Burlington Electric Department The Burlington Electric Department issued a peak day alert for today, August 29, as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched last summer, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage today from 3:00-6:00pm. Please note the time change since yesterday’s announcement. Burlington Electric also had issued a peak day alert yesterday, resulting in thegreatest savings seenunder the program so far, equivalent to the electricity needed to power 550 homes, or 284.1 kilowatts. Having “defeated the peak,” our community worked together to earn a community award of $1,000 to benefit the Heineberg Community Senior Center, which posted the following reaction on its Facebook page today: “A big thank you to Burlington Electric Department for supporting our Center while reducing energy demand!”
Burlingtonians can lend a hand today by taking the following steps on what is projected to be another unusually hot summer day:
- Raise thermostat temperatures or turn off air conditioners after returning home from work and wait until after 6:00pm to return air conditioners to previous settings;
- Wait until after 6:00pm or later to use washing machines, clothing dryers, dishwashers, and other appliances;
- Turn off non-essential lights until 6:00pm and later; and
- Delay other discretionary electric consumption until after 6:00pm.
Leading by example, Burlington Electric will be reducing its energy usage today by turning off all non-essential lights and adjusting its air conditioning usage by raising the thermostat to 75 degrees at its Pine Street facility from 3:00-6:00pm.
“We’re excited about our ‘Triple Bottom Line’ approach to defeating the peak here in Burlington,” stated Paul Alexander, Burlington Electric Department interim General Manager. “What a terrific win-win-win when our community comes together to keep costs low, protect the environment, and provide immediate support to impactful community nonprofits. Defeat the Peak serves as another part of our plan to make Burlington a net zero energy city.”
Two more traditional incentives for Burlingtonians who take peak day actions include: potential reductions in utility costs that help keep electric rates low and stable; and environmental benefits that come with reduced energy demand on the regional electric grid, which decreases the need for use of polluting oil and natural gas generators around New England. A more unique and innovative incentive introduced last year by Burlington Electric based on customer input is a community reward opportunity through which a local nonprofit – in this case Outright Vermont – will benefit from a $1,000 contribution from Burlington Electric if our customers hit the targeted amount of load reduction on a peak day.
“Outright Vermont and Burlington Electric have something in common – we’re both working to build a safe and healthy environment for our communities,” said Dana Kaplan, Executive Director of Outright Vermont. “Thank you Burlington Electric for recognizing Outright Vermont as an organization worthy of this support.”
Burlington Electric has notified customers by email blast about today’s peak day alert. Customers can sign up for these email notifications, view a video explaining Defeat the Peak, and learn more about the program by visiting www.burlingtonelectric.com/peak. Burlington Electric also has shared and will continue to share information about peak day alerts with the community through social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.