CPCNH Applauds House Passage of HB 1733, Protecting Fair Energy Market Competition and Consumers
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) applauds the New Hampshire House of Representatives for passing HB 1733, an important reform to the state’s utility default service framework. The legislation was approved via a voice vote on the House consent calendar on March 5 following unanimous support from the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee.
“HB 1733 represents an important step toward ensuring fairness and predictability in how utility electric supply rates are set and reconciled.” ~ Deana Dennis, CPCNH Director of Regulatory & Legislative Affairs
HB 1733 establishes clearer guardrails around how electric utilities procure default service and how any under- or over- collections are recovered (i.e., when rates do not reflect the cost of supply). The legislation ensures that costs associated with utility default service are borne only by the customers receiving that service. The bill also requires utilities return to use of fixed-price contracts and cease spot market purchases for residential and small commercial customers. These changes reinforce fairness and transparency across New Hampshire’s evolving electricity marketplace.
“HB 1733 represents an important step toward ensuring fairness and predictability in how utility electric supply rates are set and reconciled,” said Deana Dennis, Director of Regulatory & Legislative Affairs for CPCNH. “The House recognized that each service offering in the marketplace should be responsible for its own costs. That principle protects consumers and helps maintain a competitive and level playing field as more communities adopt Community Power and other competitive supply options.”
CPCNH began working on these issues in 2024 as concerns emerged regarding proposals from some investor-owned utilities to recover default service under collections through non-bypassable charges applied to all electric customers. Such proposals would have required customers served by Community Power programs and competitive suppliers to pay for shortfalls associated with utility default service.
“These reforms strengthen the integrity of New Hampshire’s electricity market,” Dennis added. “This legislation reinforces greater truth in pricing for all ratepayers and better protects customers from market risk.”
The legislation now advances to the New Hampshire Senate for consideration.
