Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 8/12/2026

August 12th, 2026

Carroll Energy Commission (CEC) Minutes
Meeting of August 12, 2026 @ 5:00 p.m.
Carroll Town Hall - Conference Room
The Carroll Energy Commission mission is to advise, encourage, and facilitate energy conservation, energy efficiency, and clear energy solution for public building and properties, businesses, and resident homes. The Commission shall provide leadership and direction for community education relating to energy and shall propose and explore funding for local energy projects.

These minutes of the Town of Carroll Energy Commission have been documented by its Secretary. Though believed to be accurate and correct, they are subject to additions, deletions, and corrections by the Energy Commission at its next meeting when the Commission votes its final approval of the minutes. They are being made available at this time to conform to the requirements of New Hampshire RSA 91-A:2.
• The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chair Szauter
• Commission members in attendance: Chair Imre Szauter, Secretary Karen Moran, Member John Greer. Member Mycko had been excused. Vice Chair Vecchio informed the Chair that he may not be in attendance.
• Chair invited all attendees to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of the July 8, 2026 Carroll Energy Commission meeting: Member Greer motioned to approve the minutes as written, Chair Szauter seconded. All voted to approve the minutes as written.

New Business:
1. Energy Data Recorder: Chair Szauter tabled discussion, as Vice Chair Vecchio was not present.
2. Twin Mountain/Bretton Woods Chamber of Commerce Meeting: Chair tabled discussion due to Vice Chair not present.
3. Letter of Appreciation: Chair provided a letter of thanks to be sent to Anita Greer for her help with the IRS Elective Pay filing. Members present signed the letter. Chair will have Vice Chair sign, will mail to Anita, and provide a copy to the Select Board.
4. NH Department of Energy (NHDoE) Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program: Chair informed the CEC that this state program will begin sometime in the Fall of 2026, has been funded with $32 million of federal funds; is based on 150% of median income; member Greer asked about number of family members; Secretary Moran noted the HUD grid includes columns for number of people in households. Chair will provide the details to Selectboard member Moroney to include in the upcoming newsletter, and will have a summary of the program to provide to people at the next Twin Mountain Fire Department Auxiliary pancake breakfast on September 5, 2026.
Vice Chair Vecchio arrived at the meeting at 5:05 p.m. addressed agenda items 1, 2, and signed the Letter of Appreciation:
Agenda Item #1: Energy Data Recorder-The NH Electric Cooperative donated a single- phase energy data recorder. The company is looking into donating a 3-phase recorder, but is dealing with the sudden death of an employee, which hit all very hard, including Vice Chair. All expressed condolences. Town Hall, Public Safety Building, Pump house, Transfer Station are all 3-phase. Single-phase energy data recorder could be useful for specific machines.
Agenda Item #2: Chamber of Commerce-notice from Clean Energy NH regarding Free Energy Audits for NH Businesses was provided to CEC. Vice Chair will contact the Chamber as soon as possible, as any interested business must contact Gabe Chelius no later than August 14, 2026. Vice Chair will attend the September Chamber of Commerce meeting and gauge interest in the C-PACER (see Legislation attached-SB 440, which was signed into law and became effective July 2, 2026). This will remain on the CEC agenda, as details of the program may take a few months for businesses to understand.
Old Business:
1. SolarAPP+ app: Vice Chair Vecchio indicated there is no update, as he had not heard back from Mike Hagan, Keene Community Development. Vice Chair will contact Justin Slusarski (SolarAPP+) about speaking with the CEC.
2. IRS Elective Pay filing: Chair Szauter noted the IRS check was received on July 22, 2026 in the amount of $61,663.98 + $646.99 interest = $62,310.97. Chair again expressed thanks to Anita Greer and Meg Basnar for their work in preparing and submitting the return.
3. Legislative update-SB 440 (C-PACER): Chair noted SB 440 was signed into law July 2, 2026, effective July 2, 2026. Legislation is attached to these minutes.
4. Legislative update-SB 538 (net metering): Chair noted the bill was signed into law by Governor Ayotte July 10, 2026, effective September 8, 2026. There is no action for CEC, so this will be removed from the agenda going forward. Legislation is attached to these minutes.
5. Public Safety Building Solar Array Reports: Chair provided details of the Public Safety Building kWh usage by month, and details of the Solar PV Array system production, purchases and sales. Year to date production of 23.17MWh was noted. Most current Eversource invoice through August 6, 2026 shows $-0- amount due for the third month in a row. Credit carryforward will result in another zero-balance due for the next monthly invoice. Chair showed total Eversource payments for the Public Safety Building for the period 9/2024-8/2025 (pre-solar array) was $12,099.23 and for the period 9/2025-8/2026 (post-solar array) was $5,329.03, a savings of 56% year-over-year.
6. Eversource Streetlight invoice: Chair noted that the streetlight inventory data agree. The townwide current invoice is $752.51. Member Greer asked about comparisons to invoicing before the conversion, Chair noted approximately 50% savings over the costs for the old high-pressure sodium bulbs. Chair will offer assistance to Selectboard when budget is prepared for 2027. Secretary Moran asked about the removal costs of the Rosebrook Lane fixtures. Chair had spoken with Administrative Assistant who had not received an invoice. Chair contacted Eversource, and was told the Town owed zero for the removal, as the work order associated with the removal had not been entered into the system during the transition to the new Large Power Billing System. Secretary Moran expressed concern from a regulatory perspective, Vice Chair understood the concern, all were thankful the town will not be invoiced. Chair noted he contacts Eversource on the first business day of each month for a printout of the streetlight invoice, provides it to the Administrative Assistant for processing. The other nine Eversource invoices are emailed as PDFs to the town and to the Chair. Secretary expressed concern about the Chair’s involvement in routine monthly payment processing, but understood the desire to ensure all of the hard work done to align the streetlight inventory continues. Secretary suggested waiting for Member Mycko’s return, as the Selectboard was working on payment procedures. Chair asked about Electronic Payments vs. check payments. Secretary will contact Treasurer Marquis and ask if any other payments are made electronically. Chair was contacted by Administrative Assistant who was asked by the town’s auditors to verify asset values for the Public Safety Solar array, $128,922 and the streetlights $30,219. Chair will contact the auditors to understand from where those values were derived.
7. Affinity LED Lighting proposal for transfer station: Chair Szauter contacted Affinity about the timing of installation, but has not heard back from them.
8. Transfer Station Demand Use Analysis: Vice Chair noted he was at the Transfer Station Saturday August 2, and learned the glass crusher is gone, the baler is not regularly used. Employees are aware not to use the baler and compactor at the same time. Chair and Vice Chair discussed using the single-phase energy data recorder to review voltage. Chair noted the voltage could also be reviewed at the Police Department. Electronics in the sally-port are being moved to the server room, due to humidity issues. Member Greer noted salt in the winter is also an issue.
9. New projects and priorities discussion: Member Greer noted his calculations of water pumping and determined the pumps run between 70%-80%, thus the need for a variable frequency drive does not seem necessary. Questions of water usage vs. water loss (on town lines and/or user lines) were discussed. Chair wants the CEC to be available for discussion of tank/system upgrades. Vice Chair noted his attendance at a NET conference (New and Emerging Technologies), and how simple things like low-flow shower heads and aerators could save water. Member Greer noted that location of the new tank should be closer to where the well will be, to reduce need for electricity to run any new pumps.
Tabled:
Potential funding sources for future projects: Vice Chair noted North Country Council may have infrastructure funds through Northern Border Regional Commission Catalyst Program. He will meet with Stuart Arnette on behalf of the Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods Historical Society, and will ask about any energy grants or funding sources.

Other:
• Vice Chair attended a concert at the AMC Hut in Crawford Notch, at which a variety of vendors were present. Revision Energy was there, and he spoke directly with the representatives about town energy issues. The representatives suggested contacting the Commercial and Industrial representative. Chair and Vice Chair called and spoke with the representative about possible solar array for the existing pump house. The frank conclusion is that the site is not ideal for installation within current 16-month rebate timeframe, due to various water issues. While the site may be a possibility down the road, it is not a good fit at this time. The Recreation area on Lake Road is 125 acres. The Transfer Station sits on 84 acres. In both instances, interconnection costs could be prohibitive.
• Members were informed that the floodlights from Ground Zero (9/11/2001 terrorist attacks) will be shining from the top of Mount Washington from September 9, 2026 through September 12, 2026 from 8p.m. through 3a.m., in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

The next regularly-scheduled Energy Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Town Hall.


With no additional items for discussion, Vice Chair Vecchio motioned to adjourn, Member Greer seconded. With no additional discussion, the motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen Moran, Secretary

Carroll Energy Commission Note: terms end on October 1 of the listed year
John Greer, Member, 2025-2028
Karen Moran, Member, 2025-2028
Brian Mycko, Member and Select Board representative, 2023-2026
Imre Szauter, Chair, 2024-2027
Bill Vecchio, Vice Chair, 2023-2026
































Senate Bill 440
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to the adoption of energy efficient and clean energy districts by municipalities.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

250:1 Definitions; Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Districts. Amend RSA 53-F:1, VIII to read as follows:
VIII. "Municipality" means any city, town, unincorporated place, [town, unorganized place,] or village district, or the designated representative of the city, town, unincorporated place, or village district.
250:2 Towns, Cities, Village Districts, and Unincorporated Places; Energy-Efficient and Clean Energy Districts; Adoption by Municipality. RSA 53-F:2 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
53-F:2 Adoption by Municipality.
I. In a municipality that has adopted a charter pursuant to RSA 49-D, the legislative body or governing body may consider and act upon the question in accordance with its municipal charter.
II. In a municipality that has not adopted a charter pursuant to RSA 49-D, or in a village district, the question may be placed on the warrant of an annual meeting only by the governing body, or the governing body has the authority to adopt the provisions of this chapter and create a district after the governing body holds at least one public hearing in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(a) Notice of the time and place of each public hearing held under this section shall be at least 10 calendar days before the hearing, excluding the day of posting and the day of the hearing. Notice of each public hearing shall be published in a paper of general circulation in the municipality and shall be posted in at least 2 public places.
(b) In lieu of publication in a paper of general circulation pursuant to subparagraph (a), notice may be posted on the municipality's Internet website, if such exists. If notice is posted on the municipality's website in lieu of publication in a paper of general circulation, the notice shall:
(1) Appear prominently on the municipality's website home page, or provide a clearly labeled link on the home page that directs users to notice;
(2) Be posted at the time stated in subparagraph (a) and shall remain on the website until the conclusion of the hearing; and
(3) Be posted in 2 other public places.
(c) The notice shall include:
(1) An adequate statement describing the area where the district shall be designated and designating the place where a map for the proposed district is on file for public inspection; and
(2) To the greatest extent practicable and in easily understood language, any other information to improve public understanding of the proposed district and this chapter.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph II, upon receipt of a written petition signed by at least 25 registered voters prior to the governing body's vote, the question of the adoption of this chapter and the creation of a district shall be inserted as an article on the warrant for the next regular annual meeting.
III. In a county with an unincorporated place, the county commissioners shall have the authority to adopt the provisions of this chapter and create one or more districts in one or more unincorporated places by resolution.
IV. The district may cover all or a portion of the area within the municipality, village district, or unincorporated place.
V. A municipality, village district, or county on behalf of an unincorporated place may vote to rescind its action and dissolve the district in the same manner as it may vote to adopt, provided that all agreements entered into with property owners and related legal obligations created prior to its vote to rescind shall remain in effect.
VI. Notwithstanding this section and in accordance with RSA 39:3, a municipality that has not adopted a charter pursuant to RSA 49-D, or a village district, may vote to prohibit the establishment of new districts or dissolve any existing districts. All agreements entered into with property owners and related legal obligations created prior to the vote of the municipality or village district to dissolve a district shall remain in effect.
250:3 Agreements with Property Owners. Amend RSA 53-F:4, III to read as follows:
III. The municipality shall execute a notice of the assessment and lien, and an assignment of notice of assessment and lien under this chapter for recording in the county registry of deeds. The notice shall consist of the following statement or its substantial equivalent: "This property is subject to a special assessment related to the installation of qualifying improvements under RSA 53-F."
250:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: July 02, 2026
Effective Date: July 02, 2026
Senate Bill 538
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

315:1 Findings and Purpose. The general court finds that:
I. Through the passage of house bill 315 in 2021, the state of New Hampshire intended to make the benefits of group net metering available to municipalities across the state.
II. Despite strong interest from municipalities throughout New Hampshire seeking to construct distributed energy resources for the benefit of their communities, unforseen interconnection delays have resulted in backlog, with many projects still waiting to come online. As the commercial operation date of these projects is pushed out, the available net metering term shrinks due to the termination of net metering in 2040 under current regulation. Without legislative intervention, many municipal net metering projects will cease to be economically viable.
III. The general court finds that a net metering term of 20 years is necessary for municipal projects to be financeable. Restoring a 20-year term for municipal net metering projects simply implements the intent of house bill 315 and ensures that cities and towns receive the benefits promised to them through that legislation.
315:2 New Paragraph; Net Metering. Amend RSA 362-A:9 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
II-a. Each electric distribution utility shall make available alternative tariffs for net metering to eligible customer-generators in accordance with order no. 26,029 dated June 23, 2017, and the net metering rules adopted by the commission. Any eligible customer-generator that has submitted an interconnection application to a distribution utility on or before the effective date of this act and that is either a low-moderate income community solar project designated for the Electric Assistance Program under RSA 362-A:9, XIV(e) in 2026 or earlier or is used to offset the electricity requirements of a group consisting exclusively of one or more customers who are political subdivisions that first receives compensation under an order no. 26,029 alternative tariff shall remain eligible to receive that tariff for 20 years from the first day on which compensation is received.
315:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: July 10, 2026
Effective Date: September 08, 2026