KEENE, NH – Some local Community Power customers are set to benefit from a lower rate.
In a news release Wednesday Cheshire Community Power, a member of the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) announced a new base electric rate of 8.1¢ per kilowatt-hour, that goes into effect on February 1, 2024.
Cheshire County Community Power serves county facilities, as well as residential ratepayers from the towns of Nelson, Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Chesterfield, Winchester, and Roxbury, along with the town of Gilsum which recently voted to adopt Cheshire Community Power in December.
“This is the best deal for our taxpayers,” Gilsum board of selectmen chair Bart Cushing said.
12 new communities will be fully enrolled in community power programs across New Hampshire in March, making CPCNH the second-largest electrical supplier in New Hampshire.
“Cheshire Community Power … shares in what is expected to generate $3.2 million in savings and $2.1 million in community financial reserves for over 100,000 CPCNH customers in 28 cities and towns during the first half of 2024,” Cheshire County Commissioner and CPCNH board member Terry Clark said in the release.
CPCNH has reportedly offered the state’s lowest residential energy supply rates and has created more than $10 Million in savings and value over utility default rates since in launched in March 2023.
The new rate represents a savings of 24% off Unitil’s new residential rate, 20% off the NH Electric Co-op’s, 17% off Liberty Utilities’, and 2% off Eversource’s.
“The comparatively small discount relative to Eversource’s rate is because Eversource default energy service customers are being credited 1.5¢ per kilowatt-hour due to an over collection of rates last year”, said CPCNH board chair Clifton Below. “The Coalition is able to beat this artificially low rate for all NH residential ratepayers while covering all of our costs and accumulating financial reserves on behalf of our operating member CPAs.”
Several area towns have also launched their own community power plans, including Keene, Swanzey, Marlborough, and Wilton with rates that may be higher than the County’s program.
“Unfortunately, some are seeing the consequences of rushing to be first and betting on the broker model, which is a gamble that may or may not pay off over time” Clark said.
Customers in any Cheshire County town can enroll in Cheshire Community Power at www.CommunityPowerNH.gov/cheshire.
