Community Power Update
Hanover Community Power (HCP) customers saved more than $300,000 by switching their electricity purchases last year from regulated utilities.
Dartmouth College Sustainability
Sustainable Hanover’s first meeting of the new year featured an important update on Dartmouth College’s sustainability developments and plans. Rosi Kerr (Sustainability Director), Josh Keniston (Senior VP for Capital Planning & Campus Operations) and Abbe Bjorkund (Director of Engineering & Utilities) joined together to present a wide-ranging review of what has transpired in the immediate past and what they foresee for the future.
EV Tax Credits for 2024
The Inflation Reduction Act that extended federal incentives for Electric Vehicles (EVs) until 2032 included a number of changes, some of which went into effect in January 2024. They include some great benefits, but also some restrictions.
EV Update: Workplace Charging
More and more people are driving EVs and need to charge them. Charging is most efficient when the car is parked for more than a few hours, so charging at home and at work are the best options. Some employees may not be able to charge at home, or the range of their EV may not cover both directions of their commute, so workplace charging is important.
Installing chargers will help meet your sustainability goals and may help recruit and retain employees.
Window Dressers Update
The third Norwich/Hanover Window Dressers Build is now complete! This year the Norwich Congregational Church was host. 268 window inserts were made by 115 volunteers for forty-one households between September 29 and October 5. According to Window Dressers, one medium pine insert may save an average of 8.5 gallons of heating oil every year, for an estimated savings of $15 – $43 per year, depending on variations in fuel price.
EV Expo Coming to the Upper Valley
Thinking about getting an EV? Or switching to a different one? The Upper Valley EV Expo is coming to Lebanon, Saturday, September 30, 10 am - 3:00 pm. It will be held in the parking lot behind City Hall. This is a chance to see a wide variety of EV’s, talk with the owners and perhaps go for a test ride. There will also be presentations by panels of experts, ebikes, food, raffle prizes, and maybe Advance Transit’s new electric bus.
Solarize Pop Quiz
Have you been keeping track of all the solar activity in Hanover? All told, solar systems in Hanover represent more than 5 megawatts of solar capacity. This includes 300 households that are using electricity generated by local PV panels. The Town’s rooftop and ground mounted panels meet just about all of its current municipal electricity needs. Dartmouth College has 16 systems, and more are on their way. How much do you know about all these renewable energy systems? Take this quiz for your Solarize IQ status!
Hanover Community Power Update
In July Sustainable Hanover announced that the utilities and HCP would be lowering rates for the 6 month period beginning August 1, with HCP’s default rate still cheaper that Liberty or Eversource. Please consider opting up now by clicking here and then scrolling down to the section “Electricity Supply Choices.
Window Dressers Returns!
For the third year, Sustainable Hanover and the Norwich Energy Committee are collaborating with the Maine-based nonprofit, Window Dressers (www.windowdressers.org) to make window inserts for Norwich and Hanover residents. The inserts are easy to install, remove and reuse. They let light in, keep drafts out, and reduce heating costs (on average, about 10 gallons of heating fuel per insert per year).
Community Power Launches Successfully
Hanover led toward renewables as community power successfully took on the responsibility to buy electricity for more than 75,000 customers in ten cities and towns across New Hampshire.
Federal Grants in Action: Advance Transit Electrification
In Mid-March, Advance Transit introduced two new electric buses into their fleet. These buses serve the Upper Valley in both Vermont and New Hampshire, and were funded by a $3 million grant from the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the US Department of Transportation as well as financial incentives from Green Mountain Power. Two more are on the way next year.
EV Chargers – What’s Up?
If you have an electronic vehicle (EV) or are planning on purchasing one, you will have more than a passing interest in where you are going to find EV chargers, particularly when traveling. As EVs become more and more popular, the demand for chargers of all types is going to dramatically increase.
Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library
E-bike lending library coming to Hanover, June 14-28.
• We will be offering overnight rentals which are very popular and get booked up quickly.
• We will also offer "Demo Days" on Saturdays (Jun 17 and 24) that provide one-hour opportunities for people to try one or more e-bike models.
• All library services are free.
• Reservations required. www.vitalcommunities.org/uvell
What is Community Power?
Community power is a way to purchase electric power that is more renewable and/or less expensive, while also providing community control. Hanover Community Power is coming soon!
Transactive Energy* and Your EV
The New Hampshire Electric Coop (NHEC) is looking to use Electric Vehicles in very imaginative ways to add alternative energy to the grid.
Two Dedicated and Long Term Volunteer Leaders Stepping Down
Two of Sustainable Hanover’s most dedicated, effective, and long term volunteers are stepping down from their leadership roles. Susan Edwards is ending her sojourn as Chair of the Waste Reduction and Recycling initiative and Marjorie Rogalski, as Co-Chair of Sustainable Hanover.
Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH): An Update
The energy future for New Hampshire is looking brighter. CPCNH is poised to become a major player in providing renewable energy. It aims to “lower electricity costs, procure electricity from sustainable sources, and improve competitive markets for local businesses that can offer innovative energy products and services.” www.cpcnh.org
Community Power Status Report
Last July, attendees at Hanover’s Town Meeting voted to adopt the proposed Electric Aggregation Plan (EAP) to establish Hanover Community Power, a town-wide municipal electricity aggregation. Adoption of the EAP enabled Hanover to begin working with the Community Power Coalition of NH for the procurement of 100% green power for Hanover “retail” (residential and small business) electricity customers.
EV Future — Enough Chargers?
The number of Electric Vehicles (EV’s) on the road is increasing quickly, spurred on by government subsidies, concern for the climate, and Hanover’s own goal of 100% renewable transportation by 2050. But these cars need to be charged. Most people with EV’s do most of their charging at home, but for people who live in apartments, and for trips longer than the range of the car, there need to be public chargers. That has become the focus of the efforts to move towards electric transportation.
E-bikes Coming to Hanover
The Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library will be in Hanover from June 8 to 28.
Volunteers from Sustainable Hanover and Hanover Bike Walk will offer a mix of two-day rentals and one-hour test rides for community members to experience why electric-assist bicycles (e-bikes) are an increasingly popular choice for local travel.
See the schedule and make a reservation (required) online. As in prior years, the event is free.