As we all know, our community thrives on mutual support — from neighbors helping neighbors to Wiregrass Electric Cooperative (WEC) members rounding up their monthly electric bills to give back. That spirit underpins WEC’s mission.
Thanks to your generosity, we’ve raised an impressive $1 million for the Operation Round Up Foundation as of this summer. Our 2nd annual ORU Charitable Golf Tournament also met its goal, bringing in an additional $52,000. We send a big shoutout to our many sponsors, vendors, and everyone who participated. I was there playing, but many of our team members worked alongside Highland Oaks Golf Trail staff to make the event a success.
Now, let’s pivot to a topic that might sound a bit technical but has immediate, real-world implications for us all — demand. Last month we chatted about thermostats, a subject close to home — literally. We all want comfort without the high cost.
Today, let’s continue that conversation by turning our attention to excess demand rates. Your actions during peak times, specifically 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. from November through February, are crucial. Starting now, the way your household uses energy during this period will directly affect your monthly bill.
To give you some perspective, let’s talk about last year’s peak demand, which occurred on December 24 between the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 am. On that morning, the average residential member’s demand was around 7 kW or kilowatts, and the 3,500 members’ demand was at least twice that. That is significant!
If all of these members had turned off their water heaters using timers during this peak/ spike, it would have saved the co-op millions. That’s money that could go back into the community through stable rates, beneficial community-focused endeavors, improved services, and capital credits returned to you.
My point is this — we have a say in our energy future. By adjusting our energy use during peak times, we’re not just saving money, we’re fortifying our cooperative’s ability to serve everyone reliably and affordably. So, go ahead and program that thermostat, set that timer on your water heater, and consider your energy use an active part of community-building.
Every kilowatt saved during these critical windows is a win for us all. And as we’ve demonstrated time and again, from ORU fundraisers to daily energy choices, when we act together, we can not only meet but often exceed, expectations.
Our cooperative spirit has always made us strong. Together, we can make our power supply more reliable and keep costs low. So, let’s work as a united front to manage our demand effectively. The results, both in dollars saved and community benefits reaped, will speak for themselves.
Thank you for being an active member of our cooperative family. Let wisdom and thoughtful choices guide your actions this season, and let’s be thankful for the many blessings we have, including electricity. Happy Thanksgiving.