From the Editor’s Desk My “Be Prepared” Philosophy

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I’m always grateful for the opportunity to work with such an amazing team. And I’m grateful for the continual learning opportunities that my job offers. Over time, I have gained knowledge about various concepts, including the importance of “energy resilience.”

Officially, it’s defined as “the ability of the grid, buildings and communities to withstand and rapidly recover from power outages and continue operating with electricity, heating, cooling, ventilation and other energy-dependent services.” That’s a mouthful. But, in this issue, we unpack what it means, with tips for you and your home.

Personally, I see it as more of a philosophy. Simply put: “Be prepared.” This form of resilience is all about preparation. I get to exercise that level of planning at work. And I have begun to do the same at home. I began to take a closer look at my energy use and the various devices in my home that could help me up my preparedness game.

For example, I started with yearly maintenance of my heating and cooling system and making sure my devices are surge protected. I swapped out my old power strips for the latest smart power strips that protect my devices while preventing unnecessary power drain by devices that are plugged in but not in use. My big takeaway was realizing that energy efficiency can be yet another facet of preparedness. I had already stepped up my efficiency game with two crucial changes—a Quick Home Energy Check-up from BGE and upgrading to ENERGY STAR® certified appliances. I’m considering air sealing my home and adding insulation as well.

One of the more enjoyable moments was when one of my kids came home from school talking about how they had just learned about the Earth’s climate and the impacts energy use can have on it. And because of my work here at BGE, I was able to enjoy a moment talking about the subject. We had some real common ground, and my kid’s interest and excitement about the subject was contagious.

With every move I made toward better energy resilience, I’ve had a greater sense of calm that comes with the peace of mind knowing I am better prepared for the unexpected. And that’s a philosophy that came from my father, who always used to say, “There’s no substitute for daily preparation.”

Eric A. Riopko

Manager, Energy Efficiency Programs

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company