Letter: Concord should join the CPCNH

Published: 03-07-2024 5:15 PM

The idea that Concord should launch community power through a for-profit energy broker, instead of joining the non-profit Community Power Coalition (CPCNH) to “preserve local control” has been floated in certain city committee meetings. But what exactly would we have more control of if we launched with a broker? Energy brokers don’t control energy markets, and recent evidence has demonstrated that they are not better at getting good deals for their communities than the coalition. While the Coalition is selling power for 8 cents per kwh, the brokers are now launching communities in southern NH with a 10 cent rate, which will actually raise residents’ electric bills!

Brokers don’t give residents any more renewable energy choices than the coalition; they offer the same options. The brokers are not trying to create innovative rates for EV charging and local community solar projects. The only decision the brokers really give the community is whether to launch community power and when. It’s the same choice we will make by joining the coalition. It’s true that if Concord joined the coalition, it would be at best one vote among 20 on the board, as CPCNH sets to work charting a path towards a clean energy economy. However, we would have the exact same local control under the coalition as if we “go it alone.” The primary difference is that as a member of a 50+ town coalition, we’ll get better electricity prices for Concord residents, instead of the inflated rates the brokers are offering.

Jeff Evans

Concord

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