This bill amends existing laws regarding purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities in New Hampshire. It allows the Department of Energy and investor-owned electric distribution utilities to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) for multi-year agreements for energy, either in conjunction with or independent of environmental attributes from electric energy sources. The introductory language of RSA 374-F:11, I is modified to include the Department of Energy, and the deadline for issuing these RFPs has been removed. Additionally, the bill specifies that all megawatt hours procured through these agreements must come from existing, new, or incremental electric energy sources, and it defines "existing electric energy sources" to include those that have been operational since before January 1, 2011.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the process for electric distribution utilities to enter into agreements by removing the previous deadline for petitioning the public utilities commission and allowing for agreements of up to 2 million megawatt hours annually from the specified energy sources. The changes aim to provide more diverse and long-term energy options for New Hampshire residents and businesses, addressing the high cost of electricity in the state. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage, and it is noted that there is no fiscal impact on state, county, or local expenditures or revenue.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 374-F:11
As Amended by the Senate: 374-F:11