Eversource’s electric rates are up 16% this month, leaving more Granite Staters worried, again, about paying their bills. This is the second time in three years that we’ve seen an absurdly high rate hike from Eversource. This is another reason why towns across the state should adopt Community Power. Community Power programs allow municipalities to purchase energy on behalf of their residents. From what we’ve seen of community power programs in the state so far, the rates that towns negotiate are usually lower than Eversource’s rates. These programs also allow residents to opt for cleaner energy sources.

When we do opt for those clean energy options it helps indicate to energy producers that there is a higher demand for clean energy. Fossil fuel resources are more expensive than wind and solar energy. If we transition our energy grid to more clean energy we can lower rates for everybody. If Eversource is going to keep up this pattern of rate hikes, we should make sure that our towns can negotiate for lower prices instead.

Jennifer Dube

Raymond