This bill establishes the Energy Reliability and Large-Scale Storage Task Force, aimed at developing market-based solutions to enhance electric system reliability through energy storage technologies. The task force will investigate current and future reliability challenges in New Hampshire and the New England region, identify barriers to energy storage, and propose market-based solutions to incentivize the development of large-scale energy storage systems. The task force will consist of various members, including representatives from the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Department of Energy, the business community, and public members representing energy storage developers. The task force is required to issue an interim report by December 1, 2025, and a final report by June 1, 2026.

Additionally, the bill repeals RSA 374-H:3, which pertains to the Department of Energy's investigation of energy storage, and amends existing definitions related to electric utility investment in distributed energy resources and electric utility restructuring. Notably, the bill introduces new definitions for different types of energy storage systems and clarifies that certain electric generation equipment qualifying as energy storage will not be subject to specific requirements. The effective date for the repeal of RSA 374-H:3 is set for July 1, 2026, while the remainder of the act will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 374-F:2
As Amended by the Senate: 374-F:2