Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department, Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) and Green Mountain Power (GMP) are encouraging members to conserve electricity during late afternoons and evenings this weekend as demand for electricity is expected to spike because of high temperatures throughout New England.
Specifically, VEC asks members to conserve electricity today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) as well as Sunday, from 4-8pm.
Here is what people can do to help “beat the peak” during those hours:
• Turn off all unnecessary lights.
• Delay the use of major appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers until after the alert time has passed.
• Reduce use of air conditioning as much as safely possible.
“When VEC can reduce the cost to buy and transmit electricity when demand is high across the region, it helps control electricity rates for all co-op members over the long term,” said Jake Brown, VEC Energy Services Planner.
For more information visit https://www.vermontelectric.coop/programs-services/beat-the-peak or call 800-832-2667.
The Burlington Electric Department also issued a weekend peak alert for Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21, as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched two summers ago (view news release here), encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage from 4:00-7:00pm on both days.
Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what are projected to be unusually hot summer days:
- 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.
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 the Pride Center of 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.
“The Pride Center of Vermont and Burlington Electric have something in common – we’re both working to build a safe and healthy environment for our communities,” said Mike Bensel (he/him/his), Executive Director of Pride Center for Vermont. “Thank you Burlington Electric for recognizing Pride Center of Vermont as an organization worthy of this support.”
Burlington Electric also notifies customers by email blast about peak day alerts. 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 information about peak day alerts with the community through social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.
Green Mountain Power (GMP) is urging customers to be safe and comfortable as forecasters predict temperatures in the 90’s this weekend. GMP is using its growing network of stored energy to help reduce demand on the grid during peak power use times which reduces costs for all customers while also cutting carbon emissions.
GMP’s stored energy network has grown in partnership with customers and includes more than 2,000 home batteries, plus car chargers, heat pumps, water heaters, and heat pump water heaters. GMP also has utility scale batteries at solar installations in Rutland and Panton. When deployed all together, using this network is like taking about 12,000 homes off the grid at one time which drives down costs and carbon for customers.
“We know our customers care about the environment and make smart choices about energy every day. Our stored energy network is a great tool to help reduce demand during peak energy use times like this, and the added benefit is it cuts emissions and costs for customers while helping to keep them safe and comfortable,” said Josh Castonguay, GMP Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer.
GMP is also on alert for the possibility of outages. Forecasters say the hot and humid conditions could create isolated to scattered thunderstorms Friday into Sunday.
GMP is reminding customers about safety, including:
- Never leave kids, people with disabilities, older adults, or pets in a closed vehicle
- Stay hydrated
- Limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day
- Seek cool or air conditioned spaces
- Check on neighbors and family to make sure they’re safe
- Dial 211 for cooling shelters in your area
- Dial 911 for a medical emergency
More heat safety info here: https://vem.vermont.gov
More outage safety info here: https://greenmountainpower.
Report an outage: https://outages.
Governor Phil Scott also is urging Vermonters to stay safe and cool. Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 80s to low- 90s with high humidity, making it feel like 100 degrees or more.
“High temperatures over the next few days pose serious health risks, so I encourage all Vermonters to take the necessary steps to protect themselves as well as their families, neighbors and pets against the heat,” said Governor Scott. “State agencies and partners will be providing safety tips and resources to help keep all safe and cool this weekend.”
The Agency of Human Services, departments of Health, Public Safety and Libraries, Vermont Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, non-profit organizations and others are participating in the state’s effort.
High temperatures create a serious risk for dangerous and sometimes deadly heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke. Watch for symptoms such as muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, headache or light-headedness. Most heat illnesses can be treated with fluids and by resting in a cooler place. If symptoms persist, get worse, or someone you are with seems confused or loses consciousness, dial 9-1-1 and get immediate medical help.
Important safety tips and guidance are available at http://www.healthvermont.gov/
Tips for staying safe and healthy in hot weather:
- Never leave pets or people – especially children, those with disabilities or older adults – in a closed vehicle.
- Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids.
- Seek relief in air-conditioned spaces or other cool and shaded places.
- Check in on loved ones and neighbors to make sure they are safe — especially those who live alone, have mobility issues or do not have air conditioning.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
- Limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
- Close window shades during the day. Keep windows closed when it is hotter outside than inside. Avoid using appliances and lights that generate heat.
- Keep an eye on your pets too, and make sure they have water and a cool place to rest.
Several communities are organizing places where the public can go to cool off. A list of cooling stations and state libraries open for cooling is included at https://vem.vermont.gov/
Stay informed:
- Follow #VTHeatSafety on Twitter
- Receive weather and other alerts by signing up with VT-Alert
- Finding cooling stations at: https://vem.vermont.gov/
content/municipal-cooling- locations - Follow Vermont Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter
- Learn more about climate, heat and your health at healthvermont.gov/climate/heat
- Get updates from National Weather Service at weather.gov/btv/
Additional Heat Safety Resources
- NOAA’s Weather Ready Nation Heat - weather.gov/safety/heat
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/
index.html - FEMA Extreme Heat - ready.gov/heat
About Vermont Electric Cooperative
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), established in 1938, is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility that provides safe, affordable, and reliable electric service to approximately 32,000 members in 75 communities in northern Vermont. Nationally recognized for innovative and advanced use of technology, VEC is the largest locally-owned electric distribution utility in Vermont. www.vermontelectric.coop
Source: BED, VEC, Governor 7.19.2019