KEENE, NH – The towns of Keene, Swanzey, Marlborough, and Wilton have released their plans to launch their Community Power Plans this summer.

Community Power is a program where a town purchases electricity on behalf of residential and business customers. According to the Town of Swanzey’s website, one of the benefits of Community Power can be a reduction in utility costs because the town is pooling customers together for more competitive pricing.

According to a joint press release from the towns, residents and other electric customers will have the opportunity to participate in the plans and save 25% on their electric bills in June.

Swanzey, Marlborough, and Wilton joined the City of Keene in the first Community Power buying group in New Hampshire.

“Keene was the first community in New Hampshire to approve their Community Power Plan in 2021, which forged a path for other communities to pursue Community Power,” says Bob Hayden, President and Chief Technical Officer of Standard Power. “Now they are setting the bar high for all programs in the state, with excellent savings, stable rates, and meaningful renewable energy in their default and optional products.”

Each plan includes a standard rate for eligible customers that is about 8 cents cheaper than the default rate with Eversource, and contains 10% additional local renewable energy above the state minimum, according to the release. That’s 33.4% total renewable energy content.

Each program will also offer multiple electricity options with difference balances of renewable energy and cost, including a basic product, and two others with higher levels of renewable energy up to 100%.

“Seeing the rates for the first time really made me glad we pursued Community Power for Marlborough,” says former NH Representative and Marlborough Energy Committee Chair Marge Shepardson. “The savings in the default rate are exciting, 40% savings over the current Eversource supply rate of 20.22 cents/kWh, and with substantially more renewable energy. There are also deep savings for customers that choose higher levels of renewables. Getting to 100% renewable energy seems very possible with Community Power.”

Officials say the plan will be good for both residents and businesses who choose to participate.

“The rates are a great start for our program,” says Julius Peel, Swanzey Land Use and Zoning Coordinator, “and we will track how the program performs over time. This program provides genuine savings and stable rates for residents and small businesses that don’t want to watch or worry about energy markets and costs. They just want bills they can afford.”

Customers who are currently on Eversource’s default rate will be eligible for automatic enrollment, while those currently on competitive supply are not, but can opt into the program.

The release says customer’s will see no change in billing or services, just savings on the supply line for their Eversource bill.

To determine eligibility, customers can look on the front of their electric bill.

“Eligible customers don’t have to do anything to be enrolled, but they can opt out of the program or choose an optional product before or after the program launches,” says Emily Manns, consultant with Standard Power. “The program is completely flexible for customers, and no cost to the municipality. It really has something for everyone.”

The plan has been in the works for a long time, and city officials are excited to see it come to fruition.

“We are thrilled to announce that this program will save people money and help our
community meet its renewable energy goals” says Elizabeth Dragon, Keene City Manager. “The Keene community has been looking forward to this day for a long time, and, thanks to the hard work of the Energy and Climate Committee, Community Development staff, and the Mayor and City Council, it is now becoming a reality.”=]

To learn more on each town’s plan, visit Keene’s Community Power Plans webpage, Swanzey’s, Marlborough’s, and Wilton’s.

Hayden, along with Keene’s Senior City Planner Mari Brunner will join WKBK at 8:40 Thursday morning to provide more details on the plan. Tune in at AM 1290, FM 94.1, or click the listen live button at the top of this page.