Resident urges Manchester to explore community power aggregation; board says it is studying the option

A Manchester resident asked the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Tuesday to start the process of establishing a community power aggregation program that would allow the city to purchase electricity on behalf of residents and businesses.

Bryce Kawu, who said he lives in Ward 1, told the board the state law passed in 2019 allows municipalities to form aggregation programs that can secure lower prices and, if desired, offer more renewable energy options while preserving customers’ right to opt out.

Why it matters: Community power aggregation can change the default electricity supplier for participating customers and has been used by other New Hampshire cities to seek lower prices and to provide greener supply options. Kawu told the board the program could make Manchester more affordable for residents facing high energy costs.

Board response: Alderman Terrio confirmed the city is exploring the matter; later in the meeting the mayor and other aldermen said Manchester is studying community power and that Alderman O'Neil is chairing committee work on the topic. No ordinance or formal aggregation committee was established during the meeting; city staff indicated there have been committee discussions and that further steps would be considered in committee.

Ending: The board did not take a binding vote to adopt an aggregation program. Commenters asked the board to start the formal steps needed to form a program, including adopting a joint powers agreement and designating an electric aggregation committee.