This bill mandates that the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) file a certificate of deregulation with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) every three years, starting no later than December 31, 2026. The new legal language inserted into RSA 301:57 establishes this requirement, specifically adding a new paragraph (III-a) that outlines the filing schedule. If NHEC fails to comply with this requirement, it will be classified as a public utility, which would subject it to the regulatory authority of the PUC. This change aims to ensure that the cooperative remains accountable and transparent in its operations.

The bill does not allocate any funding or authorize new positions, and its fiscal impact is largely indeterminable. The PUC has indicated that if NHEC does not file the required certificate, it may necessitate additional staffing to manage the regulatory oversight, which could incur costs estimated at $605,500 annually starting in January 2026. However, if NHEC adheres to the filing requirements, there would be no fiscal impact on state, county, or local utility expenditures. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 301:57