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Energy committee: Exeter Community Power rates rise slightly; Unitil’s increase is larger
Summary
Exeter’s energy committee reported a modest CPCNH (Exeter Community Power) supply increase (about 0.44¢, ~2.7%, ~ $2.60/month for typical user) and a larger Unitil increase (about 2.29¢/kWh, nearly 20%, ~ $15/month). Staff emphasized that service charges (regulated by the PUC) are a large portion of the bill and urged customers to consider options carefully.
Representatives from the town’s energy committee updated the Select Board on July 13 about recent changes in electricity supply rates, telling the board that the latest rate period will see a modest increase for Exeter Community Power customers but a larger one from Unitil.
Cliff Sanat (energy committee) summarized the new rate period and said CPCNH’s combined rate increased by approximately 0.44 cents (a 2.7% change) for the Aug. 1 to Jan. 31 period, raising the combined rate to around 15.03¢ per kilowatt-hour; he said that equates to roughly a $2.60 average monthly increase for a typical residential user. Sanat said CPCNH’s earlier reserve adder is tapering as reserves rebuild.
Nicholas Metz and other presenters said Unitil is applying a reconciliation/reserve charge of about 2.29¢/kWh, which pushes their combined rate to roughly 14.35¢/kWh and increases the average monthly bill by about $15 for a typical customer. The presenters said Unitil’s increase is driven by supply costs and a directed recovery of amounts the utility absorbed previously.
Officials emphasized that about 40% of a typical monthly bill is the service charge (transmission, distribution, metering, billing), now over 10.5¢/kWh for the service component, and that those components are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. The presenters reminded residents that customers may opt in, opt out, or change service levels with timing caveats — changes can take a month to take effect and switching between suppliers can place a customer into a variable rate depending on timing.
"It's good news as far as Exeter Community Power — the gap between suppliers has narrowed," one presenter said, while also warning that switching in and out repeatedly can expose customers to uncertainty on variable rates.
Board members thanked the presenters and suggested continued public outreach, including posting the public announcement and materials on the town website and in the library.
No board action was required at the meeting; staff said information and materials would be made available to residents and that the energy committee will return with updates as needed.
