Nashua, NH - Over 8,000 people in Nashua have been enrolled in the city's community power program, marking the launch of a new way to buy electricity in New Hampshire.

Community power programs allow municipalities, instead of traditional utility companies, to purchase electricity on behalf of residents. With that new system comes opportunities for cheaper rates and the possibility of a more renewable energy system. Community power programs can purchase electricity on a different schedule and using different methods than the state's regulated utilities, allowing them to offer better prices. The official start of the program in Nashua comes after the Community Power Coalition warned of possible delays last Thursday, saying Eversource was obstructing their plans.

The Community Power Coalition has also accused Eversource of refusing to comply with New Hampshire's community power regulations "in several broad and significant ways that have created numerous barriers to the implementation of Community Power in New Hampshire to date." They also said Eversource has refused to allow the coalition to register as an energy supplier directly with the utility company. That move, the coalition said, caused a three-week delay in the launch of the programs and cost $2.2 million in potential rate savings for customers and rate relief funds.

Eversource disputes the coalition's allegations, saying they have been working closely with the organization and others to help roll out programs. They said they would be open to signing a supplier contract directly with the coalition under certain conditions, but those haven't been met. The Community Power Coalition warned that there could be issues for 4,500 customers in Rye, Harrisville, Plainfield, and Peterborough, which plan to launch in the coming days, due to the billing system codes issue.

Source: wbur.org