Dear Members,
When outdoor temperatures soar, our electricity use increases as air conditioners are running longer and more often to counteract high temperatures. Factor in that we all tend to use electricity at the same times in the morning and early evening, and that equals a lot of strain on our electric grid.
At Choptank Electric Cooperative, we work closely with Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC), our local generation and transmission cooperative, in resource and infrastructure planning to ensure you have the power you need whenever you flip a switch. But the electric grid is much larger than your local electric cooperative and G&T.
In summer months when even more electricity is being used simultaneously across the country, it is possible for electricity demand to exceed supply, especially if a prolonged heat wave occurs. If this happens, the grid operator for our region of the country may call on consumers to actively reduce their energy use or initiate rolling power outages to relieve pressure on the grid.
Choptank Electric will keep you informed about situations like this through our Beat the Peak program. Participation is voluntary but encouraged for members to know when to cut back use during these high-priced periods. The Cooperative will alert members of the time and day via email. Sign up at choptankelectric.coop/beat-peak today to start receiving these alerts and help reduce our power costs so we can pass the savings on to you.
We work proactively with our G&T to create a resilient portion of the grid and ensure electric reliability in extreme weather — including regular system maintenance, grid modernization efforts and disaster response planning — but it takes everyone to keep the grid reliable.
As we face the challenges posed by soaring summer temperatures, understanding the impact on energy demand is crucial for maintaining a reliable power supply. By adopting energy conservation practices during periods of extreme heat, not only can you save money on your electric bills, but you can also contribute to the resilience of the grid, keeping our local community cool and connected.
Sincerely,
Mike Malandro
President & CEO