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08/06/2024 EC Minutes

TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
2155 Main Street
Bethlehem, NH 03574

Bethlehem Energy Commission – August 6, 2024

 

Present:  Dan Crosby, David van Houten, Scott Caisse, Mary Lou Krambeer, Bruce Caplain (Select Board Liaison)

 

Excused: Chuck Phillips

 

Public Input: no

 

Mission:  Mission: The Bethlehem Energy Commission encourages and supports economically and environmentally sensible energy practices in Bethlehem, NH.

 

AGENDA

-Meeting Minutes from May, 2024.  No meetings were held in May or June.

David made a motion to accept minutes. Second by Scott.  Passed unanimously.

 

-Community Power

-Village District

-Eversource update

-EV Charging Station

-Solarize North Country, Main Street Solar

-Other

 

Community Power:

As of the June launch, CPCNH is serving municipalities representing approximately 27% of NH’s population, up from about 13% in June of 2023. With the planned October launch, CPCNH it is expected to become the default electricity provider for municipalities representing ~35% of NH’s population. Under multiple future scenarios, it is reasonable to expect CPCNH could become the default electricity supplier in municipalities representing more than 50% of New Hampshire’s population in 2026.

 

Rate Card & July Update

July 1 is the statutory deadline for posting rates which go into effect on August 1. A new Rate Card is available at Town Hall. Rates may be found

on www.CommunityPowerNH.gov and the NH Dept. of Energy Electricity Shopping website.

 

David – are there any additional Community Power benefits for the town at this time?  Answer:  not that we know of but, we’ll keep looking.

 

Eversource Dollars: Battery storage50% incentive with a $200,000 cap.

Reimbursement process clarified versus “grant money” up front. Town of Bethlehem is interested in learning more about this possibility.

 

EV Chargers: Swimming pool parking lot is a possible location for  a Level 2 charging station. Rough cost to install new circuit estimated at about $10,000. Much more to come.

 

Solarize North Country and Main Street Power:  Solar arrays are going up on 33 homes. This level of participation in the process gave everyone a 15% reduction on their original quotes saving customers an additional $140,000.

 

Main Street Solar:  Moving (very) slowly. Barrington is backed up so we may be using Mains Electric as a supplemental supplier for Maia Papaya.

 

Village District Waste Water Solar Project:  all solar elements are in place, now waiting for shutdown to happen and then Eversource will put in the new meter and explain how the system will work.  Project deadline:  Dec. 31, 2024.

 

Village District Water Solar Project:  Need to schedule an audit for the drinking water solar project for a future funding application. This should happen in the fall.

 

Other:

  • Grafton County $4m ARPA dollars are still available. Mary Lou to explore.
  • Bruce will talk to Barrington about BES conduit maintenance.
  • Pool area is covered/included in our municipal array.
  • Figure out a framework for project metrics (project overview/grants received/cost/savings). David & Dan to pursue.
  • Have we completed the application for direct payment reimbursement from the federal government for municipal solar. Bruce ask Mary Mortiz.
  • Program under development at NH DOE to direct more dollars for energy efficiencies $36m. More info coming.

 

 

Next Meeting: Sept 3 at Library; Scott to facilitate.  Mary Lou and Bruce will not be attending.