Marblehead Municipal Light Department officials are asking residents to reduce electricity consumption from 5 to 8 p.m. today as hot, humid weather is expected to peak across New England during that three-hour window.
General Manager Joe Kowalik said in a recorded message that lowering energy use during high-demand periods benefits residents’ wallets, the electrical grid’s reliability and the environment. The department issued the advisory as temperatures soar throughout the region.
“Today’s energy use may represent our July transmission peak, which is then used to calculate our transmission costs for all of August,” Kowalik said. “When we can reduce our peak we prevent older power plants from running, which reduces pollution and increases our grids reliability.”
The National Weather Service reports that Massachusetts is experiencing dangerous heat today, climbing to reach 96 to 97 degrees this afternoon in the Boston area and potentially break the record of 97 degrees for July 29 set in 1933. The combination of high temperatures and humidity is creating heat index values between 98 and 105 degrees, making conditions feel dangerously hot.
MMLD recommends residents pre-cool their homes now to minimize air conditioning use later. Officials also suggest turning off nonessential appliances and postponing clothes washing, dishwashing and electric vehicle charging until after 8 p.m.
Kowalik emphasized that reducing the town’s peak energy demand results in lower costs, higher reliability and better health outcomes for all residents.
