Sustainability

KEENE 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY PLAN

The City of Keene seeks input from residents and businesses on ways to achieve its 100% renewable energy goals through an online webinar, a resident survey, and a business survey.

(Keene, NH) – As the City cuts back on in-person public gatherings, it is ever more important that residents’ voices continue to be heard and considered on issues that will affect them. To that end, the City of Keene invites all residents and interested individuals to participate in a live webinar presentation on Thursday, April 2 from 12:00-1:30 pm to learn about strategies and actions the City is considering to help the community get 100% of all electricity from renewable sources. In addition, residents and businesses are invited to participate in a survey to help better understand how energy costs affect Keene residents and businesses.

During the April 2nd webinar presentation, the City’s energy consultant will provide an overview of Keene’s “electricity landscape,” including how much electricity the community currently uses, where that electricity comes from, and a business-as-usual scenario to show what would happen if the City takes no action. Then, the consultant will go over six potential strategies/actions that the City could pursue to help residents, businesses, non-profits, and public agencies in Keene shift to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Attendees will be asked to provide feedback on these proposed strategies, which will then be considered and incorporated into the consultant’s final report.

To register for the webinar presentation on April 2nd at 12:00 pm, please using the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2872010539435482379. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

In addition to the April 2 webinar, the City is seeking input from residents and businesses through two online surveys. The resident survey, which seeks to understand how energy costs affect Keene residents, was prepared by two Keene State College students for a research project. Responses to this survey will not only support future City planning, but also the undergraduate research of these students. To participate in the resident survey, please use the following link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/KYF2ZV3 (survey is closed). You must be 18 years old or older to participate.

The business survey seeks to understand how Keene area businesses currently procure or generate energy for electricity, heating, and cooling, as well as the level of concern regarding energy costs. To participate in the business survey, please use the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G9LND3V (survey is closed).

To learn more, please visit the City’s sustainability page at www.ci.keene.nh.us/sustainability or contact Mari Brunner, Planner at (603) 352-5440 or mbrunner@ci.keene.nh.us.