This bill amends New Hampshire's energy policy by introducing significant changes related to advanced nuclear resources (ANR) and community solar projects. It defines "advanced nuclear resource" and includes it alongside renewable energy sources for utility services, while also clarifying the responsibilities of the coordinator of nuclear development, which now encompasses managing funding and oversight of nuclear incentive programs and public safety outreach. The bill allows electric distribution utilities to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) for energy agreements, potentially in collaboration with other New England states. Key modifications include raising the capacity limit for community solar projects aimed at low-moderate income households from 6 megawatts to 18 megawatts and expanding the definition of "political subdivision" to include nonprofit educational institutions, thereby enhancing eligibility for group net metering participation.

Additionally, the bill modifies the timeline for investor-owned electric distribution utilities to issue RFPs for multi-year energy agreements, extending the deadline from 2025 to 2040, and allows these utilities to procure energy from various sources, including advanced nuclear resources. It stipulates that any agreements made by electric distribution utilities must be authorized by the public utilities commission, with a new petition deadline set for 2041. The bill also sets limits on energy procurement, including a cap of 2 million megawatt hours annually for advanced nuclear resources. The act is set to take effect 60 days after passage and is noted to have no fiscal impact on state, county, or local expenditures or revenue.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 374-F:2, 374-F:3, 374-G:4
As Amended by the House: 374-F:2
As Amended by the Senate: 362-A:9, 362-A:1-a, 374-F:2, 362-F:2, 374-F:11