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Warner approves Community Power opt-out program after debate over costs and solar credits
Summary
Warner voters on March 29 approved an opt-out Community Power program under RSA 53-E (Yes 145, No 67). Residents raised concerns about administrative costs, treatment of solar export credits and whether the Selectboard’s role conflicts with the warrant language saying no tax dollars will be used.
Warner voters approved the Warner Community Power plan at the town meeting adjourned to March 29, authorizing the Selectboard to implement an opt-out electricity aggregation under RSA 53-E after a paper-ballot tally of Yes 145, No 67.
The plan, presented by Selectboard member Clyde Carson, is designed to offer more flexible electricity procurement and is funded through customer electric bills, the article says; it will not launch unless it provides lower rates than the default provider. "Community Power may not be the lowest cost provider, but will be consistently lower than the default provider," Clyde Carson said during the presentation, arguing longevity and contract structure matter more than short-term introductory rates.
The discussion that followed focused on cost comparisons and how customers who have rooftop solar would be treated. Bill Hanson questioned why the Community Power price (described during the meeting as about 22% below Eversource) would compete with retailers quoting substantially lower rates up front. "These companies have attractive rates up front, but include a contract," Carson said, adding the program aims for steadier rates over time. Seth Henley and Bob Holmes asked whether homeowners with solar panels and export credits would be automatically enrolled and how credits would be handled; Carson said solar arrays owned by the town (the transfer station and water precinct arrays) will remain with Eversource, and George Packard said the coalition is working with Eversource on how solar owners enter the program.
Resident James Gaffney argued the warrant language that states "no tax dollars will be used" conflicts with the legal plan language that assigns administration to the Selectboard and warned of interim, incidental costs the town may incur before the program reaches breakeven. "The plan itself . . . says the Selectboard shall administer this," Gaffney said, calling attention to potential administrative tasks that could use town staff time. Selectboard presenters replied the town would not open its checkbook and that program costs would be borne through customer rates rather than general tax dollars.
Because the article passed, the Selectboard is authorized to finalize contracts and implement the Community Power program; attendees were told details about solar-owner treatment remain under negotiation with Eversource and coalition partners.
