InDepthNH.org (https://indepthnh.org/series/power-to-the-people/page/6)
D. Maurice KreisPower to the People is a new column by D. Maurice Kreis, New Hampshire’s Consumer Advocate. Kreis and his staff of four represent the interests of residential utility customers before the NH Public Utilities Commission and elsewhere.
Acknowledging the financial impact to New Hampshire consumers is a “significant concern,” the state’s Public Utilities Commission nonetheless approved a six-month, 112 percent increase in the kilowatt-hour cost of electricity for the state’s largest utility as had been feared and expected.
The state’s largest utility Eversource argued before the Public Utilities Commission Tuesday to increase its rate as New Hampshire electric consumers brace for bills going up by about 50 percent for at least the next six months.
Many New Hampshire consumers will be shocked by their next electric bill. They will see pedal-to-the-metal construction work on a new exit ramp on Interstate 93 in Londonderry and Derry and $50 million in new infrastructure improvements at all 10 county nursing homes to protect seniors from illnesses like COVID-19.
James Danly deserves to be a celebrity in New Hampshire. This column aims to make it so.
For a family car, depreciation is pretty straightforward – at least in concept. The Vista Cruiser had a useful life of eight years. So, the way to pay for the next car would be to include, in the annual family budget, one eighth of the purchase price of the 1967 Pontiac. Then, at the end of the eight years, there would be money in the bank to replace the station wagon.
Sometimes, in my exasperation, I have been known to complain that New Hampshire’s public utilities are mired in the year 1955. But it turns out that maybe I should be grateful these companies are as evolved as they are.
New Hampshire doesn’t care about who owns its public utilities. But maybe it should.
“Energy justice requires that equity be part of energy policy.” So, declares Shalanda H. Baker, a professor of law, public policy and urban affairs at Northeastern University, in her 2021 book Revolutionary Power.
A pilot project with big implications.
As with any deals of this magnitude, there are a few sticky details. For one thing, you don’t actually get 175,393 pieces of wood – you’ll take title to 3,844 of them, along with a 50 percent interest in 343,098 others. The other half belongs to Eversource.