Announcements
Election Center engages members in political process
Perry County chamber recognizes First Electric
Employement Opportunities availaible at First Electric Cooperative
Operation Round-Up awards $16,000 to nonprofits
First Electric returns more than $3.8 million to members
First Electric announces holiday closings
Calendar sales to benefit Operation Round-Up
First Electric hosting toy drive
Operation Round-Up awards $14,500 to nonprofits
First Electric Members win 2011 $50,000 Energy Efficiency Makeover
Please Reduce Electric Usage
Youth Tour Winners Announced
Scholarship Winners Announced
Survey Winners Announced
Operation Round-Up Winners
Our Energy, Our Future
Energy Savers Booklet
Service Installation Standards
Co-op Connections
Apply for New Service
Paperless billing
Heat Pump Loans
Bill Inserts
Election Center engages members in political process
[General]
When public officials make decisions on energy policy, they need to know that electric cooperative members care about the issues and vote. To help members become engaged in the political process, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association has launched the Election Center homepage at http://www.nreca.coop/vote. Members can register to vote, get an absentee ballot and obtain information about upcoming election dates.
Perry County chamber recognizes First Electric
[General]
Jacksonville, Ark., Feb. 13, 2012 – First Electric Cooperative's Perryville district was recognized as the 2011 Business of the Year during the Perry County Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet Feb. 9.
Chamber President Ed Brown presented the award to First Electric Board Chairman Robert Hill, President/CEO Don Crabbe, Chief Operating Officer Brad Ford and Marketing Representative Doug Brandon.
The Perryville district also received a senate citation from Sen. Jason Rapert that noted the cooperative's "enviable reputation of service" in supplying energy to its members as well as supporting community events and organizations. The citation also stated: "For seven decades, First Electric has furnished parts of Perry, Conway, Pulaski and Yell Counties with their energy needs and today 21 employees serve some 7,200 member accounts in the area, maintain 800 miles of power line, operate six sub-stations and promote energy-efficient practices for its consumers."
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| First Electric Cooperative is recognized as the 2011 Business of the Year during the Perry County Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet Feb. 9. Pictured, from left, are: Chief Operating Officer Brad Ford, First Electric Board Chairman Robert Hill of Perryville, Marketing Representative Doug Brandon, chamber President Ed Brown and First Electric President/CEO Don Crabbe. | Sen. Jason Rapert, right, presents First Electric Cooperative Marketing Representative Doug Brandon with a senate citation that recognizes the cooperative's Perryville district during the Perry County Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet Feb. 9. |
Employement Opportunities availaible at First Electric Cooperative
[General]
To learn more about the Employement Opportunities availaible at First Electric Cooperative - click here to go to our Employment Opportunities page.
Operation Round-Up awards $16,000 to nonprofits
[General]
Don Crabbe, president/CEO of First Electric Cooperative, announces the donation of $16,000 to 13 nonprofit organizations through Operation Round-Up.
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Operation Round-Up Chairman Reedie Ray, left, presents Gary Sims, center, and Bob Rowell of the Antioch Fire Department with a $1,500 donation from First Electric's Operation Round-Up program. |
The program is made possible by the generosity of First Electric members who allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next even dollar amount. That money – a yearly average of $6 per member – is held in an account that is administered by the Operation Round-Up Board of Trustees.
"Operation Round-Up is a wonderful program that supports needy causes throughout the First Electric system," Crabbe said. "Each of us can come together to help out many people."
This round of donations brings the total donated by the member-supported program to more than $528,000 since it was founded in 1998.
Cleburne County:
- Cleburne County Library – $1,000,
- Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 57 – $1,000,
- Heber Springs Humane Society – $1,000.
Lonoke County:
- Cabot Christmas Alliance – $1,000,
- CS&Z Volunteer Fire Department – $1,500,
- Ward Public Library – $1,000.
Perry County:
- Partners For Progress – $2,000.
Pulaski County:
- Fishnet Missions of Jacksonville – $1,500,
- LRAFB Historical Foundation Inc. – $1,000,
- Reed's Bridge Battlefield Preservation Society – $1,000.
Saline County:
- Crows Station Fire Protection Association – $1,500,
- Imagination Library of Saline County – $1,000.
White County:
- Antioch Fire Department – $1,500.
All First Electric Cooperative members are encouraged to participate in Operation Round-Up, and nonprofit organizations in the cooperative's area are urged to apply for funding. Applications and sign-up information may be found at www.firstelectric.coop under the "Community" tab or by calling 800-489-7405.
First Electric returns more than $3.8 million to members
[General]
Jacksonville, Ark., Dec. 29, 2011 – The First Electric Cooperative Board of Directors approved a refund of $3,813,770 to members this year. This refund, known as capital credits, represents the members' share of the remaining revenue minus the cost of operation for the years being retired. Capital credit refunds are assigned to each member account annually and then refunded when financial conditions permit.
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| Serviceman Randall Freeland, right, of First Electric Cooperative presents Manager Brian Mason with a capital credits refund check for Cranford's Fresh Foods of Hot Springs Village. |
Capital credit checks were mailed Dec. 14. Members whose refund was less than $20 received a credit on their December electric bill. With this refund of $3,813,770, the amount returned to First Electric members now totals more than $52.7 million. Capital credit refunds are one of the major differences between a not-for-profit electric cooperative, such as First Electric, and a for-profit investor-owned electric company.
A portion of the refund check represents each member's share of $3,813,770 of margins that were allocated from a portion of years 1985 to 2010. The amount of the check is based on the amount of electricity used during those years.
First Electric's philosophy of operating on sound, conservative business principles makes it possible to provide the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost and to return capital credits to members.
First Electric serves 88,390 active accounts throughout 17 counties in central and southeast Arkansas. The cooperative maintains full-service offices in Benton, Heber Springs, Jacksonville, Perryville and Stuttgart. For news and other information, visit the First Electric website at www.firstelectric.coop or search for First Electric Cooperative on Facebook.
First Electric announces holiday closings
[General]
Our offices will be closed Dec. 23 and 26 as well as Jan. 2.
Calendar sales to benefit Operation Round-Up
[General]
Jacksonville, Ark., Nov. 30, 2011 – The 2012 First Electric Calendar is on sale for $7 at the cooperative's offices in Jacksonville, Benton, Heber Springs, Perryville and Stuttgart. The calendar was developed both as a way to support the Operation Round-Up program and give members a look at the work employees do to keep the cooperative's 88,390 active accounts with power.
Linemen, servicemen, meter technicians and others who work in the field volunteered to participate in the calendar. Employees, contestants' family and friends and members could vote at a district office for their favorite of the 26 contestants. Each vote cost $1. After the votes were tallied, the top 13 employees were chosen for the calendar, and $2,442 was raised for Operation Round-Up, the member-supported program that aids nonprofits in the cooperative's service area.
The calendar idea originated with linemen from the Jacksonville office, and the marketing and communications department then formed the contest and produced the calendars. Jacksonville marketing representative David Copeland shot the photographs at or near the district offices in Jacksonville, Benton, Perryville and Heber Springs as well as a Furlow substation.
Net proceeds from the sale of the calendars also will go to Operation Round-Up. During the past 13 years, more than 205 nonprofit organizations throughout central and southeast Arkansas have benefited from funds collected through the program. Operation Round-Up is made possible by the generosity of First Electric members who allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next even dollar amount. That "spare change" is held in a trust account that is administered by the Operation Round-Up Board of Trustees. More than $515,000 has been donated since the program began in 1998.
All First Electric members are encouraged to enroll in Operation Round-Up, and nonprofit organizations in the cooperative's 17 counties are urged to apply for funding. Applications and sign-up information may be found on the First Electric website at www.firstelectric.coop under the "Community" tab or any First Electric office.
First Electric serves 88,390 active accounts throughout 17 counties in central and southeast Arkansas. The cooperative maintains full-service offices in Benton, Heber Springs, Jacksonville, Perryville and Stuttgart. For news and other information, visit the First Electric website at www.firstelectric.coop or search for First Electric Cooperative on Facebook.
First Electric hosting toy drive
[General]
Jacksonville, Ark., Nov. 14, 2011–First Electric Cooperative is collecting toys for less fortunate children who are served through Arkansas’ U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.
New, unwrapped toysmay be dropped off at First Electric offices in Benton, Heber Springs, Jacksonville, Perryville and Stuttgart through Friday, Dec. 2.
First Electric employees will take the toys to the annual Toy Hill sponsored by KSSN-FM at War Memorial Park in Little Rock. The First Electric parade will arrive at Toy Hill at approximately 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.
First Electric serves 88,390 active accounts throughout 17 counties in central and southeast Arkansas. The cooperative maintains full-service offices in Benton, Heber Springs, Jacksonville, Perryville and Stuttgart.
Operation Round-Up awards $14,500 to nonprofits
[General]
Jacksonville, Ark., Nov. 4, 2011 - Don Crabbe, president/CEO of First Electric Cooperative, has announced the donation of $14,500 to local nonprofit organizations from the cooperative’s Operation Round-Up program.
“First Electric members who participate in Operation Round-Up provide vital support to the local organizations that work to make a difference in our communities,” Crabbe said. “Thank you to those who participate.”
This round of donations brings the total donated by the member-supported program to more than $515,315 since it was founded in 1998.
At the most recent meeting of the Operation Round-Up Board of Trustees, donations were approved for 14 nonprofit organizations in eight counties.
Cleburne County
•Pine Snag/Lobo Fire Department-$1,000.
•Friends for Life-$1,000.
•Crossroads Alternative Learning Center-$1,000.
Garland County
•Paul Bewie Boys and Girls Club-$1,000.
•Hot Springs Village Walk for Cancer Research-$1,000.
Grant County
•Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Grant County-$1,000.
Lonoke County
•Literacy Council of Lonoke County-$1,000.
•Scott Fire Protection District-$1,000.
Monroe County
•Monroe County Single Parent Scholarship Fund-$1,000.
Perry County
•Glenhaven Youth Ranch-$1,500.
•Stony Point Community Association-$1,000.
•Renewal Ranch-$1,000.
Saline County
•Saline County 4-H Foundation-$1,000.
White County
•White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund Inc.-$1,000.
Operation Round-Up is a program made possible by the generosity of First Electric Cooperative members who allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next even dollar amount. That “spare change” is held in a trust account that is administered by the Operation Round-Up Board of Trustees. All First Electric Cooperative members are encouraged to participate, and nonprofit organizations in the cooperative area are urged to apply for funding. Applications and sign-up information may be found on the First Electric website at www.firstelectric.coop under the “Community” tab.
First Electric Members win 2011 $50,000 Energy Efficiency Makeover
[General]
From the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas: 
Cleburne County Couple wins $50,000 Energy Efficiency Home Makeover
Little Rock, Ark. — Aug. 8, 2011 — William and Nancy Ferrell of Hopewell, members of First Electric Cooperative, are the winners of the 2011 Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas $50,000 Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest.
The Ferrell’s 31-year-old home will receive comprehensive pre- and post-diagnostic energy audits, including a blower door test, duct blaster test and infrared thermography. The home will receive numerous energy-saving applications, including sealing the building envelope, Retrofoam insulation in the sidewalls, a foam encapsulated attic, an energy efficient Marathon water heater, an ultra-efficient geothermal heating and cooling system, and high-efficiency windows and doors.
The home has very little insulation, inefficient windows, and is heated and cooled by an older mismatched inefficient system.
“In order to manage their utility bills, the Ferrell’s have sacrificed comfort and convenience. During the summer they push their thermostat past the 80-degree range and during the winter they supplement their heat by burning wood in an older wood stove,” said Doug White, vice president of systems services for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. “The Ferrell’s home is like many throughout America. The heating and cooling system is obsolete, the dwelling is not sealed or insulated properly, the ductwork leaks and the windows are inefficient. Once the makeover is complete, the home will be energy efficient and comfortable year-round.”
“While the contest only allows our makeover team to provide energy efficiency applications to one family, everyone can learn from the components and measures used to make the Ferrell’s home more comfortable and energy efficient,” White said. “By visiting www.smartenergytips.org everyone can observe the 2011 makeover process. The previous three makeover winner’s homes are also featured.”
More than 2,000 applications were submitted for the contest. In addition to the grand-prize winner, 16 runners-up will receive free 40-gallon high energy-efficient Marathon water heaters.
Winners of free 40-gallon Marathon water heaters are:
- Jackie Ray, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative of Ozark;
- Sam Taunton, Ashley-Chicot Electric Cooperative of Hamburg;
- Ernesto Muniz, C & L Electric Cooperative of Star City;
- Dawn Harris, Carroll Electric Cooperative of Berryville;
- Ronnie Davis, Clay County Electric Cooperative of Corning;
- Kimberly Markum, Craighead Electric Cooperative of Jonesboro;
- Albert Cathey, Farmers Electric Cooperative of Newport;
- Paul G. Borden, Mississippi County Electric Cooperative of Blytheville;
- James F. Bonewits, North Arkansas Electric Cooperative of Salem;
- Doyle Vann, Jr., Ouachita Electric Cooperative of Camden;
- Matt and Carrie Brandenburg, Ozarks Electric Cooperative of Fayetteville;
- Leonard Coe, Petit Jean Electric Cooperative of Clinton;
- Steve Holton, Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative of Mena;
- Doris Dunlap, South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative of Arkadelphia;
- Edward L. Caldwell, Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative of Texarkana; and
- Jerry Green, Woodruff Electric Cooperative of Forrest City.
The project’s major sponsors include: Doug Rye; WeatherBarr Windows of Fort Smith; Marathon Water Heaters; Rood Heating and Air of Russellville; and WaterFurnace Geothermal.
Please Reduce Electric Usage
[General]
First Electric Cooperative is asking members to voluntarily limit use of electric service until 9 pm tonight in order to insure that electric service is not interrupted.
Don Crabbe, Manager of First Electric Cooperative, said that members are urged to reduce the use of electrical requirements by limiting use of non-essential electricity and appliances, especially electric water heaters, clothes dryers and dishwashers, and to turn air conditioning thermostats to higher settings.
Crabbe said that if electrical demand continues to increase and electric facilities become overloaded, periodic temporary outages could begin in service areas where transmission constraints are occurring.
The cooperative emphasized that voluntary cooperation is essential if members are to continue to receive electric service. If voluntary reductions are not sufficient to maintain continuity of service, it may be necessary to begin interruption of electric service to specific areas for short periods, with members sharing such interruptions on a rotation, short-term basis.
It is not presently anticipated that curtailments would be necessary between 6:00 p.m. and dawn.
Any temporary interruption in service would typically last from 30 minutes to one hour, but could be shorter or longer, depending on the situation.
Cooperative representatives are also directly contacting large industrial and commercial users asking their cooperation as well.
The interconnections of electric systems frequently make it possible for one system to secure additional electricity from neighboring systems. However, the present heat wave is widespread in this region, making additional electric power very limited. Thus, conservation of energy is important to help insure continuous electric service.
The cooperative will continue to keep the public advised of further developments concerning voluntary cutbacks of electric power.
First Electric suggests the following tips for means of reducing use:
- Keep thermostats set at 78 degrees or higher. Using fans can make higher temperaturesettings feel more comfortable.
- When using window units, keep doors closed to unused rooms.
- Close blinds, drapes and shades during the hottest part of the day.
- If possible, consider using microwave or counter appliances as an alternative to the oven.
- Postpone laundry and dishwashing until after 9 pm to avoid generating additional heat.
First Electric Cooperative serves more than 86,000 Member accounts throughout parts of 17 counties in central and southeast Arkansas with full service offices in Benton, Heber Springs, Jacksonville, Perryville and Stuttgart.
Youth Tour Winners Announced
[General]
Three high school juniors have been selected to represent First Electric Cooperative on the 2011 Washington, D.C. Youth Tour. The students will join approximately 1500 additional students from across the U.S. to tour our nation's capital. The all-expense paid trip is scheduled for June 11-16.
The representatives are:
- Elijah Garrett, Perryville High School
- Ethan Reed, West Side High School (Greers Ferry)
- Kyle Grumbine, Home School (Cabot)
Scholarship Winners Announced
[General]
Five high school seniors were recently selected to receive a $2,000 from the Operation Round-Up scholarship program. The students were selected based upon scholastic achievement, community involvement and financial need.
This year's winners were:
- Candace Ruff, Perryville High School
- Jacob Hoy, Stuttgart High School
- Jasmine Harris, Sylvan Hills High School
- Karsyn Galanski, West Side High School (Greers Ferry)
- Spencer Burton, Fountain Lake High School (Hot Springs)
Survey Winners Announced
[General]
In January, residential Members of First Electric Cooperative received a Member survey in the mail, and a chance to win one of five bill credits. From among the thousands of Member surveys that were received, the following five Members each won a $100 bill credit.
Raymond Calvert of Carlisle
Carolyn Harshaw of Letona
Roberta Dupree of Romance
O.Layton Sparks of Little Rock
Cindy Bell of Jacksonville
Thank you to all of our Members who completed the survey.
Operation Round-Up Winners
[General]
Congratulations to the winners of the Operation Round-Up drawing. During the month of January, all new enrollees in the Operation Round-Up program were entered into a drawing for one of five bill credits. The following persons were chosen from more than 240 new enrollments:
David Badders
Sandra Adams
Michael Moll
John Steadman
Iva Wall
For more information about Operation Round-Up, click here.
Our Energy, Our Future
[General]
To keep electricity safe, reliable, and affordable, Congress and America's electric cooperatives must work together. Join the 535,000 American consumers who have asked their elected officials tough questions about our energy future.
Visit www.ourenergy.coop for more information, and to make your voice heard.
Energy Savers Booklet
[General]
Check out the energy saving tips and the Energy Savers Booklet published by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Service Installation Standards
[General]
To view First Electric's updated service installation standards; select either Residental or Commercial.
The Co-op Connections card is on its way! Local businesses are signing up everyday to offer valuable discounts to First Electric Members. Click here for more information.
If you own a business and would like to advertise your products or services to more than 70,000 First Electric members for free, contact the Marketing and Communications department at helpdesk@firstelectric.coop or call 1-800-489-7405.
Apply for New Service
[General]
To apply for new service or transfer of service click here
Even the small things can make a big different. Sign up for Paperless Billing and reduce your monthly paper usage... more
With First Electric Cooperative's Home Improvement Loan Program, you don't have to put off upgrading the energy efficiency of your home any longer. You can finance a high efficiency heat pump system and other energy saving items at a competitive, fixed interest rate - Learn more....
Our monthly bill inserts can now be viewed online, right here on our website. Easy to view, print or share! Look under the News menu for the Bill Insert page.
