Here's how to take control of your electric bill: Letters
Take control of your electric bill
Sept. 14 — To the Editor:
Most New Hampshire residents have seen their electricity bills increase dramatically within the last month. It is frustrating, and everyone is looking for someone to blame. Some recent opinions blame our utility companies for gouging us and charging outrageous rates. However, as our Consumer Advocate Don Kreis explained in numerous pieces, this is not true. Here in New Hampshire, our utilities are regulated by law and are not allowed to profit from the sale of electricity to customers. They make their profits from the distribution charges and other services (not supply charges for electricity).
In fact, it is the oil and gas companies and the fossil fuel processors that are most likely overcharging for their product, because they can charge whatever they can get. With the global fuel crisis and the war in Ukraine driving up the demand and the price of natural gas, they sell at the highest price, whether in the United States, Europe or Asia.
So, what can residents in New Hampshire do?
We have the power to purchase electricity from third-party suppliers, and it is not complicated. In fact, more than 80% of New Hampshire businesses are already doing this, resulting in lower rates, stable contracts and even buying 100% renewable electricity, instead of only the 12.9% contained in the utility’s offering.
For the last six years I have been purchasing 100% renewable energy from a third-party supplier. Once I signed the contract for my two meters for one to twp years, I continued to pay my monthly bill, including the supply charge, which went to my third-party supplier. Interested?:
A) Go to the New Hampshire Public Utilities (PUC) website at puc.nh.gov.
B) From the top tabs select Consumer, Choose an Energy Supplier, and Comparison.
C) You will now see a list: second column describes the kind of energy, while the third column gives you the rate, the term of the contract six to 27 months, finally the first column provides the name of the company, a phone number and a sign-up button.
If you need any assistance, contact the Office of the Consumer Advocate, who assures me that they are eager to help: Call 603-271-1172. Do this soon, because rates offered are constantly changing. Yes, the rate may be only 2-3 cents per kWh cheaper (a $22. saving), however, it is locked in. And if you always wanted 100% renewables you can get that, too.
State Rep. Peter Somssich
Member New Hampshire House Science Technology & Energy Committee Portsmouth
York's First Parish Church supports Vertex cell tower for the money
Sept. 22 — To the Editor:
Last evening, I sat in the audience at the York Planning Board meeting and tried to decide if I should speak publicly regarding the proposed Vertex monopole. Vertex would not be involved in this town if not for First Parish Church, and I have been a proud member of that church for 21 years. It pains me to speak against my church, but the time has come for me to go on record.
Some history is required to understand my position. When the monopole was initially brought before the membership, it was offered as a potential income stream. First Parish is a nonprofit. Every nonprofit in the world is looking for a steady income stream, and we’re no different. If only we could have been honest and presented it that way. It is important to note that “service to the community” was never mentioned in those early days. Only when it became clear that there might be opposition to the plan did the proponents begin to reach for any disingenuous tool that would circumvent town ordinances. Many readers may remember the “it’s not a monopole, it’s a tree” ploy. Now the tag line is “Service to the community. Money is secondary.” Ask yourself: if either First Parish or Vertex stood to lose money on the construction and operation of the monopole, would they be so eager to erect it?
I am embarrassed by the behavior of First Parish and Vertex representatives towards the citizens of York. We present ourselves as Christians; therefore, we have an extra responsibility to behave ethically and honestly. Each Sunday we sit in a building that houses the oldest religious society in Maine and yet display such a cavalier attitude toward the community that surrounds it. We should be ashamed.
Phyllis Giordano
York, Maine
Send your letter to the editor: Email opinion@seacoastonline.com
Send message to MAGA Republicans that we do not support semi-fascism
Sept. 8 — To the Editor:
Ken McCord’s guest column goes way over the line of rational discourse, so it’s time for this independent voter to speak up.
Ken McCord stated in his Sept. 6 column that we wait to see if allegations against Donald Trump “have merit” and yet he didn’t address what many voters already know, that MAGA Republicans will never find fault with Donald Trump. Ken, what do you think about the fact that law enforcement has repeatedly found Top Secret intelligence material in Mara-a-Lago? Credibility slips away when people don’t state the obvious —stealing Top Secret documents is a high crime.
Why does President Biden mention that our democracy is threatened? The list of issues that MAGA Republicans give voice to are too long for this publication, but include attempting to insert fake electors into the election, denying that Biden is president, attempting a violent insurrection on Jan. 6, opposing any form of gun safety legislation, denying women the right to reproductive choice even in the case of rape or incest (and putting their lives at risk), and suppressing the right to vote. Trump himself labels anyone who disagrees with him to be a RINO (Republican In Name Only). He attacks the FBI and anyone investigating his actions. Why are moderate Republicans not excited about the upcoming elections? Wonder why women are registering to vote in record numbers? Do you wonder why independent voters prefer the stability of a president that does not attack and belittle a free press, insult women, and people with disabilities?
What has President Biden done? Restoring NATO after Trump worked to dismantle NATO. Re-established the United States as a trusted world leader. Stood up to Russia in Ukraine. Committed to addressing climate change through the Paris Climate Accord. Signed the Inflation Reduction Act , the Chips and Science Act (bringing manufacturing to the USA), the PACT Act to assist veterans exposed to burn pits and toxins, led the country as the economy added a record 6.5 million jobs in 2021, passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Law (to repair bridges, upgrade ports, replace lead pipes, et ). Recent announcements of corporations building manufacturing plants in the United States are nothing less than astounding-Micron $15 billion, First Solar $1.2 billion, Toyota and Honda in the billions as well, and more. Biden supports free and fair elections, supports a women’s rights to choose, supports reducing the insanity of gun violence, supports our country leading the world in the greatest challenge we will ever face, climate change. He supports the rule of law and the Constitution. And Ken, you know what, most Americans feel the same way. And many moderate Republicans support these positions.
The fact that someone has to ask Republicans to vote in the upcoming elections is a statement in and of itself. Democrats, independents, and moderate Republicans don’t feel the need to be asked to vote, they feel motivated to vote, they want to send a clear statement to MAGA Republicans that they are not part of this, yes, “semi fascism” movement/cult. That is the choice that we face today, and voters will be sending a clear message
David Hills
Durham
NH federal delegation champions breast cancer support legislation
Sept. 22 — To the Editor:
Breast cancer is not only a medical issue, it is also a political issue. With the highest breast cancer incidence rate in the nation, New Hampshire needs members of Congress who support research funding and federal policies that will change this statistic and save lives.
I am a 33-year breast cancer survivor writing to praise New Hampshire’s current congressional delegation for supporting the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s 2022 legislative priorities. Importantly, all four members of our delegation (Representatives Pappas and Kuster; Senators Hassan and Shaheen) are co-sponsors of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R. 3183/S. 1312). The bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. This bill will ensure these patients, whose life expectancy is about three years, will receive the care they need and deserve. Rep. Chris Pappas took the extra step to personally ask House Leader Steny Hoyer to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.
October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and November 8th (Election Day) are fast approaching. When you vote, please remember how hard our current congressional delegation is working to help us end breast cancer.
Nancy Ryan
Lee
New Hampshire field coordinator, National Breast Cancer Coalition
Who gets to live free?
Sept. 14 —To the Editor:
There are many issues about which to write a letter to the editor. Issues that are life or death to many New Hampshire residents and voters. In trying to decide which one to write about: voting rights, racism, the right to privacy (while pregnant, obviously, but also in the bedroom, online, and in face of increasing surveillance by law enforcement), climate change, national security, healthcare, social security, and on and on, I realized the issues are all linked. Which party and which candidates to support this November all boil down to one’s attitude about other-ness. Who’s included in the promise to "live free" and who is excluded?
Democracy should be about the competition of ideas, not of people. There are more than enough resources in this vast and beautiful country that no one needs to be left out. If you’re a voter who is afraid of losing what you have (whether that’s a little or a lot) and if think you might lose even more because of people who don’t look like you, act like you, or identify with the same things you do, my guess is you typically vote GOP. But the GOP isn’t going to provide you a better job, better health care or a more secure retirement. The GOP will do / is doing whatever it takes, including bending, breaking, and changing the law, so that our government is no longer of, by, and for the people but of, by, and for the elites. Don’t be fooled into throwing your voice, or your vote, away.
Mary Downes
Madbury
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Here's how to take control of your electric bill: Letters
