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Kensington Energy Committee hears geothermal progress, church seeks grant help; town to receive SolSmart recognition
Summary
At its April 14 meeting, the Kensington Energy Committee approved March minutes, received an on-schedule geothermal project update, advised Community Church on grants and audits, discussed Community Power enrollment and recent legislative changes, and learned Kensington will receive a SolSmart award.
The Kensington Energy Committee met April 14, 2025, at Kensington Town Hall and approved its draft March minutes on a motion by Susan Varn, seconded by Chair Zeke Schmois. The meeting ran from 1:35 to 2:30 p.m., and minutes were submitted by committee member Steve Sniderman.
The committee reported that the town’s geothermal project is progressing as planned. Committee notes say the work has kept piping inside the building rather than running outside, an air handler was repositioned to give more space to the police department, a completion schedule should be available next week, and the project is currently within its original budget; the minutes state, "No surprises at this point." The committee did not provide a firm completion date beyond the note that a schedule would be available "next week."
Visiting speakers Rev. Cheryl Stromski and Ian Powers of Community Church described ongoing physical-plant energy improvements at the church and asked the committee for information on grants available to nonprofit organizations for energy upgrades and solar installations. The committee recommended the church obtain an energy audit through Unitil or NHSAVES. Rev. Cheryl Stromski, pastor of Community Church, offered the church as a location to host a "Community Conversation" on local issues.
The committee also discussed Community Power developments, reporting that CPCNH has appointed a new CEO and that a legislative revision now allows Unitil and Eversource to purchase power on the spot market while limiting recovery of losses to default customers rather than spreading costs across all customers. The minutes characterized that change as leveling the playing field for energy providers. The committee said staff are providing Kensington customers directions on how to unenroll from Community Power during the current rate period and are keeping the unenrollment process open in the hope that rates will become more competitive in a subsequent billing period.
Members said Kensington is in line to receive a SolSmart community award and plan to issue a press release and try to align the award event with New Hampshire Energy Week (May 3–8). On legislation, the committee noted a new Home Battery law is moving through the legislature and recorded an action item to discuss the law’s implications with the Fire Chief; the committee also noted additional bills under discussion related to buy-back rates under the Smart Metering program.
Administrative business included a motion by Susan Varn, seconded by Joni Praded, to move discussion of the committee webpage to the next meeting to allow more time for discussion; the committee moved the item to the June agenda. The May meeting was cancelled; the committee set its next meeting for June 9, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Kensington Town Hall.
The minutes and attendance list were submitted by Steve Sniderman.
