CMLP Expects Peak Demand This Afternoon

The Concord Muncipal Light Plan is encouraging residents to reduce or reschedule electricity use between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. today, June 24, in anticipation of a peak demand for electricity.

For CMLP customers, 15 percent of the electric bill is directly related to the amount of electricity the town uses for just one hour during the entire year -- the peak demand hour.

Typically, the peak hour occurs on a hot weekday afternoon during the summer. It's hot, it's summer, and CMLP says that a peak hour could happen this afternoon.

Here's the notice from CMLP:

This is the second call of the 2013 summer season for a peak demand hour. Based on the weather forecast and the ISO (Independent System Operator) New England forecasts for electricity demand, we expect a peak demand today, June 24, between 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. and possibly again on Wednesday, June 25.

We will continue to monitor the weather conditions and ISO New England demand data and will keep you posted on the need for us to send out a peak demand hour request for Wednesday.

If you are able to reduce or reschedule use of electricity between 2:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. today, you will help to reduce electricity costs to all Concord Light customers. You might consider:

• turning up your A/C a few degrees
• curtailing the use of electricity on pool pumps, dryers, and washing machines
• planning a picnic supper, or cooking dinner on the grill
• re-schedule use of appliances to either before or after the anticipated peak hours

Thank you again for helping to reduce Concord's summer electrical peak.