PEABODY — Peabody Municipal Light Plant is among the 2,000 community-powered, not-for-profit electric utilities celebrating Public Power Week, which kicked off Sunday and runs until Oct. 7.
In the city, the annual observance will again be capped by the utility’s Bulb Day on Oct. 7. At the event, ratepayers who visit PMLP’s office can take home up to 10 energy-saving LED bulbs. The ultimate goal of the event is to replace every inefficient incandescent bulb in customers’ homes, the utility said in a statement. Low-wattage night lights will also be available.
While the bulbs are offered at no cost, the utility is recommending a freewill donation to the North Shore Community Action Program. Representatives from the nonprofit organization, which works to “empower people to achieve social and economic stability through services and education in partnership with the community,” according to its website, will be on hand at the Bulb Day event to answer any questions about the program.
“This year, we are focusing on how PMLP is building for the future to ensure reliable, affordable, sustainable, and customer-focused service to our community for many years to come,” PMLP General Manager Joe Anastasi said in the statement. “We will continue our Energy Awareness Online Forum and will work with community leaders to make sure our utility reflects the long-term goals and needs of ratepayers in Peabody and South Lynnfield.”
On Bulb Day, those interested in learning more about electric vehicles will be able to speak to a representative from the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesales Electric Company. Understanding electric vehicles, and the upgrades to an electric system that buying one may necessitate, will avoid confusion during the car-buying process, the statement said.
And, Anastasi said, the utility is set to launch a new website on Monday that will offer ratepayers easier access to information and an option to receive news, alerts, and event notifications from PMLP. The new site was designed with a mobile-first experience, ensuring it performs as well on cell phones as it does on computers.
