Encourages Community to Reduce Energy Usage from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department (BED) issued a peak alert for tomorrow, Tuesday, July 16, as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched during summer 2017, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage from 5:00pm to 7:00pm tomorrow. The purpose of the Defeat the Peak program is to reduce our energy costs by reducing usage during a peak event. 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 between the hours of 5:00pm 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.
BED has called the peak alert due to extreme regional temperatures. 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 Cathedral Square – will benefit from a $1,000 contribution from BED if our customers hit the targeted amount of load reduction on a peak alert day.
With high temperatures forecasted for this week, Burlington has activated neighborhood cooling centers through Tuesday, July 16. Cooling center locations include: Department of Public Works/Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront, 645 Pine Street; Fletcher Free Library, 235 College Street; Old North End Community Center, 20 Allen Street; Leddy Arena, 216 Leddy Park Road; and Fletcher Free Library, New North End Branch, 1127 North Avenue.
“We are excited to continue Defeat the Peak for our eighth year, focusing on reducing energy use and cost for Burlington customers,” stated Darren Springer, BED General Manager. “It is important to note that Defeat the Peak is not related to grid reliability. Rather, BED can save money for all of our customers and protect our environment by reducing energy use during peak events and lessening our contribution to peak energy demand. We want our customers first and foremost to stay safe during the upcoming heat wave and to utilize City cooling centers as needed. We also ask that, where possible, customers take small steps such as unplugging phone and laptop charging cords, adjusting thermostats a few degrees, and waiting until after the peak 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 Cathedral Square with its important work in Burlington and throughout Vermont.”
“Cathedral Square is proud to partner with Burlington Electric Department on its Defeat the Peak campaign,” stated Kim Fitzgerald, CEO of Cathedral Square, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting healthy homes, caring communities, and positive aging for Vermont's senior community. “At Cathedral Square, we have an amazing staff team working hard every day to achieve our vision of creating healthy environments where Vermonters have access to affordable homes and the health and service supports they need. As we build new communities around Vermont, we do our best to be thoughtful about steps we can take in the building process to help fight climate change, and we greatly appreciate the work Burlington Electric engages in help protect our environment.”
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 burlingtonelectric.com/peak. BED also shares information about peak day alerts with the community through social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram.
Source: 7.15.2024. Burlington, VT – Burlington Electric Department
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