As part of Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s ongoing effort to reduce costs, PEC is starting a program called Together We Can Beat the Peak. Through this voluntary program, the Cooperative will work with its members to establish a clear understanding of how the price PEC pays for electricity fluctuates and peaks between 2-6 p.m. from June through September. This is when demand for electricity is greatest, and PEC encourages members to help reduce power costs.

PEC has been taking successful steps to lower costs and reduced operating expenses by 10 percent in 2010. PEC is also looking to lower costs by working to reduce what the Co-op spends on power; last year the cost of power accounted for 68 percent of PEC’s total operating expenses. A large portion of the power supply cost is determined by the amount of energy used and maximum level of power required during peak periods, when members are using the greatest amount of power and when electricity costs the most.

By working together, PEC and its members can Beat the Peak by reducing the power consumed during peak periods, which for PEC is from 2-6 p.m. and consequently reduce power supply costs with simple steps such as:

• Raise the thermostat in your home by 3 degrees.

• Shift your use of hot water away from the peak-demand hours.

• Avoid using major appliances between the peak hours of 2-6 p.m.

The Beat the Peak program serves as an opportunity to reduce PEC’s costs while educating members about the Co-op’s peak times of electric use. If every member shifts two kilowatt-hours of electric use to an off-peak time every day, PEC estimates it can save more than $2 million between June and September. If together, the membership and the Co-op succeed in reducing its power costs, PEC can pass these savings on to members.

“PEC has a special partnership with its members-owners because they hold a financial interest with the Co-op,” said PEC’s Chief Executive Officer RB Sloan. “I encourage our members to join the Beat the Peak team and help us reduce our costs. When we save, our members save too, because this is their Co-op.”

The Beat the Peak program began June 1, and members who are interested in being a part of the Beat the Peak team can join online, over the phone or at any PEC office. More detailed information about the Beat the Peak program is available at www.pec.coop.