Peak Alert Notifications

OEC’s power supplier, WFEC, has ample electricity supplies today, but when the thermometer climbs above 100 degrees, air conditioners send electrical demand through the roof. Annual increases in peak electrical demand strain the power grid and drive up electric rates.

More than 60% of OEC’s total revenue goes for the electricity supplied by WFEC. A large part of the WFEC bill is determined by OEC’s electrical load on peak days. Any reduction in OEC peak day load will reduce power cost—savings that are passed on to OEC members through the power cost adjustment.

OEC and WFEC are asking co-op members to join their ongoing effort to keep demand at lower levels by shifting energy use when asked to do so on the hottest days of summer. Sign up to receive peak day notices via email or text message and take a step toward a brighter—and more affordable—future.

WFEC’s peak load period is between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. every day (except Sundays, the 4th of July and Labor Day) between June 20 and September 9. During the peak load period, a daily determination is made prior to noon about whether the current day will be considered a peak load day. If it is determined that a particular day will be a peak load day, OEC/WFEC will notify participating members of such intent prior to noon on that day. Typically, no more than 20 peak load days are called in a summer season.

Starting at 4 p.m. and ending with 8 p.m. on each peak load day, members should take steps to reduce their electrical demand on the OEC/WFEC power system. We ask members to turn off all non-essential lights and appliances, turn up the air conditioner a few degrees to reduce its operation, turn off electric water heaters, usually at the water heater’s circuit breaker, and refrain from using the clothes washer and electric dryer during the 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. time period. At 8 p.m. members can resume normal energy use.

Peak day notification will be made by email or cell phone text message and on the WFEC hourly system load page at http://www.sa.wfec.com/PeakDays/wfecload.asp. Every OEC member who signs up in March to receive the peak day notifications will be eligible for a drawing in which OEC will award a $50 gift certificate for energy conservation supplies. Contact information will be added to the list of those wanting to receive peak day notification. Other than for the purposes of this program, the information will be held confidential

If you have any questions about peak alert notifications, please contact Randy Harnsberger at (405) 217-6705.