Bill > HB1775

This bill expands the purpose of New Hampshire's utility investment laws to include natural gas and nuclear technologies as a means of ensuring grid reliability and stability. The bill allows electric utilities to own or invest in natural gas or nuclear energy resources up to 10 percent of their peak load, specifically for resources located on or interconnected with their local electric distribution system. It changes existing regulations to make utilities eligible to seek rate recovery for these investments, requiring the Public Utilities Commission to evaluate whether such investments are in the public interest by considering factors like grid stability, energy security, and cost-effectiveness. The bill removes previous restrictions on utility-funded generation equipment and prior investment limitations, reflecting a policy shift towards supporting diverse and reliable energy generation technologies. By explicitly recognizing natural gas and nuclear power's ability to provide reactive power and support voltage regulation, the legislation aims to enhance the resilience and flexibility of New Hampshire's electrical grid while potentially increasing energy security and diversifying power generation sources.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1908&inflect=2