NH Residents Say “Polluting Power - We’re Not Buying it”

Activists call on Eversource to make electricity more clean and affordable for residents

MANCHESTER, NH - 30 community members came together in Manchester to rally for clean and affordable energy after news of yet another rate hike from our electric companies. Residents of New Hampshire gathered in Arms park to hear speeches about the impacts that rate hikes have on our communities, and the ways that utility companies use their money and political power to keep rates high and polluting energy on the grid. Then, residents walked down Commercial Street to Eversource Energy’s office and hung a banner with messages from the community on it - namely “Polluting power - we’re not buying it.” 

As families struggle to pay electricity bills, the CEO of Eversource was among the highest paid utility company CEOs, earning nearly $19 million. The money that residents send to their electric companies every month contributes to the companies’ high profits, yet residents don’t get a say in what happens with that money. As a result, companies like Eversource have a long history of donating to politicians and lobbying for fossil fuel interests while more and more families struggle to pay the bills. 

“We’re here because Eversource is making record profits while hiking Granite Stater’s electricity rates,” said Sara Olson, NH resident and speaker at the rally. “Today we demand they end this injustice and be accountable to the people. Everyone deserves affordable energy that comes from clean and renewable sources, a say in the things that affect the financial and physical health of our communities.”

People are fed up with this system. They want energy that is affordable for all, that comes from clean and renewable sources, and that is safe for their communities. Instead, investor-owned utilities don’t give them any choice. Most ratepayers don’t have a choice to use a different utility company because these companies are monopolies. 

"We’ve been knocking doors in Manchester this summer talking to voters about their utilities,” said Brandon Lemay, Field Manager with Rights & Democracy. “One woman near Smyth Road explained to us that she was on a fixed income and "is hundreds of dollars behind" on her Eversource payments due to the spike in rates last winter. This is an all too common story that continues to get worse for the ratepayers of NH while profits soar for utility companies like Eversource."

350 New Hampshire and Rights & Democracy are organizing to stop utility rate hikes as Granite Staters struggle to keep up with the costs of living. They’ve been knocking on doors to talk to residents about their utility companies and pushing for legislation that protects ratepayers from extreme rate fluctuations. 

“If we can continue to utilize people power to initiate bold change, utility companies will listen,” said Taylor Barry, Intern with 350 New Hampshire. “They will shift to clean energy, lowering the price of utilities and preserving the health of our people. We just have to keep making our voices heard.”

People in Manchester took action with actions across the country to uplift a national call for utility justice. These actions signal the need for a change in utility systems across the country. Investor-owned utilities are running the show, paying the politicians, and keeping their business profitable at the expense of clean energy and affordable electricity bills. This call to action from 350 New Hampshire and Rights & Democracy is part of a nation-wide escalation to take back ratepayer power.