Encourages Community to Reduce Energy Usage from 4:00-7:00pm Friday
Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department (BED) issued a peak alert for today/Friday, August 13 as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched during summer 2017 (view announcement), encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage from 4-7 pm today.
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 4:00 and 7:00pm before returning air conditioners to cooler settings (COVID-19 note: please be aware of minimum ventilation requirements and airflow patterns related to COVID-19 – more information is available on the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) website at https://labor.vermont.gov/vermont-occupational-safety-and-health-administration-vosha);
- 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, 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 ANEW Place – 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 fifth year, while recognizing that as we emerge from the pandemic, many of our customers are continuing to use energy differently this summer than in previous years,” 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 ANEW Place with its work to empower individuals with tools to help them move from crisis to lifelong sustainability.”
ANEW Place works to break down the barriers facing the homeless so that each person, no matter their history, has the opportunity to start anew. “As a homeless services agency, ANEW Place’s goal is to provide a holistic continuum of services for our neighbors centered in love and dignity, whether it’s through our low barrier facility, sober shelter, or transitional housing program,” stated Kevin Pounds, ANEW Place Executive Director. “We’re thankful for BED’s efforts to cut costs, improve energy efficiency, and partner with nonprofits like ANEW Place through Defeat the Peak during this time of extreme heat.”
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 and Twitter.
Source: Burlington, VT – Burlington Electric Department 8.13.2021
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August 13, 2021 at 08:34PM
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BED issues Defeat the Peak alert for today - Vermont Biz
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