Community Power in New Hampshire: Local Energy, Local Choice

New Hampshire was the first state to pass an Electric Utility Restructuring Act back in 1996 (RSA 374-F), aiming to end monopoly control over electricity supply and give residents more options. The goal? Lower prices, more innovation, and a more competitive energy marketplace.

But despite those ambitions, the competitive market has stalled.

Why New Hampshire’s Electricity Market Needs a Boost

Today, four out of five customers are still on default utility service. And although 29 competitive electricity suppliers are authorized to operate in the state, only nine serve residential customers—and just four serve every utility territory.

The lack of options and innovation especially impacts residential ratepayers. In fact, New Hampshire now ranks last among states with restructured electricity markets for price competition.

Electricity price changes from 2008–2019 show competitive states generally faring better than monopoly states. New Hampshire is among the least competitive restructured markets. Credit: Retail Energy Supply Association

Community Power: A Local Solution to a Stalled Market

To address this, New Hampshire passed a new law in 2019—RSA 53-E—which authorizes municipalities and counties to launch Community Power programs as the default electricity provider for their residents and businesses.

These programs enable local governments to take control of electricity purchasing, offer innovative rate options, and provide customer-focused services—all while keeping the utility in charge of delivering power over the poles and wires.

Community Power programs give municipalities tools to manage electricity procurement, modernize infrastructure, and improve services for customers.

How Community Power in New Hampshire Works

Under RSA 53-E, Community Power programs must:

• Be self-funded, except for limited startup costs (e.g., regulatory filings)

• Notify all customers at least 30 days before launch

• Provide a clear opt-out process for default utility customers

• Allow customers with competitive suppliers to opt-in

• Automatically enroll new customers onto the Community Power program, unless they choose otherwise

All participants are free to switch between Community Power, the utility’s default service, or a competitive supplier at any time.

Expanding Local Authority Through RSA 53-E

New Hampshire’s Community Power law gives municipalities new tools to better serve their communities:

• Customer services like energy efficiency and demand management

• Advanced metering and billing options

• Support for clean energy districts (per RSA 53-F)

• Regional cooperation through Joint Powers Agencies (RSA 53-A)

These capabilities allow communities to offer smarter, more flexible programs—tailored to their unique needs and sustainability goals.

Why Community Power Matters for New Hampshire

By empowering towns, cities, and counties to shape their own energy future, Community Power in New Hampshire unlocks:

• Local control over electricity decisions

• Better energy choices for residents

• Opportunities to modernize grid infrastructure

• Support for clean energy and innovation

  
  

When municipalities join forces through organizations like the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire, they’re better positioned to buy electricity competitively, streamline customer services, and collaborate with utilities and regulators on long-term solutions.

Looking Ahead

With the foundation laid by RSA 53-E and RSA 53-A, Community Power in New Hampshire is already proving to be a game-changer. More towns and cities are joining forces, launching programs, and reshaping what energy looks like in their communities.

It’s not just about electricity—it’s about local leadership, economic opportunity, and clean energy progress.