Community Power in the News: Oct. 2025 – Jan. 2026
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 30
Powering Progress: New Milestones in Local Energy
Recent stories from across the state spotlight the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire’s momentum in expanding community solar, reducing energy costs, and building a more resilient energy future for Granite State communities. From launching the state’s largest solar project to local policy leadership and deepening community impact, CPCNH and its members continue to lead the way.
Recent News Highlights
📍 Dover Download Podcast | January 2026
Jackson Kaspari, CPCNH Director of Member Services, joins the Dover Download podcast to discuss the coalition’s growth since Dover became a founding member in 2021, expanding to 68 member communities and serving roughly 175,000 customers statewide. Kaspari explains how community power works—from opt-out enrollment and renewable energy product tiers to customer participation in Dover—while also addressing upcoming February rates, the role of community reserves in long-term price stability, and Dover’s participation in the state’s largest community solar project in Warner. Listen here
📍 The Energy Insider Podcast | January 2026
Deana Dennis, CPCNH’s Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, joins The Energy Insider Podcast to discuss the rapid growth of community power in New Hampshire, including CPCNH’s expansion to more than 180,000 customers and over $20 million in customer savings. Dennis outlines how CPCNH’s four rate options, integration of community solar, and consumer-first regulatory advocacy help lower energy costs while challenging utility monopoly practices, and she reflects on ongoing efforts to expand participation in energy choice statewide. Listen here
📍 LEAN Energy US Webinar | December 2025
Clifton Below, immediate past chair of the CPCNH Board, joined a national LEAN Energy US panel discussion examining Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) customer data access challenges and emerging solutions. The webinar highlighted findings from a multi-state study on data availability and accuracy, with panelists sharing regulatory, technical, and practical insights on how improved data access can reduce costs, support renewable integration, and strengthen transparency for community power programs nationwide. Watch the recording.
📍Multiple Outlets | November 19–21, 2025
In a widely covered event, CPCNH and Encore Renewable Energy celebrated construction progress at the 4.99-megawatt Poverty Plains Solar Project in Warner—New Hampshire’s largest community solar array to date. The project will serve 11 CPCNH member communities (including Bristol, Dover, and Rye), offering long-term energy savings through Group Net Metering.
Held at the former gravel pit site now transformed into a clean energy hub, the event featured remarks from State Reps. Tony Caplan and Eileen Kelly, CPCNH Director of Projects & Programs Mark Bolinger, and Encore CEO Chad Farrell. The project is expected to generate nearly $5 million in community benefits, while also highlighting the potential of underutilized land for solar development.
Encore also presented a $20,000 donation to the Warner Beautification Committee as part of its Community Impact Program.
Highlighted Media Coverage:
CommunityPowerNH.gov (Dec 8)
Concord Monitor (Nov 19)
Concord Monitor Opinion | By Reps. Tony Caplan and Eileen Kelly (Dec 18)
North American Clean Energy (Nov 21)
Renewable Energy Magazine (Nov 21)
Solar Power World (Nov 20)
📍Seacoast Online | November 6, 2025
The Portsmouth Energy Advisory Committee (PEAC), the team behind the success of Portsmouth Community Power, is being proposed as a permanent city committee. The group has helped the city save over $2 million through community power and is now pursuing new initiatives, including a solar array on a former landfill and green energy for the wastewater plant. The committee’s continuity could strengthen long-term energy planning and innovation. Read More
📍Bristol Buzz Newsletter | November 21, 2025
In a reflective update, Bristol Energy Committee Chair Paul Bemis celebrates the town’s progress with CPCNH, including its enrollment in the Poverty Plains Solar Project. The piece outlines how CPCNH’s nonprofit model creates real local value, contrasting community power with the investor-owned utility model. Bemis highlights CPCNH’s role in helping Bristol return to a local, distributed energy model, enabling long-term control, cost savings, and resilience. Read More
📍InDepthNH | October 30, 2025 | By Donald M. Kreis
NH’s Consumer Advocate Donald Kreis outlines Eversource’s attempt to retroactively charge customers for a $4 million accounting error—blaming customer migration to CPCNH for the shortfall. CPCNH successfully challenged this claim in 2024, and Kreis defends the organization’s continued consumer-first focus. Read More
Stay Connected with CPCNH News
CPCNH is leading the way in local energy solutions, and our impact continues to grow. Stay informed about how community power is shaping New Hampshire’s energy future.
📍Visit our news page for more updates: communitypowernh.gov/news
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