This bill establishes a statewide online energy data platform aimed at enhancing consumer access to granular energy usage data, thereby promoting efficiency and consumer empowerment in New Hampshire's electric and natural gas systems. The bill amends RSA 378 by inserting a new definition of "statewide" to clarify that the platform will be available across all service territories of electric and natural gas utilities in the state. It also repeals and reenacts sections of RSA 378 related to the governance and operational framework of the platform, ensuring that the governance council's decisions are recognized as prudent and lawful by the Department of Energy and the Public Utilities Commission.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that utilities can only recover costs that are prudently incurred and investments that are deemed "used and useful" when authorized by the governance council. The Department of Energy is empowered to adopt further rules necessary for the implementation of the platform. The fiscal impact of the bill is currently indeterminable, with initial cost estimates for establishing the platform ranging from $4.6 million to $7 million, and annual maintenance costs projected between $272,800 and $416,400. Overall, the bill aims to facilitate a more efficient energy system while ensuring that utility investments are managed prudently.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 378:50