New Hampshire

In 1996, New Hampshire was the first state to pass an Electric Utility Restructuring Act to de-monopolize aspects of the power sector and give customers greater choice, lower costs, and enable market innovations. After a stall in the market for several years, New Hampshire’s Community Power law was passed and became effective October 1, 2019 to help revamp the efforts.

76
communities with Local CCA Authorization
(as of July 2024)

45
active CCA communities

31
inactive CCA communities

700,000
MWh of annual load
(expected for 2023)

15%
statewide population participants
(as of June 2023)

78,000
total customer
accounts
(as of June 2023)

3 to 30
-month electricity
supply contracts
(as of June 2023)

HISTORY

New Hampshire restructured and implemented retail choice in 1996, with an opt-in option (RSA 374-F). As a result, there was not much impact on the state’s electric offering. To remedy this, in 2019 the state introduced an update to the law, RSA-53E which allowed for opt-out choice. In addition, the update also authorized Community Power Programs to implement electricity metering infrastructure.

In January, 2021 HB 315 was introduced, which would place a number of regulatory and other hurdles in the way of, and perhaps even deter, communities hoping to adopt power aggregation plans. Fortunately, in April, 2021, both the state’s electric utilities and community power advocates unanimously agreed to an amendment of HB 315 that will eliminate the bill’s most objectionable features.

The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) formed a Super JPA in early 2021 with the cities of Hanover, Lebanon, Nashua and Cheshire. These member municipalities began working together to competitively procure electricity supplies, offer innovative customer services and programs, and begin to work in partnership with distribution utilities, regulators and innovative businesses to modernize the state's electrical grid and market infrastructure. As of April 2024, the Coalition has fifty-seven municipal members and two county members. Coalition Membership is open to all New Hampshire cities, towns, counties and regionally operated Community Power Aggregations.

The state launched its first CCA programs in the Spring of 2023, with 14 communities participating. 10 to 30 additional communities are set to start a CCA program in the coming months.

FAST FACTS

Between May and July 2023, all CCA communities have standard, 33% renewable, 50% renewable, and 100% renewable energy rates lower than the default utility standard rates. This has been demonstrated to be an excellent opportunity for customers to increase the demand for renewable energy in the state.
Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire doubled its member communities is 2023, and added another 12 in the spring of 2024, bringing their total members to 56, representing over 30% of the state's population.