This bill seeks to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Department of Energy in regulating public utilities, particularly in contested cases. It introduces new legal language that mandates the PUC to approve any settlement agreement signed by all parties unless it finds any provision contrary to law. The bill emphasizes that the PUC should conduct its proceedings similarly to a civil court to maintain neutrality between utility customers and shareholders. Additionally, it establishes a new section outlining the process for settlement approval in contested cases, reinforcing the importance of timely resolutions that reflect consensus among involved parties.

Key changes include the insertion of language defining the PUC's authority in contested adjudicative proceedings and the deletion of overlapping authority with the Department of Energy, specifically removing references to the PUC's supervisory power and inspection authority. The bill also requires the Department of Energy to petition the PUC for relief if a public utility is not fulfilling its obligations and modifies the reporting process for public utilities regarding capital improvements, transferring this responsibility from the PUC to the Department. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the Department of Energy's supervisory power while reducing the PUC's direct regulatory role, with the act set to take effect 60 days after passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 363:1, 365:6, 365:7, 374:3, 374:4, 374:5, 374:7, 374:18, 365:19