FIRST RESIDENTS AT HOME WITH CITY PROGRAM Westerville’s electric vehicle drivers are charged up about the Westerville Electric Division’s new residential electric vehicle (EV) charging program. Launched in July, the PowerUp Residential Electric Vehicle (EV) Off-Peak Charging Program incentivizes residents to charge vehicles when demand for power is generally lower, from 8 p.m. - 6 a.m., Monday-Friday and all hours on Saturday and Sunday. Program participants receive a one-time $300 rebate and a credit of $0.04/kWh for charging during the offpeak times. Brady Berlin has lived in Westerville for about 15 years. His home features some 56 rooftop solar panels and a Tesla Model S. It’s safe to say he’s a sustainable energy enthusiast, to Berlin it makes sense and cents. He says the solar panels have generated about all the energy his home has used so far this year, reaching Net Zero. The City’s EV charging incentive program fits his household portfolio, especially since he already committed to charging during low-demand hours.
To those EV drivers in the community who are considering joining the program, Berlin’s advice is simple. “Do it. Yes, it could only amount to simple dollars per month to start if you don’t drive a lot,” he said. “Westerville is basically reimbursing you for the work, streamlining the process, and setting us all up for a more reliable, less costly grid for the future.” Energy used during off-peak hours helps the City save money versus energy used during the peak hours of the day. The City purchases power from the market, but the cost of transmission and other bill components are largely out of Westerville’s control. Those prices are based on, among other things, the highest peak consumption days in any given year. Therefore, the overall cost of power in the future will be partially based on the highest days of power consumption leading up to that year. For more information about residential EV charging, visit www.westerville.org/powerupathome.
“To get a better rate for doing something we already do (charge at night) was an easy decision. And having heavily invested in solar as well as battery storage for the home, offpeak rates for this and the rest of our home in the future will only further benefit us cost-wise,” said Berlin. In all, it took him about two weeks to become officially enrolled in the program, from application to final inspection. While the idea of working through a municipal program requiring permitting may seem daunting to some, Berlin found the Electric Division’s guidance to ease the process.
SUPPORT LOCAL
ON SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY As the 2021 holiday shopping season arrives, this is your annual reminder to plan a visit to historic Uptown Westerville for Small Business Saturday on Saturday, Nov. 27. The merchants of Uptown will have plenty of stock and in-store surprises to help you support local during peak shopping season. Small Business Saturday follows Black Friday each year, a post-Thanksgiving holiday tradition that promotes some of the year’s best deals and savings. “Shopping Small” has since become attached to the weekend to feature the benefits of supporting local merchants in communities of all sizes. “When you shop small, you’re reinvesting in Westerville,” said Rachel Ray, Westerville’s Economic Development Director. “Uptown has an unmatched selection of novelties and unique gifts that make holiday preparations so much easier, and we know our merchants are ready to showcase their best.” Ray says Uptown will be a great destination for holiday shopping in 2021, particularly as supply chain issues may limit some offerings at big-box retailers. “Ongoing issues with the pandemic are expected to create some shipping and supply delays and that may impact what we see on shelves in stores or what may be available online,”
she said. “Planning ahead this year to shop local will be the key to overall convenience.” A bonus to Uptown shopping: special events, such as holidaythemed appearances (traditionally Santa, and maybe more?) and the annual ice sculptures. Additionally, Uptown organizers plan to coordinate special holiday events in conjunction with the DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area), which will be in effect from 12-10 p.m. during Small Business Saturday. Ray says this event matters to the local economy. “Even if you’re not much of a shopper, consider scheduling dinner or holiday lunch at one of our great Uptown restaurants,” she said. “Any show of support contributes to the success of Uptown and our merchants.” For more information on special events on Small Business Saturday, visit business.westerville.org.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SATURDAY, NOV. 27
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