Keene Community Power (CP) is a city-operated group purchasing program that pools the electric use of residents, businesses, non-profits, and property owners to provide competitively priced electricity options. The Program offers Keene electricity customers with a city-vetted alternative to Eversource’s default service and other third-party electricity suppliers.
Eversource continues to deliver your electricity and manage all billing. The only change will be the source and cost of electricity supply, chosen by the City of Keene, using a competitive bidding process. The Program is part of a larger effort to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050.
On November 3, 2022, City Council unanimously voted to adopt the Community Power Plan, as approved by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission.
Keene Community Power will play a key role in achieving the City’s renewable energy goals for 2030 and 2050, as identified in the Keene Sustainable Energy Plan. The Program also seeks to support the City’s goals for equity, energy efficiency, job creation, and climate resilience and preparedness.
Start
Keene’s path to a community power program started in mid-2020 with the formation of the Community Power Committee (CPC).
The CPC has been meeting since July 2020 to develop a community power plan, incorporating input from the citizens of Keene.
Survey
The City of Keene ran a survey for one month in December 2020 through early January 2021 in order to gather input on program features and benefits that would best meet the needs of Keene residents and businesses. Over 120 responses to this survey were received. Overall, the responses indicated strong support for a program that provides more renewable energy at a competitive price. View a summary of the survey results.
Review
When the draft plan was released in early February 2021, the City invited public review for nearly two months, including two public hearings on March 30th. The review prompted some revisions, primarily to clarify details of renewable energy sources.
Approve
The Community Power Committee voted unanimously to approve the Plan on April 8, 2021. The NH Public Utilities Commission approved the Plan on October 3, 2022 as docket DE 22-022. The City Council approved the Plan on November 3, 2022.
Next Steps for the Community Power Program
In order to gain the greatest degree of leverage with qualified suppliers, the City of Keene joined with the Towns of Marlborough, Swanzey and Wilton to hold a competitive bid on March 7, 2023. We are extremely pleased to announce that the bid was successful and resulted in Direct Energy being selected by the the four municipalities as the exclusive supplier for the Community Power Program. The Program will launch in June 2023 and will last for 30 months though December 2025.
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Keene Community Power (CP) |
Eversource Basic Service |
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| Product Options |
Keene Local Green (default product) |
Keene 50% Local Green |
Keene 100% Local Green |
Keene Basic |
Residential |
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| Rates | 11.470 ¢/kWh | 12.050 ¢/kWh | 13.900 ¢/kWh | 11.100 ¢/kWh | 20.221 ¢/kWh |
| Fixed for 30 Months |
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| Extra Renewables from New England |
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| 100% Renewable Energy |
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| Renewable Energy |
Adds 10% voluntary renewable energy (NH Class I RECs) |
Adds voluntary renewable energy (NH Class I RECs) to total 50% |
Adds voluntary renewable energy (NH Class I RECs) to total 100% |
Meets renewable energy standards |
Meets renewable energy standards |
| Duration | June 2023 - December 2025 | February - July 2023 | |||
| Details | |||||
In the coming months, the City will begin a community outreach plan in order to educate the public about the Program. All customers eligible for automatic enrollment will receive a notification letter in April 2023. This letter will include all program details including program rates and how to participate. This website will continue to serve as an essential conduit for outreach, so check back often, or sign up for the City email notification system to receive emails with additional program information and updates.
Public meetings will be held to discuss Community Power during the outreach period. These meetings will be held in-person and/or virtually. Forthcoming details will be posted here and via your municipality. All are welcomed to attend.
We want to hear from you!
As the City works to develop the Community Power Plan and subsequent program, input from the residents, business owners, and other ratepayers is essential in developing a comprehensive and equitable solution. As such, we invite you to submit comments and and questions about the Community Power Plan using the form below.
Comments & Feedback
SUBMIT A COMMENT
MORE WAYS TO SUBMIT FEEDBACK
You may also send an email to Mari Brunner, Senior Planner at the City of Keene, Community Development department at communitydevelopment@keenenh.gov, or call (603) 352-5440.
Written comments may also be sent to:
City of Keene
Community Development
3 Washington Street, 4th Floor
Keene, NH 03431
CONTACT
City of Keene
3 Washington Street, 4th Floor
Keene, NH 03431
communitydevelopment@keenenh.gov
(603) 352-5440
EMAIL UPDATES
Sign up for email updates from the City of Keene about the Community Power Program by going to the email updates page and selecting Community Development: Community Power Program.