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.
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.
NHEC Seeks Members to Serve on Nominating Committee by NHEC | Oct 15, 2024 | Board of Directors, UncategorizedIt’s your cooperative, and your involvement and your voice matter. Here’s a way you can make that happen. NHEC is looking for members interested in serving on the Nominating Committee. What’s the Nominating Committee? The NHEC Nominating Committee is an important part of the cooperative way of doing business. The committee reviews the qualifications of potential candidates seeking election to the NHEC Board of Directors and nominate a slate of candidates to run for open seats. Any NHEC member interested in being part of the Nominating Committee is encouraged to apply for this critical part of the cooperative process. For more information or to apply for consideration, please contact Maida Lessard at 603-536-8861, or lessardm@nhec.com.
NHEC Board Appoints Two New Members by NHEC | Aug 1, 2024 | Board of Directors, UncategorizedPLYMOUTH, NH – The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) Board of Directors has appointed new members to fill two vacancies on the 11-member board. Peter Laufenberg of Thornton and John Goodrich of Littleton were selected by the board to finish the terms of two former members, Sharon Davis of Campton and Madeline McElaney of Plymouth, who recently resigned in June. Laufenberg was one of nine candidates running for election to the board this year finishing sixth in voting. Only the top four who received votes from Co-op members were elected to the board of the nonprofit cooperative. Goodrich previously ran for election to the board in 2022 and participated in the Nominating Committee this past election. “We are delighted to have recruited two highly qualified individuals to serve as Board members who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative and its members,” said NHEC Board Chair William Darcy. Following the appointment of Laufenberg and Goodrich, the NHEC Board also announced its slate of officers: William Darcy – Chair Alana Albee – Vice Chair Jeffrey Morrill – Secretary Jerry Stringham – Treasurer Thomas Mongeon – Assistant Treasurer For more information about the Board of Directors, visit the board’s page at nhec.com.
Four Members Elected to NHEC Board of Directors by NHEC | Jun 18, 2024 | Annual Meeting, Board of Directors, UncategorizedPLYMOUTH, NH – Members of New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) elected four members to the company’s board of directors. Jeffrey Morrill of Holderness, Patricia Barbour of Lee, Leo Dwyer of Sandwich and Jerry Stringham of North Woodstock received the most votes and will serve three-year terms. Nine candidates ran to fill four seats on the 11-member board of directors. Voters rejected a proposed amendment to the NHEC Code of Bylaws after it failed to reach the required supermajority approval of 66% of the votes cast. Election results were announced at NHEC’s 85th Annual Meeting, held June 18 at Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton. As a member-owned cooperative, NHEC relies on the active participation of its members to govern and sustain the business. NHEC wishes to thank all members who voted or stood for election. Below are the full results of the 2024 Board of Directors Election. FOR THREE-YEAR TERM (*elected) *Jeffrey Morrill 3,757 *Patricia Barbour 3,701 *Leo Dwyer 3,175 *Jerry Stringham 2,968 Paul Bolduc 2,892 Peter Laufenberg 2,608 Brenda Boisvert 2,521 Brian Norton 1,885 James Krull 1,661 BYLAW AMENDMENT (requires two-thirds majority for passage) NO 3,450 (53.4%) YES 3,012 (46.6%)
Voting Opens May 21 in NH Electric Co-op Board Election by NHEC | May 17, 2024 | Board of Directors, UncategorizedPLYMOUTH – Members of New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) will be voting to fill four seats on the 11-member Board of Directors when the election opens on May 21. A field of nine candidates is running for those four seats. Six of the candidates were nominated by the NHEC Nominating Committee, an independent body that reviews the qualifications of each candidate and recommends those it believes would best contribute to the successful operation of NHEC. Three candidates who were not nominated by the committee are running by petition, which required them to gather the signatures of a minimum of 100 NHEC members. Candidates nominated by the committee seeking election to three-year terms are: Patricia Barbour of Lee Paul Bolduc of Bartlett James Krull of Plymouth Peter Laufenberg of Thornton Jeffrey Morrill of Holderness Brian Norton of Campton. Those candidates who submitted petitions with the required signatures to run for the board are: Brenda Boisvert of Campton Leo Dwyer of Sandwich Jerry Stringham of North Woodstock Members will also be asked to decide on a proposed amendment to the NHEC Code of Bylaws. The proposed amendment, which was submitted by petition and is not supported by the Board of Directors, seeks to expand the Board’s powers of access to Cooperative working documents. NHEC members are receiving written statements from the candidates in support of their candidacies, along with a ballot and a postage-paid return envelope. To save time, money and resources, NHEC encourages all members to vote securely online instead of returning a paper ballot. Each ballot mailing will include instructions for voting quickly and securely online. NHEC members have until Wednesday, June 12, 2024, to return their completed paper ballot or cast their electronic ballot. Election results will be announced at the 85th Annual Meeting of Members, to be held Tuesday, June 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton. Members can also attend the Annual Meeting online. To register to attend in-person or online, please visit: https://www.nhec.com/event/2024-annual-meeting-of-members/. All NHEC members are welcome to attend. Resort activities such as tennis, pickleball, paddle boarding, golf and more are free or discounted for NHEC members from noon to 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Childcare and overnight accommodations are also available.