Committee hears broad support for allowing energy storage with net metering; debate centers on grid‑charging and rule roles
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Summary
HB 17‑18 would allow customers to pair batteries with net‑metered generation and clarify DOE and PUC roles on interconnection and compensation. Utilities and clean‑energy groups largely supported the bill; debate focused on whether batteries should be allowed to charge from the grid, pilot exceptions, and timing for rulemaking.
Representative Michael Vose told the committee HB 17‑18 is a straightforward bill to allow net‑metered customers to add battery storage and choose whether exports come directly from generation or are exported later from stored energy. Sponsors and many witnesses said the change clarifies a legal gray area for storage paired with net metering.
Utilities and industry groups generally supported the measure as a clarification. Michael Licata (Eversource) said Eversource supports the bill as written but flagged resource considerations in the fiscal note for PUC rule work; Unitil’s Alec O’Meara and other utilities stressed the importance of preserving the core concept of net metering (charging storage from the on‑site generator). Clean Energy New Hampshire and other advocates said the bill resolves prior docket uncertainty and would help expand storage adoption.
A key point of contention was a phrase that would limit compensation eligibility to storage "charged solely from renewable generation." Witnesses from utilities and community groups urged flexibility. Clifton Belo (Community Power Coalition) and others described narrow exceptions (Liberty Utilities’ battery pilot, Eversource demand‑response batteries and Enphase 'storm‑guard' features) that rely on grid charging in specific circumstances; installers and owners said grid charging can improve resiliency and program value when used carefully. The department was neutral and requested clarification about rule timing; Madeline Minot (hydropower) and other stakeholders suggested language edits and cautioned against unintentionally sweeping in devices that cannot export to the grid.
The committee heard a range of technical and programmatic perspectives but did not vote on HB 17‑18 during the Jan. 29 session. The record shows stakeholders are working toward technical clarifications and limited exceptions to preserve pilots and resiliency functions while maintaining net‑metering principles.