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In a town like Lee, every piece of equipment — every truck, plow, and spreader — plays an important role in keeping daily operations running smoothly. From clearing the roads during snowstorms to supporting construction projects and park maintenance, these vehicles are a pillar in the community’s operations.  For years, Lee’s Highway Department relied on two hard-working trucks dating back to 1996 and 2001, one of which had a 1998 motor. But after years of service, even the best equipment starts to wear out. Breakdowns became more common, repairs more expensive, and keeping up with the work, especially through the winter, got harder and harder. Dealing with the aging vehicles started to cause delays and headaches for staff and community members, and put public safety and basic town operations on hold.  Loading up the old trucks As one team member put it: "We got our money’s worth out of them, but you don’t realize how much you needed new trucks until you finally have them." Facing growing maintenance challenges and rising costs, town leaders began looking for a solution without putting extra strain on taxpayers. That solution came through the Granite State Clean Fleets Grant Program , a partnership that gave Lee the chance to replace two aging trucks with brand-new, fully-outfitted vehicles, saving the town thousands of dollars and breathing new life into their public works fleet. When the grant became available, Energy Circuit Rider Katrin Kasper leapt on the opportunity to assist the town in applying for the grant.  “Working as an Energy Circuit Rider, we know that small changes add up to big savings. When we take an old inefficient vehicle off the road and replace it with a newer, cleaner, and more efficient model, everyone wins.  Thanks to this grant, the town was able to purchase these essential trucks years earlier than expected. That not only lowered the upfront cost burden but also reduced long-term operational expenses, avoiding the high cost of maintaining aging trucks. For just a fraction of the usual cost, the town got a brand-new vehicle that’s cleaner, more efficient, and dependable—something employees and residents can count on when it matters most.” Lee’s grant journey officially began in September 2023 , when the town learned about the opportunity through Clean Energy NH’s Energy Circuit Rider program. With a tight deadline looming, the town quickly teamed up with CENH to complete the application. Lee’s DPW staff provided the needed information while Clean Energy NH supported the construction of the application, ensuring the town could put in a strong, competitive application without overwhelming its staff. Their work paid off. On December 11, 2023 , Lee was awarded funding for not just one, but two brand-new, fully outfitted trucks. Originally, the town had applied for two and hoped to receive funding for a single replacement vehicle; winning two was a major victory, saving Lee hundreds of thousands of dollars and strengthening their fleet for years to come. Viewing Lee's New Trucks By the end of December, the first truck had already been delivered, ready to tackle critical tasks like snow plowing, salting, and year-round public works projects. The trucks were fully equipped to go, with the necessary attachments that allow for greater versatility in town operations. And they did it all at a fraction of the cost: Instead of paying over $500,000 for two new trucks, Lee only needed to budget about $97,000 — with the grant covering the rest. As Ben Lyons, a truck driver for Lee’s Public Works Department explained: "It sure helps the budget out a lot. You don't have to save for years and years in capital reserve funds. You can get a vehicle right away — and save the taxpayers money." Peter Hoyt, a mechanic who has worked for the town for over 27 years commented:    "We live here in town, too. We’re taxpayers ourselves, so this directly affects us." How the NH Department of Environmental Services Helps Towns Like Lee Access Funding The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) works to make it easier for towns, businesses, and transit agencies to connect with funding for cleaner, more reliable vehicles. When the first round of this program opened in 2023, 14 projects across New Hampshire — including the town of Lee — were awarded grants to replace aging vehicles, improve air quality in their communities, and strengthen their operational capabilities. The process is designed to be clear and supportive. First, communities review the Request for Proposals (RFP)  to understand the rules, then submit an application. After that, the NHDES team reviews, scores, and works closely with successful applicants to create a grant agreement. It’s a multi-step process, but towns aren’t left on their own — NHDES is there to help every step of the way. Even if there’s no funding available at the moment, NHDES keeps past program information posted online. That way, towns can get a head start by learning the basics, checking eligibility, and being ready when the next round opens. (Tip: even if the program is closed, it’s smart to read through the RFP and start planning early! Receive updates on funding opportunities here .) NHDES also helps clear up common questions, like the difference between vehicle classes  or emissions tiers , and reminds towns about the benefits of working to have local funding approved before submitting a project. At the end of the day, this funding isn’t just about buying new trucks. It’s about improving the everyday lives of town employees, boosting reliability, saving taxpayer dollars, and making our air a little cleaner for everyone. Plus, these grants can even help fill funding gaps  when local or federal dollars don’t quite cover everything. Lee’s story shows what’s possible when small towns take advantage of well-designed grant programs with the right support. By upgrading its fleet through the Granite State Clean Fleets  program, Lee not only improved reliability and safety, it protected its budget and its residents. It's a clear reminder that cleaner, cost-saving solutions are within reach for communities across the Granite State.  Have Questions? Email Energy Circuit Rider Katrin Kasper at katrin@cleanenergynh.org .

In the town of Randolph, a big idea began with a request. Yvonne Jenkins, a dedicated Randolph resident and Town Librarian, approached the selectboard with a vision: installing solar panels on the local library . The selectboard encouraged her to look into how it could be implemented, setting off a remarkable journey that would lead to significant energy savings. (photo credit: Randolph Public Library) The Power of Community Support Yvonne wasn’t alone in her pursuit. Fellow resident Rick Umiker shared her enthusiasm for solar energy. With determination and a little help from Clean Energy NH’s Energy Circuit Rider Melissa Elander , who provided examples and technical support, they drafted a warrant article to create and fund a Energy Efficiency Capital Reserve Fund — all within a single day.  The fund was created “for the purpose of covering costs or to seek matching grants related to increasing energy efficiency”. They quickly gathered signatures from neighbors, earning their spot in the town report. When the day of the vote arrived, the response was unanimous: The town would move forward on solar and energy efficiency.  "The CRF was a game changer," Rick explained. "Having a designated fund meant we could plan for the long-term, ensuring that our energy projects had financial backing. It also showed the town’s commitment to reducing energy costs and embracing sustainability." The CRF was approved with strong community support, giving the selectboard confidence to approve further projects. It also allowed the town to leverage additional funding and rebates, amplifying their impact.  That pivotal vote wasn’t just a win for clean energy projects in Randolph: it also sparked a wave of community involvement. Resident Howie Wemyss and two other residents eagerly joined Yvonne and Rick’s efforts to establish the Randolph Energy Committee. One major milestone was the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund (CRF) through a petitioned warrant article. The CRF would serve as a dedicated financial resource to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects within the town, controlled by the town rather than an outside funding source.  The Committee wrote a detailed description of the benefits of the CRF for the official town report, and connected with residents that already utilized solar within their households to garner support for establishing the fund. “We were learning on the go, but during the first town meeting we saw so many people who were receptive to the idea,” Yvonne said. “It was really heartening to see.”  Lessons in Efficiency Before diving into the solar project, the Energy Committee prioritized making town buildings as energy-efficient as possible. A lighting audit for the library and town hall revealed opportunities for significant savings. The results were undeniable: within the first year, the town saved 40% on its energy bill without dipping into reserves. The success of the lighting project built trust and further momentum for the solar initiative. Solar Installation (photo taken by Edith Tucker) The Energy Committee continued to learn more as they explored additional energy efficiency projects including energy audits, weatherization upgrades, and the installation of heat pumps. "Find the right people, like Clean Energy NH or a knowledgeable energy auditor. Don’t feel like you have to be an expert in energy — just plan to work with the right people," Yvonne advised. Keeping the Selectboard Informed The Energy Committee recognized that clear communication with the selectboard was essential to moving these projects forward. They sent meeting minutes, extended invitations, and sought approvals at every key decision point. Demonstrating the financial benefits was particularly effective, and the immediate savings from interior lighting and street lighting upgrades reinforced the value of these projects for the town. Facing Challenges and Adapting Not every step was easy. An application to the Northern Border Regional Commission grant program was unsuccessful, and progress sometimes felt frustratingly slow. Yet, the team stayed the course, and used it as a learning experience. They regrouped, identified other funding opportunities, and doubled down on community engagement. Their commitment paid off. A separate insulation project for the library, completed with town funding, a library grant, and rebates from Eversource was a major win for the Committee. As Rick reflected, "I thought we’d have solar panels in six months. But keeping our eyes on the prize, even when it felt distant, was worth it. Gaining the support of the community and selectboard made all the difference." Celebrating Success When the solar panels were finally installed, the town of Randolph didn’t just check it off the list: they celebrated. Residents gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the local newspaper captured the moment. Celebrating the Solar Installment (photo taken by Yvonne Jenkins) The excitement over the possibilities for clean energy projects didn’t stop at Randolph’s town line. Neighboring towns, inspired by the success, began exploring their own clean energy projects. Calls poured in asking how they could replicate Randolph’s approach. The project’s success sparked conversations and action well beyond the town’s borders. Words of Wisdom The Randolph Energy Committee members offer simple but powerful advice for other communities: Document Your Results: Track your savings and milestones to demonstrate impact. Be Flexible: Plans will shift: make the most of unexpected opportunities that arise. Stay Consistent:  Even during slow months, keep the committee meetings on the books. New ideas often emerge in conversation, and regular meetings help advance progress! Celebrate Every Win:  Publicly acknowledge progress, big or small. Recognition fuels momentum.

Written by Grace Garvey, Former Chair of the Plymouth Energy Commission As of December 19th, 2024, the Quincy Road PV solar array is online and producing clean energy! For those of you who do not know the history, the initial idea of this type of local power plant was incubated by the Plymouth Energy Commission (PEC) a decade or so ago. After Covid and some inactivity, the PEC revisited this idea and decided to either permanently park the conversation or move it forward. Move it forward the PEC did!   After a lot of research and back and forth presentations to the Selectboard, the PEC wrote a 2022 warrant which passed and gave the PEC a green light to research options and funding for a municipal solar array project. The PEC wrote another warrant for the 2023 Town Meeting focused on funding and construction of the solar array. This 2023 warrant passed by over 90% of the votes. The town then signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Barrington Power (BP). The PEC worked with BP to nail down the location on Quincy Road and to plan an array large enough to generate power to offset 70% of municipal building electricity usage requirements. The Quincy Road site is ideal because it was already owned by the town, has excellent southern exposure and consists of an open field which required minimal site work before construction.   Modeling shows a 1st year revenue of $22,000 and over $1,000,000 revenue during the 35-year anticipated life of the solar PV array. This is a net revenue, above and beyond loan payments and any costs related to insurance, operation, and maintenance.   The Municipality of Plymouth is eligible for a 30% elective pay credit through the Inflation Reduction Act and possibly an additional 10% because Plymouth qualifies for a low-income bonus credit. The Town will also receive a $10,000 rebate from the Public Utilities Commission. Aerial Image of the Array On December 16, 2024, the town celebrated with warm beverages and snacks in the airport building. The celebration ended with a ribbon cutting and a tour of the array.  Representatives from the offices of Senator Maggie Hassan and US Representative Ann McLane Kuster attended, along with Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill, NH State Representatives Peter Lovett and Janet Lucas, town employees, past and current members of the PEC, and many members of the public.   Summary of Benefits to the Town: Dependable financial gain for the town of Plymouth Renewable energy investment Decreased carbon footprint Federal support through Inflation Reduction Act Optimum utilization of town-owned land Alignment with the town’s ecotourism vision Alignment with Town declaration of a “Climate Emergency” Alignment with two sections of Plymouth’s Master Plan   Thanks to many – to name just a few supporters:   *Highway Department for plowing out the airport parking array for the December 16, 2024 ribbon cutting celebration *Colin McIver, Airport Manager for hosting us *Carol Niewola & Colin McIver who helped navigate the FAA clearance to construct across from the airport *Scott Weden Town Manager & Anne Abear Town Finance Director who tirelessly helped to see this project over the finish line *Ted Vansant and Jack Bingham from Barrington Power who helped work through all the details and GCed the build *All past and present Selectboard members, particularly Bill Bolton who was our rock star and our SB liaison *The Town Voters * New Hampshire Electric Cooperative who was open to the town connecting a PV array with a design that did not fit into a neat box * Clean Energy NH * Community Development Finance Authority , particularly Scott Maslansky *Those who negotiated the Build Back Better Act through which we will get elective pay funds to help pay for the project