Energy companies across Arkansas prepare ahead of wintry weather
With wintry weather hitting Arkansas, energy companies across the state are working hard to ensure your lights and power remain on.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — With winter weather storms making their way into central Arkansas, energy officials say it can turn into a battle trying to get everybody’s power back on as quick as possible.
That’s why they’ve prepared year-round to make sure that your lights and power remain on.
This week’s winter storm is a little different from last month’s snow.
“Ice accumulates on power lines, of course, and that could cause the lines to weigh down, and actually cause the lines to snap, or the poles to snap resulting in power outages,” Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Director of Corporate Communications Rob Roedel said.
For AECC, they’ve already thought of every possibility — ensuring that they’re ready for whatever is to come.
“We make sure our right of ways are clear, which basically means we clean all the vegetation off the off the areas close to the infrastructure. Secondly, we make sure our linemen are trained on how to efficiently restore power. And then, thirdly, we make sure our power plants are operating at the maximum efficiency,” Roedel said.
Over at Entergy, their eyes are to the skies — or tree limbs.
The build-up of ice on trees causes limbs to weigh down; posing a risk of falling onto powerlines.
That’s why Vice President of Entergy Arkansas Adam Effrein told THV11 that their main priority is clearing the way.
“We’ve been going to our high risk areas, trimming out additional line sections and ensuring that we’re prepped and have minimal impact from this event,” Effrein said.
While linemen are analyzing elements outside, other officials are commanding the troops from the ‘War Room.’
Inside, six screens on the wall display visuals of weather graphs and cameras across the state to help officials keep track of what’s going on.
Effrein explained one of the screens inside the room stating that it shows “the power outages across the U.S.”
Officials are able to watch the map in efforts of learning how it will impact Entergy customers across the natural state.
Around the table is where the magic happens.
“We’re getting the last minute data points. We’re fine tuning our plan. We’re making any adjustments we need to do,” Effrein said.
Officials say while it’s easy to turn your thermostat up during the cold weather, there are a few ways you can save money:
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees
- When you’re away from home, turn your thermostat off
- Check for any cracks around your home
- Keep all doors closed
You can check out a complete list of tips and other updates from Entergy by clicking here.