Peterborough Hits the Road with their Renewable Energy Plan

When Peterborough residents voted overwhelmingly (74%!) to adopt the town’s first Renewable Energy Plan in May of 2021, they voted for action, accountability, and a cleaner energy future for their town. Now, just a couple of years later, that vision is taking shape in the form of electric vehicles (EVs) rolling into town departments—and they’re only the beginning.

The town’s Renewable Energy Plan was spearheaded by the Peterborough Renewable Energy Planning (PREP) group, with critical support from the town’s Peterborough Energy Committee (PEC) and enthusiastic buy-in from voters and municipal leaders. The plan laid out clear steps to reach the goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030, including hiring an energy coordinator, conducting energy audits, and electrifying town fleets. Now, two of Peterborough’s departments, the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Police Department, are leading the way with new EVs that are already proving their value.

Town of Peterborough (Source: Peterborough Renewable Energy Plan)

The town’s first electric work vehicle, a Ford Lightning F-150, was delivered to the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the winter of 2023. Despite some uncertainty by townsfolk, it survived (and thrived) through a New England winter.

“It’s been a great success so far,” says Trisha Cheever, the town’s Energy & Community Coordinator. The vehicle has not only helped reduce emissions and idling pollution, its success has also eased any uncertainties among town employees. With many of the Peterborough’s staff not having experience with an EV before, there were some concerns about cold weather performance. Now that the Wastewater crew can speak from firsthand experience: the vehicle has become a great example for other departments as well as other towns on how EVs can benefit their work. The Wastewater superintendent is such a fan that he's actively helping Trisha advocate for similar upgrades in other departments.

The town’s newest EV addition—a Chevy Blazer for the Police Department—serves as a transport vehicle for attending court and community meetings. This car isn't a patrol vehicle, but rather serves as a crucial part of day-to-day police operations. Police Chief Scott Guinard has conveyed positive feedback about the vehicle, and looks forward to finishing retrofitting the car with police equipment, and appropriate decals—including a “100% electric” graphic. In an effort to prolong its service for the town, the car is anticipated to eventually be handed down to the town’s Code Enforcement Officer once it ‘ages out’ at approximately 100,000 miles, extending its lifecycle and maximizing the town’s investment.

One of the most exciting aspects in Peterborough’s approach is how resident input is guiding municipal decisions. Peterborough’s energy planning isn’t happening in a silo within the town offices. The town is supported by three major energy-focused groups:

• Peterborough Renewable Energy Project (PREP) which focuses on residential engagement,

• Peterborough Energy Committee which works with municipal data and planning,

• Peterborough Community Power Committee, which oversees implementation and management of the town’s Community Power Plan, and its participation in the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire. More recently they have begun to manage a program where a small energy adder builds a Discretionary Reserve Fund for Peterborough’s future energy efficiency upgrades.

  
  

Thanks to efforts by Trisha, town officials, and community supporters and committees, there’s now a feedback loop where townsfolk can voice their clean energy priorities, which are then used to inform and shape departmental focus. 

In addition to EVs being introduced to the town, there’s talk of adding more solar across the town, following the implementation of solar on both the Department of Public Works and Contoocook Valley Regional High School roofs. Suggested sites include the new Fire Station, Peterborough Community Center, and pump stations in town. There’s also talk of pairing solar panels and battery storage at the new fire station building, an exciting sign of what’s to come. While fluctuating material costs might affect final decisions, the momentum and conversations are already underway, driven by the availability of state and federal funding, future community power revenue, and active monitoring from the Peterborough Energy Committee.

Peterborough is proving that a community-led energy plan can drive real, tangible results. By investing in collaboration, economic efficiency, and long-term thinking, the town is powering a future that is cleaner, smarter, and aligned to residents’ values.