Stratham Takes Steps Toward Community Power
Public Hearings Set by Stratham’s Energy Aggregation Committee
May 25th Public Hearing Kick’s Off Effort to Start a Community Power Program
The Stratham Energy Aggregation Committee will be hosting the first of two public hearings on the development of an Energy Aggregation Plan. The first will be held on Thursday May 25, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Stratham Municipal Center at 10 Bunker Hill Avenue. The meeting will be recorded for later viewing.
An Electric Aggregation Plan is the first step in creating a Community Power program in Stratham. This hearing will focus on introducing what Community Power is, public input regarding the goals of the town’s aggregation plan and the Committee’s efforts to develop a Plan for later consideration by the Town Meeting.
What is Community Power?
Community Power enables cities and towns to take greater control of their energy supply choices, lower energy costs and, in the future, invest in projects with other municipalities for renewable sources of energy. Other benefits include:
- Lower rates: Negotiated rates for the basic energy service (also called “default” energy service) are expected to be less than those offered by our utility
- Local control of energy choices: Towns or a coalition of towns can choose where to purchase energy and provide options for residents and businesses.
- Greater Choice: Residents and businesses may choose among several supply options with varying amounts of renewable energy content. They may also opt out and return to Until or other energy suppliers.
- Clean Energy: The Stratham plan may provide options with higher percentages of renewable energy at slightly higher cost.
33 municipalities representing 22% of the state’s population have started Community Power Programs. Municipalities starting Community Power near Stratham include: Exeter, Rye, Newmarket, Durham, Dover, Portsmouth, and Brentwood.
There is no additional cost to Stratham taxpayers to participate in a Community Power program. Resident and small business electricity costs will depend on what mix of energy sources they choose and what the Community Power Aggregator has negotiated.
Those customers using Unitil’s default supply will automatically be included, but can opt out at any time. If you already receive power from an alternate provider, you will not be included unless you opt in.
Community Power - Process in Stratham
As authorized in RSA 53E-6, the Select Board appointed an Energy Aggregation Committee on December 19, 2022. The Committee is made up of members of the Town’s Energy Commission. The Committee’s charge shall be to develop an Electric Aggregation Plan in accordance with RSA 53-E and the Committee’s term shall sunset on April 1, 2024. In accordance with the RSA, the plan shall be prepared for the Select Board’s consideration to advance to a Town Meeting. The Committee is hoping to position the Community to have its Community Power program begin in April 2024
If approved by Stratham, Community Power would allow the Town through an “aggregator” to control the purchase of electricity on behalf of residents, small businesses and municipal accounts from alternate energy suppliers and large scale renewable sources. Customers can opt out of Community Power at any time and will continue to benefit from their own solar installations. Unitil would continue to deliver electricity, maintain the lines and equipment and handle billing. Low income assistance would continue.
Those customers using default supply will automatically be included, but can opt out at any time. If you already receive power from an alternate provider, you will not be included unless you opt in.
Stratham Experience with Electricity Aggregation and Municipal Solar
Stratham has had success in participating in electricity aggregation through the Rockingham County Planning Commission for Town Buildings, saving the Town over $27,000 for an initial three year contract. Projected savings for a follow on contract is $24,000 through the first seven months of the contract.
In 2019, Stratham installed solar power on the Police Station roof through a power purchase agreement with ReVision Energy. Stratham pays a supply rate to ReVision of 9 cents per kwh with the option of buying the system after six years at a fraction of its installation cost.
Stratham and the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire
Community Power programs (at least 14 municipalities have started their programs) contract with an energy aggregator to run and administer the Town’s CP program. There are several for-profit aggregators serving NH at this time. One non-profit aggregator whose members include NH municipalities is the Community Power Coalition of NH. Stratham has joined CPCNH as a member and joins 32 NH communities (so far) who are
benefiting from important technical assistance during the exploration and plan development phases. CPCNH is also an energy aggregator serving 4 cities and 10 Towns with electricity starting in the spring of 2023. More Municipalities are preparing to start their Community Power Aggregation Programs in the spring of 2024. No decision is made to select an aggregator until a plan is adopted.
Website links:
What is community power?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db5auWIAhf8&t=7s
Why community power?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFl_Lfcp5KA
Community Power of New Hampshire https://www.cpcnh.org/