OZARK, Ark. — Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation (AVECC) welcomed Katie Jereza, Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity (OE) to its headquarters on September 30, 2026 highlighting the cooperative’s progress in implementing an $18 million federally supported grid modernization project.
The visit focused on AVECC’s “Beyond AMI to True Grid Intelligence with Distributed Automation” project, which received an $18 million federal funding award from the DOE in 2023. The initiative focuses on modernizing the cooperative’s electric distribution system through advanced technology designed to improve reliability, resilience, and operational efficiency.
“America’s energy future depends on a strong electric grid in every community,” said Assistant Secretary Jereza. “Our partnership with Arkansas Valley Electric demonstrates how federal investment and local expertise can work together to strengthen our electric, support economic growth, and create opportunities for generations to come.”
Assistant Secretary Jereza was welcomed by AVECC’s engineering team, lineworkers, and cooperative leadership, who highlighted the project’s development over the past three years and provided an update on its progress. Following the presentation, Jereza toured AVECC’s headquarters, visiting departments including Member Services, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Information Technology (IT), Engineering, and Control Center. The visit concluded with a field demonstration of electronic reclosers (which act as circuit breakers that restore power automatically after temporary faults and isolate permanent faults to limit the quantity and scope of outages).
Speaking about the importance of modernizing America’s electric infrastructure, Jereza emphasized the significance of projects like AVECC’s.
Through advanced grid technologies and automated equipment, the project is designed to improve reliability, increase operational efficiency, and strengthen AVECC’s ability to respond to outages. The cooperative’s fiber infrastructure was built to provide greater visibility and to control the electric distribution system which helps AVECC better serve its members today while preparing for future energy demands.
She explained that having fiber communications infrastructure and centralized controls in place will allow utilities to adopt future advancements in software, computing, and Super Intelligence.
The grid modernization project is approximately halfway complete. Metering upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of 2028, while distribution automation improvements are projected to be completed in the first half of 2029.
AVECC Engineering Manager, Chris Howe stated, “The Department of Energy’s GRIP grant represents a significant investment in the reliability and resilience of Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation’s electric system. It will help us modernize critical infrastructure, strengthen service during severe weather and other disruptions, and better prepare the grid for the needs of our members.”
AVECC System Engineer Samantha Renard, added, “This project paves the way to a significantly more resilient, adaptable power grid built specifically to handle the modern energy demands of our rural communities.”
Beyond the technological advancements, Jereza praised AVECC’s collaborative culture, noting that the trust and communication among employees play an important role in the cooperative’s ability to embrace innovation.
AVECC CEO Al Simpson also shared, “At its core, the advancement of the smart grid allows AVECC to better serve our members. By continuing to modernize our electric infrastructure, we strengthen our operations and improve our ability to provide reliable electric service for generations to come.”
AVECC remains forward-focused in implementing advanced electric infrastructure that strengthens the cooperative’s smart grid modernization efforts and ultimately enhances the reliability and quality of service provided to its members.
Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation (AVECC) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Ozark, Arkansas. Serving members across 14 counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma, AVECC is committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity while investing in innovative technologies and infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves. Through its dedication to service, community involvement, and cooperative values, AVECC continues to power the lives of its members and the future of the Arkansas River Valley.
