Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department (BED) and Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) issued a peak alert for today/Friday, July 28. BED members are asked to reduce their energy usage from 5-7 pm today. VEC members from 5-9 pm, to reduce energy costs by reducing usage during a peak event.
Vermonters 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 between the hours of 5:00 and 7:00pm before returning air conditioners to cooler 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;
- Avoid charging electric vehicles until after 7:00pm (or until 10:00pm if you are on BED’s special off-peak charging rate); and
- Delay other discretionary electric consumption until after 7:00pm.
Meanwhile, Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is encouraging members to conserve electricity this evening (Friday) between 5 pm and 9 pm as demand for power across New England is expected to spike because of high temperatures.
“When VEC can reduce the cost to buy and transmit electricity during these ‘peak’ periods, it helps control future electricity rates for all co-op members,” said Jake Brown, VEC Energy Services Planner.
Members who have electric vehicles can have a large impact by not charging during these hours, too.
For more information visit https://vermontelectric.coop/beat-the-peak or call 800-832-2667.
BED has called the peak alert due to extreme regional temperatures, particularly in southern New England this week. The New England region reaches peak demand for electricity during the summer. A significant portion of BED’s costs as a utility is determined by how much energy our community is using during the summer peak.
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 BED based on customer input is a community reward opportunity through which a local nonprofit – in this case Old Spokes Home – will benefit from a $1,000 contribution from BED if our customers hit the targeted amount of load reduction on a peak alert day.
“We are excited to continue Defeat the Peak for our seventh year,” stated Darren Springer, BED General Manager. “We encourage our customers to participate knowing that even small, individual steps add to our community effort to reduce costs and protect our environment. During the peak, please consider unplugging phone and laptop charging cords, adjusting thermostats, and waiting until after the peak to charge electric vehicles and to run dishwashers and other appliances. With your help, we can continue to hit our peak reduction targets, and we will be able to support our friends and partners at Old Spokes Home with its impactful work in Burlington.”
Jon Copans, Executive Director of Old Spokes Home, stated: "At Old Spokes Home, we work to strengthen lives and community by creating access to bikes. We do this by making bikes and bike service more affordable through our Everybody Bikes Program and by providing the knowledge and the tools for folks to work on their own bikes. Each year we give away hundreds of bikes to kids so they have a fun and active way to get around. We strive to be a place where anyone feels welcome. We do this all because bikes bring joy, they are healthy, and often they replace car trips. We greatly appreciate our partnership with Burlington Electric Department and the chance it gives us to play a role in protecting our environment and our community.”
BED also notifies customers by email blast about peak day alerts. Customers are invited to 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. BED also shares information about peak day alerts with the community through social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Source: BED. VEC 7.28.2023
