Activists Launch “No Summer Shutoff” Demand for Eversource
Press Release
DOVER, NH - Activists with 350 New Hampshire launched a petition to Eversource to stop summer shutoffs. While Eversource has a policy to not shut off families’ electricity in the height of the winter, they don’t have that policy during the worst heat of the summer. Activists are planning to collect signatures and ask Eversource to change their moratorium policy to include peak summer heat in the future.
“Eversource made over $800 million in profits in 2024,” said Chantelle Rioux, Organizing Director with 350NH. “Yet, they’re back at the Public Utilities Commission asking for a rate increase so they can charge us more for electricity. Instead of making it more difficult for families to afford our electricity bills, Eversource needs to prioritize keeping their customers safe. Preventing electricity shutoffs during the hottest part of the summer is good policy and basic human decency.”
350 New Hampshire began their utility justice campaign in 2022 when the public utilities commission approved a rate hike for Eversource that doubled the average electricity bill. They started canvassing in towns and cities to talk to people about their experiences with their utility companies and connect families to the state’s energy assistance program if they needed help paying bills. Since then, volunteers from across the state have spoken up in opposition to continued rate hikes, canvassed in communities, testified at the state house for bills to protect ratepayers (these bills have not passed in any legislative session since then), and marched in Manchester to Eversource’s office to demand a change.
350NH volunteer Heather Johnstone expressed concern about heat illness. “Given the high cost of electricity and how the increased heat from climate change harms vulnerable populations, it is inhumane to shut off people’s electricity. Lives depend on it.”
Rates of heat-related illnesses resulting in trips to the emergency room have increased over previous years and are expected to continue to increase as the climate crisis worsens. With the cost of living at an all-time high and summer heat waves getting hotter, activists’ new demand for Eversource is to stop shutoffs in the summer months to protect Granite Staters during heat waves.
“Stopping summer shutoffs is a climate justice issue,” said Kai Parlett, 350NH volunteer. “As we push for a just transition to clean, affordable energy and away from expensive, polluting fossil fuels, we need to adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis. Having a utility system where it’s possible for the CEO to be a multi-millionaire at the same time that families struggling to pay bills get their electricity shut off in a heat wave is not right.”
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350 New Hampshire is a climate justice organization fighting for a just transition to clean energy. Learn more at 350nh.org.