To the editor:
“Honey, it is so hot. Turn up the air conditioning will ya?”
Your answer can be “no.”
We’re approaching the hottest part of the summer, summer’s annual peak. These are the highest energy use days. The annual peak is significant because that one hour of highest energy use is used to set our electric rates and justify spending hundreds of millions of dollars every year on peaker plants and new infrastructure. These traditionally oil and gas facilities add hazardous 2.5 particulate matter to the air, require more pipelines while our present pipeline infrastructure has experienced 5,727 serious accidents between 2005 and 2024 and spew yet more greenhouse gases that further warm our planet. Yup, irony is the driving force of the universe!
Peakbusting is what you can call our collective, intentional reduction of energy use when there is a high demand. We can collectively and strategically reduce our electricity use in ways that prevent the electric grid from reaching its highest peak. So, this August, slow down, drink water and spend time in publicly cooled environments that can be used by many people.
Let’s bust the peak.
Judith Black
Prospect Street
