her responsibilities in this esteemed position, Emma was tasked with developing a community service project of her choosing, supported by her sponsoring cooperative.

Emma elected to focus her project on a food drive benefiting the HUB of Ouachita County’s local backpack program. This program, which commenced in 2016, provides essential food supplies to children in need each Friday at local schools.

Through the collaborative efforts of Ouachita Electric and generous community contributions, Emma successfully supplied the HUB with a substantial quantity of food, along with a $500 donation aimed at supporting the backpack program.

We at Ouachita Electric take great pride in Emma’s achievements and extend our sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to her project.


November 1, 2024

Capital Credits Returned to Members

Your Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation (OECC) will retire $750,000 in capital credits to its members from patronage received in years 1997 and 2023.

OECC is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric company, providing electrical service to its members. Abiding by one of the seven Cooperative Principles: Member Economic Participation, the cooperative’s board of directors determines the allocation of capital credits back to the members, based on the members’ patronage. Capital credits are just one of the many differences that set cooperatives apart from other business models.

How the process works:

  1. Cooperative members use electricity provided by Ouachita Electric.

  2. Ouachita Electric tracks members’ electricity use and patronage.

  3. Year-end accounting and audit are completed. Financial obligations of the cooperative are met.

  4. The board approves the portion of the margins to be distributed to the members.

  5. Checks are issued each November to qualifying Ouachita Electric members.

* In addition to our traditional capital credit retirement checks, this year we will offer to retire estates. If you are the executor/trustee/beneficiary of an estate and are currently receiving a yearly check on that inactive account, please contact our office at (870) 836-5791. The Ouachita Electric board has set a limit to be used to pay out estates over the next year. Once that dollar limit is reached, we will start a waiting list for our next retirement.

Cooperative Definitions:

Member: At the cooperative, you are more than a customer, you are a member-owner.

Operating Costs: The cost to maintain, report and construct the electrical system and to deliver electrical service to its members.

Margin: At the end of the year, OECC subtracts the operating expenses from the amount collected and the balance is called the margin.

Patronage: At the cooperative, your patronage is the amount of money you pay to OECC on your electric bill each year.

Allocation: The process of distributing each members’ portion of margin based on the total kilowatt hours (kWh) purchased that year.

Retire: A payout of money representing capital credits from your capital credit account.

Estate: Arkansas law requires that capital credits of a deceased member will pass to the probate estate for distribution, or if no probate estate, then to his/her heirs at law. Proof of heirship will be required. If funds are available for retirement, the capital credit retirement will be paid to the executor/trustee/beneficiary of the estate, or if no probate estate, then payment will be made to the deceased members’ heir at law. Proper paperwork will be required showing the authority to request the distribution.

 

October 7, 2024

Ouachita Electric Stands Together for Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Honoring Strength and Support!

Ouachita Electric is proud to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Join us in raising awareness and showing support for all those affected by breast cancer.

October 7, 2024

Family Fun Day at Ouachita County Sheriff's Office

Ouachita Electric had the honor of conducting safety demonstrations at the Ouachita County Family Fun Day on Saturday, October 5th.

Thank you, Ouachita County Sheriff's Department, for organizing this outstanding community event.

October 7, 2024

Capture the Moment with Willie Wirehand in Downtown Camden – Enter to Win!

Don't forget to swing by downtown Camden and snap a picture with Willie Wirehand! Send your photo using the QR code to be entered into a drawing for a prize!

October 7, 2024

Join Ouachita Electric at the 2024 Boo Bash Camden's Night Out – Candy, Fun, and Community!

Ouachita Electric will be hosting a booth at the 2024 Boo Bash Camden’s Night Out! Our booth will be handing out candy on October 31st from 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m.

Come on out and be sure to stop by!

 

 

 

 

 

October 1, 2024

October is National Co-op Month

Electric cooperatives are not-for-profit, community-led utilities. Because we are a co-op, we can adapt to our local members' needs, providing the programs and services you care about most. That's the power of co-op membership.

October 1, 2024

In Memory of Jim Garner

Ouachita Electric Cooperative Director James “Jim” C. Garner passed away peacefully on Aug. 23. Mr. Garner played an integral role as a director, demonstrating unwavering commitment and leadership throughout his tenure.

In addition to his service on the board, he was a member of the Sulphur Springs Community Church, a respected president of the Ouachita County Farm Bureau and an active participant in various organizations, such as the VFW, the Ouachita County Fair Board and the Ouachita County Cattlemen’s Association.

Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends and others impacted by this profound loss.

September 25, 2024

Ouachita Electric and Scott Davis Bring Electrical Safety Magic Show to Local Elementary Schools

In September, Ouachita Electric, collaborating with Arkansas Electric magician Scott Davis, presented an electrical safety magic show at Hampton Elementary School and Camden Fairview Elementary School. We extend our gratitude to Scott Davis for his steadfast dedication to imparting knowledge about electrical safety to the younger generation in our community.

 

 

September 3, 2024

Go Above and Beyond for a Safe Harvest

Massive machinery is indispensable to farming, but the same impressive size and extensions make them particularly vulnerable to contacting power lines. That’s why staying alert, focused and knowledgeable about potential hazards and safety procedures is crucial.

During a busy harvest season, the familiar sights around the farm can easily fade into the background, and farm workers can overlook the power lines overhead. However, failing to notice them can lead to deadly accidents.

Complete awareness

Awareness of your surroundings — around, above and below — and planning safe equipment routes can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Even with GPS and auto-steering, it’s imperative that farm workers keep a close eye on the equipment’s location and are ready to take action if necessary.

Exposed underground power lines, defective wiring in farm buildings and extension cords are also hazards. Grain bins can pose a potential danger as well. The National Electrical Safety Code requires power lines to be at least 18 feet above the highest point on any grain bin with which portable augers or other kinds of portable filling equipment are used.

Smart harvest safety tips

To ensure a safer harvest season, SafeElectricity.org recommends the following tips to avoid electrical accidents on the farm:

  • Exercise caution near power lines. Be careful when raising augers or the beds of grain trucks around power lines.
  • Use spotters when operating large machinery near power lines. Ensure the spotters do not touch the machinery while it is moving near power lines.
  • Lower equipment extensions, portable augers or elevators before moving or transporting equipment. Do not raise equipment, such as ladders, poles or rods, into power lines. Remember that non-metallic materials like lumber, tree limbs, ropes and hay can conduct electricity, especially when damp, dusty or dirty.
  • Never attempt to raise or move power lines to clear a path. Doing so could result in electric shock or death.
  • Avoid using metal poles inside bins. Don’t use metal poles to break up bridged grain inside or around bins.
  • Hire qualified electricians. Ensure that qualified professionals handle work on drying equipment and other farm electrical systems.

While rare, the only reason to exit equipment that has come into contact with overhead lines is if the equipment is on fire. However, if it happens, jump off the equipment with your feet together and without touching the machinery and the ground at the same time. Then, still keeping your feet together, hop to safety as you leave the area.

 

September 3, 2024

Board Members Attend State Conference

The board members of Ouachita Electric have demonstrated a commitment to prioritizing growth and fostering ongoing cooperative education. From July 27-30, eight directors attended the 2024 Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Directors’ Summer Conference in Rogers, showcasing a dedication to professional development and industry engagement.

September 3, 2024

Electrical Safety Tips for Hunters

As you prepare for hunting season, keep in mind that along with general hunting safety, electrical safety should be a priority.

You might be preoccupied and excited about the big hunt, but be aware of power lines. Never place a tree stand on a utility pole or near a power line. Energized lines and related equipment on utility poles can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them, causing shock or electrocution.

It is ILLEGAL to shoot near or toward power lines, utility poles, transformers or substations. It is a Class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison, with fines up to $10,000. Stray bullets or pellets could damage equipment, possibly interrupting electric service and causing physical risks to those nearby.

For your safety, follow these additional electrical safety tips:

  • Familiarize yourself with the area before heading out to hunt. Take note of power lines and equipment, especially when hunting in densely wooded areas.
  • Observe all signs or postings that advise electrical safety, especially when scouting out a location for your tree stand.
  • Look up and look out for power lines, and do not come within 10 feet of an overhead line or pole when setting up or taking down a stand.
  • Never climb a utility pole.
  • Do not place dove decoys on power lines or other utility equipment. Nonelectrical attachments can pose an obstruction and serious hazards to our lineworkers.

For more information about safety around power lines and other sources of electricity, go to SafeElectricity.org.

September 3, 2024

EPA Rule Threatens Electric Reliability

In May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule that impacts energy production from power plants. The power plant rule will undoubtedly threaten access to reliable electricity for our local community and communities across the country.

The rule constrains existing coal and new natural gas plants by requiring them to install carbon capture and storage (CCS) –– a technology that has potential but has not been proven to be viable as required. No power plant in North America currently uses CCS at the scale and levels mandated by EPA. When power plants aren’t able to comply with EPA’s CCS requirements, they will be required to shut down, significantly limit operations or switch fuels. These unrealistic standards will force the unnecessary and early shutdown of many power plants that currently provide reliable electricity 24/7.

Intermittent sources, such as solar and wind, are important components of our Balance of Power generation mix. But given the intermittent nature of these energy sources, we simply cannot depend on them because the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine. The need for always-available power generating resources is still essential.
The timing of the power plant rule is equally troubling. At the same time the EPA is leading our nation down the path to fewer power plants, utilities are facing a surge 

in electricity demand — driven by the onshoring of manufacturing, the growth of the American economy and the rapid expansion of data centers to support artificial intelligence, e-commerce and cryptocurrency.

Many states have already experienced rolling outages, and if the supply of electricity is further threatened by the EPA’s power plant rule, the problem will only get worse. In fact, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the nation’s electric reliability watchdog, recently forecasted that over the next five years, all or parts of 19 states are at high risk of rolling power outages during normal peak electricity demand conditions.

It’s also no secret that when demand is high and supply is low, costs go up. We’re concerned about threats to reliability as well as cost increases to our members.

Just as electric cooperatives have always done, we will look for solutions that serve our members best. We are joining electric co-ops across the country to fight these regulations, and we are working with our local elected officials to help them understand the consequences this would have on all.

Electric cooperatives deliver power to 42 million Americans. At the end of the day, our top priority is to meet our members’ energy needs, and we must have reliable electricity available to do that.

For more information, visit aecc.com/balance-of-power.

August 5, 2024

Watch the Clock to Lock in Energy Savings

As temperatures rise and summer activities heat up, a reliable flow of electricity is essential to ensure our members stay cool and connected.

August brings some of the most extreme summer temps, which means people will be spending more time indoors to avoid the heat, and air conditioners will work overtime. This increased use of electricity will cause spikes in demand, also known as energy peaks. During peak times, we must work closely with our wholesale power provider to ensure a balanced supply of electricity is always available to meet our cooperative’s energy needs.

When our area experiences extreme summer heat and higher demand for electricity, you
can help by conserving energy. It’s easy –– just check the clock and avoid your energy-intensive activities and chores during peak hours. These peak times are typically in the morning as people start their day and in the evening as people return to their homes.

There are many ways to lower your home energy use. Here are a few recommendations to help you save energy (and money) during the summer peak:

  • Adjust the thermostat. Move the temperature up a few degrees in summer, and bump it further up when you’re away from home for extended periods of time.

  • Postpone the use of major appliances. Move laundry loads to later in the evening or weekends. Delay running the dishwasher until well after dinner or use the delay cycle function.

  • Change your times to shower or bathe. Your water heater uses a significant amount of energy. You can reduce its energy burden by moving showering and bathing to an off-peak time or lowering the temperature on the tank.

  • Cook outdoors. During summer, consider grilling outdoors to keep the oven off during peak heat days.

  • Turn off lights and fans. In unoccupied rooms, turn off lights and ceiling fans. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms.

  • Charge electric vehicles (EVs) overnight. If you have an EV, charge it at night when usage is typically lowest.

  • Unplug electronics when they’re not in use or use smart power strips to manage devices.

  • Close drapes and blinds during the afternoon to block unnecessary heat from sunlight.

When we all work together to beat the summer peak, our entire cooperative benefits. Saving energy during peak times reduces your bills, keeps electric rates lower for all and relieves pressure on the grid.

August 5, 2024

Ouachita Electric Youth Tour Delegate Chosen as State Representative

Ouachita Electric Youth Tour delegate Emma Tuberville of Camden was chosen among her peers to represent Arkansas as the 2024 Youth Leadership Council (YLC) delegate.

She is the first student from Ouachita Electric to ever be chosen as the state’s YLC delegate.


LEFT Emma Tuberville of Camden is the 2024 Youth Leadership Council delegate representing Arkansas. RIGHT Youth Tour delegates Austin Belt and Emma Tuberville represented Ouachita Electric Cooperative in Washington, D.C.
 

Emma spoke at the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Summer Directors’ Conference in Rogers last month. She will represent Arkansas at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s 2025 Power Xchange conference in Atlanta. Emma also won a $5,000 college scholarship as YLC delegate.

“I am very grateful to Ouachita Electric,” Emma said. “I can’t wait to represent my state. I plan on going to college, and that’s a big expense, so to be able to receive this scholarship and getting it from this experience makes me feel very blessed and grateful.” Emma said her time spent on Youth Tour was a life-changing experience for her.

“I definitely think one of the most fun parts was coming in, not knowing anybody there and leaving with what felt like my best friends that I’ve known forever,” she said. “Also being in our nation’s capital and getting to see all these historical landmarks was just so surreal. All the things that we see in class, read in books or view on television, it finally came to life.”

A member of Ouachita Electric for her entire life, Emma said she will encourage more students to apply next year for Youth Tour.

“I’ve been telling everybody, all my younger classmates, to apply as soon as they’re able. It’s a trip of a lifetime and something you’ll never forget. I’m beyond grateful to Ouachita Electric for sponsoring me,” she said.

Learn more about Youth Tour.

 

July 30, 2024

Ouachita Electric Board Members Prioritize Growth and Education, Celebrating Emma Tuberville's Historic Achievements

The board members of Ouachita Electric have demonstrated a commitment to prioritizing growth and fostering ongoing cooperative education. Over the past few days, eight directors attended the 2024 Arkansas Board of Directors Summer Conference in Rogers, showcasing a dedication to professional development and industry engagement.

At the center of Ouachita Electric's board members stands Emma Tuberville. Emma participated in the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Youth Tour as a delegate representing Ouachita Electric. Throughout the Youth Tour, Emma had the opportunity to explore Washington D.C., and campaign for a position on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Leadership Council. Emma successfully secured a place on the Council, becoming the first delegate from Ouachita Electric to attain this accomplishment. In her capacity, Emma will represent Arkansas at the NRECA 2025 Power Xchange conference in Atlanta. Additionally, Emma has been awarded a $5,000 college scholarship as a YLC delegate. We take great pride in Emma and her achievements and are confident she will be a wonderful ambassador for Arkansas.

Pictured from left to right:

David Kelley, David McLeane, Danny Adams, Shelia Johnson, Emma Tuberville (NRECA Youth Leadership Council Arkansas State Delegate), Corbet Lamkin, Shawn Dorflinger (OECC General Manager), Lisa Hendrix, Walt Pigott, and Beau Morgan.

July 2, 2024

LIHEAP offers cooling assistance

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help households stay safe and cool by providing help with paying electric bills in summer months to qualifying individuals and families.

Beginning on July 1, applications are accepted on a first-come, first- served basis, as long as funds are available. Businesses are excluded from receiving the benefit.

LIHEAP is not administered by your local cooperative, but rather through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It is operated by Community Action Agencies.

Check eligibility at your local Community Action Agency.

 

July 2, 2024

10 Things You Might Not Know About Power Restoration

At Ouachita Electric, we’re accustomed to members’ questions about power outages, and why it can take time to get the lights back on. Given our reliance on electricity, there’s simply never a good time to be without it.
We’d like to shed light on our restoration process to help our members understand what may be happening behind the scenes. Here are 10 things you might not know about restoration:

1. We need you. When your power goes out, it might be just at your home or a small section of a neighborhood. There is a chance we may not know about it, and no one has reported it. We rely on you to let us know if your power is out. Report outages by calling (844) 326-4624.

2. Our employees might be affected too. Because we are owned by the members we serve, our employees are local too. They are your neighbors, friends and familiar community volunteers. When you’re without power, our people might be too.

3. It’s a team effort. Every one of our employees are working to get your power restored as soon as possible. Our member services representatives are taking your calls, engineers and field staff are surveying damage, our vegetation management team is clearing hazards, dispatchers are organizing crews, and communicators are keeping everyone informed of progress or potential dangers. When your power goes out, we all work together as quickly and safely as possible to get you back to normal.

4. We assess the situation first. Every outage is different, and we don’t know how dangerous it is or what equipment might need to be replaced. When responding to outages, we first need to see what happened, then figure out what materials we need and a plan for how to fix the problem(s) without compromising electric flow for the rest of our members.

5. Restoration is normally prioritized by the largest number of members we can get back on in the shortest amount of time. Our crews focus on responding first to public safety issues and critical services like hospitals. Then we complete work that impacts the largest number of people first.

6. Our employees face many dangers. Besides working around high-voltage electricity, our crews are on alert for wild animals, weather elements, falling trees and fast-moving cars. (If you ever drive past one of our vehicles, please do so slowly.)

7. Flickering lights are a good thing. Some folks mistake flickering lights for outages, but these “blinks” are important because they indicate our equipment worked and prevented a possible outage likely caused by wayward animals or stray tree limbs on the lines.

8. You need a backup plan. We do our best to help those who need it, but if you depend on electricity for life support purposes, you must have a backup plan — remember, we don’t always know how long restoration efforts will take. If you’re unsure what to do, call us so we can help you prepare an emergency location.

9. Our employees have to plan and eat. If you ever see our trucks in a restaurant parking lot while your power is out, know that sometimes our employees huddle in a safe, common area to map out their plan for getting your power back on. Also, our crews work long, hard hours during outages and need to take time for meals just like everyone else.

10. Sometimes it’s a waiting game. Our portion of the power grid is connected to other electric utilities, and we maintain positive relationships with power providers interconnected to our system. If our outage is due to an issue from their feed into our system, we must let them do their repairs and be mindful of what they’re going through to fix it.

We do our best to avoid power disruptions, but they are inevitable from time to time. If the lights go out, know that your co-op team is working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power.

June 27, 2024

Update on Lockbox Payment Processing Address

As of the current billing cycle, please make note of the change in the address for the processing center handling Lockbox payments. Lockbox payments refer to payments that are sent to the return address specified on the bill.

The revised address for the processing center, which will now be printed on the bill, is as follows:

Ouachita Electric Cooperative
PO Box 70878
Charlotte, NC 28272-0878

If you typically make bill payments by mailing them to the Lockbox, we strongly advise allowing sufficient time for the United States Postal Service to deliver the payment to the updated processing center.

June 5, 2024

Frankie Burchfield retires after 45 years

retired from his position as a right-of-way foreman on April 26. Throughout his tenure, Frankie was known for his friendly and bold personality, and his colleagues appreciated his authentic concern for others. He formed strong bonds with his co-workers, and they were always delighted by his unpredictable yet enjoyable conversations. Frankie was particularly passionate about mentoring summer interns and took pride in seeing new generations take an interest in the energy career field. When asked about his most cherished memories at Ouachita Electric, Frankie mentioned working in major storms and the powerful connections he formed with his colleagues during those times. As he embarks on retirement, Frankie intends to devote his time to gardening, hunting, fishing and savoring a slower pace of life. We thank you, Frankie, for the years of service and long-lasting imprint that you left on the co-op.


Frankie Burchfield (left) is recognized for 45 years of service by General Manager Shawn Dorflinger.

June 5, 2024

Orlando Coon retires after 25 years

On Nov. 15, 1999, Orlando Coon joined Ouachita Electric as a right-of-way worker/tree trimmer.

Throughout his time at the company, Orlando's quiet yet observant personality, wisdom and guidance proved invaluable to his colleagues, helping to shape them into the skilled professionals they are today. His commitment to his faith and strong work ethic made him an outstanding employee and a role model to others.

Orlando shared that what he'll miss most about his time at Ouachita Electric is working with his co-workers, who undoubtedly feel the same way about him.

As he enters retirement, Orlando plans to spend his time fishing, camping and working around his home. It's impossible to fully express the positive impact Orlando has had on Ouachita Electric during his 25-year tenure. Thank you, Orlando, for your eternal contributions to the co-op.


Orlando Coon (left) is recognized for 25 years of service by General Manager Shawn Dorflinger.

June 5, 2024

OECC Economic Impact Analysis

December 31, 1969

Annual Meeting Held, Directors Elected

Ouachita Electric Cooperative held its Annual Meeting on June 27 at the co-op’s headquarters in Camden.

Three directors were elected to serve three-year terms:

  • Beau Morgan: district four

  • David McLeane: district five

  • David Kelley: district six


Member Mark Perry (left) received a 55-inch television from General Manager Shawn Dorflinger as the grand prize winner of the Annual Meeting prize drawing.
 

Congratulations to members who won prizes in a drawing of returned Annual Meeting director election ballots: 

$100 bill credit – D.K. Higgs

$100 bill credit – Brenda Fickey

$50 bill credit – Logan Strickland

$50 bill credit – William D. Greening
Grand prize winner of 55-inch TV – Mark Perry

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