Peabody energy conservation event cancelled due to lack of interest

PEABODY – With the cost of home heating expected to rise 40 percent from last year, the need to cancel an energy conservation event due to lack of interest was mind boggling to Peabody Municipal Light Plant spokesperson Judy Meserve.”It’s shocking,” she said. “I would have thought more people would have been interested.The Light Plant scheduled a free event for Thursday, Oct. 9 that would have featured a panel of professionals giving advice on how to trim energy bills for your home, office and vehicle.A similar program was offered in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina caused oil prices to jump to record highs.”Within three days of its (announcement), it was full,” Meserve recalled. “We had to run it for three different nights.”She anticipated the same would have been the case this year when oil prices are several times higher than they were three years ago, but only six residents signed up.”Out of about 22,000 residential customers, to have only six people express interest is amazing,” she said. “I never imagined we’d have to cancel it.”Meserve was aware that the event was scheduled on the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, but anticipated offering several additional informational sessions that those celebrating could later attend. But again, that just wasn’t the case.She speculates that perhaps the poor economy impacted residents’ decision to not attend.”The economy wasn’t as bad then (2003),” said Meserve. “Maybe people are not coming because they don’t have the money to spend on energy conservation?”Meserve said that the Light Plant would like to reach out to residents and help them lower their costs this winter season, but the want has to be there.”If we had enough people interested in a month or so, we’d be happy to reschedule,” she said.To express interest on a future conservation seminar, or for more information, contact Judy Meserve at 978-573-1150.