keene COMMUNITY POWER

The City of Keene has launched a dedicated website for the Keene Community Power Program. Please visit www.KeeneCommunityPower.com for the most recent program updates. 

What is Community Power?

Under NH RSA 53-E, municipalities can pool a community's total energy needs to make a bulk purchase of electricity. 

 

Community Power is a way for cities to get more energy from renewable resources, while possibly helping ratepayers save money on their energy bills, too. Listen to this audio guide to learn more about how Community Power programs work and how Keene could benefit.

Listen: What is Community Power?
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"We’re buying the electricity in bulk for the entire city. The city basically does that for your water. Why can’t they do it for your electricity?"

--Denis MacDougall, City of Medford, Mass.

Frequently asked questions

What is Community Power?

In a Community Power program (CPP), a municipality pools the town’s total energy demand and makes a bulk purchase of electricity for residents and businesses. Eversource is the utility that delivers energy to Keene. Eversource also buys energy on behalf of customers, too. With a CPP, Eversource would still deliver energy to Keene, but the City (not Eversource) would buy energy in bulk for residents and businesses.



How would Community Power help Keene?

1. More Local Choice: Keene would have more control over its energy mix, where it comes from, and how rates are set. 2. Supporting Keene’s Energy Goals: Because a CPP would give Keene control of its energy portfolio, Keene could choose to buy more energy from renewable sources. This can help Keene meet the goals of its 2019 Sustainable Energy Resolution. 3. Savings: Community Power may help Keene ratepayers save money. A CPP allows a municipality to choose when it buys energy, so Keene could potentially buy energy at a lower rate than Eversource’s default rate. Lower electricity rates mean lower electricity bills.



How would I participate in Community Power?

Keene residents who currently receive Eversource’s default energy supply would be automatically enrolled in the CPP. You’d get a notification from the City in the mail to let you know about this change.



How would I pay my bill?

You’d still pay your electricity bill to Eversource, just like before.



Would I be obligated to participate in Community Power?

No. You could opt out of the CPP at any time, without incurring a fee or penalty. This means you would continue to buy energy from Eversource or a competitive supplier.



Would I be charged a higher delivery rate?

No. The source of your energy doesn't influence the price of energy delivery.



Past Public Information Sessions

Please click below to watch a recording of the January 26, 2021 Public Info Session or the December 8, 2020 public information session. Both sessions were held on Zoom and were open to the public. 

January 26, 2021 Info Session

December 8, 2020 Info Session