Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Arkansas Electric Cooperative
Petit Jean Electric Cooperative has served Arkansas communities since 1940, rooted in the cooperative principles of member ownership and community service. As a member-owned utility, we prioritize reliable electricity delivery, financial transparency, and local economic development. Our governance structure ensures democratic member control through elected directors who shape policies aligned with community needs. We reinvest operational margins back into the cooperative, returning capital credits to members annually. Our commitment extends beyond power provision through educational programs like electrical safety demonstrations and community initiatives such as supporting local fairs and Down syndrome awareness events.With over 80 years of service, we maintain infrastructure resilience while expanding into fiber internet to address modern connectivity needs. Our workforce demonstrates dedication through disaster response during storms and international humanitarian projects bringing electricity to underserved regions. We operate under strict financial accountability, maintaining clean audit records and adhering to regulatory standards while balancing member affordability with system sustainability.
Services
Electricity Supply
Fiber Internet
Net Metering
Prepaid Billing
Outage Reporting
Safety Education
Community Support
Infrastructure Maintenance
Smart Grid Technology
Annual Capital Credits
Details
- Year established: 1940
Highlights and features
- We operate as a member-owned cooperative, returning $9.33M+ annually to members through capital credits
- Our fiber internet expansion addresses rural connectivity gaps using federal grants and existing infrastructure
- We maintain 3,092 miles of electric lines with 24/7 outage response and storm recovery capabilities
- Our board of directors includes local community leaders elected by member-owners
- We implement smart grid technology improving outage detection and system reliability
What people say
Excellent outage response
Community-focused leadership
Transparent capital credits
Fiber internet expansion
Educational programs
Services
Electricity Supply
We deliver reliable electricity through 3,092 miles of distribution lines, maintaining infrastructure with regular maintenance and emergency response teams. Our rates remain competitive through efficient operations and member-driven governance. Service includes residential, commercial, and agricultural accounts with consistent power quality and outage management systems.
Fiber Internet
Our fiber network expansion provides high-speed internet using federal grants and existing infrastructure. This service addresses rural connectivity gaps while supporting smart grid technology for improved electric system monitoring and reliability. Revenue from broadband helps sustain cooperative operations without member-funded investments.
Prepaid Billing
This flexible payment option eliminates security deposits and allows customized payment schedules. Members maintain control through daily usage tracking via SmartHub, with automated balance alerts and multiple payment channels including online, phone, and in-person options at Clinton and Marshall offices.
Community Education
We provide electrical safety demonstrations through partnerships like Scott Davis' 'Making Accidents Disappear' program. Educational initiatives target elementary students while supporting broader community development through event sponsorships and infrastructure investments in local fairs and public spaces.
Outage Management
Our 24/7 dispatch handles outage reporting with automated disconnection/reconnection processes for prepaid accounts. Crews respond to weather-related incidents like the 2025 Hwy 16 West tree damage, maintaining system resilience through regular infrastructure upgrades including 7,000+ pole replacements during fiber expansion.
People
Michael Kirkland
General Manager/CEO
Leading Petit Jean Electric since 2019, Michael brings extensive utility experience to strategic operations. He oversees 3,092 miles of lines and $9.33M+ annual revenue, focusing on infrastructure modernization and member service improvements.
Shawn Biggs
Manager of Engineering and Operations
Shawn directs technical operations ensuring system reliability across 80+ years of infrastructure. He manages storm response teams and coordinates major projects like the 2021 fiber network deployment that enhanced grid communication capabilities.
Marianne Pyeatt
Manager of Finance and Accounting
Marianne oversees financial operations including capital credit distributions and budget management. She ensures compliance with audit standards that have maintained clean financial records through multiple regulatory reviews.
Chris Green
Manager of IT and Broadband Services
Chris leads technology initiatives including SmartHub implementation and fiber network expansion. He secured $35M in grants for broadband development, integrating communication systems that improved outage detection and member service portals.
William Tester
Manager, Marshall Branch
William manages Marshall office operations covering 672 Airport Rd service area. He coordinates local infrastructure projects and member interactions, maintaining community relationships established through 75+ years of cooperative presence in the region.
Questions
How does the Advance Pay Prepaid Program work?
Members pay upfront for electricity through SmartHub, avoiding deposits. Accounts with $0 balance disconnect automatically but reconnect with payments plus $20 minimum credit.
Why invest in fiber internet?
Federal grants enabled broadband expansion using existing infrastructure. Fiber improves grid communication while addressing rural connectivity needs identified through member surveys.
How are rates determined?
Rates follow cost-of-service principles with annual audits confirming compliance. Recent increases reflect wholesale power costs and infrastructure investments approved through member-elected board decisions.
What community programs exist?
We sponsor fairs, safety demonstrations, and Down syndrome awareness walks. Linemen volunteer for international electrification projects, and local offices host educational initiatives for schools.
Can I use solar panels?
Net metering allows solar connections following state guidelines. We ensure safe grid integration while maintaining equitable access for all members through regulated interconnection standards.
How to report outages?
Use SmartHub app, website, or call 501-745-2493. Automated systems track restoration progress with priority given to critical infrastructure and largest outage areas.