Brett Gagnon: Leading Pelham’s Community Power Initiative

The concept of Community Power has been gaining traction in New Hampshire over the last several years, driven by the belief that municipalities should have more control over how they purchase and use energy. In 2019, the New Hampshire Legislature passed the Community Power Law (RSA 53-E), which provided a legal framework for municipalities to aggregate their energy demands, negotiate more favorable energy rates, and invest in community-driven energy solutions. This law paved the way for New Hampshire towns like Pelham to start exploring alternatives to the standard utility companies for their residents’ electricity needs.

The goal of the Community Power Program is to give municipalities the ability to aggregate the electricity demand of residents and businesses to leverage economies of scale, potentially resulting in lower electricity rates. For towns like Pelham, this initiative also opens the door to locally managed energy solutions, allowing communities to have a voice in how they source and use electricity, from choosing cleaner energy options to keeping costs manageable.

Pelham’s Involvement with Community Power

Brett Gagnon has played an instrumental role in Pelham’s entry into the Community Power Program, helping to educate residents and town officials about the potential benefits of joining this innovative program. As the Chairman of the Community Power Committee, Gagnon worked to organize and lead efforts to explore how Pelham could take advantage of this new opportunity, ultimately enabling the town to provide more affordable and transparent energy choices for its residents.

One of the first steps Gagnon led was the establishment of a community power plan, outlining how Pelham would engage with energy suppliers and what goals it hoped to achieve. This plan addressed everything from potential savings for residents to the possibility of diversifying the energy sources that power Pelham. By aggregating the demand of all town residents, Pelham could negotiate with energy suppliers on a much larger scale than individual customers, which could lead to reduced energy costs and improved energy security.

The Benefits of Community Power for Pelham

Under Brett Gagnon’s leadership, Pelham’s participation in the Community Power Program has positioned the town to benefit from several key advantages. One of the most immediate benefits is the ability to negotiate lower energy rates. By pooling the energy needs of residents and local businesses, Pelham can secure more competitive rates than individuals could on their own, which ultimately lowers the energy bills for everyone.

Additionally, Pelham’s involvement in the Community Power Program gives the town greater control over how it purchases energy. Gagnon has been an advocate for ensuring that Pelham’s energy purchasing decisions are aligned with the town’s values, such as increasing the availability of renewable energy and contributing to a more resilient local energy grid.

The program also allows Pelham to reinvest savings from lower energy costs into other community priorities, such as infrastructure improvements or local sustainability programs. These reinvestments can further enhance the town’s ability to meet the needs of its residents and reduce the town’s long-term reliance on outside energy suppliers.

Building Awareness and Engagement

Brett Gagnon’s work as Chairman has not been limited to just structuring Pelham’s involvement in the Community Power Program; he has also worked tirelessly to ensure that residents understand and have the opportunity to participate. Recognizing the importance of community engagement, Gagnon and the Committee have organized educational outreach to explain the program’s potential benefits, answer questions, and address concerns from residents.

Through informational meetings, town hall discussions, and direct communications, Gagnon has helped residents see how they could benefit from the program, whether it’s through potential cost savings, better energy options, or increased transparency in how energy decisions are made. His dedication to keeping the community informed and involved has helped build momentum for the program and ensure that residents are confident in the transition to community-based energy purchasing.

The Future of Community Power in Pelham

Looking ahead, Gagnon’s leadership will continue to shape Pelham’s role in New Hampshire’s evolving Community Power landscape. As more towns and cities join the Community Power Program, Pelham is well-positioned to take advantage of the emerging opportunities to control energy costs and access cleaner, more affordable energy. Gagnon’s focus on ensuring Pelham stays ahead of the curve will help ensure that the town remains a leader in energy independence and community-driven solutions.

The ongoing success of Pelham’s Community Power initiative under Brett Gagnon’s leadership is a testament to the potential of local control over energy purchasing and the benefits it can bring to communities. Pelham’s continued participation in the program will likely serve as a model for other New Hampshire towns considering the move toward community-based energy solutions.

Conclusion

Brett Gagnon’s work as the Chairman of the Community Power Committee in Pelham, NH has been crucial in advancing the town’s involvement in New Hampshire’s Community Power Program. Through his leadership, Pelham has taken a significant step toward reducing energy costs, increasing community involvement, and gaining greater control over its energy future. As the program continues to grow and evolve, Gagnon’s efforts will remain vital to ensuring that Pelham remains a model for sustainable energy solutions and fiscal responsibility in the state..

LEARN MORE: Pelham NH Community Power Committee

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