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Bedford council votes to join Community Power Coalition, appoints local reps
Summary
The Bedford Town Council unanimously authorized joining the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire, appointed two representatives and established an electric-aggregation committee to pursue lower electricity supply rates and optional renewable blends for residents, with final financial commitment deferred until after town meeting.
The Bedford Town Council voted Oct. 9 to authorize the town manager to sign a joint powers agreement with the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH), a step officials say could let the town negotiate lower electricity supply rates while preserving customers’ right to opt out.
The action, moved by Councilor Michael Strand and seconded by Councilor Kathleen Bemis, passed by voice vote. The council also appointed two representatives to the coalition — Chris Bandejian as primary and Jean Walker as alternate — and formed an electric aggregation committee, designating the existing Energy Commission to oversee plan development.
The Energy Commission’s presentation emphasized that the state currently sets the default supplier (Eversource) and that community aggregation can let municipalities procure supply collectively. “This ... would create a Bedford community power energy the cooperative,” Energy Commission member Chris Bandesi said, adding the coalition’s record shows modest supply savings to date: “to save citizens at at least a couple of cents on their supply rates.”
Officials stressed that joining CPCNH does not immediately change billing for customers. Jean Walker, assistant town manager, and Energy Commission members said residents and businesses would receive written notice and would retain an opt-out right; the council would not sign the binding commitment until after a review scheduled in March 2025 and, if required, action at town meeting.
Councilors asked for details about how municipal meters and net‑metered solar systems would be handled. Bandesi said meters that participate in net metering (for example certain town meters) may remain on Eversource’s bill while other town meters could opt into CPCNH, and that the coalition will send opt‑out notices to eligible accounts.
By forming an electric aggregation committee now and appointing representatives, the council set the governance needed to continue required public hearings and to review final terms before the town commits. Chair Lori Radke noted that additional public hearings will be held by the committee in November and December to allow all regulatory steps to proceed.
