Encourages Community to Reduce Energy Usage from 3:00-7:00pm
Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department, joined by Vermont Electric Cooperative, issued a peak alert for Tuesday, July 30 as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched two summers ago, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage from 3:00-7:00pm on that day.
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.
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.”
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is encouraging members to conserve electricity Tuesday, July 30, from 4-8 pm as demand for electricity is expected to spike because of high temperatures throughout New England.
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.
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 Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf – 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 Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf and Burlington Electric have something in common – we’re both working to strengthen our community and cultivate opportunities for our neighbors,” said Rob Meehan, Director of the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf. “We are grateful to BED for including us in this important program, and we stand together to help create a brighter future for all in our region.”
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.