Columbiana asking electric customers to reduce energy consumption during heat wave - WFMJ

Columbiana asking electric customers to reduce energy consumption during heat wave - WFMJ.com

Columbiana asking electric customers to reduce energy consumption during heat wave

As temperatures in the Valley are expected to reach well into the 90's in the days ahead, electric customers in the city of Columbiana are being asked to conserve power as a part of its "Community Energy Savings Days," a response program created for when demand for electricity is expected to be high.

Columbiana customers are requested to voluntarily lower electricity usage during the peak period from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Monday, June 17, 2024 and Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

"There's plenty of power available and our grid is in good shape, but if we can conserve during these peak hours, the City can save on transmission and capacity costs next year," said Lance Willard, City Manager for Columbiana. He explains that lowering the peak demand of electricity during these warmer days will help control electricity rates.

The city suggests that customers can take simple conservation steps such as shutting off lights when not needed, unplugging small appliances and electric chargers, closing curtains, drapes and blinds, doing laundry and other household chores requiring electricity during hours other than 3:00 PM through 6:00 PM, and turning off televisions, computers, and other electronic devices when not being used.

Willard further stated, "As a municipal electric system, owned by its citizens and customers, it is contingent upon those same citizens and customers to keep the electric rates for themselves and all other customers of City of Columbiana as low as possible."