Council adopts Energy Advisory Committee outreach plan for community power after debate over mailings and costs

Portsmouth City Council voted on June 22 to adopt a communications plan drafted by the Energy Advisory Committee to inform residents about community‑power rates, opt‑out procedures and program benefits.

Councilor Taber presented the plan and said the committee recommended stepped communications around rate announcements (July and January) using the city website, newsletter, social media, Channel 22, and targeted mailings to those on a ‘‘refresh’’ list. The goal is to make residents aware they can opt out and that they can switch back to Eversource if rates are lower.

The substantive debate focused on tactics and cost. Councilor Bagley and others advocated for targeted postcard mailings to the refresh list and periodic every‑door direct mail (EDDM) mailers, noting costs could run $5,500 per mail drop; councilors and staff highlighted that full direct mail to all households would be expensive (estimated at about $12,000 to reach all households by name) and could miss small business customers if not carefully targeted.

Councilor Cook suggested alternatives to blanket mailings such as in‑billing notices or using the city’s billing system to surface community‑power information when residents interact with the city (water/sewer billing portals). Staff noted testing options (A/B tests) could inform whether mailings materially increase opt‑out or switching behavior.

The city manager and staff said the plan emphasizes lower‑cost channels first (web, newsletter, social media, Channel 22) but that direct mail could be used selectively if the council chooses. Some councilors urged caution about ‘‘refreshing’’ new residents into community power if it is not competitively priced, and asked that the advisory committee consider a policy threshold for automatic enrollment decisions.

The motion to adopt the communications plan passed. The committee will implement the recommended mix of outreach tactics, monitor results and report back on effectiveness, with additional discussion planned at the July meeting where rate announcements are expected.