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Arkansas Electricity Information

Arkansas generates most of its electricity from natural gas and coal, with a growing contribution from renewables like hydroelectric, wind, and solar power. The state’s abundant rivers and forests also support biomass energy, adding to its diverse energy mix. Electricity consumption in Arkansas is moderate, with residential use influenced by seasonal heating and cooling needs, while industrial demand is driven by sectors like manufacturing and agriculture. The state’s utilities, such as Entergy Arkansas, play a key role in providing reliable power to homes and businesses.

Electricity prices in Arkansas are typically below the national average, thanks to the state’s access to low-cost energy sources and efficient grid management. However, like elsewhere, prices can fluctuate with fuel costs and infrastructure upgrades. Arkansas has been gradually reducing its carbon footprint by transitioning from coal to natural gas and expanding renewable energy projects. The state is also investing in energy efficiency programs to help consumers save money and reduce environmental impact, reflecting a balanced approach to energy and sustainability.

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Electricity Production

Primary Source

Natural Gas

Total Generation: 63,195,647 MWh
Ranks 25th Highest in the U.S.
Average Price: 13.33¢ /kWh
Ranks 11th Cheapest in the U.S.
Average Electric Bill: $133.14
Ranks 23rd Cheapest in the U.S.

Electricity Production By Source

Emissions From Electricity Generation

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Rank

20th Highest

28,363 TMT

Sulfer Dioxide Emissions Rank

9th Highest

35,500 tn

Nitrogen Oxide Emissions Rank

28th Highest

18,878 tn

Renewable Electricity Generation

Renewable Production Rank

37th Highest

4,026,301 MWh
6.37% of Total Production

Source U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Based on data from 2023

Energy Usage in Arkansas

Energy Usage Per Capita Rank

36th Lowest

Average Per Person: 346 million BTU

Arkansas sits in a humid-subtropical zone, long, hot, and sticky summers push air-conditioning to the forefront, while generally mild winters see lower electric use, with occasional cold snaps that spike space-heating and heat-pump demand. Usage patterns also vary by place, Delta communities run A/C hard through extended heat waves, the Ozarks get cooler winters, and farms and food-processing facilities add steady load (think irrigation pumps and refrigeration). Add in manufacturing and a growing summer peak, and Arkansas’s electricity profile is defined by cooling-driven seasonality, punctuated by brief winter surges when Arctic air dips south.

Municipal Utilities in Arkansas

While most cities, towns, and villages throughout the state of Arkansas offer municipal essential services like providing clean water, sewage treatment and dealing with waste and storm water, some also offer other services like electricity, natural gas, sanitation or recycling. In Arkansas, 17 cities offer municipal electricity utility services to their residents.

Largest Electric Companies in Arkansas

The rest of Arkansas receives electric utility service from one of many primary providers. Here’s a list of some of the larger providers that might be available to your home:

Arkansas Natural Gas Information

Arkansas leans on natural gas for both grid reliability and everyday needs, and its role is set to grow smarter rather than simply larger. In a humid-subtropical climate, long, hot summers push gas-fired power plants to support heavy air-conditioning loads, while generally mild winters (with occasional cold snaps) drive a moderate, weather-sensitive bump in home and commercial heating. Looking ahead, efficiency upgrades, tighter building codes, and utility demand-response programs are expected to smooth those peaks, while gas remains the fast-ramping backbone that helps integrate more renewables on the grid. The near-term trajectory is about reliability and resilience, hardening systems for extreme weather, improving efficiency, and using natural gas more flexibly alongside growing wind and solar.

Average Natural Gas Price

$3.074 /CCF

Ranks 47th Cheapest in the U.S.

Average Natural Gas Bill

$108 /month

Ranks 31st Cheapest in the U.S.

Natural Gas Usage Per Capita

9th Lowest

Average Per Person: 139.28 MCFs Annually

Largest Natural Gas Companies in Arkansas

Many of the residents of Arkansas receive their natural gas utility service from one of the larger companies that service the state.

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Arkansas Internet Connectivity

Broadband Availability

79.94%

Ranks 8th in the U.S.

Percent of Ppopulation with access to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload

1 Gig Availability

45.42%

Ranks 33rd in the U.S.

Percent of population with access to download speeds of 1 Gbps

Fiber Availability

41.35%

Ranks 25th in the U.S.

Percent of population with access to Fiber Internet

Largest Internet Providers in Arkansas

When it comes to high-speed internet, homes in Arkansas have plenty of options to stay connected! From bustling cities to quiet rural areas, a variety of providers offer reliable service across the state. Here are some of the biggest names keeping Arkansas homes online and in the loop:

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Know Your Rights: Consumer Protections

Arkansas has specific rules to protect utility customers during extreme weather and medical emergencies.

The "Cold Weather Rule"

Protection: Gas and electric utilities cannot disconnect your residential service on a day when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures of 32°F or lower within the next 24 hours.
Payment Plans: From November 1 to March 31, qualifying customers may be eligible for a specialized payment plan to avoid disconnection.

The "Hot Weather Rule"

Protection: Utilities are restricted from suspending service to elderly (65+) or disabled customers when the temperature is forecast to be 95°F or higher (or a heat index of 105°F+).
Registration Required: To qualify for this specific protection, you typically must be registered with your utility provider as an elderly or disabled customer before the heat wave hits.

Medical Priority Registry

If you or a family member relies on life-sustaining medical equipment (like oxygen concentrators or home dialysis) that requires electricity:

Contact your utility immediately to request a "Physician’s Certificate of Medical Necessity" form.
Have your doctor sign it and return it to the utility.
Note: This usually provides a delay in shut-off (often 30 days) to give you time to pay or find alternatives; it does not permanently waive your bill.

Thinking About Solar? (Important Update)

If you are considering installing solar panels in Arkansas, be aware of recent legal changes (Act 278) that affect your potential savings.

The Change (Net Metering vs. Net Billing):
- Before Sept 30, 2024: Customers could get a "1-to-1" credit for the energy they sent back to the grid.
- New Customers (Post-Sept 2024): New solar installations generally fall under "Net Billing." You will buy electricity at the retail rate but be credited for your excess power at the "avoided cost" (wholesale) rate, which is significantly lower.
What This Means: The return on investment for solar in Arkansas has changed. You may need to size your system differently or consider battery storage to maximize your own usage rather than sending power back to the grid.

Arkansas Energy Efficiency Tips

Arkansas has a humid subtropical climate, meaning utilities battle both sticky heat in summer and damp cold in winter.

For Homeowners

Humidity Control: High humidity makes 78°F feel like 85°F. Using a dehumidifier can make your home feel cooler without running the AC as hard.
Attic Insulation: In Arkansas summers, attic temperatures can soar. ensuring you have at least R-38 insulation can drastically lower cooling bills.
Rebates: Check Energy Efficiency Arkansas (EEA) for incentives on upgrading AC units or insulation.

For Renters

Draft Snakes: Arkansas winters often bring drafty winds. Use "draft snakes" (fabric tubes filled with sand/beans) at the base of doors to stop cold air without damaging the property.
Curtain Strategy:
- Summer: Keep heavy curtains closed on south/west windows during the day to block heat.
- Winter: Open them during the day to let the sun warm your unit naturally.
Tenant Rights Note: Arkansas is a "landlord-friendly" state. Tenants generally cannot withhold rent for repairs or utility issues. However, landlords are legally required to provide a habitable unit with access to essential water, heat, and electricity.

New Resident Checklist

Moving to the Natural State?

Call Before You Dig: Planning a fence or garden? Arkansas law requires you to call 811 (Arkansas One Call) at least 2 business days before digging to mark gas/electric lines. It is free and mandatory.
Water Quality: You can view the water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report) for your specific city or county via the Arkansas Department of Health website.
Internet Access: If you are moving to a rural area, check the status of Arkansas Rural Connect projects, which are actively expanding high-speed broadband to underserved counties.

Utility Costs in Arkansas

The average monthly total utility bills in Arkansas is $264.86, which is 4.43% lower than the national average.

Average Electric Bill

$133

Lower than national average

Average Natural Gas Bill

$108

Higher than national average

Average Water Bill

$24

Lower than national average

Assistance for Paying Utility Bills in Arkansas

If you are struggling to pay your utility bills in Arkansas, there are several federal, state, and private programs designed to help. Assistance is available for heating, cooling, and crisis situations where you may face disconnection.

Statewide & Federal Assistance

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This is the primary federal program helping low-income households with home energy bills. In Arkansas, it is administered by Community Action Agencies.
- Regular Assistance: One-time payment for heating or cooling costs.
- Crisis Intervention: Emergency assistance for households facing shut-off notices or empty fuel tanks.
- How to Apply: You must apply through the Community Action Agency that serves your specific county.
- Find your local Community Action Agency here
Arkansas Low-Income Sales Tax Exemption: Residential customers with a total household income of $12,000 or less per year are exempt from paying state sales tax on the first 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity used each month.
- How to Apply: You must complete the E-416 form and submit it directly to your utility provider.
Arkansas 211: A free, confidential service that connects you to local community resources, including utility assistance, food pantries, and housing help.
- Dial: 2-1-1

Utility Company Programs

Most major utility providers in Arkansas offer their own assistance funds or flexible payment arrangements.

Entergy Arkansas – The Power to Care: Funded by donations, this program helps low-income seniors and people with disabilities pay their energy bills in emergencies.
Summit Utilities – Heating Assistance Fund: Provides funds to help pay past-due natural gas bills during the heating season.
Black Hills Energy – Black Hills Cares: Matches customer and employee donations to help those in need pay their energy bills.
CenterPoint Energy – Customer Assistance Fund: Works with local agencies (often the Salvation Army) to provide bill assistance.

Special Programs for Seniors

Seniors (often defined as age 60+) are frequently prioritized for LIHEAP funds and utility-specific programs.

Agency on Aging: Your local Area Agency on Aging can help you navigate applications for LIHEAP and other benefits.
The Power to Care (Entergy): Specifically targets seniors for emergency bill payment assistance.

Special Programs for Veterans

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): Programs run by organizations like Veterans Inc. and others in Arkansas provide temporary financial assistance for utilities to veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Operation Homefront: Offers Critical Financial Assistance for overdue utility bills for eligible military families and veterans.

Special Programs for Students

Many universities in Arkansas have established “Student Emergency Funds” to help currently enrolled students cover unexpected costs, including utility bills, to prevent them from dropping out.

University of Arkansas (Fayetteville): The UA Cares Student Emergency Fund and Dean’s Emergency Retention Fund can assist with utility turn-off notices.
Arkansas State University (Jonesboro): The Student Emergency Fund provides one-time grants (typically up to $500) for emergencies.
University of Central Arkansas (Conway): The Student Emergency Fund may cover one month of utilities for students in immediate need.
General Advice for Students: If your school is not listed, contact your Dean of Students or Financial Aid Office to ask if an emergency benevolent fund is available.