The Community Power Coalition of NH was once again discussed during the most recent Hudson Board of Selectmen meeting under old business.
“As you may recall Henry Herndon, Acting General Manager of CPCNH, was asked several questions including proper protocol for notification to CPCNH customers regarding rate changes, moreover that which sets a rate higher than the Eversource rate,” Town Administrator Roy Sorenson told the Board of Selectmen. “He explained that a particular Coalition Member may request CPCNH issue email notification of the rate change to all customers, for whom CPCNH maintains email addresses, notifying the customers of the rate adjustment.”
It was explained by Sorenson that CPCNH said they would be willing to help provide them with a template and help facilitate the mailer through a third party, but wouldn’t be responsible for sending it out.
He also noted that they would send the notice via email to anyone they have email addresses for.
“It is not their protocol to issue mailers; rather they would work with the Town to facilitate such action through a third party with costs to the Town for the mailing,” Sorenson wrote in the memo. “He did provide a template thereof which is attached.”
It was explained by Sorenson that they don’t have enough funds from the Sustainability Committee to cover the costs.
“Funding for this request would be through the Sustainability Committee, 5055-2 14, which is insufficient, and which would need to be made up within the overall budget,” Sorenson wrote. “The Board should have a discussion on this matter to set expectations moving forward as this exact circumstance could continue to occur.”
Selectman Dave Morin said since their last meeting, he has done research on the issue.
He explained that there have been some things that have taken place in other communities, including last year when the Consumer Advocate went to the Department of Energy to pause the implementation of the program in multiple communities.
Morin explained that the reason for it was because the rates that they were getting were going to be higher than the guaranteed rate.
He also noted that some communities were going to join this year, but decided against it after seeing what the rates would be. “I think we need to contact the Consumer Advocate ourselves and get some more information,” Morin said.
Board of Selectmen Chair Dillon Dumont said he thinks it’s a good first step to see if there is a breach of contract. The Board of Selectmen ultimately agreed to have Sorenson contact the Consumer Advocate for the state.
