11.4.2026 Portsmouth Energy Advisory Committee

The Portsmouth Energy Advisory Committee met on November 4, 2026, for an informational discussion of community electricity procurement. Representatives of Freedom Energy Logistics described its broker/administrator model, which uses competitive RFPs among third-party suppliers and fixed-term supply contracts; they cited a typical 0.1¢/kWh administrative fee and discussed contract terms ranging from six months to five years. They also presented examples of rates and savings in other communities, including approximately $4.5 million in cumulative savings reported for Salem. These were vendor-presented examples, not a committee procurement decision. Members had previously reached a consensus to learn about Freedom Energy but were not seeking to change Portsmouth’s relationship with Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH); no contract award, RFP approval, or spending vote occurred.

Members compared the models’ rate volatility, contract risk, reserves, renewable-energy options, and customer opt-out and enrollment-refresh processes. Committee members proposed inviting CPCNH’s procurement and finance staff to future meetings for updates on its procurement strategy and financial outlook, including reserve rebuilding; this was a suggested follow-up, not a formal vote. The committee also discussed the state’s possible future energy legislation and a WindowDressers efficiency program, including outreach and volunteer recruitment. The only recorded approval vote was to approve prior meeting minutes; no procurement-related action was approved.