Over 2010-2011, members of the Local Energy Committee Working Group as well as participants from other energy related committees and organizations met monthly to assess the needs, barriers and opportunities in NH's communities to address local level energy issues and solutions. It became clear that, despite numerous energy-focused programs and funding streams to support such work, there is significant need for greater coordination and support to solve these complex issues. And some of our most creative solutions are coming from the ground up.

 

With this context in mind, the ad hoc Local Energy Working Group (LEWG) was formed in September 2011, building off the work of and replacing the NH LEC Working Group. The focus of the LEWG became a bit broader than that of the previous LECWG; seeking to support and include the energy work of Local Energy Committees/Commissions, Municipalities and Schools. 

 

In August 2015, the Local Energy Work Group re-branded as the Local Energy Solutions Work Group to be consistent with many of the programs we offer.

 

The LES Work Group still seeks to resource local leaders on energy committees, in municipalities and schools, counties and other nonprofits with resources and tools to address these local level projects.  Although this is our primary constituency we recognize that significant positive change requires a multi-sector approach and that there is a need for such coordination.  It is with this in mind that we have expanded the offerings on NHenergy.org to help our colleagues working in other sectors; such as in their places of work, homes and institutions to meet their respective challenges and goals.  The LES Work Group continues to address new barriers and promote local energy solutions. We welcome new members willing to dig in on solving our energy issues collaboratively.