Utilities

Utilities

Arkansas's utilities — Entergy, CenterPoint, SWEPCo, and the electrical cooperatives — are essentially monopolies. The agreed upon "check" on those monopolies is the Arkansas Public Service Commission. Periodically, when the energy companies cry for a rate hike, there's hearings before the Commission, with the companies on one side and consumer activists and lawyers from the Attorney General's office on the other. The utilities typically get their revenue bump, but just as typically, they compromise for a lower rate hike than they wanted.

Energy

Author of Utility Rate Change Says Ending 'Net Metering' Not Legislation's Intent

The Arkansas Public Service Commission is expected to close a docket soon that could substantially lower a cash incentive for Arkansans (and Arkansas…
Energy

After Two Years, Utility Commission Set To Fix Rates For Private Solar Energy Credits

Friday is the deadline for two sides to file arguments with the Arkansas Public Service Commission, the state's three-member panel that sets usage and…
Energy

Net Metering Decision Spurs Write-In Campaign But Commission Weighing Interest Groups’ Input

The Arkansas Public Service Commission can be thankful this season for some very outspoken electricity customers. More than 200, mostly private residents…
Energy

In Utilities Versus Private Generators, Electricity Credits May Lose Power

For interested onlookers like Arkansas Energy Office program manager Chet Howland, the filing today by the Net Metering Working Group is a not-unexpected,…
Energy

Private Energy Generation Pulls In A Crowd At Public Service Commission

Bobby Ampezzan

The Arkansas Public Service Commission hosted a day-long public hearing Tuesday on net metering, the industry term for people and businesses who...
Energy

Small Energy Producers May Pay For Grid Access As State's 'Net Metering' Rules Get Review

Jacqueline Froelich

Carroll County resident Pat Costner walks under her three solar arrays this warm autumn afternoon to a shed where she keeps a collection of heavy-duty...