CPCNH Calls for Urgent Action on HB 760 to Protect Community Power & Energy Market Fairness

The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) is calling on legislators, community leaders, and residents to take immediate action to support HB 760, a bill crucial to protecting fair competition in the state’s energy market and ensuring consumer choice. With the bill’s fate uncertain in the House Science, Technology & Energy (ST&E) Committee, CPCNH is mobilizing supporters to reach out to lawmakers and advocate for its passage.

“HB 760 is a cornerstone policy that safeguards New Hampshire’s competitive energy market,” said Deana Dennis, CPCNH’s Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs. “This bill ensures that utilities cannot unfairly shift costs onto Community Power customers, maintaining a level playing field and preserving local decision-making. Without HB 760, ratepayers who have chosen Community Power or competitive suppliers could be forced to subsidize cost overruns from utility supply services. We urge legislators from both parties to stand with their communities and ensure this bill moves forward.”

The bill prevents utilities from socializing cost overruns by charging all ratepayers, including those who have opted for competitive energy supply services. Instead, HB 760 ensures that default service costs are paid solely by the customers who receive that service, protecting local control and fair market competition.

“New Hampshire has long embraced energy choice, but that right is now at risk,” said Bill Baber of Dover and Chair of CPCNH’s Regulatory & Legislative Affairs Committee. “Without HB 760, utilities will have an unfair advantage in the marketplace, harming Community Power programs and limiting consumer choice. Our members and supporters must act now to protect energy freedom and fairness for all ratepayers.”

Immediate Action Needed

CPCNH is urging all supporters to contact members of the House Science, Technology & Energy Committee ahead of the bill’s critical vote. Outreach should focus on engaging all committee members, who will play a decisive role in determining HB 760’s future.

ST&E Committee Contact List

Representative	Email	Telephone	District	Towns Represented
Michael Vose (Chair, R)	Michael.Vose@gc.nh.gov	603-734-4084	Rockingham – 5	Epping
Douglas Thomas (Vice Chair, R)	Doug.ThomasNH@gmail.com	603-490-3226	Rockingham – 16	Londonderry
JD Bernardy (R)	jd.bernardy@comcast.net	603-969-5796	Rockingham – 36	Hampton Falls, Kensington, Newton, Plaistow, South Hampton
Jeanine Notter (R)	Jeanine.Notter@gc.nh.gov	603-423-0408	Hillsborough - 12	Merrimack
Michael Harrington (R)	harringt@metrocast.net	603-942-8691	Strafford - 18	Barrington, Middleton, New Durham, Strafford
Lex Berezhny (R)	lex@berezhny.com	603-271-3369	Grafton - 11	Alexandria, Grafton, Groton, Hebron
Tom Ploszaj (R)	Tom.Ploszaj@gc.nh.gov	603-279-9965	Belknap - 1	Center Harbor, New Hampton
James Summers (R)	James.Summers@gc.nh.gov	603-320-1572	Rockingham - 20	Newton, Plaistow, South Hampton
Rita Mattson (R)	Rita.Mattson@gc.nh.gov	603-531-3011	Cheshire - 18	Dublin, Jaffrey, Rindge
John Schneller (R)	John.Schneller@gc.nh.gov	603-488-5941	Hillsborough - 2	Bedford
Kat McGhee (D)	Kat.McGhee@gc.nh.gov	603-465-2033	Hillsborough - 35	Hollis
Lucius Parshall (D)	Lucius.Parshall@gc.nh.gov	603-876-3696	Cheshire - 8	Harrisville, Marlborough, Nelson, Roxbury, Sullivan
Tony Caplan (D)	anthonycaplan1@gmail.com	603-428-7042	Merrimack - 8	Bradford, Henniker, Warner
Wendy Thomas (D)	Wendy.Thomas@gc.nh.gov	603-271-3369	Hillsborough - 12	Merrimack
Thomas Cormen (D)	Thomas.Cormen@gc.nh.gov	603-448-2442	Grafton - 15	Lebanon
Ned Raynolds (D)	Ned.Raynolds@gc.nh.gov	603-271-3369	Rockingham - 39	Portsmouth
John Larochelle (D)	John.Larochelle@gc.nh.gov	Not Available	Strafford - 19	Rochester
Dale Swanson (D)	Dale.Swanson@gc.nh.gov	603-759-4241	Hillsborough - 5	Nashua Ward 1

Upcoming Legislative Check-in – March 7 at 3:00 PM (Virtual)

Stay informed and engaged by joining our Legislative Updates Check-in on March 7 at 3:00 PM via Zoom. Get the latest updates on key energy bills and learn how you can support ongoing efforts. If you need a direct meeting link or assistance joining, email Madelyn@communitypowernh.gov. Add this event to your calendar!

Supporters can act by:

• Emailing or calling ST&E Committee members.

• Submitting testimony in support of HB 760 (Download Testimony Letter Template).

For more details, visit CPCNH’s website or review the HB 760 Bill Briefing.

News Release-Action Alert HB760.pdf

Download PDF • 173KB

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The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) is a public power agency serving a membership of ~70 New Hampshire cities, towns, and counties and ~200,000 electric customers. Governed by communities, for communities, CPCNH works to lower energy costs, expand clean options, and give local governments a stronger voice in state energy decisions. The Coalition fosters collaboration, supports innovative energy projects and programs, and advocates on behalf of consumer interests and the collective voice of our members. Focused on transparency, sustainability, and community empowerment, CPCNH ensures all New Hampshire residents benefit from affordable, reliable, and locally guided energy solutions.