Timeline for program development and the approval process followed all steps required by State statute, including local authorization, public review, and approval by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. Follow the Amherst Community Power Program’s progress with the table below.
Complete
Step One: December 12, 2022 – Creation of Community Power Aggregation Committee as commissioned by the Board of Selectmen
Complete
Step Two: January 4, 2023 – Creation of a Draft Plan with public hearings: The Committee’s goal was to develop a Plan that would offer residents and small businesses attractive choices for the lowest cost and more renewable energy. They endeavored for full participation in the program, allowing customers to join, change options, or leave the program at any time, provisions that are in the law. Other potential benefits of the Community Power program the Committee considered were increased consumer protections and more energy planning awareness and savings for the community in the face of volatile utility electricity prices and climate change.
Complete
Step Three: February 9, 2023 – Approval of Plan by Community Power Aggregation Committee
Complete
Step Four: February 27, 2023 – Adoption of Plan by Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting
Complete
Step Five: October 2023 – First Point Power is chosen as the supplier for the program. The market was monitored to identify the appropriate time to run a competitive bid for electricity supply.
IN PROGRESS
Step Six: January 15, 2024 – An education and outreach campaign to residents and businesses about the upcoming program launch and their choice to participate in the Program, or leave before it started (opt out) was initiated. This included:
- A post-card and Customer Notification letter mailed to each eligible electricity customer
- Public meetings to answer questions and explain the program:
- January 31, 2024 at 6:00 pm at Amherst Town Hall.
