Government Energy Policy, Business and Technology

How an Arkansas co-op used solar power to help retain a major employer

Southeast Energy News: An electric cooperative in rural Arkansas is finding that solar power is not only benefiting its members, it’s helped to keep a major employer in the community.

Ouachita Electric Cooperative may have broken new ground by how it helped arrange a dual power purchase agreement with its wholesale power supplier in order to help a defense contractor build its presence near the co-op’s hometown of Camden.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is Ouachita’s largest customer so it was incumbent on General Manager Mark Cayce to do everything in its power to retain its business and explore ways to improve its service to the company. Camden had recently lost another large manufacturer – Arquest, Inc. – which saw its local operations moved to Texas after being acquired.

Read article