Arkansas

Why is it like this in Arkansas?

Arkansas's electricity rate of about 13.3¢/kWh currently sits below the level where gasoline definitively wins per mile for a typical PHEV — but that's changing. Both of Arkansas's major investor-owned utilities filed simultaneous rate increase requests in 2025 tied to new gas plant construction — SWEPCO is seeking roughly a 27% residential hike in northwest Arkansas, and Entergy Arkansas is using a new state law to collect costs during construction. Sustained upward pressure from these filings is likely to erode Arkansas's current electricity cost advantage within a few years.

In the news · Arkansas

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  SWEPCO seeking $30 per month rate increase

  Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · Jul 28, 2025

  SWEPCO filed for a ~27% monthly residential rate hike to fund new wind and grid projects in Arkansas — if approved, it would significantly raise the electric cost-per-mile for PHEV drivers in the utility's northwest Arkansas service territory.

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  Entergy applies for rate increase under new state law, looks to open gas plant near Pine Bluff

  Arkansas Times · Jul 25, 2025

  Entergy Arkansas used the state's new Generating Arkansas Jobs Act to seek a 'strategic investment rider' charge while building a 754 MW gas plant — a bill-during-construction mechanism that will incrementally raise Entergy customers' electricity costs for years.

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  Entergy, SWEPCO file for rate increases to fund construction of 3 natural gas-fired power plants

  Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · Aug 9, 2025

  Both of Arkansas's major investor-owned utilities simultaneously filed rate increase applications tied to new gas plant construction, signaling sustained upward pressure on Arkansas electricity rates over the next several years.

Curated coverage of Arkansas's EV/PHEV cost, policy, and infrastructure story. External links open in a new tab.

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