Energy Committee

Warrant Articles

 

Wes Golomb, chair of the Deerfield Energy Committee, explains the background of the two warrant articles submitted to the voters in our coming election.

 

The warrant article for the Town is worded:

“To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Deerfield Select Board to work

jointly with the Deerfield School Board on a solar energy project for the

purpose of powering the school and the town buildings to reduce energy

costs.”

 

The warrant article for the School Board is worded:

“To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Deerfield School Board to work

jointly with the Deerfield Select Board on a solar energy project for the

purpose of powering the school and the town buildings to reduce energy costs.”

 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/xn6_0FwHsk4

 

------------

 

Energy Expo 2022

The Energy Expo 2022 content is now available for viewing. See below for links to the video:

https://youtu.be/kJ1txaBTCbs (Intro - Wes Golomb, Energy Committee Chair)

https://youtu.be/boviujlQkPk (Button-Up Workshop)

https://youtu.be/O6jeHzKhKek (Heat Pumps - Mitsubishi)

https://youtu.be/qOwABVqG7mg (Solar - ReVision)

https://youtu.be/EWKusHFSWPw (Community Power)

New Community Power Aggregation Committee Being Formed

On December 13, 2021, Deerfield’s Select Board voted unanimously to establish an official “Community Power Aggregation Committee.” The purpose of this effort is to consider new municipal power aggregation opportunities provided for New Hampshire communities by recently passed state legislation. This committee will consist of no more than 7 members, and will be meeting with vetted subject matter experts to discuss possibilities.  

If you’re interested in becoming a member of this committee, please fill out THIS FORM or you can print it out and either drop it off at the Town Offices at the George B White Building (8 Raymond Road) or e-mail it to the Town Administrator (bos@townofdeerfieldnh.com). If you have any questions, feel free to call and ask the Town Administrator (603-463-8811, ext. 309).

All forms must be submitted by FEBRUARY 21st!

 

Q:  What is Community Power Aggregation?

Community Power Aggregation is a way for rate payers in a given community – the local government buyers, businesses, non-profits, and residents alike – to optionally combine their electricity usage together and negotiate how they receive power. As a collective group, participants are then able to leverage their aggregated buying power for desirable rates and greater control over the ultimate source of their electricity supply. This is an option to potentially save money and/or to advance sustainability goals.  

Q: As a resident, business, or property owner… would I be FORCED to participate?

NO! Should a community power aggregation group be established in Deerfield there would be clear opt-in or opt-out policies. But this is why participation in this committee is important: The Committee could very well have a huge role to play in crafting the rules for a potential aggregation group participation.

Q: Why is a committee needed to look into these topics?

Because there are many options and subjects to consider. Potentially the entire process could be tailored to fit Deerfield’s local needs.

Q: If this went forward, would only one option be available?

NO. One of the key benefits of an aggregation group is that it is very customizable:  The group could choose say, three rates of power: One that maximizes renewable energy, one that emphasizes a mix, and one that maximizes savings for rate payers.   

Q: Wait, how is it possible for this to save money?

Due to the intricacies of electricity markets in the United States, chances are high you or your neighbor are currently buying electricity through the default standard rate set by your utility company. This standard rate fluctuates periodically based on larger market demands and is generally favorable to the local utility provider. Likewise, if you participate individually in a competitive provider option, oftentimes you’re not accessing the best rate or options possible: The bulk participation of an aggregation -group as a collective buyer can represent considerable leverage.

Q: I don’t see any massive solar or hydropower dams nearby… how could such a group support renewable sources here?

Although the electrons powering your property may in literal terms come from regional utility scale electricity producers, power in the country is ultimately carefully tracked and sold on abstract marketplaces. This means an aggregation group could choose options that support renewable energy sources of their choice over less green ones as an option.

 

Contact the Energy Commission

 

 

Board Members

Name Title
Wes Golomb Chair
Barbara Mathews Recording Clerk
Erroll Rhodes Member
Peter Lion Member
Robbert van der Bijl Member