City council to review electric aggregation plan

LACONIA — City councilors will review and potentially approve the city’s final draft of its electrical aggregation plan at their meeting on Monday night. 

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at City Hall downtown. 

On Jan. 9, members of the city’s electrical aggregation committee unanimously approved the final draft of the plan. If adopted by the city council, the plan would be sent to the Public Utilities Commission for their review. Once approved by the PUC, City Manager Kirk Beattie would work with Freedom Energy with city council guidance to implement the program. 

According to a draft of the plan attached to the meeting agenda, the program was designed to offer competitive choices to eligible consumers as an alternative to default energy services provided by Eversource and New Hampshire Electric Co-Op. 

The city is engaged with Freedom Energy Logistics who will serve as the professional, legal and technical consultant to manage the program in coordination with Colonial Power Group.

Councilors voted to establish the city’s aggregation committee to create an aggregation plan at their meeting on Nov. 27, 2023. The purpose of the plan is to promote the interests of consumers in procuring energy and seeks to increase their buying power by aggregating them to negotiate rates for supply.

City leaders hope to take greater control of their energy supply options including increasing their ability to pursue price stability, savings opportunities and to increase the amount of renewable energy procured, according to the draft plan.

According to the draft plan, the city would not buy and sell energy to consumers but rather would promote the interests of consumers in setting the terms of service. In coordination with the city, Freedom Energy Logistics would develop a standard form contract and, through competitive bidding or a negotiation process, select a supplier. Contracts would run for a fixed term and eligible consumers could opt-out of participation both before and after the city’s enrollment.

“Consumer choice for electricity supply has been a major success for larger commercial and industrial consumers in the state but less so for other consumer groups,” reads program information in part. “Consequently, the Program will place a strategic emphasis on providing choice, offering beneficial options, and delivering benefits most attractive for residential and small commercial consumers.” 

If adopted, once the city executes a contract with a supplier, Freedom Energy Logistics would prepare a notification for review and approval by city officials. They’d coordinate with the chosen supplier to mail notifications to eligible consumers that they’re able to opt-out of the program. The city would then hold a public information session within 15 days of the notification of consumers. 

Consumers who elect not to participate in the program would not incur any costs associated with it. 

In other business, councilors will consider raising the fees associated with disposal of tires at the transfer station. 

The cost of recycling tires increased in the state’s new contract, according to a staff report. That increase in turn increases the city’s cost for passenger car tires, light truck tires and heavy truck tires. 

Leadership in the Public Works Department is requesting to increase fees to cover the costs of recycling tires.

The current fee for passenger car tires is $6 and the requested increase is for $7. The current fee for truck tires is $10 and the requested increase would make the cost of light truck tires $13 and $29 for heavy truck tires up to and including 24.5 inches.