Relative to the default service rate for electricity.
Impact
The enactment of HB159 is expected to significantly impact how electric service rates are determined and accessed by consumers. By linking the default service rate to a rolling average, the bill aims to stabilize customer rates over time and reduce sudden fluctuations that can arise from market volatility. This approach promises to provide more predictability for consumers as they navigate their energy costs. Furthermore, the bill allows for prudently incurred costs related to renewable portfolio standards to be recovered through the default service charge, which could promote cleaner energy practices in electric sourcing.
Summary
House Bill 159 is legislation focused on the default service rate for electric utilities in New Hampshire. The bill introduces a mechanism that recalculates this rate based on a 5-year rolling average of retail rates in the New England region, as reported by ISO-New England. The new framework is intended to ensure that default service remains a safety net and guarantees universal access while also maintaining the integrity of the electric system. The baseline for this average is set to January 1, 2017, reflecting a specific starting point for rate calculations.
Contention
As with any changes to utility regulations, potential points of contention may arise around the bill's implementation and the specific methodologies used to calculate the rolling average. Stakeholders, including consumer advocacy groups and utility companies, may have differing views on how the recalibration could impact customer pricing and service reliability. Moreover, the provisions that allow for measures to discourage misuse of default service could lead to further discussions about fairness and accessibility in energy consumption, particularly for vulnerable populations that rely heavily on this default service.
Relative to the closing of the Sununu youth services center, making appropriations thereof, and establishing a commission to study community impacts of the secured youth development center.