State of NH Emergency Energy Assistance: How to Apply by NHEC | Oct 10, 2022 | Financial Assistance, Uncategorized$35M in funding for emergency energy assistance for New Hampshire residents is now available to help with high energy prices this fall and winter. New Hampshire residents are seeing higher energy bills due to the current high energy prices. Energy markets worldwide are volatile, and the higher prices we are seeing are the result of an energy supply crunch brought about by increased energy usage as the economy recovers from the COVID pandemic, uncertainties in supply stemming from the ongoing war in Ukraine, and growing inflation. Although these factors are out of our control, the State of New Hampshire has recently adopted legislation to provide emergency energy assistance to qualifying households. The State of New Hampshire will provide this assistance through the local Community Action Agencies. Who Is Eligible? Households with incomes between 60% and 75% of the state median income may qualify for: A one-time credit of $450 for heating assistance. A one-time credit of $200 on electric bills. Households with incomes below 60% of State Median Income may be eligible for assistance through: Fuel Assistance Program – provides benefits to qualified New Hampshire households to assist with heating costs. Electric Assistance Program – provides eligible customers with a discount on their monthly electric bills. Gas Assistance Program – provides eligible customers with a discount on their natural gas winter heating bills. How to Apply To apply for assistance or to learn more about the application process, households should contact their local Community Action Agency to set up an appointment. 75% New Hampshire State Median Income Guidelines Income eligibility based on family size and gross annual income. For a family of 1, a maximum gross annual income of $48,711 For a family of 2, a maximum gross annual income of $63,699 For a family of 3, a maximum gross annual income of $78,688 For a family of 4, a maximum gross annual income of $93,676 For a family of 5, a maximum gross annual income of $108,664 For a family of 6, a maximum gross annual income of $123,653 For a family of 7, a maximum gross annual income of $126,463 For a family of 8, a maximum gross annual income of $129,274
NHEC, Conexon Announce Partnership for Broadband Expansion by NHEC | Oct 7, 2022 | Broadband, UncategorizedPLYMOUTH, NH – New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) is expanding its partnership with rural fiber-optic network design and construction management leader Conexon to bring fiber-to-the-home service across the cooperative’s territory. NHEC and Conexon have already worked together to provide gigabit speed internet access to two communities, Acworth and Sandwich, and will soon expand to 32 communities throughout Grafton County. NH Broadband, the co-op’s fiber subsidiary, will ultimately offer high-speed fiber internet service that spans nine counties and nearly 120 communities. Service is available today for customers in Acworth, Sandwich, Clarksville, Colebrook, Lempster and Stewartstown, and the first customers in Grafton County are expected to be connected in the first quarter of 2023. Conexon is providing a comprehensive range of fiber broadband services including network design, construction project management, engineering and operations support. Additionally, through its internet service provider subsidiary, Conexon Connect, the company is also providing services including customer sign-ups, installations, billing, technical support and access to multi-gigabit speed packages. “Making high-speed, affordable internet available to all of our members who need it is a major undertaking, on par with the effort to bring light and power to these same locations more than 80 years ago. We’re thrilled to have Conexon’s resources and experience available as we work to bring this next essential service to our members,” said NHEC President/CEO Alyssa Clemsen Roberts. “We’re excited to build on our current relationship with New Hampshire Electric Cooperative and make a difference in the lives of even more residents who are currently unserved or underserved with broadband,” Conexon Founding Partner Randy Klindt said. “We are pleased to have such a positive and productive partnership with Alyssa and her team, one that enables us to further our mission of closing the digital divide.” The lightning-fast fiber-optic network offered by NH Broadband will give members access to symmetrical multi-gigabit internet capabilities – among the fastest and most robust in the nation. Additionally, it will enable enhancements and smart grid capabilities to the electrical infrastructure, including improved power outage response times, better load balancing and more efficient electricity delivery. Conexon brings to the project unmatched experience and expertise in deploying rural FTTH networks. The company has designed more than 200,000 miles of fiber for cooperative projects and builds more than 50,000 fiber miles of fiber annually. In addition, Conexon has created a broad ecosystem of equipment and labor resources specializing in rural fiber builds. Since forming six years ago, Conexon has assisted nearly 275 electric cooperatives, 75 of which are deploying fiber networks, with more than 500,000 connected fiber-to-the-home subscribers across the U.S. About NH Electric Cooperative New Hampshire Electric Cooperative is a member-owned not-for-profit electric utility, headquartered in Plymouth, N.H. NHEC connects its 85,000 members through 6,000 miles of energized lines, crossing 118 communities throughout New Hampshire. About Conexon Conexon works with Rural Electric Cooperatives to bring fiber to the home in rural communities. The company is comprised of professionals who have worked in electric cooperatives and the telecommunications industry, and offer decades of individual experience in business planning, building networks, marketing and selling telecommunications. Conexon offers its electric cooperative clients end-to-end broadband deployment and operations support, from a project’s conception all the way through to its long-term sustainability. It works with clients to analyze economic feasibility, secure financing, design the network, manage construction, provide operational support, optimize business performance and determine optimal partnerships. To date, Conexon has assisted more than 275 electric cooperatives, 60 of which are deploying fiber networks, with more than 500,000 rural Americans connected to fiber to the home. The company has secured nearly $2 billion in federal, state and local grants and subsidies for its clients.
NHEC Sets New Power Rate by NHEC | Jun 28, 2022 | Rates, UncategorizedPLYMOUTH, NH (June 28, 2022) – New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) is increasing its Co-op Power Charge from 9.62 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 16.98 cents per kWh. The new rate will take effect with bills rendered on or after August 1, 2022. The Co-op Power Charge includes the cost that NHEC pays to purchase electricity on behalf of its members from the wholesale electricity market. The cost of these electric market purchases is directly passed through to members who have not chosen to purchase power from a competitive supplier. NHEC does not add any additional charges or fees to its Co-op Power Charge, and it does not fund NHEC’s operations. In New England, natural gas is the predominant fuel used to generate electricity. The price of natural gas is nearly three times higher than this time last year. Natural gas prices are impacted by global supply and demand, which has led to historically high electricity prices in New England and across the country. The new Co-op Power Charge and Regional Access Charge will result in a $37.55 a month increase for the typical residential member using 500 kWh per month, or 32% total bill increase. Members using 1,000 kWh per month will see a total bill increase of $75.09 per month, or 37%. “The price of the electricity NHEC purchases for our members who opt to take Co-op Power energy service has continued to climb,” said Brian Callnan, NHEC’s VP of Power Resources and Access. “An adjustment to the Co-op Power Charge will help stabilize our members’ electricity costs through the upcoming fall and winter.” “From the supermarket to the gas station to the electric meter, costs are up across the board,” said Jim Bakas, NHEC’s Interim General Manager. “We know that any rate increase is difficult for our members, many of whom are on fixed incomes or already struggling to pay their bills. We want our members to know that we are here to help and there are Co-op, state and local assistance programs available. We encourage members to call us at (800) 698-2007, or visit www.nhec.com/financial-assistance. Our Member Solutions representatives are ready to create payment plans or budget billing that works for you. Our Energy Solutions department is also ready to help with efficiency programs that offer incentives, rebates, and advice for getting the most from your energy dollars.” Co-op Power Rate Adjustment Schedule NHEC has traditionally adjusted the Co-op Power and Regional Access Charges in May to reflect power and transmission costs for the upcoming summer period, and again in November for the winter period ahead. To mitigate seasonal price fluctuations and provide NHEC members with more stable rates, NHEC is changing the time of year it sets these charges to August and February of each year. Setting the Co-op Power Charge in August and February will align NHEC with other New Hampshire utilities and avoid the large swings in electricity prices that have occurred over the past several years.
Members Reelect Four Incumbents to NHEC Board of Directors by NHEC | Jun 14, 2022 | Board of Directors, UncategorizedPLYMOUTH, NH – Members of New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) have reelected four members to the company’s Board of Directors. A total of six candidates were running for election to four open seats on the Co-op’s 11-member Board of Directors. As a member-owned cooperative, NHEC is governed by Directors who are elected by the membership. The four candidates elected by NHEC’s members were Alana Albee of Center Tuftonboro, Carolyn Kedersha of Melvin Village, Thomas F. Mongeon of Rumney and Sharon L. Davis of Campton. All four winning candidates are incumbent Board members and will serve three-year terms. Below are the full results of the 2022 Board of Directors election. Alana Albee 4,849 Carolyn Kedersha 4,815 Thomas F. Mongeon 4,439 Sharon L. Davis 4,027 David S. Boyce 3,968 John M. Goodrich 3,589 At NHEC’s Board Organizational Meeting on June 14, 2022 the Board of Directors elected the following officers to serve one-year terms: Chair of the Board – Jeffrey Morrill Vice Chair of the Board – Sharon Davis Treasurer – Edward French Assistant Treasurer – Carolyn Kedersha Secretary – Brenda Boisvert
2022 Annual Meeting Is June 14 by NHEC | May 16, 2022 | Annual Meeting, Uncategorized 83rd Annual Meeting of Members…Welcome Back! We’re glad to welcome members back in-person to Annual Meeting, but you can attend online as well! All NHEC members are welcome to attend. WHEN: Tuesday, June 14, 2022 10 a.m. (In-person registration begins at 9 a.m.; please RSVP here before the meeting) WHERE:| Merrill Place Conference Center on the campus of Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH ONLINE: If you wish to join us by Zoom, you must register here in advance of the meeting. Once your registration has been confirmed, you will receive an email link to the Annual Meeting URL, which you can bookmark and add to your calendar. All members will be in view and listen mode until we open up the meeting to address member questions.