Community Power in the News: 2024
- CPCNH
- Dec 9, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 16
Recent news stories highlighting CPCNH’s impact, leadership, and community power expansion across New Hampshire.
In 2024, Community Power became a defining force in New Hampshire’s energy market. CPCNH grew to over 60 municipal and county members, launched its lowest rates to date, and expanded access to new local tiers funding future energy projects. With Sullivan County preparing a regional rollout and customer savings reaching tens of millions, community power continued to demonstrate its potential for affordability, innovation, and energy self-reliance statewide.
2024 News Highlights
📍NHPR | December 20, 2024 | By Mara Hoplamazian
Utilities may lower electricity rates under a new procurement process, but CPCNH warns the changes could unfairly shift cost burdens to community power customers. Read More
📍New Hampshire Business Review / NHPR | December 6, 2024 | By Mara Hoplamazian
The PUC maintained current net metering rates but rejected long-term protections, sparking concern about uncertainty for solar developers and large community-scale projects. Read More
📍NHPR/Valley News | November 8, 2024 | By Clara Shanahan
Cornish and Sullivan County are preparing to join CPCNH, following successful launches across the Upper Valley. With support from the coalition, small towns gain access to lower rates, shared resources, and more renewable energy without added taxpayer cost. Read More
📍Monadnock Ledger-Transcript | September 24, 2024 | By Ashley Saari
Rindge’s Energy Committee couldn’t reach consensus on recommending a March 2025 warrant article for community power, reflecting ongoing local debate about savings and feasibility. Read More
📍InDepthNH | August 27, 2024 | By Donald M. Kreis
New Hampshire Consumer Advocate Donald M. Kreis raises concerns about Concord defaulting residents into higher-cost renewable tiers, urging clearer community power practices. Read More
📍NHPR | August 20, 2024 | By Mara Hoplamazian
Parties propose keeping current net metering rates for two years while utilities explore time-of-use rates. CPCNH supports a more market-based system that compensates community-scale solar more fairly. Read More
📍NHPR | August 1, 2024 | By Mara Hoplamazian
Dover, Durham, Exeter, Portsmouth, and Newmarket compete to boost clean energy participation by encouraging residents to opt up to greener electricity rates. Read More
📍NHPR | July 1, 2024 | By Mara Hoplamazian
NH utilities are adjusting supply rates, with Eversource and Liberty customers seeing increases. CPCNH rates remain below major utilities for basic and 50% renewable energy options. Read More
📍NHPR | June 14, 2024 | By Mara Hoplamazian
A CPCNH-backed bill to expand access to local renewables failed after state objections. Advocates plan to reintroduce legislation to help projects up to 5 MW serve community power programs. Read More
📍Concord Monitor | March 9, 2024 | By David Brooks
More towns in the Concord area launch with CPCNH, while Standard Power faces scrutiny over fixed-rate contracts—yet secures a legal win to proceed amid rising participation. Read More
📍NHPR | February 15, 2024 | By Mara Hoplamazian
New Hampshire Consumer Advocate Don Kreis calls for an investigation after Jaffrey, Milford, and New Boston plan to launch with rates higher than Eversource, despite earlier promises to beat the utility’s price. Read More
📍InDepthNH | February 6, 2024 | News Release
Merrimack County becomes CPCNH’s second county member, creating a flexible opt-in/opt-out pathway to expand access and reduce energy costs. Read More
📍New Hampshire Union Leader | February 3, 2024 | By Shawne K. Wickham
Once considered niche, Community Power is now New Hampshire’s fastest-growing energy movement. With over 50 CPCNH members and more joining, local control, cost savings, and flexibility are driving momentum. Even utilities see the shift as complementary, not competitive. Read More
📍Energy News Network / Canary Media | February 1, 2024 | By Lisa Prevost
With 45 communities participating and another 29 set to join, CPCNH is poised to become the state’s second-largest electricity supplier. Its new rate of 8.1¢/kWh beats all major utilities, saving customers millions while expanding options for renewable energy and local reinvestment. Read More
📍Granite State News Collaborative/NHPR | January 5, 2024 | By David Brooks (Concord Monitor)
CPCNH’s new 8.1¢ rate remains below utility prices, but savings have tightened. Four broker towns now face rates higher than Eversource. Read More
Stay Connected with CPCNH News
CPCNH is leading the way in local energy solutions, and our impact continues to grow. Stay informed about how community power is shaping New Hampshire’s energy future.
📍Visit our news page for more updates: cpcnh.org/news
