Due to forecasted high temperatures across the PJM region, Bryan Municipal Utilities has received a notification to reduce local electric loads today from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Wednesday, July 20, 2022) to avoid additional capacity charges from the PJM Interconnection regional transmission operator and transmission costs from American Electric Power (AEP). For planning purposes, forecast projections also indicate a need to reduce Bryan’s electric load on Thursday and Friday. Still, we will send out the official peak demand alert as regional forecasts are updated.
Today, we respectfully request your voluntary assistance in reducing peak electric demands from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you have processes that can be interrupted, operated at reduced levels for a few hours, or scheduled to a different time without creating major business disruptions, it will help make a difference. If you can turn off any unnecessary lights, air compressors, computers, or other electrically-powered equipment, or set cooling thermostats to the highest comfortable temperature, it will also help.
BMU plans to operate the Bryan Power Plant generating units, Bryan Solar Field and Auglaize Hydroelectric Plant during these peak demand periods. We will also interrupt the Water Department well pumps and water treatment plant operation and rely on the City’s two water towers to maintain system pressure. At the utility office, we will turn off unnecessary lights and electrically-powered equipment and set cooling thermostats to the highest comfortable temperature.
Thanks for your assistance, all efforts can help make an impact!