Section 23-18-110 - Planned power outages and other emergency measures to reduce energy consumption - Notice requirements - Definitions(a) As used in this section: (1)(A) "Directly notify" means, to the extent technically feasible, to use best efforts to provide notification within a reasonable time before a coordinated interruption of electric service or other emergency measure to reduce energy consumption in response to extreme weather conditions as directed by a regional transmission organization or reliability coordinator.(B) "Directly notify" does not include the use of social media;(2) "Electric utility" means a utility that furnishes electricity to retail customers for compensation: (A) Through a municipally owned utility system; or(B) As a public utility under the jurisdiction of the Arkansas Public Service Commission; and(3) "Local government" means: (B) A city of the first class or city of the second class; or(C) An incorporated town.(b)(1) A local government may notify an electric utility to identify the location of any emergency warming centers or emergency cooling centers established to protect the elderly and individuals with disabilities during emergency weather events.(2) A local government that identifies any warming center or cooling center under subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall provide sufficient details concerning the number, location, and designated contact person for coordination of information regarding service to any emergency warming center or emergency cooling center.(c) An electric utility that has received notice from a local government as described in subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall:(1) Include the locations of any emergency warming centers or emergency cooling centers as part of the electric utility's overall planning process to implement a coordinated interruption of electric service or other emergency measure to reduce energy consumption in response to extreme weather conditions as directed by a regional transmission organization or reliability coordinator; and(2) To the extent technically feasible, use the public utility's best efforts to:(A) Directly notify any persons identified as the appropriate points of contact by the local government as soon as reasonably possible when a coordinated interruption of electric service or other emergency measure to reduce energy consumption in response to extreme weather conditions as directed by a regional transmission organization or reliability coordinator will be implemented; and(B) Give priority to: (i) Avoid interrupting electric service; and(ii) Restoring electric service to any emergency warming centers or emergency cooling centers identified by the local government.Added by Act 2021, No. 877,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.