Bill > SB538

This bill extends net metering eligibility for municipal energy projects by modifying existing state law to provide longer-term financial benefits for cities and towns developing distributed energy resources. Specifically, the bill ensures that municipal net metering projects can receive compensation under alternative tariffs (special electricity pricing arrangements) for either 20 years from their first year of compensation or until January 1, 2040, whichever is longer. The legislation addresses delays in project interconnection that were threatening the economic viability of municipal renewable energy projects. If the Public Utilities Commission adopts new net metering tariffs in the future, municipal projects will be able to transition to those new tariffs while still maintaining a 20-year compensation period. The bill allows municipal energy projects to opt into new tariffs once, with no ability to revert to previous tariff structures. This change implements the original intent of House Bill 315 from 2021, which aimed to make net metering benefits more accessible to municipalities across New Hampshire. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, providing immediate relief to municipal energy project developers.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1309&inflect=2