SB591 (2026) Detail

Allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities.


CHAPTER 108

SB 591-FN - FINAL VERSION

 

03/05/2026   0779s

2026 SESSION

26-2169

06/09

 

SENATE BILL 591-FN

 

AN ACT relative to electric utility investment in distributed energy resources.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Rep. Notter, Hills. 12

 

COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill amends certain standards governing electric utility investment in distributed energy resources.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/05/2026   0779s 26-2169

06/09

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

 

AN ACT relative to electric utility investment in distributed energy resources.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

108:1  Electric Utility Investment in Distributed Energy Resources.  Amend RSA 374-G:4, II-III to read as follows:  

II.  Distributed electric generation owned by or receiving investments from an electric utility under this section shall be limited to a cumulative maximum in megawatts of [6] 10 percent of the utility's total distribution peak load in megawatts.  This limitation shall not apply to [front-of-meter] energy storage[, the energy storage pilot approved by commission order number 26,209,] or demand response.  

[III.  In addition, once the cumulative generation authorized under this chapter for a given public utility reaches 3 percent of the utility's total distribution peak load in megawatts, then that utility shall not be allowed to add any additional non-renewable generation under this chapter, until the cumulative renewable generation installed pursuant to this chapter, as a percentage of total generation installed pursuant to this chapter, shall equal or exceed twice the sum of the then-applicable percentage requirements for class I and class II under RSA 362-F:3.]

108:2  Electric Utility Investment in Distributed Energy Resources; Authorization.  Amend RSA 374-G:5, II(h) to read as follows:  

(h)  Whether the expected value of the economic benefits, direct and indirect, of the investment to the utility's ratepayers over the life of the investment outweigh the economic costs to the utility's ratepayers.

108:3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.   108:  

 

Approved: May 28, 2026

Effective Date: July 27, 2026

 

 

Amendments

Date Amendment
Feb. 17, 2026 2026-0779s

Links


Date Body Type
Jan. 27, 2026 Senate Hearing
Senate Floor Vote
April 7, 2026 House Hearing
April 13, 2026 House Exec Session
April 13, 2026 House Floor Vote

Bill Text Revisions

SB591 Revision: 52373 Date: May 29, 2026, 3:33 p.m.
SB591 Revision: 51702 Date: April 23, 2026, 3:25 p.m.
SB591 Revision: 51023 Date: April 7, 2026, 11:18 a.m.
SB591 Revision: 50674 Date: Feb. 17, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
SB591 Revision: 49415 Date: Dec. 29, 2025, 9:48 a.m.

Docket


May 29, 2026: Signed by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 108; Effective 07/27/2026


May 18, 2026: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13


May 18, 2026: Enrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13


May 18, 2026: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13


April 23, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA DV 180-151 04/23/2026 HJ 11


April 15, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate


April 15, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 04/13/2026 (Vote 11-7; RC)


April 8, 2026: Executive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229


March 26, 2026: Public Hearing: 04/07/2026 10:30 am GP 229


March 16, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 8


Feb. 24, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0779s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5


Feb. 24, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-0779s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5


Feb. 17, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0779s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8


Jan. 13, 2026: Hearing: 01/27/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 2


Nov. 25, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1