Home » News » Politics
September 10. 2012 10:39PM
Power to the people: Londonderry council discusses utility alternative
LONDONDERRY — The town of Londonderry hopes to soon team up with a Portsmouth-based electricity supply company in offering residents and small businesses an affordable utility alternative.
During Monday night’s Town Council meeting, Deb Crowley of Electricity New Hampshire (ENH) Power, shared details of her company’s offerings.
Council Chairman John Farrell said the council has recently explored the possibility of ultimately forming a local power authority.
“In looking around, we found our way to ENH,” Farrell said.
With its parent company Provider Power assisting more than 150,000 Maine residents, the newer ENH Power company works in a similar fashion: purchasing electricity supplies directly from the New England Power Pool while allowing subscribers to continue working with their existing utility supplier.
By doing so, Crowley noted, Granite State residents can assure a low, fixed rate regardless of the season.
“We purchase power a year in advance and can pass on the savings directly to the consumer,” she added.
Farrell said the plan is to collaborate with town staff in efforts to have a better-informed community of area consumers.
Currently, rates for electrical power are approximately 2 percent lower than the rates offered directly through PSNH.
“Since we buy one year ahead, there’s no seasonal increase per kilowatt,” said Crowley, noting that it’s free to subscribe and citizens still have the power to select their own suppliers. “So whether you’re firing up Christmas lights or a hot tub, your price will remain the same. PSNH is prone to changing their prices but ours will stay the same.”
Farrell noted that subscribers would still need to contact PSNH in the event of a power outage.
Resident Pauline Caron suggested the town might save residents more money by utilizing this service for town and school facilities.
Crowley said she was uncertain if that would be an option but she would find out and notify the town.
Farrell said the information would be posted on the town’s website later this month.
aguilmet@newstote.com
During Monday night’s Town Council meeting, Deb Crowley of Electricity New Hampshire (ENH) Power, shared details of her company’s offerings.
Council Chairman John Farrell said the council has recently explored the possibility of ultimately forming a local power authority.
“In looking around, we found our way to ENH,” Farrell said.
With its parent company Provider Power assisting more than 150,000 Maine residents, the newer ENH Power company works in a similar fashion: purchasing electricity supplies directly from the New England Power Pool while allowing subscribers to continue working with their existing utility supplier.
By doing so, Crowley noted, Granite State residents can assure a low, fixed rate regardless of the season.
“We purchase power a year in advance and can pass on the savings directly to the consumer,” she added.
Farrell said the plan is to collaborate with town staff in efforts to have a better-informed community of area consumers.
Currently, rates for electrical power are approximately 2 percent lower than the rates offered directly through PSNH.
“Since we buy one year ahead, there’s no seasonal increase per kilowatt,” said Crowley, noting that it’s free to subscribe and citizens still have the power to select their own suppliers. “So whether you’re firing up Christmas lights or a hot tub, your price will remain the same. PSNH is prone to changing their prices but ours will stay the same.”
Farrell noted that subscribers would still need to contact PSNH in the event of a power outage.
Resident Pauline Caron suggested the town might save residents more money by utilizing this service for town and school facilities.
Crowley said she was uncertain if that would be an option but she would find out and notify the town.
Farrell said the information would be posted on the town’s website later this month.
aguilmet@newstote.com
» SHARE EVENTS FOR PUBLICATION, IT'S FREE!
Upcoming Events
- Should Manchester's mayor receive a 59% pay raise?
- Yes
- 23%
- No
- 77%
- Total Votes: 292