Office of Public Advocate Will Hold Information Workshop on March 7

reprinted from New Hampshire Office of the Consumer Advocate

Public Information Workshop

National Consumer Protection week is March 1 through March 7, and the Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA) will hold a public information workshop at the Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester. This event will take place on March 6 between the hours of 11 A.M. to 5 P.M near Center Court.

• Do you need assistance understanding your public utility bill(s)?
• Are you looking for guidance regarding competitive suppliers?
• Are you considering energy efficiency projects for home?
• Having trouble paying your public utility bills?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, please stop by on March 6 anytime between 11-5. A member of the OCA will be available to answer your questions, hear your concerns, and provide information about the issues that affect New Hampshire’s residential consumers. This is also an opportunity for you to let us know what issues you want to learn more about for future news releases and newsletters.

Even if these questions don’t prompt you to attend, maybe there is something else that you are concerned with or would like to know more about. There are many state agencies in New Hampshire. We can help you determine which state agency can respond to your complaint or inquiry.

The Mall of New Hampshire has generously donated the use of their facility for this public information workshop. Please share in our gratitude by coming for a visit.

The OCA is an independent state agency representing the interests of residential utility ratepayers. To contact the OCA call 603-271-1172, email at oca@oca.nh.gov, or visit the website at www.oca.nh.gov.

Contact: Christina Martin, Legal Assistant, Office of Consumer Advocate – 271-1172

3 Reasons Why Fixed Electricity Supply Rates are Better Than Variable

Consumer advocates and officials in many states have expressed concern with electricity supply companies who offer variable rate plans.   Several New England states are going so far as to discuss how to further regulate and make variable rate plans more transparent for consumers.

At Provider Power we don’t believe that variable rate plans are in the best interest of the consumers.  Not only can they be detrimental to our pocketbooks, but the “unknown” that comes with variable rate plans can be tough on the nerves.  Imagine not having any idea how much your power bill will be?  Not a good feeling.

Here are the benefits of a fixed rate plan:.

*Protection from fluctuations in the market. No worries about electricity rate spikes.

*Security and Budgeting.  If you know who much power you use, you can easily predict how much your bill will be.

*Power in Your Hands. Longer term fixed rates mean you don’t have to worry about what your utility will offer for default/standard rate.  Will utilities changing their supply rates every 6-12 months, what you pay is out of your hands.  With fixed contracts the power is in your hands.

 

ENH Power Co-Founder To Discuss N.H. Energy Crisis

Emile Clavet, co-founder of ENH Power will be part of panel discussion titled “New Hampshire’s Energy Crisis: How did we get here and what can we do about it?”.  Joining Clavet on the panel will be Maureen Callahan, business development manager for Usource Inc.    They will discuss the circumstances causing New Hampshire’s dramatically rising energy costs and, most importantly, strategies to address this critical challenge.

The discussion is part of The Business and Industry Association’s 10th annual Small Business Day.   The event includes a number of presentations designed to give New Hampshire’s small business owners and managers the chance to hear from the state’s top policymakers and learn more about legislative issues that could affect their bottom line.   The event is being held this year on Friday, Feb. 13, at the Holiday Inn, Concord.

Usource is an energy services company that provides customized energy management and procurement services to commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets.

ENH Power along with Electricity Maine and Provider Power Mass, is part of the New England owned Provider Power family of companies.  Provider Power has SAVED RESIDENTS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS while also doing business locally, educating people about energy saving opportunities, and supporting nearly 100 New England non-profits through the Power to Help Fund.

Utility Supply Rates Soar While ENH Power Keeps Prices in Check

As New Hampshire residential and small businesses receive their first electric bills in 2015, those who have selected ENH Power are feeling pretty good about their decision. Consumers who haven’t switched from their utility are paying higher electricity supply rates with PSNH, Unitil, Liberty and New Hampshire Electric Co-op. Depending on the utility, the savings can be as much as 24%.

Utility supply price increases are a result of our region’s dependency on natural gas for the production of electricity. When demand (in the colder months) for that commodity goes up, the prices do as well.

ENH Power, part of the Provider Power family of companies (with Electricity Maine and Provider Power Mass), is able to keep prices lower due to it’s sophisticated buying capabilities. We shop the market and purchase electricity on an hourly basis to take advantage of dips in the energy market which allows us to provide competitive fixed electricity rates to customers.

Unlike some other supply companies, ENH Power only offers fixed rate plans. We believe this is the best way to protect our customers from the extreme fluctuations that can result in high electricity bills during the winter and summer months when electricity usage is at its highest because of increases in heating, air conditioning or other needs.

We have heard too many sad stories of consumers who have gone with variable rate plans during the spring and fall months, when variable rates are often lower, only to find those savings lost later by paying much more on electricity over the course of the year than they would have on a fixed rate plan.

Make sure you’re friends and family benefit from ENH Power’s lower fixed electricity supply rates. Refer them to our website at enhpower.com.

NH Public Advocate with Advice on Managing Utility Bills

(The Following was released by the New Hampshire Office of the Consumer Advocate.  A PDF version of this release can be found at their website: www.oca.nh.gov

October 13, 2014

Managing Your Utility Bills

You may have heard that the price of electricity for this upcoming winter season has increased due to market prices. Therefore, utilities that buy energy supply in the market have experienced price spikes. To help manage the increases the Office of Consumer Advocate encourages you to take steps to reduce your electricity usage.

Many people have already implemented energy conservation measures, which can lower your electric bill. For those that haven’t or those that are looking to do more please visit www.nhsaves.com, www.nh.gov/oep or 603-271-2155, and www.energy.gov or 1-800-dial-DOE for ideas and tips on how to conserve. You can also contact your utility and ask them for suggestions for conservation and information about programs available to you.  Some of the programs available are income based and others are not.

Renewable energy (i.e., solar, wind, geothermal, wood) could be a solution for you. There are rebates available right now at the Public Utilities Commission to reduce the cost of the initial investment, see www.puc.nh.gov/SustainableEnergy.  To further offset the cost of installing renewable energy options you may be eligible for rebates or other incentives from your local, state & federal government. See, www.dsireusa.org.

Consider reviewing your options for competitive energy supply. Please be careful to choose a fixed rate term, as the variable rates expose you to the risks of the market. See www.puc.nh.gov for more details.

There are programs in New Hampshire to assist you with paying your utility and heating bills, such as:

  • Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Qualified households receive assistance for heating costs. For information regarding eligibility and to apply please contact your local Community Action Agency.
  • Electric Assistance Program (EAP) –Qualified households receive assistance for electricity costs. For information regarding eligibility and to apply please contact your local Community Action Agency. Electric Assistance Program (NHPUC)
  • Natural Gas Low Income Rate – Qualified households receive assistance for natural gas costs. For information regarding eligibility and to apply please contact your gas company. Gas Assistance Programs (NHPUC)
  • Lifeline – Qualified telephone customers receive a monthly reduction on their residential, local telephone bill. For information regarding eligibility and to apply, contact your local telephone company or the Public Utilities Commission at 1-800-852-3793.
  • Neighbor Helping Neighbor – Qualified households receive assistance for natural gas or electricity costs. For information regarding eligibility and to apply please contact your local Community Action Agency.
  • Project Care – Qualified New Hampshire Electric Cooperative members receive assistance for electricity costs. For information regarding eligibility please contact NHEC. http://nhec.com/community_projectcare.php

To obtain the contact information for your local Community Action Agency call 211 or visit the website of the agency in your county.

Belknap and Merrimack Counties: www.bm-cap.org

Rockingham County: www.rcaction.org

Hillsborough County: www.snhs.org

Cheshire & Sullivan Counties: www.scshelps.org

Strafford County: www.straffcap.org

Coos, Carroll and Grafton Counties: www.tccap.org

Balanced billing and budget billing are available from most utilities. Payment arrangements for customers behind on bills are also available from all utilities. To learn more about your payment options, contact your utility. If, after contacting your utility, you need assistance negotiating a payment arrangement, please contact the Public Utilities Commission Consumer Affairs Department at 1-800-852-3793. The Winter Disconnection Rules provide certain protections from disconnection to residential customers during the winter months. To learn more about the Winter Disconnection Rules please visit http://www.puc.nh.gov/Consumer/winterdisconnectionrules.htm or contact the Public Utilities Commission directly.

If you wish to help families in need during this difficult time, please participate in the statewide Neighbor Helping Neighbor program, which has a website where people can donate directly, www.nhnfund.org.

The OCA is an independent state agency representing the interests of residential utility ratepayers. To contact the OCA call 603-271-1172, email at oca@oca.nh.gov, or visit the website at www.oca.nh.gov.