Modest Rate Increases Ahead for NHEC Members by NHEC | Dec 20, 2024 | Board of Directors, RatesDecline in Co-op Power Rate Helps to Offset Other Rate Increases PLYMOUTH, NH – The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (Co-op) Board of Directors this week completed the two-month rate-setting process that will result in modest increases in member residential bills for 2025. Starting on Jan. 1, member bills will increase 1.7 percent (for 500 kWh a month) to support reliability and service improvements for electricity distribution to members. On Feb. 1, the new six-month default energy rate, which includes transmission costs, will increase member bills by another 1.6 percent. The good news for members centers on the Co-op power rate. The new rate of 8.108 cents per kWh is a 6 percent decrease from the current rate, making this the fifth consecutive rate period to see a decline. These rates will be in effect through July 31, 2025. Transmission rates, the cost of transporting the electricity to NHEC’s distribution system – which the Co-op does not control – are set to rise significantly in New England in 2025, resulting in a 30 percent increase to the Regional Access Charge, which is why rates will increase in February despite the reduction in the Co-op power rate. “Even small rate increases are unwelcome, but the Board of Directors believes the approved distribution and energy increases are reasonable and needed to continue providing reliable service to members,” stated NHEC Board Chair Bill Darcy. “It is unfortunate that regional transmission costs over which NHEC has no control are increasing so much, but the staff and Board have made changes in other areas to keep rates for members affordable, especially when compared to other electric utilities in New Hampshire.” “Affordability is a cornerstone of the Co-op’s five-year strategic plan,” stated Michael Jennings, incoming Interim President & CEO of the Co-op. “We are committed to managing the costs within our control and closely monitoring external factors that increase the overall cost of electricity delivery for our members.” For more information about Co-op’s rates, including a current schedule of rates, please visit our website: www.nhec.com/rates-tariffs/. About New Hampshire Electric Cooperative Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Plymouth, NHEC is a nonprofit electric distribution cooperative that is owned by the members it serves. NHEC provides energy and energy solutions to 86,000 homes and businesses in 118 New Hampshire communities. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, NH Broadband, NHEC is building fiber-optic networks to provide high-speed internet access to its members, regardless of their location. Learn more at nhec.com, or nhbroadband.com.
NH PUC: Order Nisi Approving Requests to Modify Energy Efficiency Portion of System Benefit Charges and Local Distribution Adjustment Charges by NHEC | Dec 13, 2024 | Regulatory, UncategorizedIn this order, the Commission approves on a nisi basis the tariff change filings reflecting a 4.978 percent increase to the energy efficiency charge (EEC) charged to New Hampshire ratepayers and collected by the electric and natural gas utilities, as a component of either the electric-utility System Benefits Charge (SBC) or the gas-utility Local Distribution Adjustment Charges (LDAC).1 As an illustrative example of bill impacts, a typical residential electric customer of Liberty Utilities (Granite State Electric) Corp. d/b/a Liberty (Liberty Electric), using 650 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, will see an overall 4 percent increase in the SBC as a result of Liberty Electric’s EEC proposal, resulting in an 18-cent monthly increase in bills. VIEW PUC ORDER
NHEC Announces Leadership Transition by NHEC | Dec 9, 2024 | Board of DirectorsPLYMOUTH, NH – The Board of Directors of New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) announced today that Alyssa Clemsen Roberts has resigned her position as President & CEO of NHEC. Michael Jennings, who currently serves as the Vice President for Energy Delivery at NHEC, will assume the role of interim President & CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Michael Jennings is a professional engineer who received his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut, an engineering degree from the University of Hartford, and a master’s degree in corporate finance from Southern New Hampshire University. Jennings joined NHEC in 2019 as Director of Engineering and was promoted to Vice President of Operations & Engineering in 2023. In 2021, Jennings was named a Co-op Rising Star, one of 20 young professionals recognized nationwide by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. He is a resident of Tilton. “I want to thank NHEC employees for their support for the past two years. I will always appreciate their commitment to serving our members and supporting one another,” said Clemsen Roberts. Clemsen Roberts has accepted a position as the leader of an organization outside of New Hampshire. “We appreciate Alyssa’s many contributions to NHEC and wish her well in the future,” said NHEC Board Chair Bill Darcy. “Alyssa leaves NHEC in excellent shape with member electric rates among the lowest in the state, increased investments in reliability, and a robust fiber internet buildout ahead of schedule. Mike has been involved in all aspects of NHEC’s electric and broadband businesses, and the Board of Directors is confident he will continue that progress,” Darcy said. “I am incredibly honored to begin my journey as the Interim CEO of this remarkable cooperative,” said Jennings. “The dedication and talent of our employees have always been our greatest strength, and I am excited to lead such a passionate and committed team. Together, we will continue to focus on enhancing member engagement and expanding services to better serve rural communities,” Jennings said. About New Hampshire Electric Cooperative Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Plymouth, NHEC is a nonprofit electric distribution cooperative that is owned by the members it serves. NHEC provides energy and energy solutions to 86,000 homes and business in 118 New Hampshire communities. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, NH Broadband, NHEC is building fiber-optic networks to provide high-speed internet access to its members, regardless of their location. Learn more at nhec.com, or nhbroadband.com.
Joint Petition to Alter Franchise Areas in Landaff, New Hampshire by NHEC | Oct 16, 2024 | Regulatory, UncategorizedOn September 12, 2024, Public Service Company of New Hampshire d/b/a Eversource Energy (Eversource) and New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NHEC) (together, the Joint Petitioners) filed a petition requesting that the Commission modify their franchise areas in Landaff, New Hampshire to transfer a lot in Eversource’s franchise area to NHEC’s franchise area. READ PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION NOTICE HERE
NH PUC Approves 2024-25 Electric Assistance Program (EAP) Budget by NHEC | Oct 15, 2024 | Financial Assistance, Regulatory, UncategorizedIn this order, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission approves the Electric Assistance Program (EAP) administrative budgets for the 2024-2025 EAP program year. The EAP budget in 2024-2025 is flat when compared to the budget approved last year. VIEW PUC ORDER HERE