Learn 

About Community Power and Electric Procurement in NH

 

Commentary: At global climate conference, international becomes local by Rob Wener, New Hampshire Bulletin, Nov. 30, 2021

Community power aggregation can benefit Nelson in many ways. As a town we can take control of our electricity purchases, both to reduce costs and to support production of more clean, renewable energy.

 

Where we buy energy changes, but Eversource will still own and maintain poles and power lines.

Background

Here in New Hampshire, Community Power Aggregation was authorized by NH RSA 53-E in October of 2019. The Town of Nelson Select Board established the Nelson Community Power Committee in October of 2021. During the winter of 2022, the Nelson Community Power Committee met with leaders from other nearby communities and electric aggregation companies. We talked with members of our own community and also surveyed them. In the summer, the Committee worked together to draft the Nelson Electric Aggregation Plan (EAP). However in August of 2022, after learning about the new Cheshire Community Power EPA, the Nelson Community Power Committee felt that is was in the best interest of the Town to join Cheshire Community Power. In the Spring of 2023 the Nelson Selectboard agreed.

Update Fall 2023

Nelson joined Cheshire Community Power!

The first NH residents are enrolled in community power, despite bumps with Eversource

New Hampshire Public Radio | By Mara Hoplamazian | Published April 25, 2023 at 6:12 PM EDT

Dithering Over Default Energy Service

for InDepthNH.org by DONALD M. KREIS, NH's Consumer Advocate, February 22, 2023

What is Transactive Energy?

Community Power Picks Up Steam: Municipalities enter a new era of energy by BOB SANDERS for NH Business Review, November 4, 2022.

How to save energy and money on your electric bill in N.H.

New Hampshire Public Radio | By Caitlin Howard - Keene Sentinel

Published July 20, 2022 at 11:49 AM EDT

Why the Feared Wave of Solar Panel Waste May Be Smaller and Arrive Later Than We Expected

Researchers say improvements in solar panels mean we need to change expectations about when they’ll need to be repurposed or recycled.

By Dan Gearino in Inside Climate News, November 3, 2022

New Rules and Their Impacts on the CCA Market in NH

by Stuart Ormsbee, Vice President Power Supply Strategies for Colonial Power Group, as written for Freedom Energy Logistics' September 2022 Newsletter.

Background: On September 16, 2022 a Joint Legislative Committee (JLCAR) adopted the Public Utilities Commission's (PUC) Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) rules, confirming that the PUC's rules meet the intent of state statutes. Here are Mr. Ormsbee's thoughts.

 

While the PUC completing its thoughtful review was certainly important, more noteworthy was its manner of approval and its very public enthusiasm for CCA success. In its final approval, the PUC exhibited deference to the proposed rules that were offered by stakeholders. The proposed rules were the result of an extensive stakeholder negotiation that included CCA proponents, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the NH Department of Energy, and the state's utility companies. To their credit, the PUC rejected most requests to modify the proposed rules, largely coming from the utility companies. During the final public hearing, Commissioner Simpson harkened back to the original intent of electric restructuring in the late 1990s and making consumer choice possible for electric consumers. He recognized the promise that CCA will offer to consumers, particularly residential and small commercial customers who, even after 20-plus years, have largely failed to receive any direct benefit from restructuring. Commissioner Chattopadhyay commented on the importance of removing limits or restrictions on the flow of information from utility companies to CCA programs. Commissioner Simpson stated his belief that CCA "will transform the state's electricity supply market by enabling communities to select their supplier and resource mix directly." He applauded the return of "decision making to local control, so the citizens of every New Hampshire community have a voice to directly express what they want as an electricity customer."

 

Their comments were consistent with a philosophy that supports market approaches. Importantly, their comments highlight the importance of heralding local control and decision-making. It suggests maintaining an assistive regulatory construct and one that does not impede market creativity and flexibility. It suggests not interfering with local interests, who are experienced at challenging businesses and industries to develop, explore, work, compete, and ultimately satisfy program objectives defined through local processes. The Commissioners' comments and the underlying philosophies are critical for CCA programs to thrive. Recognizing and respecting the authority and prudency that local officials routinely undertake on behalf of their constituents—their neighbors—is a key ingredient for home-grown programs to succeed. This is a recognition sorely lacking in other states. Consequently, I will not be surprised if, within the next five years, CCA programs in Massachusetts are looking with envy at the creative and high-value programs flourishing in New Hampshire. 

From Donald M. Kreis, our Consumer Advocate, urging the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules to approve the Proposed Municipal and County Aggregation Rules of the Public Utilities Commission:

These rules have been three long years in the making, the product of a laborious stakeholder engagement process. They could not come before you at a more urgent and fortuitous juncture, because the prospect of Community Power Aggregation offers a lifeline to people as they suffer with bills from electric utilities that will pose a real affordability challenge to thousands of Granite Staters.

Read more of the testimony. 

Coming this Summer: Spiking Electricity Bills Plus Blackouts

Where does your power come from? We answered your questions about the N.H. energy system. 

https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2021-11-23/energy-climate-change-nh

New Hampshire Public Radio | By Mara Hoplamazian, Daniela Allee Published November 23, 2021 at 6:00 AM EST

Consultants

The Nelson Community Power Committee will be choosing a consultant to help with developing our Community Power Plan. For example, Keene, Swanzey, Marlborough, and Wilton are working with Standard Power and Good Energy. Harrisville and Walpole are working with the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire. Another choice is Freedom Energy Logistics.

Swanzey, working with Standard Power and Good Energy, presented their Community Power Plan at their town meeting in March of 2022. There plan passed!

Exeter also had public information sessions. They are working with the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire and have shared this informative video as well.