Energy committee: Bristol Community Power launch targeted for March; town to be offtaker for 4.99 MW project

The Energy Committee told the Select Board the town expects to participate in Bristol Community Power at launch next March, and that municipal customers will be enrolled on an opt-out basis. ‘‘We're gonna be able to launch Bristol Community Power in March,’’ the committee member said, adding the program will offer multiple rate tiers and aims to price generation below the Eversource default.rate.

Committee members also reported that Bristol signed up as one of 11 municipal offtakers for a 4.99 MW array on a former landfill (Poverty Plains), expected to be active Nov. 1. The board discussed accounting options for incoming revenue — general fund, building-maintenance, or a dedicated revolving fund — and asked staff to outline practical options. The Energy Committee agreed to return with a recommendation on whether to put revenue into building maintenance or an energy-specific fund.