Businesses offer incentives for Batavians to cut back on electricity
Agreeing to cut back on electricity during really hot days can help Batavians' wallets in two ways.
It can get you coupons and other discounts at Batavia businesses, thanks to a Batavia MainStreet promotion.
The city, which has its own electrical utility, is asking residents and businesses to sign up for a voluntary peak electricity reduction program on its Web site. Those who sign up will receive an e-mail notification 24 hours before an expected peak day, with the promotions for that day.
For example, the RendezVu restaurant will offer a candlelight dinner special, and the 10 South Coffeehouse at the Batavia Library will have special prices on cold drinks, said Betsy Zinser of Batavians for Clean Energy and Conservation, who came up with the business campaign and asked MainStreet to join.
"It's voluntary. That's one of the things that is very positive about it," Zinser said. "It's to help the community."
To sign up, visit cityofbatavia.net and click on "Batavia E-News Sign-Up." Then click on "User Sign-Up" or, if you already have signed up for other e-mail alerts from the city, simply add the peak electricity option to your account.
"These are really thoughtful promotions," Zinser said. "It would be great if people turned off the air conditioning and would come and actually enjoy downtown Batavia," she said.
Participating merchants so far are Andre's Restaurant, Batavia Creamery, Hall Quarry Beach, Limestone Coffee and Tea, Panera Bread, Pepe's Mexican Restaurant, Prairie Path Cycles, 10 South Coffeehouse and the RendezVu.
Peak time happens when regional electricity use is running at or near full system capacity. It mostly happens from 3 to 6 p.m. on hot summer days because people have returned home from work, turned up the air conditioning and start using appliances to make dinner, according to a flier from the city's electric department. Besides the normal coal and nuclear plants that produce power, peak power plants are turned on to meet the demand, However, the oil- or gas-fired units cost more to run, and that cost is passed on to power purchasers, including Batavia. And although Batavia charges set rates for its electricity, it passes the extra cost on to customers in the form of a fluctuating adjustment factor each month.
To reduce use, it suggests setting the thermostat 5 degrees higher, putting off chores until evening, and eating dinner later.
It estimates a 1 percent reduction in use would save the utility $85,000 a year.
More information about the program is available on the city Web site.