New HampshireNew Hampshire utilities may invest in limited gas and nuclear power
Since September 13, 2026, New Hampshire electric utilities may invest in limited gas or nuclear power and ask the state commission to approve recovering those costs through rates.
What it does
New Hampshire electric utilities may own or invest in gas or nuclear power units on their local distribution systems, subject to limits on each unit’s size and total capacity.
A utility may ask to recover its share of gas or nuclear investment costs through rates, but the state commission must first find the investment and recovery serve the public interest.
Argument forUtilities might add dependable power for times when renewable sources fall short, helping keep electricity available on local distribution systems.
Argument againstCustomers might pay more if the commission approves utility investments in gas or nuclear power for recovery through rates.
More detail
New Hampshire electric utilities may own or invest in natural gas or nuclear power generation. This applies to New Hampshire electric utilities and natural gas or nuclear generation units. Each generation unit must be on or connected to the utility’s local electric distribution system. No individual unit may exceed 5 megawatts. The combined gas and nuclear generation owned or funded by a utility under this law may not exceed 10 percent of its total distribution peak load. This law took effect September 13, 2026.
An electric utility may ask to recover its share of gas or nuclear investment costs through rates. This applies to New Hampshire electric utilities seeking recovery for their share of natural gas or nuclear energy investments. The utility must file with the state commission. The commission must find that the investment and proposed rate recovery serve the public interest before authorizing recovery. This law took effect September 13, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 20Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 334; eff. 09/13/2026Became Law
- Jul 6Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15To Governor
- Jul 6Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56
- Jun 23Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2193e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56
- Jun 23Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2193e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14Major
- Jun 4Removed from Consent (Reps. Granger, Harrington, Kaczynski, Tom Mannion, Drew, Mehegan, Popovici-Muller, Ploszaj, Farrington, DeRoy) 06/04/2026 HJ 14 P. 12
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report 2026-2067c: Adopted, DV 306-46 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 21
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report # 2026-2067c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
- May 28Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2067c; 06/04/2026
- May 26Conference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 10:00 am GP 228
- May 20President Appoints: Senators Avard, Pearl, Watters; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
- May 20Sen. Avard Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
- May 14Speaker Appoints: Reps. Vose, Bernardy, D. Thomas, Notter 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 150
- May 14House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1705s (Reps. Vose, Weyler): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 150
- May 14Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12Passed Senate
- May 12Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/14/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 18AMinor
- May 7Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1705s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/07/2026; SJ 11Minor
- May 7Committee Amendment # 2026-1705s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- Apr 29Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1705s, 05/07/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 17Minor
- Apr 8Hearing: 04/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 14
- Mar 30Introduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7Minor
- Mar 26Ought to Pass: MA RC 198-153 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 37Passed House
- Vote recorded OTP. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 19Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 19Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/17/2026 (Vote 15-10; RC)Minor
- Mar 13Executive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
- Feb 24Division I Work Session: 03/09/2026 10:00 am GP 230
- Feb 19Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 106Minor
- Vote recorded OTPA. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0594h: MA RC 191-149 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 104
- Feb 19Amendment # 2026-0594h: AA DV 178-145 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 103
- Feb 11Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Feb 11Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0594h 02/09/2026 (Vote 11-6; RC) HC 7 P. 39Minor
- Feb 5Executive Session: 02/09/2026 03:00 pm GP 229
- Jan 29Public Hearing: 02/02/2026 09:30 am GP 229
- 2025
- Dec 17Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 35Introduced
Environment & Energy