Webster Community Power

Webster Community Power is on the way to save the day!  Literally!  Webster Community Power is designed to save you, the resident electric rate payer, money.  Community Power can be a lot of things, but the primary benefit here in Webster is that it WILL save you money compared to default utility rates, or the power supply program won't launch.
    How does this happen?  The groundwork has been laid for the town as we participate with others in the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH).  This allows all of the members to join together for better purchasing power in the electricity market, and at more advantageous times and contract lengths than is done by the utilities.  The next step will be for Webster voters to approve the full formation at Town Meeting.  Then, the community power plan is submitted to NH PUC (Public Utilities Commission) for approval.  After they approve the plan, you will get a notification card in the mail.  This will allow you to choose the electric supply you want, be it the cheapest, the most renewable, or opting out to stay with the utility at their higher default rate.
    Who is CPCNH?  The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire is a non-profit group founded by communities, for communities, to enable the most effective and efficient implementation of community power possible. You can find out more about them here:  https://www.cpcnh.org/benefits
    What then?  What does it look like?  The "supply" portion of your bill will change to say Webster Community Power, and have the new rate and type of power you have selected (unless you decide to stay with the utility "default power").  That's it, you're saving money, or being more green!
    It is important to note that this doesn't change the "delivery" portion of your electric bill, which is how the utility companies make money and pay for repairing the lines and other power infrastructure.  So the town will NOT be taking over any power lines, poles, or maintenance from the utilities.
    How do I find out more?  If you'd like to have a more technical discussion about this, or any other information, please attend an Energy Committee meeting, any of the public hearings that will take place on the topic prior to Town Meeting, or leave your questions at Town Hall with the Town Administrator.  Webster Community Power looks forward to serving you savings in the years to come!

History: Webster Community Power was created at the recommendation of the Energy Committee to the Select Board.  The Select Board appointed the Energy Committee to be the Electric Aggregation Committee (EAC) for Webster Community Power.  Upon review, the EAC recommended joining Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) and appointing Martin Bender and David Hemenway as Board Member and Alternate Board Member to the CPCNH Board of Directors, which the Select Board did.  Upon further refinement of the program, handouts were made and distributed at Webster Old Home Day, between the Library and Historic Society tables.

There have been multiple public hearings on Webster Community Power by the EAC.  The Select Board will also cover it alongside the Budget Hearing when it covers all warrant articles.

This is all in preparation for a Town Meeting Warrant Article vote in 2023 to see if the town wishes to fully authorize Webster Community Power to move from the planning and coordination stages to being able to provide electric power after approval by the NH Public Utilities Commission.

Please see the handout from Webster Old Home Day here, which has also been made available at the Town Offices and Library, as well as the presentation slides from the public hearings.

Please also see the draft Electric Aggregation Plan (EAP) here.