Burlington, VT – The Burlington Electric Department today issued a peak day alert for Monday as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched last summer (view news release here), encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage on Monday from 4:00-7:00pm. Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what is projected to be an extremely 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.

Leading by example, Burlington Electric will be reducing its energy usage on Monday by turning off all non-essential lights and adjusting its air conditioning usage by raising the thermostat to 75 degrees at its Pine Street facility from 4:00-7:00pm.

“We’re excited about our ‘Triple Bottom Line’ approach to defeating the peak here in Burlington,” stated Neale Lunderville, Burlington Electric Department General Manger. “What a terrific win-win-win when our community comes together to keep costs low, protect the environment, and provide immediate support to impactful community nonprofits. Defeat the Peak serves as another part 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 last year by Burlington Electric based on customer input is a community reward opportunity through which a local nonprofit – in this case the Vermont Family Network – will benefit from a $1,000 contribution from Burlington Electric if our customers hit the targeted amount of load reduction on a peak day.

Pam McCarthy, President and CEO of the Vermont Family Network, said: “Our team at the Vermont Family Network will be cheering on the Burlington community to defeat the peak on Monday. Achieving this goal would have a meaningful impact on our efforts to provide support, information, and connection for all families of children with disabilities and special health needs.”

Burlington Electric today will notify customers by email blast about Monday’s peak day alert. 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 will share tomorrow’s peak day alert with the community through social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.