Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) News

Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power, is excited to announce the ongoing development of several new generation projects, pending regulatory approval. These initiatives are designed to enhance SWEPCO's diverse energy portfolio by adding natural gas facilities alongside new wind and solar farms, addressing the growing capacity demands of the customers in a cost-effective manner. SWEPCO’s existing power generation portfolio Integrating these gen...

SWEPCO has launched a system-wide pole replacement project, aimed at strengthening the distribution system to better withstand severe weather and other disruptive events across its service territory. The project, which began in September, focuses on upgrading poles that have been identified through rigorous inspections. SWEPCO boosts the distribution system Across AEP, teams are focused on their promise to customers, and SWEPCO is no exception Across AEP, teams are focused on their commitme...

In partnership with SporTran and the City of Shreveport, SWEPCO unveiled a new look for SporTran’s newest electric bus. The vibrant red wrap enhances the visibility of public transportation in Shreveport and SWEPCO hopes it will also bring attention to how customers can find helpful resources to manage their utility bills. Also prominently displaying a QR code and URL to SWEPCO.com/billhelp, customers can log into their account and complete a short survey that will offer help and solution...

SWEPCO and Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation (NWBR) are excited to announce the release of a rehabilitated Cooper’s Hawk at Eagle Watch Nature Trail on Friday, November 22, at 4:30 p.m. The event is open to the public. “We are honored to host the release of this remarkable Cooper's Hawk at our Eagle Watch Nature Trail,” said Scott Carney, Flint Creek Power Plant’s Environmental Consultant, adding “We appreciate NWBR’s service to the care and rehabilitat...

Whether it’s a payment plan, a payment extension, or average monthly payments, SWEPCO is committed to supporting its customers during the winter months. Eligible customers in Louisiana can apply for assistance to pay their winter heating bills through the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).   Applications for winter heating assistance will be accepted from November 15 to March 15, or until funds are depleted.   Challenges with heating...

On Saturday, inaccurate reports circulated indicating that workers were trapped at a SWEPCO power plant. They want to clarify that this information is not factual — no employee or crew member was ‘trapped.’ The situation involved crews assembling scaffolding-type equipment within a furnace that was offline for routine maintenance repairs. use of additional equipment During this process, a portion of the scaffolding became jammed, necessitating the use of additional equipment...

Residents living near Arkansas High School should expect temporary lane closures and intermittent power outages from October 28 to 29 as Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) crews place new wires on recently-installed transmission poles.  The work is part of SWEPCO’s Ashdown - 12th Street Transmission Line Rebuild Project, which began in the spring. The project involves rebuilding approximately 19 miles of transmission line in Miller and Little River counties to improve regio...

Southwestern Electric Power Co., (SWEPCO, a subsidiary of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), is making way for future development at the site of the retired H.W. Pirkey Power Plant. Work continued to dismantle the stacks and boiler of the old plant to pave the way for future development at the decommissioned facility in Hallsville, Texas. H.W. Pirkey began operations on a snowy Jan. 3, 1985, serving SWEPCO customers and the Hallsville community for 38 years. The 675-megawatt plant was name...

Dozens of SWEPCO mutual-aid crew members are in Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton, which reached Category 5 strength as it churns through the Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to make landfall in the Tampa, Florida area as at least a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday. SWEPCO restoration professionals are strategically positioned in Tallahassee, Florida, and Daphne, Alabama. Once Milton has passed through, they will assist Tampa Electric (TECO) with restoring power. These 69 crew members are expec...

Southwestern Electric Power Company announced that Lisa Porterfield Thompson has been named Manager of External Affairs for Arkansas. She will serve southwest Arkansas and northeast Texas regions. She begins Sept. 30. In her new role, Thompson will work with local communities and collaborate with stakeholders on issues concerning local economic development, government, business, education, emergency service coordination and other community needs. Prior roles of Lisa Thompson Before joining SW...

Eligible SWEPCO customers in Arkansas and Louisiana can get help to pay summer cooling bills through funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until September 30 or until funds are depleted.  The funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Customers in Texas can apply year-round or until funds are depleted. Eligibility is based on income for the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Great help to customers To apply, find an administeri...

SWEPCO increasingly hears about customers who have been approached by someone claiming to be a SWEPCO partner and asking if they'd be interested in solar panels for their home. “It’s important for our customers to know SWEPCO does not sell solar panels and is not partnered with any companies that do,” said William Bradford, Jr., SWEPCO’s Vice President of External Affairs. Reduce environmental footprint Solar panels can be an option for customers looking to reduce thei...

SWEPCO is increasingly hearing from customers who have been contacted by someone claiming to be a SWEPCO partner and asking if they would be interested in solar panels for their home. "It's important for our customers to know that SWEPCO does not sell solar panels and is not associated with any company that does," said William Bradford, Jr., SWEPCO's Vice President of External Affairs. Reduce environmental footprint Solar panels can be an option for customers looking to reduce their environme...

The ArkLaTex faced a significant weather event on Monday, July 8, as Beryl, a Category 1 hurricane, struck the Texas coast and moved through the region. The National Weather Service office in Shreveport confirmed late Thursday evening that at least 29 tornadoes had occurred, prompting an unprecedented 67 warnings in a single day and setting a record. Rebuild power delivery systems Work continues in the ArkLaTex to rebuild from the storm that unleashed extreme weather In response, more than 9...

Restoration work is ongoing in the ArklaTex region after Beryl caused widespread damage. SWEPCO crews, in partnership with other utility professionals, are working to rebuild key infrastructure and restore power to the remaining customers without service. Damage assessment shows multiple repairs needed in hard-to-access locations, including heavily wooded or flooded areas. As of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, SWEPCO successfully and safely restored power to approximately 40,000 customers. SWEPCO's...

Beryl caused significant damage to SWEPCO’s energy delivery system and distribution networks with homes and businesses damaged. A familiar scene across the ArkLaTex included roofs removed, trees downed, and power lines snapped as severe weather moved through the ArkLaTex on Monday, July 8.   SWEPCO’s three-state service territory SWEPCO deployed its storm response team, which included utility professionals as part of Mutual Assistance from outside SWEPCO’s service...

Beryl made landfall and left millions of Texans without power, including about 14,000 SWEPCO customers in Texas, primarily in the Longview region. Its path of destruction continued into the ArkLaTex and, sadly, claimed the life of a Louisiana resident, according to the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office. Beryl’s arrival into the ArkLaTex region fueled a warm and unstable atmosphere and churned more than 67 active tornado warnings, a National Weather Service record, across the area, wit...

Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is lending a helping hand to their sister utility company, AEP Texas, in preparation for Beryl’s landfall on Monday. According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to intensify and make landfall along the mid-Texas coast as a hurricane on Monday. Hurricane impacts could include heavy rainfall, flooding, potential tornadoes, and damaging winds as the system moves inland across the state. SWEPCO’s service terr...

Texans may be able to get help to pay summer cooling bills until funds are depleted on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligibility is based on income for the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. To apply, visit the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to find an administering agency near you or dial 211 to discover more resources. Comprehensive Home Energy Assistance Program SWEPCO customers in Rusk, Cherokee, Gregg, Smith, and Wood co...

Arkansans can get help to pay summer cooling bills beginning July 8 through September 30, or until funds are depleted, on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligibility is based on income for the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. To apply, visit the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment to find the community-based organization or CBO that administers the program in the county. Heating and cooling seasons Nationally, seven out of ten households...

A stretch of high temperatures across the service territory is underway. With highs above 90 degrees, coupled with high humidity, feel like temperatures are hovering near 100! As a result, air conditioners may be working hard to keep homes cool, which increases energy use and electric bills. Cooling devices into overtime “Extremely hot, summer weather can send your cooling devices into overtime — causing your energy usage and electric bill to go up,” said Paul Pratt, Custome...

Louisiana Public Service Commissioners have approved SWEPCO’s request to refund customers, correcting a mistake in the 2023 Formula Rate Plan. SWEPCO’s Louisiana customers will see the refund as a credit applied to their bills beginning in July.  “We asked the commission to review the error as soon as possible so SWEPCO customers could start receiving benefits this summer,” said SWEPCO Vice President of Regulatory and Finance, Tom Brice, Jr., adding “We appr...

Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Agee as the new plant manager for John W. Turk Jr. Power Plant, a 650 MW rated ultra supercritical coal-fired plant located near Fulton, Ark. Agee will report to Monte McMahon, Vice President, Generating Assets, and will be responsible for overseeing the managerial, financial, environmental, and safety performance of these facilities. Agee steps into the role following the July 1 retirement of longtime...

Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sara Vestfals as the new Plant Manager for Arsenal Hill and J. Lamar Stall in Shreveport, La., and Lieberman in Mooringsport, La. Vestfals will report to Monte McMahon, Vice President, Generating Assets, and will be responsible for overseeing the managerial, financial, environmental, and safety performance of these facilities. Vestfals' appointment is effective as of May 27, 2024. Sara’s expe...

Crews took advantage of clear, sunny weather to complete restoration to 95 percent of customers affected by powerful storms that pummeled through the ArkLaTex. Severe storms bombarded the region in waves bringing three EF1 tornados, damaging hurricane-strength winds and rain. SWEPCO crews, with the help and support of 1323 additional storm responders, have worked nonstop to restore power to the customers. The remaining outages primarily involve repairs in hard-to-reach treacherous terrain or co...

A welcome break in the weather allowed crews to make more progress. Power was restored last night to customers in Bossier City, Louisiana, De Queen and Nashville in Arkansas and in Waskom, Texas. Latest damage estimates show many miles of damaged wire due to the relentless storms. Additionally, flooding brings extra challenges and complexities. Severely flooded work areas Safety for one another remains top of mind as crews work in dangerous conditions The work is often slow and deliberate be...

SWEPCO crews, in tandem with other utility professionals, worked to rebuild key infrastructure and restore power to thousands of customers in Northwest Arkansas. As of 10 a.m. Sunday, they have restored power to 91 percent of customers who can receive power in this area. The remaining customers without power are in areas hit especially hard by the Memorial Weekend storms. That line of severe weather produced at least seven tornadoes and hurricane-strength straight-line winds. SWEPCO’s pe...

SWEPCO’s ArkLaTex storm response, which included hundreds of utility professionals deployed to the hardest hit areas, was temporarily slowed by a concussive wave of storms that fired again on Saturday, downed more trees, damaged SWEPCO’s transmission system, the backbone of its energy delivery system, and created additional outages. Transmission lines bring high-voltage power from generation operations to substations, where it's "stepped down" to be used by numerous distribution net...

SWEPCO crews, in concert with other utility professionals, worked to rebuild key infrastructure and restore power to customers in Northwest Arkansas. They have made progress and this massive rebuilding effort continues to repower the remaining 3,500 customers.   For those properties that can receive power, crews estimate 95% should be restored by 10 p.m. Sunday, weather permitting. A significant milestone was reached Friday night as SWEPCO restored power to 95 percent of customers east of...

Hundreds of utility professionals continue to work safely and quickly to restore service to the nearly 4,000 customers who remain without power following multiple rounds of severe weather over the past week, which included three EF1 tornadoes in De Soto Parish, confirmed by the National Weather Service. As of noon Saturday, SWEPCO has restored power to approximately 19,000 ArkLaTex customers impacted by the most recent round of severe weather. Ongoing restoration efforts Much of the damaged i...