Ocala mayor appeals to electric utility users to help save energy


Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano speaks during an event in Ocala on May 12, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

Home » Community
Posted February 1, 2026 | Staff report

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano has issued an appeal through social media for electric utility customers to help conserve energy during the cold snap affecting the area.

Around 1:15 p.m. Sunday, he posted this on his Ben Marciano Mayor of Ocala Facebook page:

“Cold weather across Florida is driving unusually high electricity demand and putting strain on the power system. Please help conserve energy during peak hours tonight from 7–10 p.m. and tomorrow morning from 6–9 a.m.

“You can help by:

• Setting thermostats a few degrees lower

• Avoiding EV charging during peak hours

• Limiting hot water use

• Delaying use of large appliances

“Small changes make a big difference. Thank you for helping protect reliable service for our community and across Florida.”

Keith Green, a lineman with Ocala Electric Utility, works on power lines from a bucket truck at the Eugene Dearmin substation off Southeast 36th Avenue in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.
newspaper icon

Support community journalism

The first goal of the Ocala Gazette is to deliver trustworthy local journalism so corruption, misinformation and abuse are not hidden from the public or unchallenged.

We count on community support to continue this important work. Please donate or subscribe:

Subscribe