Mayor Brodeur Encourages Residents to Curb Energy Use During Heat Wave

MELROSE, MA—As Massachusetts enters its second heat wave of 2021, the City of Melrose urges residents to keep themselves safe, and do what they can to help fight climate change. Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 95° and above on Monday through Wednesday.

“It’s going to get really hot this week, which puts our vulnerable residents at risk, but also gives us an opportunity to curb energy use when it matters most,” said Mayor Paul Brodeur.

Vulnerable groups include small children, older adults, outdoor workers, pregnant people, and outdoor workers. The Mayor’s Office issued a press release outlining tips to keep cool and stay safe. The CDC also offers a list of recommendations and resources for how to stay safe during heat waves.

“We are seeing the impacts of climate change in the here and now. Last summer was the hottest on record, and it’s a trend that is likely to continue if we don’t take action,” said Sustainability Manager Martha Grover. “Extreme heat events pose an imminent health risk for our vulnerable residents and also put a lot of stress on our energy grid.”

Grover stated that on extreme heat days, the grid operator is sometimes forced to turn to more expensive and less clean forms of energy to meet the high electricity demand. This happens during a period of a few hours when most people are using air conditioning, typically between 1-7 PM.

“There is a lot we as individuals can do to help shave the peak during those high-demand hours,” said Mayor Brodeur. “Turning the A/C up a few degrees, or waiting until the late evening to run the dishwasher or washing machine are all small things that can make a big difference.”

For more information about peak energy demand or to sign up for conservation alerts on peak days, visit Green Energy Consumers Alliance’s website. To track system demand and fuel mix in real time, visit https://www.iso-ne.com/ and download the ISO TO GO app.