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Stakeholders urge committee to preserve 'Granite State Test'; bill would let PUC reopen cost-effectiveness review
Summary
Dozens of energy-sector witnesses told the Senate committee that House Bill 221 would risk New Hampshire's ratepayer-funded efficiency programs by allowing the Public Utilities Commission the option to reopen the cost-effectiveness test used to evaluate programs under NH Saves; consumer and housing advocates urged rejection.
A lengthy hearing on House Bill 221 drew public utilities, consumer advocates, housing authorities, contractors, and environmental groups to the Senate committee to debate whether the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) should have the option to convene an adjudicative proceeding in 2027 to revisit the cost-effectiveness test that determines how the state evaluates ratepayer-funded energy-efficiency programs.
Sponsor testimony described HB 221 as an option for the PUC, not a mandate. The sponsor said the bill would permit the PUC to open an adjudicative process to determine whether a different method should be used to compute the “system benefits charge” cost-effectiveness analysis in the future; the sponsor emphasized the bill does not require the PUC to act.
Many witnesses opposed the bill. Don Kreese, the state Consumer Advocate (RSA 363:28 cited in his testimony describing his role), said he was “emphatically…
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