Peak Energy Use Predicted Across New England and New Energy Saving Program Helps GMP Customers Save Money and Help the Vermont Foodbank at the Same Time
COLCHESTER, Vt. – Green Mountain Power (GMP) is urging safety for customers as forecasters call for potentially strong pop-up thunderstorms across much of Vermont Wednesday afternoon, followed by sweltering heat Thursday and Friday. GMP is reminding customers to stay away from lines and trees if high winds take them down, and crews will respond as quickly and safely as possible.
“We are watching this weather situation closely, and want customers to be alert for potential storms today, and the need to keep cool and hydrated through the week if temperatures rise as forecasted,” said Mike Burke, chief field operations executive for GMP.
Energy use is predicted to reach an annual peak so far this year for New England on Thursday afternoon, and GMP is also preparing to use its network of stored energy to reduce costs for all customers, while also reminding customers they can join a new energy saving program, Save and Share, empowering them to save money for themselves while raising money for the Vermont Foodbank at the same time.
When GMP uses stored energy from its network of home batteries, utility-scale batteries and other devices like heat pumps and car chargers, it is the equivalent of taking 18,000 homes off the grid at once, which reduces power demand exactly when costs for customers are highest. So far, stored energy used during peaks over the last two years has reduced nearly $2 million in costs for all GMP customers.
Customers can also save money for themselves and all GMP customers while raising money for the Vermont Foodbank by enrolling now in GMP’s Save and Share program. Customers fill out a simple online form to join and start receiving notices about predicted energy peak times. They can then take steps on their own to reduce energy use during peaks. For every 1MW of cumulative demand reduced through the Save and Share program, $5,000 will go to the Vermont Foodbank.
“Vermonters are so generous and this is a great way for customers to help others while saving money, too,” said Josh Castonguay, Vice President and Chief Innovation officer at GMP. “More customers enrolled and taking simple steps to reduce power use during the peak, means more savings for all GMP customers – plus a financial boost to help the Vermont Foodbank ensure all are fed during this difficult time,” he said.
Customers can enroll in Save and Share now, ahead of tomorrow’s peak, by filling out a form on GMP’s website to get notifications about predicted energy peaks:
Only energy reduced through the Save and Share program will count toward the Vermont Foodbank fundraiser.
Some common ways to reduce power use include:
- Waiting until after the peak to use the dishwasher
- Waiting to do laundry
- Shifting the temp on your air conditioner
- Waiting to use, or turning off, other appliances and lights
Efficiency Vermont has more tips to reduce power use.
Read more on how you can help the Vermont Foodbank ensure all are fed during this time of increased need.
About Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 266,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with them to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. GMP earned a spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World list four years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020). J.D. Power’s 2018 and 2019 rankings put GMP among top utilities for customer satisfaction. In 2019 and 2020 GMP was named “One of the Best Places to Work in Vermont” by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and was the winner of the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year Award in 2019.
Kristin Kelly, Green Mountain Power
(802) 318-0872
[email protected]
We are watching this weather situation closely, and want customers to be alert for potential storms today, and the need to keep cool and hydrated through the week if temperatures rise as forecasted.
Mike Burke, GMP Chief Field Operations Executive.
