Rob Werner is chair of the Concord Energy and Environment Advisory Committee.

An opportunity to provide lower electric rates for Concord residents is in the hands of the Concord City Council as councilors will consider joining the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) at their March 11 meeting. CPCNH has saved over $9 million in energy costs for consumers compared to default utility costs for its member communities since April of 2023 when most CPCNH member municipalities launched their community power programs.

In addition to measurable household cost savings, community power programs offer more choice to ratepayers compared to default utility delivery (Unitil for nearly all of Concord, Eversource for the rest) in terms of the mix of renewable energy sources that are available for consumers to choose from. The desire by consumers for more renewable energy choices is well documented, and community power programs provide this additional flexibility and options.

The Concord Energy and Environment Advisory Committee (CEEAC) delved deeply into the details of community power programs over the past six months and has recommended that the City of Concord join CPCNH and launch a community power program later this year. Lower electric rates, the increased use of renewable energy sources, more consumer choice — it’s a proven equation pursued by many New Hampshire communities that have adopted community power programs and will produce significant value for Concord residents and deserves the support of the Concord City Council.

The City of Concord established ambitious renewable energy goals in 2018 as the city council endorsed the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050 — electricity by 2030 and transportation/thermal energy by 2050. The 2030 electricity goal is on the horizon, and adopting a community power program through CPCNH is an important step in making progress along this path.

Community Power represents an opportunity for Concord to take greater control of its energy future while providing a direct economic and financial benefit to its citizens. For example, as a member of CPCNH, the City of Nashua has saved its ratepayers nearly $4 million over the past 10 months while looking to develop renewable energy projects that will reduce the city’s overall energy use and help meet its renewable energy goals.

By leveraging collective bargaining strategies and strategic energy procurement, CPCNH has achieved a proven track record of securing affordable and stable energy prices, benefiting ratepayers and local businesses. In addition, the financial reserves that CPCNH is accruing on behalf of its member communities ensures a hedge against unforeseen energy cost increases such as the world has experienced over the past two years as a result of international political instability and the resulting impacts on global energy supply and price.

Joining CPCNH will also allow Concord to take advantage of the expertise and experience of all member communities that comprise CPCNH, now numbering 53 cities and towns and two counties. Tapping into the real-world experience of fellow CPCNH communities will enhance innovation and learning in terms of continuing to develop the best strategies to consistently offer the best value to ratepayers and enhance the resiliency of our energy delivery systems.

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Transparency is a hallmark of CPCNH operations and governance, ensuring that member communities retain decision-making authority over key elements of energy use planning and implementation while safeguarding community interests. All CPCNH board and committee meetings are open to the public and subject to New Hampshire open meeting laws. By joining CPCNH, the City of Concord will help to empower our residents to engage in the development of our energy future while providing a measurable economic benefit through lower electric rates.

Now is the time to seize the opportunity to improve the lives of Concord residents by joining CPCNH. Contact your city councilor and urge them to support the resolution before the Concord City Council to join CPCNH at the March 11 council meeting. Your voice counts!