Rye Energy Committee reviews Aug. 1 electricity supply rate increases and outreach plans

The Rye Energy Committee reviewed changes to electricity supply rates that take effect Aug. 1 and discussed how to inform residents about options on their bills.

Committee notes reflect that Eversource’s supply rate will rise from 11.303¢/kWh to 14.009¢/kWh, an increase the minutes describe as roughly 24 percent. The record states RCP/CPCNH supply rates will rise from 14.663¢/kWh to 14.949¢/kWh, an increase of under 2 percent. The minutes report that Eversource had about $39 million in undercollections as of May and that the company had testified it would prefer a 15¢/kWh rate, but the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission directed a 14.009¢/kWh rate.

The committee noted that, despite the increases, Eversource’s supply price remains about one cent per kilowatt-hour lower than CPCNH’s and that the minutes’ cost example indicates an average customer would save roughly $6 by purchasing supply from Eversource under the new rates. The committee’s summary emphasized that customers enrolled with RCP/CPCNH should not see a large change to their supply costs, while Eversource customers will likely notice the increase.

To ensure residents have current information, the committee agreed to present a brief rate update to the Select Board on July 27 and asked Lisa Sweet to update the Rye Community Power webpage with guidance about the new supply rates and how customers can compare their options.

The committee did not record individual public comments or a formal vote on any policy changes during this item.