The website for Met-Ed’s EasyGreen power conservation program now features a tiny puppet in a safety vest and hard hat holding out his palm in a stopping motion.
“This site is closed for maintenance,” the message reads.
And PPL’s program, called E-power Peak Save, ended last summer. It has not brought it back for this summer.
Last year, about 20,000 people enrolled in the program across Met-Ed’s service territory, including Berks County.
Customers who joined the programs voluntarily ceded control of their thermostats to the power companies, who then shut off their air conditioning during peak demand, which means very hot days. In exchange the customers got reduced electric rates.
Customers allowed the utility to remotely control their air conditioners and pool pumps when demand for power peaked on hot summer days, typically from noon to 6 p.m.
Those ratepayers signed up for a either a 6-degree or 9-degree temperature swing.