Seasonal program encourages customers to limit energy use during peak times

ORLANDO, Fla., April 21, 2011 – Electric customers in Ocala, Fla., are reducing the cost of electricity through a voluntary conservation program called “Beat the Peak” that was developed by the city with assistance from the Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA).

Ocala and FMPA introduced the new conservation initiative in December 2010, and it operated throughout the winter peak period until February 2011. Beat the Peak encourages customers to voluntarily reduce electricity use during peak energy use times in winter and summer. Reductions in peak energy use can result in savings on power costs.

“We’re pleased to lend our expertise to help our members with innovative ideas,” said FMPA General Manager and CEO Nicholas Guarriello. “Teamwork is what FMPA is all about.”

Beat the Peak works by publishing a daily conservation recommendation on the city’s website featuring tips on how to save electricity. A three-color legend is used, with green for normal conservation, yellow for elevated conservation and red for significant conservation. The conservation level is calculated based on local weather forecasts, projected daily electricity use and the cost of producing electricity.

The Beat the Peak program resumes May 1 through Sept. 30 for summer. Recommended conservation levels will be issued Monday through Friday, excluding federal and state holidays.

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Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power company owned by 30 municipal electric utilities. FMPA provides economies of scale in power generation and related services to support community-owned electric utilities. The members of FMPA serve approximately two million Floridians.