Beat the Peak Alert

Beat the Peak Monday December 19, between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.

GREENWOOD-Because of the colder than normal weather over our region, Delaware Electric Cooperative and Choptank Electric Cooperative are "Beating the Peak" Monday, December 19th, between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. We are asking all of our members to voluntarily conserve or limit energy usage between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. when our membership will be using the greatest amount of electricity and as a result the cooperatives will be purchasing power from the market at extremely high prices.

During "normal" load periods we pay only pennies per kilowatt-hour for power. However, during "Peak" demand or energy periods when the temperatures fall, we can pay up to one dollar per kilowatt-hour and in turn, we must pass these higher costs on to our members which may have an impact on rates.

Between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., Monday, we are asking our members to turn off all unnecessary lights and appliances that may not be needed. We would ask that our members delay major appliance usage such as dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers.

Other important steps to take might include closing window shades and adjusting thermostats DOWN 3 degrees during these "Peak" times.

Delaware Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric utility serving over 84,000 member-owners in Kent and Sussex County, Delaware. For more information visit us on the web at www.delaware.coop.