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Eight Municipalities Join Growing Coalition to Deliver Affordable, Sustainable Electricity
At recent Town Meetings, eight municipalities—Bedford, Canaan, Dalton, Meredith, Newington, Northumberland, Shelburne, and Sunapee—voted to adopt Community Power programs, continuing a growing trend of local governments assuming greater control over electricity procurement. These affirmative votes bring the number of New Hampshire communities participating in the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) to over 60, reflecting broad-based interest in local energy autonomy and ratepayer choice.
Community Power enables cities and towns to pool electricity purchases on behalf of residents and businesses, providing a framework for competitive supply rates, renewable energy investment, and long-term energy planning. Enabled by state law (RSA 53-E), these programs are designed and governed at the local level, offering a new pathway for municipalities to advance fiscal and environmental goals.
“Bedford Community Power is grateful to CPCNH for their assistance and expertise in achieving the approval of over 91% of Bedford voters on March 11,” said Christopher Bandazian, Vice Chair of the Bedford Energy Commission. “We’re now looking forward to offering our ratepayers lower supply rates and greener choices.”
Each of the newly enrolled communities developed and approved local Community Power plans, a process that typically involves public engagement, review by the governing body, and a Town Meeting vote. For many municipalities, the program offers a strategic tool to stabilize energy costs while advancing sustainability goals.
“The onboarding experience was not taken lightly—by the Town, Board of Selectmen, or CPCNH,” said Newington Selectman Brandon Arsenault. “The amount of handholding, explanation, public meeting attendance, documentation, and preparation that CPCNH contributed was beyond our expectations.”
“Our Energy Committee is very pleased with the support at Town Meeting,” added Al Rossetto, Chair of the Northumberland Energy Committee. “We’re all looking forward to lower power rates in the future.”
As electricity costs and volatility continue to challenge municipal budgets, Community Power provides an avenue for towns to collaborate, plan proactively, and support long-term infrastructure improvements. CPCNH members work together to aggregate buying power, develop innovative energy products, and reinvest locally—under a model that centers municipal leadership.
For more information on how your community can explore Community Power, visit www.cpcnh.org.