****UPDATE June 24, 6:26 p.m.
Marblehead Light Department General Manager Joe Kowalik tells the Current that his crews have been responding to “multiple outages due to overloaded transformers on residential streets. We’ve had crews out since early afternoon replacing blown fuses on those transformers and in several cases we’ve needed to replace the transformer itself.”
Kowalik says the 80 or so outages, spread around town, are heat related. “People are running AC units and heat pumps to stay cool. That is clearly driving the demand for electricity.”
As of 7:10 p.m., 50-60 residences were still without power.
Marblehead isn’t alone.
“All of New England is strained right now,” Kowalik explained.
Earlier today, the Light Department sent out the following alert:
“Today’s unseasonably hot and humid weather is forecast to exceed last year’s electric peak for a full five-hour period today, from 4-9 p.m. Lowering your electric use during these high demand hours is good for your pocketbook, grid reliability and the planet. Pre-cool your home now to reduce AC use later, turn off all non-essential appliances and postpone clothes washing, dish washing and EV charging until after 9 p.m.”
The message continued: “Reducing Marblehead’s peak means higher reliability, lower costs and better health for everyone.”
Fire Chief Jason Gilliland says if any local seniors need a cooling station, call dispatch at 781-631-1212. The Fire Department is planning a summer splash Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. at the Community Center parking lot, when kids can run under the hose.
The JCC and YMCA are open as cooling stations to the community. The Marblehead Arts Association is also offering respite. “We will be open today as a cooling station starting at 10 a.m. We have cold water and your well behaved pooch is welcome, too,” the MAA posted to Facebook Tuesday morning.
