City Council to vote on Community Power plan

posted on 5/5/2023

The City Council will consider a resolution at its May 10 meeting to determine if and when to proceed with authorizing a Dover Community Power Program with the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH). If authorized as currently presented, it would allow the city to prepare for the program’s launch in 2024 and begin outreach to inform the public of the plan and its benefits.

Resilience Manager Jackson Kaspari outlined the status of the Community Power program at a May 3 City Council workshop, available here. He gave a brief overview of the history of the program and the recent launch of the statewide Community Power programs, with 10 communities beginning to enroll customers. He also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of waiting until next year to launch Dover’s program. Chief among the advantages is the increased time for public outreach and allowing the CPCNH to mature as an organization, which recently appointed its first CEO, giving additional time for issues to be worked out with utility providers and allowing for the city’s electricity load to be included in the program. Currently, the city has a two-year contract for a competitive rate set to expire in November.

The disadvantage of waiting is not being able to capitalize on the electricity savings for city residents and businesses, estimated to be $900,000 over 11 months. It also delays the opportunities for residents and businesses to purchase power from renewable sources. In March, the CPCNH announced the fixed supply rates effective for the coming launch, with the basic community power rate set at 15.8 cents per kilowatt hour. It’s a 4.4 cent reduction from Eversource’s current default supply rate of 20.221 cents per kWh, or 21.9%, which runs through the end of July. Community Power’s 100% renewable option is 19.1 cents per kWh. Eversource’s new rate, effective Aug. 1, will be announced in June. New rates through CPCNH will also go into effect on Aug. 1.

When launched, the program will be self-funded through revenues generated by participating customers and not use taxpayer funds to cover program expenses. Eversource will continue to own and operate the distribution grid and be responsible for delivering power to all customers within the city. Community Power impacts the electricity supply portion of the bill, and all other aspects, such as distribution, will still be determined by Eversource.

Also on the agenda:

• Approval of amending the Land Development and Disposition Agreement between the city and the waterfront developer; the agreement was unanimously endorsed by the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee earlier this week. City staff has tentatively negotiated the amendments with the developer Cathartes through their waterfront business entity, CPI Management, LLC. Some of the proposed terms include changes to the public improvements construction schedule. It also includes updating the guaranteed minimum assessed values (GMV) on the private development. Originally the GMV amount was set at a maximum of $15 million for all buildings. In the proposed third amendment, the aggregate GMV would increase to $35 million, applicable no later than FY2026, $66 million applicable no later than FY2029, and $75.5 million applicable no later than FY2032. The draft agreement is included in the agenda materials.
• Amend the City Council’s financial policies, which City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr., outlined at the Council’s May 3 workshop, available here. Changes include increasing the minimum assigned fund balance to 25% of the General’s fund annual budget and increasing the amount of new debt of the water fund to not exceed 10% of the state’s legal limit, up from 5%.
• Authorize a license agreement with Belknap Apartments, LLC to install a graffiti wall that abuts the Community Trail. Authorizing this year’s street paving contract.

Click here for the complete agenda.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers and is open to the public. It will be televised on Channel 22 and online at https://dovernh.viebit.com, where it will also be available for on-demand viewing.