Purchasing Power
"The Canterbury Way"
Canterbury Community Power is lowering electric energy supply costs for residents and businesses, expanding options to buy power from renewable sources, and accruing dedicated Town reserve funds to provide even more community benefits in the future.
Canterbury has a long history of innovative “do-it-yourself” projects, from building an elementary school to building “Canterbury-style” bridges. The Shakers brought their own genius and innovative style to the Town, and a Canterbury wind turbine was the first renewable generating project in New Hampshire to win “net metering” approval from the Public Utilities Commission.
When we adopted the Canterbury Community Power Plan at Town Meeting in March 2023, we began to create new short- and long-range benefits for the people of Canterbury, all done “the Canterbury way.”
Photo courtesy of Canterbury resident John Polizzi
How Community Power Works
Canterbury Community Power combines the buying power of residents and businesses so that together we can achieve competitively priced electricity.
Customers are always free to choose to buy power from their utility, or from another market option, by submitting notice in advance of their next utility meter read date.
By accessing the power market, we can control price volatility and choose which energy sources to buy or build.
Source
Canterbury Community Power purchases electricity from the sources you choose.
Delivery
Eversource and Unitil deliver the electricity using the same power line infrastructure and billing mechanisms.
Community
Canterbury Energy Customers save money and have the power to choose new rates and products, and how much electricity comes from renewable sources.
Electricity markets are changing. Customers are generating their own power and adopting new technologies that add value to our energy portfolio.
Canterbury Community Power will harness that value, and empower customers to create a more innovative and cost-effective energy future.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Electricity Supply Choices
Energy users in Canterbury can select which energy choice works best for them.
Use the portal or call us at 1-866-603-POWR to choose your power option, or to opt out, and have your Eversource, Unitil, or NH Electric Co-op account number handy so we can easily process your selection.
**If you have recently set up a new account with Eversource or Unitil please call 1-866-603-7697 (POWR) to enroll in Canterbury Community Power
August 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025
Residential, General Service, Outdoor Lighting*
The Canterbury Basic rate saves customers money while allowing our community to capitalize a fund to support local energy projects and programs that benefit our residents and businesses.
Since Canterbury Basic will be the default energy rate for the six-month period starting August 1, 2024, Canterbury residents who have been on the "Granite Basic" default energy rate for the six-month period ending July 31 don't need to do anything unless they do not want to be enrolled in "Canterbury Basic." If they would prefer to remain on the lowest rate, "Granite Basic," they should go to the customer portal link abou and "opt down" to Granite Basic, or call a Canterbury Community Power customer service representative at 1-866-603-7697 (POWR) on weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm, and ask to be on "Granite Basic" rather than the "local option" rate.
You'll have 30 days from July 2 to do this before the new 6-month rates take effect on August 1
Projects and programs to be funded as part of Canterbury Community Power will be approved by the Select Board.
Eversource Class GV Commercial Customers &
Unitil Customers With Variable Monthly Supply Rates
Community Power rates for Eversource mid-sized commercial customers (Class GV) are online here.
Community Power rates for Unitil customers with variable monthly supply rates are online here.
Exceptions to Automatic Enrollment
Certain customer groups will NOT be automatically enrolled in Canterbury Community Power. These groups include:
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Customers buying electricity from a third-party supplier.
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Customers in the New Hampshire Electric Coop's territory.
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Net Metered customers.
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For customers in Eversource's territory: Large General Service, Backup Service, and Commercial & Industrial electric vehicle charging station customers (Rate Classes LG, B EV-2).
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For customers in Unitil's territory: Large General Service Customers (Class G1 and TOU-EV-G1) and customers on a three-part Time-of-Use rate (Class TOU-D, TOU-EV-D, and TOU-EV-G2).
If one of these exceptions applies to you, contact us to discuss your options or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Why Customers choose Community Power
LOWER RATES
Our energy supply rate is lower than the Eversource and Unitil supply rates.
CLEAN ENERGY
INNOVATION
You can choose from a menu of clean power options.
Over time we will expand innovations like time-of-day metering to further empower customers.
FISCAL STABILITY AND FINANCIAL RESERVES
We deposit a portion of revenues into locally controlled reserve funds to manage risk and finance cost-effective energy projects.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Through our nonprofit power agency, we ensure power contracts and services are vetted, monitored, and in the best interests of customers.
Community Representation
The Power Behind Community Power
The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire is driven and governed by volunteers — a powerful force.
Canterbury’s own Community Power Committee (CCPC) was established by the Select Board in the fall of 2022, with the mission of lowering electricity costs and bringing more renewable energy choices to the Town.
By joining with dozens of other New Hampshire cities and towns in a non-profit power agency governed by volunteers, CCPC and the Select Board are fulfilling that mission. Meet the Canterbury volunteers who made this happen:
CCPC members Kent Ruesswick, John Schneider, Lenore Howe, Beth McGuinn, Kathy Doherty, Scott Doherty, Howard Moffett, and Tim Meeh. Not shown but a major contributor — our Secretary, Kelley Stonebraker. Photo by Lois Scribner.
COMMUNITY POWER COALITION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Through the Coalition, we tap into the advanced expertise to give customers the highest quality service, and the collective leadership required to drive important policy reforms at the state level.
Together, we are leading the way towards a more innovative and resilient energy system for the Granite State.
Photo courtesy of Canterbury resident John Polizzi
Contact Center
Reach out to our Contact Center to opt-in, opt-out, opt-up to cleaner power, or with any other questions or comments you may have:
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1-866-603-7697 (POWR)
