NHEC Foundation Grant Puts NH Solar Shares Over the Top by NHEC | Dec 5, 2017 | UncategorizedPLYMOUTH, NH – A matching grant of $10,000 from the New Hampshire Electric Co-op Foundation will allow NH Solar Shares to break ground on its first solar photovoltaic (PV) array that will share renewable energy with low income families. The inaugural Solar Shares array will be built in Plymouth, NH on land donated by The Common Man Family of Restaurants, to the right of the Frosty Scoops ice cream stand on North Main Street in Plymouth. It will consist of three or four pole mounted solar arrays serving as shade for the customers as well as a solar picnic pavilion. The Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) has partnered with New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) to create NH Solar Shares, which aims to build small-scale solar arrays in one community at a time using local volunteers, donations and charitable foundation grants. The majority of the PV electricity will be credited directly to the electric bills of low income families living in the region of the solar PV array. When the first array is built, NH Solar Shares will be recommended to families through established social service organizations and programs where income verification has already taken place. Solar Shares will be a voluntary program to which families will apply individually. In addition to wanting a portion of their power to be offset by solar energy, these families must also possess an interest in taking part in an energy education program. Under the leadership of PAREI Co-Director Sandra Jones, NH Solar Shares met the matching fundraising challenge issued by the NHEC Foundation by raising more than $10,000 through individual donations. The Foundation’s matching grant will allow NH Solar Shares to break ground on the Plymouth PV array as soon as this spring, with expected completion by summer 2018. “We’re always looking for creative ways to ease the financial burden faced by some of our members living on low or fixed incomes,” said NHEC President/CEO Steve Camerino. “NH Solar Shares does that, while also reducing the impact of electric consumption on the environment and increasing the portion of clean renewable energy on the grid. NHEC and NH Solar Shares is a partnership that accomplishes a lot for our members and the community.” The donation caps a fundraising campaign that attracted sizable donations and pledges from businesses such as Dunkin Donuts Plymouth, The Common Man Family, Avangrid and ReVision Energy, as well as over $14,000 in donations from individuals wishing to support the project. NH Solar Shares was recently awarded a $75,000 CDFA Business Tax Credit Grant. This allows businesses to dedicate a portion of their New Hampshire taxes to a local charitable project. Donation of any size are welcomed and appreciated. Businesses interested in pledging their support to NH Solar Shares should visit www.nhcdfa.org/tax-credits/current-projects. The NHEC Foundation is funded by the generosity of NHEC members who participate in the Round Up Program. Participating members agree to have their monthly electric bill rounded up to the next dollar with the proceeds benefiting the NHEC Foundation. The average contribution is about $6 a year per person. Over 10 years, that small change has added up to more than $3 million, which has been awarded to non-profit organizations that are working to improve the quality of life in NHEC service territory. For more information about the Foundation and the Round Up Program, visit www.nhec.com/nhec-foundation.
Power Fully Restored Following Historic October 30 Storm by NHEC | Nov 8, 2017 | UncategorizedPLYMOUTH, NH – With the last reconnection of service on November 7 to an empty cottage on Bear Island in Meredith, power was fully restored to all members of New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) following the worst wind storm on record for the utility. At the height of the October 30 storm, 52,300 members, or 65% of the entire membership, had lost power. That figure surpasses the 49,000 members who lost power during the 2008 Ice Storm. Wind gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour sent trees and limbs crashing on to power lines in hundreds of locations across NHEC service territory, from Derry to Pittsburg. The subsequent restoration effort involved NHEC line crews and the addition of nearly 100 out of state crews from New York, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia, Florida and Canada. After seven days, crews had restored power to all affected members, with the exception of members located on the islands of Lake Winnipesaukee. Unlike some weather events that affect only parts of NHEC service territory, the October 30 storm cut a path of destruction across the entire state. Outages were reported in every one of the 115 towns served by NHEC. Damage was particularly bad in certain areas, most notably in the western New Hampshire towns of Plainfield and Cornish, as well as the southern Lakes Region towns of Alton, Gilmanton and Barnstead. Line crews in buckets are the most visible part of the power restoration effort following a major storm like this one, but behind the scenes they are supported by dozens of individuals and businesses whose acts of kindness, large and small, demonstrate the best of the cooperative spirit. NHEC thanks its members for their patience and support during this trying time, particularly those members and businesses that made it possible for our crews to work as quickly and comfortably as possible. At the risk of leaving out members and businesses who gave their time and effort to help our line crews, NHEC wishes to thank the following businesses that went above and beyond… Thank you to the anonymous employee of the Wash N Go laundromat in Alton, who washed and folded lineworkers’ clothes every day for free, and sent them out each morning with a plate of fudge. Thank you to Biederman’s Deli in Plymouth, where they set up a nightly sandwich assembly line to have lunches ready for delivery to line crews by 5 a.m. every morning. Thank you to the Salt Hill Pub Shanty in Newbury, where they stayed open on their off days to feed line crews and opened a breakfast service for line crews only. Thank you to the Sunapee Lake Lodge, which, despite being sold out, cleaned and opened a closed wing of the hotel to accommodate the influx of line crews. Thank you to Candia Lumber & Hardware, which donated propane cylinders so NHEC forklifts could keep unloading equipment and supplies. Thank you to River’s Edge Grille & Tavern in Center Ossipee, which kept its kitchen open late to feed line crews and always had breakfast ready first thing in the morning. Thank you to the Common Man Inn & Spa in Plymouth, which opened early and stayed open late to offer line crews a breakfast and dinner buffet for the duration of the restoration effort. Thank you to the Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery in Raymond, the Farmer’s Kitchen in Farmington, Johnson’s Seafood & Steak in New Durham and all the other establishments that responded on a moment’s notice and pitched in to keep the crews working. As is the case with every major storm, NHEC will be reviewing what worked well in this restoration and what didn’t. We know we can improve our performance, both in the field and in our communications with members. We will use lessons learned from this, our largest-ever outage, to serve our members better in the next event.
Winter Period Rate Change by NHEC | Oct 6, 2017 | UncategorizedPLYMOUTH, NH – The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) Board of Directors has approved rate changes effective with bills rendered November 1, 2017 that will result in an overall bill increase of 8%, or $8.15 per month, for a typical residential member using 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month. The rate increase is the result of increases in two portions of members’ bills – Co-op Power (the actual electricity used) and the Regional Access Charge (the cost to access the regional transmission grid in order to get power to the NHEC distribution system). For most residential members, the Co-op Power rate is increasing from 7.5 cents per kWh to 9.1 cents per kWh. For most residential members the Regional Access Charge (RAC) is increasing during this winter period from 2.7 cents per kWh to 2.8 cents per kWh. The increased costs to the Co-op Power rate are primarily due to the expected increase in winter fuel costs used to produce the energy that NHEC purchases for use by its members. Also driving the winter rate change are increased costs to guarantee that enough New England power plants are available to produce energy, as well as increased costs associated with New Hampshire renewable energy policy. During winter months one of the primary fuels used to power New England electric plants (natural gas) is also used to heat homes, increasing the price for that fuel and the electricity that is produced from it. NHEC expects natural gas costs to fall during the summer period rate adjustment. The increase in the Regional Access Charge is primarily due to an increase in the costs to deliver energy to the NHEC distribution system. NHEC encourages members to mitigate the effects of higher winter rates by conserving and, when possible, taking advantage of NHEC’s Energy Solutions programs and rebates. Energy efficiency improvements can help members save energy and money year-round. NHEC provides a full slate of energy-saving opportunities for residential, commercial and municipal members. Complete details are available online at www.nhec.com/rebates-incentives. Members can also view and manage their hourly electric usage on SmartHub, NHEC’s online home for account management.
NOTICE: Disposal of Fleet & Equipment by NHEC | Sep 25, 2017 | UncategorizedNew Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) is preparing to offer for bid, vehicles and equipment that are ready for disposition. This bid offering is being made available to the membership, Co-op employees and retirees with the disposal process and listing of vehicles as follows. Member Solutions representatives cannot answer questions regarding vehicles and equipment being disposed. All questions will be answered during the two vehicle and equipment viewing dates listed. Bid sheets for submitting bids can be picked up at the viewings. A separate sheet for each vehicle bid must be submitted. Sealed bids are due by the end of the workday (4:30 p.m.) Thursday, November 16, 2017. Bid openings and awarding of bids will take place Friday, November 17, 2017. Vehicles are sold “As Is” and “Where Is” without warranties of any kind whatsoever. NHEC reserves the right to reject any and all bids. NOT responsible for bids lost in the mail or late. A TENTATIVE LIST OF VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT FOR NOVEMBER DISPOSAL INCLUDES: (1) 2005 Chevrolet K1500 4×4 X cab pickup (1) 2008 Ford Cargo Van (1) 2006 Ford Freestyle car (1) 1999 Freightliner FL70 Bucket truck (1) 2006 Ford F550 4X4 Bucket truck (1) 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 4×4 X cab pickup (1) 2010 Ford Econoline Van (1) 2007 Chevrolet K1500 4×4 X cab pickup (1) 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid car (1) 2008 Chevrolet Express Van ABOVE LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. VIEWING DATES AND TIMES: Wednesday, November 1, 2017, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, November 2, 2017, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m VEHICLE VIEWING LOCATION: NHEC Vehicle Maintenance facility 533 Tenney Mountain Highway Plymouth, NH BIDS DUE: Thursday, November 16, 2017, 4:30 p.m. BID OPENINGS AND AWARDS: Friday, November 17, 2017 VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT REMOVAL: No later than November 30, 2017 SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS: Payment must be made and vehicle(s) removed by Thursday, November 30, 2017. Payment will only be accepted in the form of cash, certified check, or bank draft. You will be called if you are the highest bidder and an appointment must be made to process the paperwork. *Information on the vehicles and equipment will be provided only at the scheduled viewing dates listed. Please do not contact the Co-op about vehicle and equipment conditions.
Test Drives & More at Drive Electric Week Event; September 14 in Plymouth by NHEC | Aug 30, 2017 | UncategorizedPLYMOUTH, NH – Come test drive a new Electric Vehicle (EV) and learn how affordable it is to own a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) at a local National Drive Electric Week event sponsored by New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) and hosted by the Common Man Inn in Plymouth on September 14 from 3-7 p.m. There are scheduled to be a number of EV’s on display, including: Chevrolet Bolt Chevrolet Volt (2) Ford Fusion Energi BMW i3 REX Toyota Prius Prime Tesla Model X. Representatives from New Hampshire car dealerships will be on hand and offering test drives. Scheduled to attend are Banks Chevrolet of Concord and Irwin Motors of Laconia. Also scheduled to attend are representatives of ReVision Energy, solar installer Frase Electric, the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) and Granite State Credit Union, which will have information available about a special financing rate for members who purchase an EV. NHEC representatives will also be on hand with information about a new program that offers rebates up to $1,000 on the purchase of EVs in 2017. Although not required, you may register for the event HERE.
‘Button Up New Hampshire’ Energy Savings Workshops Announced by NHEC | Aug 28, 2017 | UncategorizedButton Up New Hampshire, the popular home energy savings workshop series, is returning to a community near you. These free workshops will take place throughout NH starting in September. The workshops are being sponsored by NHSaves and coordinated by the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI). NHSaves is a collaboration of New Hampshire’s electric and natural gas utilities, Eversource, Liberty Utilities, NH Electric Cooperative and Unitil, working with the NH Public Utilities Commission and other interested parties to provide NH customers with information, incentives, and support designed to save energy, reduce costs, and protect our environment statewide. The NHSaves Button Up Workshop is a 1.5 hour presentation about how to improve the energy efficiency of your home. It covers basic building science principles as well as examples of whole house weatherization measures that will button up your home for the heating and cooling seasons. It also covers details about the energy efficiency programs offered by NH utilities to provide energy audits and weatherization, rebates on electric and gas appliances as well as new construction. NH residents wishing to use energy more efficiently, conserve energy and save money on their heating and cooling bills, will find the information very useful. The Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative of Plymouth, NH is working with local groups statewide to organize the workshops for the public on behalf of New Hampshire’s utilities. Each workshop is sponsored by the utilities through NHSaves and hosted by a local partner. The utilities are offering a free LED light bulb to the first 10 households who attend each workshop. Each workshop is presented by a knowledgeable BPI Certified Building Analyst and a utility representative will also be available to answer further questions about their programs. The workshop series will kick off with a workshop in Gilford, NH on Thursday, September 7th at 6:00pm. The workshop is being organized by the Gilford Public Library located on 31 Potter Hill Road in Gilford. All are welcome to attend. The workshop organizers still have open slots on their schedule for additional local partners who are interested in hosting a NHSaves Button Up Workshop for their community. If your town committee, business or local organization would like to host a free workshop, please contact Robbin Adams, Button Up Coordinator, at the e-mail address below. For more information visit NHSaves.com/events or e-mail or call the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative at 603-536-5030 or robbin@plymouthenergy.org