Rep. Matson urges transformer vulnerability study; committee adopts amendment 14–2 and passes HB 17-23 13–3

The Science, Technology and Energy Committee voted to advance House Bill 17-23 on March 3 after adopting Amendment 0935h, which directs utilities and grid operators to assess the vulnerability of high-voltage transformers to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances and to recommend mitigation measures.

Representative Matson, the bill's prime sponsor, framed the measure as a preparedness step to protect critical equipment. "These transformers are the size of a house and weigh hundreds of tons, take 4 to 6 years to replace," Matson said, adding that a major solar storm could leave states and much of the lower 48 "dark for years." She urged members to support the bill as a first step to “identify which transformers are the most vulnerable.”

The adopted amendment makes several substantive changes: it places the requirement in session law rather than chapter law, clarifies technical language, references the NERC GMD benchmark of 3 volts per kilometer and the IEC international figure of 85 volts per kilometer for context, sets a 90-day window to commence the investigation and approximately 12 months to complete it, requires the department to send the report to the U.S. Secretary of Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and ISO New England, and caps utilities' assessed costs for the investigation at an amount not to exceed $350,000. The chair explained the $350,000 figure equates to about "25¢ on the average ratepayer's electric bill for a period of 1 year."

Supporters said the study is a prudent, limited step to gather data. Representative Bernardi argued that documenting needs now could spur workable, lower-cost solutions: "If we can, at least start driving the right direction, this is gonna be a very important first step." Representative McGee, a cosponsor, acknowledged the risk may be low but said the potential impact justifies exploring the issue despite limits on state authority to mandate infrastructure changes. McGee also noted that utilities' responding testimony estimated a full assessment could cost "upwards of, like, $700,000," and the amendment caps the charge at half that amount.

Opponents said the problem is primarily regional or federal and cautioned against shifting costs to ratepayers. Representative Wendy Thomas said she would vote against the measure because "this is something that should be done at the regional or the federal level and not at the state level." Other members urged coordination with national efforts such as the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), noting New Hampshire previously led a resolution raising awareness of the issue.

The committee adopted Amendment 0935h by a roll-call vote of 14–2. The committee then voted "ought to pass as amended" on HB 17-23 by a roll-call vote of 13–3. Representative Matson was assigned to write the majority report; a minority report opposing the bill was volunteered by Representative Partial.

The amendment instructs the department to commence the investigation within 90 days of the effective date and to complete it within about 12 months, and it requires transmittal of the final report to federal and regional energy authorities. With the committee's votes, HB 17-23 will move forward as recommended by the Science, Technology and Energy Committee.