This bill aims to extend the net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects in New Hampshire, ensuring that certain customer-generators can receive net energy metering compensation under alternative tariffs approved by the public utilities commission. The legislation addresses the challenges faced by municipalities due to unforeseen interconnection delays that have caused a backlog of projects, threatening their economic viability as the net metering term is set to terminate in 2040. The bill emphasizes the necessity of a 20-year net metering term for municipal projects to be financially feasible, thereby restoring the intent of House Bill 315 passed in 2021.

To implement this, the bill introduces new legal language by amending RSA 362-A:9 to include a provision that mandates electric distribution utilities to offer alternative tariffs for net metering to eligible customer-generators. Specifically, it states that any eligible customer-generator that submitted an interconnection application before the act's effective date and meets certain criteria will remain eligible for the alternative tariff for 20 years from the date they first receive compensation. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an effective date of September 8, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 362-A:9
As Amended by the Senate: 362-A:9
As Amended by the House: 362-A:9
Version adopted by both bodies: 362-A:9
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 362-A:9
SB538 text: 362-A:9