CHAPTER 129

SB 265 - FINAL VERSION

 

02/03/2022   0155s

2022 SESSION

22-2996

12/10

 

SENATE BILL 265

 

AN ACT relative to the aggregation of electric customers by counties.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Kahn, Dist 10; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Sherman, Dist 24; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Rep. Bixby, Straf. 17; Rep. Maneval, Ches. 9; Rep. Buco, Carr. 2

 

COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill clarifies when a municipality or county must mail customers written notice of the adoption of certain electric aggregation programs.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02/03/2022   0155s 22-2996

12/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two

 

AN ACT relative to the aggregation of electric customers by counties.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

129:1  Aggregation of Electric Customers by Municipalities and Counties.  Amend RSA 53-E:7, II to read as follows:

II. If the plan is adopted or once adopted is revised to include an opt-out alternative default service, the municipality or county shall mail written notification to each retail electric customer within the municipality or county service area where such opt-out service is to be provided.  If an electric aggregation program or energy service is offered only on an opt-in basis, mailing of written notification to each retail electric customer within the municipality or county service area shall not be required. Municipalities and counties shall post public notice of aggregation programs.  To enable such mailed notification and notwithstanding RSA 363:38, after an aggregation plan is duly approved the electric distribution utility or utilities serving an adopting municipality or county shall provide to such municipality or county a current list of the names and mailing addresses of all their electric customers taking distribution service within the municipality or county. Notification shall include a description of the aggregation program, the implications to the municipality or county, and the rights and responsibilities that the participants will have under the program, and if provided on an opt-out basis, the fixed rate or charges that will apply. No retail electric customer shall be included in a program in which the customer does not know all of the rates or charges the customer may be subject to at least 30 days in advance of the customer's application and has the option, for a period of not less than 30 days from the date of the mailing, to opt out of being enrolled in such program, unless the customer affirmatively responds to the notification or requests in writing to be included in the program.

129:2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

Approved: May 27, 2022

Effective Date: July 26, 2022