Latest news with #MattBennett
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
AEP Ohio says no blackouts expected despite heat wave; here's how to help prevent them
As central Ohio sweats its way through June, only one thing could make this oppressive heat worse: a power outage. Thankfully, AEP Ohio isn't expecting one. Director of operations Matt Bennett said there's been no indication from PJM Interconnection, the organization that manages the electricity grid for Ohio and 12 other states, that an electrical outage is anticipated in the coming weeks. That's not to say that an "emergency load reduction," commonly known as a blackout, isn't possible. Bennett said the process would involve temporarily cutting power to one group of circuits for some minutes, then restoring it and moving onto the next group. "That's why they call it a rolling blackout, because you're rotating the outages to ultimately reduce the demand on the system," Bennett said. "There's never a convenient time for a power outage, so you're trying to make it as least inconvenient and least impactful for the customer as possible." Temperatures are projected to be in the high 90s the next few days, with heat index values reaching as high as 104 degrees. On June 25, temperatures are expected to slightly drop, remaining in the low 90s through June 29 at least. Now until 8 p.m. on June 24, Columbus and much of Ohio are under a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service due to consecutive days — and even nights — of high heat and humidity. In the past few days, PJM has issued multiple alerts regarding the heat wave, which Bennett said serve as preventative measures to ensure the electrical grid is in the best possible condition amid extreme temperatures. There is a possibility that PJM directs a formal energy conservation request to industrial and residential energy users in a further attempt to be proactive, but a blackout itself is "an absolute last resort," Bennett said. To help fend off this outcome, Bennett said people should minimize their electricity usage between 3-6 p.m., when demand is highest. During this period, you should avoid charging your electric vehicle and using large appliances like ovens, dishwashers and dryers. Bennett also advised turning your thermostat up a few degrees — ideally to 78, as recommended by AEP. Even if it's turning off lights or unplugging phone chargers, Bennett said "every little bit helps." "It may not seem a lot for each individual person, but on a larger scale, it can really make a big impact, because this is truly a supply and demand issue," Bennett said. "The overall goal is that we protect the grid, which ultimately will keep the energy flowing for all of us." AEP Ohio remains in "close communication" with PJM, and Bennett encouraged Ohioans to follow AEP Ohio on Instagram, X or Facebook to stay updated on potential blackouts and learn more tips to conserve energy. Reporter Emma Wozniak can be reached at ewozniak@ or @emma_wozniak_ on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: AEP Ohio says blackouts, power outages not expected despite heat wave
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rise like the phoenix — New transition house opens in Erie
One Erie resident is on a mission to help those struggling with homelessness begin a new life. It's the largest project he has ever taken on, but he hopes his new 'Phoenix House' concept will help many in need. At first, when Matt Bennett walked into the building, it wasn't exactly what he was searching for — but after one look around, he knew what his heart was calling him to do. 'I was here for a different purpose. I was looking around and saw that it was on the market,' said Bennett. 'We just got to it and started making it happen.' Our Neighbor's Place season ending this week At the corner of East 21st and Ash Streets is a property of over 6,000 square feet. It was previously used as a funeral home and was recently sold to Matt Bennett, the founder and director of Erie Housing. Their mission is to help people with low income, veterans, parolees and others transition and rebuild their lives by providing clean, safe, affordable housing. 'I worked with MCRC, the Muticultural Community Resource Center, on housing immigrants and the feed back that I got from the help that I was giving the community, the immigrants just made me ask 'What else can I do to take this further to help people who are already here and struggling?'' said Bennett. 'People do have to pay $600 a month. It's okay if they're paying it themselves or they're funded in some way.' He's calling it 'The Phoenix,' which he said the death and rebirth concept matches the house itself Bennett and his crew have transformed the building into a 19-bed residence with a common area, bathrooms, laundry and more. Both men and women can be housed here, and the sleeping areas will be separated by gender for safety purposes. 'We put a lot of thought into it with security locks,' said Bennett. 'They have their own separate apartment for five women upstairs with laundry, kitchen and they have a separate exit out to the parking lot.' Erie Habitat for Humanity, Erie Insurance partner up to build two new homes Bennett said he has received a lot of community support from volunteers to furniture donations. He believes there should be more options for those who may be struggling. Once he has the Phoenix House open for a while, he hopes to open another transition home in the future. 'Just in the applications that I've been getting realize that I can't take all of these people, but there are heartbreaking stories,' said Bennett. 'So many people in Erie need help.' Applications are now open, you can find the link to apply here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
First look: Third Way's plan for Dems to fight back
Third Way, the well-connected center-left Democratic think tank, today will launch an 18-month Signal Project, including polling, to identify Trump administration actions "that are most relevant to key voters and how best to frame those issues." Why it matters: Anything "that seems performative will be tuned out or backfire," Third Way says. "It is a painful irony that while our very democracy is at stake, a focus on 'democracy' (and the trashing of democratic norms) simply won't save it." In unveiling the project, Third Way says: "Shuttering USAID, using government power to attack political opponents, firing indiscriminately, degrading the civil service, releasing J6ers, or blaming Ukraine for the Russian invasion all are a combination of unwise, unethical, illegal, or unconstitutional. But none resonate much with key voters." So as an opening frame, the project will focus on "Risking Americans' Safety and Security." Between the lines: Matt Bennett, a Third Way co-founder, told Axios that there's "real concern among Democrats that the Trump/Musk attacks were coming so fast and so arbitrarily that the opposition was having trouble with a coherent response. "The things we believe to be important — like foreign aid, or Trump actions that violate the law — don't always line up with voters' concerns," Bennett added. "We can fight back effectively ... but only if we are creating a singular narrative that is simple, memorable, and resonant. If we do that, Trump's allies will feel the heat." 🐘 The other side: Tony Fabrizio and Chris LaCivita, who run Trump's outside political operation, told us in response to the Third Way plan that "no matter the approach, Americans know that for the last four years their safety — economically and physically — has been put in jeopardy." "One glaring flaw in their strategy: What happens when President Trump's policies work and deliver the change voters voted for? Once again, the Democrats — much like the Harris campaign — will be left having no position or a positive agenda for America." Read the Third Way plan.
