Encourages Community to Reduce Energy Usage from 4:00-7:00pm
Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department issued a peak day alert for tomorrow, July 17, as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched two summers ago, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage tomorrow from 4:00-7:00pm.
Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what is projected to be an unusually hot summer day:
- Raise thermostat temperatures or turn off air conditioners after returning home from work and wait until after 7:00pm to return air conditioners to previous settings;
- Wait until after 7:00pm or later to use washing machines, clothing dryers, dishwashers, and other appliances;
- Turn off non-essential lights until 7:00pm and later; and
- Delay other discretionary electric consumption until after 7:00pm.
Leading by example, Burlington Electric will be reducing its energy usage tomorrow 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 4:00-7:00pm.
The New England region reaches peak demand for electricity during the summer. A significant portion of Burlington Electric’s costs as a utility is determined by how much energy our community is using during the summer peak.
“We are excited to continue the Defeat the Peak effort in 2019,” stated Darren Springer, Burlington Electric Department General Manager. “When our community comes together to reduce electric use on peak days, we can save money, help protect the environment, and provide immediate support to nonprofits that are making a difference in Burlington. 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 by Burlington Electric based on customer input is a community reward opportunity through which a local nonprofit – in this case Vermont Works for Women – will benefit from a $1,000 contribution from Burlington Electric if our customers hit the targeted amount of load reduction on a peak day.
“Just as Burlington Electric is inspiring members of our community to build a safe and healthy environment for our communities, Vermont Works for Women invests in women and girls to teach them to make confident and deliberate steps to enrich and improve their lives and, in turn, enhance our Vermont communities and economy,” said Jennifer Oldham, Executive Director of Vermont Works for Women. “We greatly appreciate our partnership with Burlington Electric and this great opportunity to help the Burlington community and our organization.”
Burlington Electric also notifies customers by email blast about tomorrow’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 shares and will continue to share information about peak day alerts with the community through social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.