Flint has issued bill credits totaling $344,975 to 13,799 of its Member-owners after a successful load management operational season.

These bill credits were credited to Smart Select volunteers’ accounts on October 26, 2021, according to Rod Green, who supervises the program. “Each Smart Select volunteer received a $25 bill credit for participating in the program’s success,” he said. “This was in addition to the $36 they received when they signed up.”

Smart Select is designed to reduce peak electric demand. Peak demand occurs during the hottest summer afternoons when the most electricity is used and it costs the highest, Green said. Flint Members who participate in Smart Select allow the Cooperative to attach a load control switch to their central AC/heat pump and electric water heater and/or pool pump. The switch allows Flint to safely cycle the air conditioner off for brief periods on high usage days. Members report noticing little to no difference inside their homes because the fan continues to run and circulate cooled air.

By reducing peak demand, Smart Select Member-volunteers are helping the environment by reducing the consumption of gas, coal and oil fuels used to generate electricity. This, in turn, reduces the need to build new power plants. In addition, Smart Select participants are ensuring system reliability by reducing the chance of blackouts, according to Green.

Flint Energies, a distribution cooperative, does not generate electricity. The Cooperative purchases electricity from generation utilities and distributes that power to homes and businesses in the communities Flint serves. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, Flint passes along power costs to all its Member-owners based on each Member’s usage. Flint’s power costs are determined by the amount of electricity it purchases during peak demand times. The amount of power purchased this summer will determine the cost of the electricity the Cooperative purchases next year. The less power purchased this year will result in a lower price for next year’s electricity. That’s why the Smart Select program is so important.

By participating in this volunteer program, residential Members will save themselves and Flint Energies money on future power purchases. More than 21,000 load-control switches are currently installed.