Accountability Posts

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Auto-enrollment risk and inadequate notification, especially for net metering customers

Amherst BOS 2/24: All eligible electricity customers are being automatically switched to a new Community Power supplier (Direct Energy) unless they opt OUT by March 25. If you have solar with net metering credits, you could lose money if you miss the deadline. Did you get your letter?

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Lack of evidence base for a town-wide electricity program affecting all residents

At the 2/24 Amherst BOS meeting, a resident asked for concrete savings data from comparable towns to justify the Community Power program. The consultant's answer: she couldn't provide it and couldn't guarantee savings. The board didn't push back.

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Whether residents will be charged fees for a payment method they're compelled to use

Amherst BOS 2/24: The transfer station is going cashless starting April 1. A board member said the town should absorb any transaction fees — since residents are being forced into electronic payment. That question isn't resolved yet. Watch the March 10 meeting.

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Board response to community opposition to opt-out enrollment structure

Amherst residents objected at the 2/24 BOS meeting that the Community Power program auto-enrolls everyone without affirmative consent. The board chair said she contacted a state senator — but made no commitment to pause the program or push for legislative change.

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🧵 Amherst Board of Selectmen — Feb 24, 2025. A contentious public hearing on the new Community Power electricity program. Here's what every Amherst resident needs to know. Thread:

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1/ The program: Amherst has contracted with Direct Energy (through broker Standard Power) to supply electricity to eligible customers. It was approved by 81% of voters in March 2024. BUT — you are automatically enrolled unless you opt OUT by March 25, 2025.

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2/ The rates: Default is 8.88¢/kWh through Oct 2025. You can choose Amherst Basic (8.29¢), 50% renewable (9.39¢), or 100% renewable (10.49¢). Savings vs. Eversource are the goal — but the consultant said at the meeting: she cannot guarantee them.

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3/ ⚠️ NET METERING CUSTOMERS: If you have solar panels and receive monetary credits on your bill, you MUST opt out. The program has no mechanism to provide supply credits to net metering customers. Staying enrolled could cost you real money.

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4/ Multiple residents at the meeting said they never received notification letters. The board directed staff to post info online and use E-Alerts — but made no commitment to direct outreach. If you haven't heard about this, that's exactly the problem.

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5/ A resident asked for performance data from comparable communities — hard numbers showing the program delivers savings over time. The consultant acknowledged she couldn't provide that data. The board accepted this answer without seeking independent verification.

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6/ Residents also flagged Direct Energy's poor customer service reputation. The consultant said she'd follow up with Direct Energy on coordination issues. No timeline or accountability measure was attached to that commitment.

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7/ One resident said outright: 'It's not the New Hampshire way' to auto-enroll people without their consent. The board chair said she'd already contacted a state senator about the opt-out structure — but offered no commitment to advocate for a legislative fix.

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8/ Bottom line: Opt-out deadline is March 25. Check your mail. If you have solar/net metering, opt out now. Info should be on the town website and via E-Alert. Don't assume you received a letter. 🔗 Check amherstnh.gov or call the town office.

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Longer-form draft.

📢 AMHERST RESIDENTS — ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CHANGE IN EFFECT: Here's what the Board of Selectmen discussed at their February 24, 2025 meeting that directly affects your utility bill.

Amherst has launched a Community Power program, switching eligible residential and small commercial customers from Eversource's default supply to Direct Energy (through broker Standard Power). The program was approved by 81% of voters in March 2024. But here's the critical detail: enrollment is AUTOMATIC. You are switched in unless you actively opt OUT by March 25, 2025. The program goes live April 1.

At the February 24 public hearing, residents raised serious concerns that deserve attention. First: notification has been incomplete. Multiple residents at the meeting said they never received a letter. The board directed staff to post information online and send an E-Alert — but no commitment was made to more direct outreach. Second: if you have solar panels and receive monetary net metering credits on your bill, you need to opt out immediately. The program cannot provide supply credits to net metering customers, and there is no mechanism to reimburse you if you're enrolled by mistake. Third: when a resident pressed the program consultant for concrete, long-term savings data from comparable communities, the honest answer was that she couldn't provide it and couldn't guarantee savings. The town receives no revenue from the program. The board accepted these answers without seeking independent data.

Separately, the board also discussed going cashless at the Transfer Station starting April 1, 2025. One board member argued the town should absorb any transaction fees if residents are being compelled to pay electronically — but that question was not resolved at this meeting and will return March 10.

What you should do right now: Check the Amherst town website (amherstnh.gov) for program details and your opt-out options. If you have solar/net metering, opt out before March 25. If you haven't received a letter, contact the town office. The March 10 Board of Selectmen meeting will address the transfer station payment policy — attend or watch if that affects you.