State committee urges congressional review of FERC's "presumption of prudence" for transmission costs

The Science, Technology and Energy Committee on March 4 adopted HR 15, a resolution asking the state's U.S. congressional delegation to advocate for changes at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding how transmission project costs are reviewed.

Representative McGee, the amendment sponsor, said the change adds context to the resolution by noting "whereas it is Federal Energy Regulatory Commission practice to accept new and upgraded transmission costs via a presumption of prudence without a detailed revenue of individual project costs and whereas consumer utility costs are increasingly burdensome and warrant detailed scrutiny of large scale utility systems investments to protect consumers." The amendment also replaced the phrase "justified" with the statutory phrase "just and reasonable" in the bill text, she said.

The amendment drew support in committee as clarifying the resolution's intent. Representative Wendy Thomas asked about an archival distribution line in the draft; McGee said it is customary boilerplate to ensure legislative documents are preserved. No member offered substantive edits to the policy language during the work session.

The committee adopted amendment 0679H by voice and later voted 17-0 to adopt the resolution as amended. Representative Harrington said he did not want HR 15 placed on the consent calendar so he could speak to it on the House floor.

The resolution does not change state law; it is a formal request that New Hampshire's congressional delegation press federal regulators to alter FERC practice. The amendment text added to the resolution and the vote count are part of the committee record.

The committee indicated the sponsor will write the committee report; the resolution will be carried forward to the House with the sponsor's request that it not be placed on the consent calendar so members may debate it on the floor.