Recap: emPOWER Arkansas 2024
The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association kicked off its annual gathering with a lively and well-attended Legislative Reception on the evening of October 17 at Fassler Hall. Attendees enjoyed an engaging evening of networking and discussions, setting a collaborative tone for the events that followed.
The main event on October 18 provided a powerful platform for critical industry conversations. Leading off, we hosted an impactful session with the Arkansas Public Service Commission (PSC), where PSC representatives engaged directly with attendees on a range of customer issues including complex transmission considerations and examining the far-reaching implications of the state's transition away from net metering—a significant change for both industry and consumers.
In addition to the PSC dialogue, we spotlighted Arkansas’s advanced energy workforce initiatives. Four pioneering employers shared the successes of their apprenticeships and workforce programs—some of which are the first of their kind nationally, setting new industry standards. Three training institutions complemented this by introducing their cutting-edge energy programs that are equipping the next generation across Arkansas.
A key session on the state’s growing lithium industry, as highlighted in the media, underscored Arkansas’s unique competitiveness in the lithium market. The discussion emphasized the critical role of lithium in supply chains, spotlighting new economic opportunities for the region.
We also provided timely updates on Arkansas’s share of federal funding through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the new resources available to employers, municipalities, and communities to drive workforce development and energy growth. In a notable announcement, the Arkansas Energy Office introduced a new grant program and shared an opportunity for public feedback on the HOMES/HEERHA residential rebates.
This impactful two-day event was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors — Walmart, Standard Lithium, Hope Enterprise Corporation, Triple Oak Power, Seal Solar, Entegrity, and Audubon Delta — as well as our dedicated board members, speakers, and the AAEA staff team. Together, we laid the groundwork for a more resilient and competitive advanced energy future in Arkansas.
