Hancock, NH

Low Cost Community Power for Hancock?

The cost of electricity in New Hampshire has just skyrocketed.  The average monthly bill will rise by $70 per household, or more than $800 per year - and unfortunately, that is likely just the beginning of increases.  but there is something we can do here in Hancock to keep these rising costs down.

The State of New Hampshire has authorized towns to form a Community Power Program under a new RSA 53E.  To initiate the program, town must create a Community Power Aggregation Plan (CPAP) and vote upon it at Town Meeting.  If approved, the town would negotiate and sign a Community Power contract with a lower-cost service provider.  there is no cost to the town, only lower power costs for citizens, the town, and businesses.

A group of Hancock residents have already begun researching ways that towns can form a Community Power Program.  Some other New Hampshire towns are well underway with their own Community Power Programs.  We'd like to get some control over higher costs and a break in the cost for all of us living in Hancock.  By consolidating a large number of electricity users, the town can negotiate a lower cost per kilowatt hour than people can get as individuals.

In its most basic form, Community Power allow local governments to buy electricity in bulk for their residents and businesses from electric suppliers at wholesale rates.  Utilities would still own and maintain poles and wires.  Billing features can allow for innovative funding for energy efficiency and grid modernization.  Community Power is based on local control, lower pricing, renewable energy options, or energy efficiency for low-income homes.

At the Selectboard's direction, we will continue developing a CPAP plan for review by the Selectboard before Town Meeting and will be communicating with all Hancock residents to keep you up to date.  Please watch for more information in the near future, via Hancock Happenings, public meetings and other communications, or feel free to talk to any of us.

Questions or comments?  Please email:  hancockcommunitypower@gmail.com

Committee Members

Name	Title
Katherine Anderson	Member (2025)
James Callihan	Member (2025)
Billy Horton	Member (2025)
Thomas Villeneuve	Member (2025)
Leah Corwin	Member (2025)