Investigative Proceedings

All past and present investigative proceedings with any relevant information and documents

INV 2024-001 - Investigative Proceeding Relative to Microgrids

Pursuant to HB 558 (2024), which became effective on July 13, 2024, the Department of Energy (Department) is opening this proceeding to investigate the potential benefits, risks, and key considerations around developing a framework for electricity microgrids in the state.  Pursuant to the Department’s investigative powers established in RSA 12-P:10, RSA 365:5, RSA 365:6, and SB 391, the Department opens this proceeding and directs the participation of all three regulated electric utilities and invites other potentially interested persons to participate as well.

INV 2023-003 - Investigative Proceeding Relative to Telephone Number Conservation

On October 31, 2023, the Governor signed an Executive Order establishing the “Don’t Overload the Code” initiative to extend the 603 area code and to prepare New Hampshire businesses for the eventuality of an additional area code.  The Executive Order required the Department of Energy to open a proceeding to investigate durable strategies, including reclaiming assigned but unused telephone numbers to lengthen the useful life of the 603 area code and extending its exhaustion date.  Pursuant to the DOE’s investigative powers established in RSA 12-P:2, IV and RSA 12-P:10, the Department opens this proceeding and directs the participation of all telecommunications providers over which the DOE has jurisdiction.

INV 2023-002 - Investigative Proceeding Relative to Compensation of Energy Storage Projects for Avoided Transmission and Distribution Costs

In July 2020, HB 715-FN (2020) created chapter RSA 374-H, entitled “Energy Storage,” requiring the Public Utilities Commission to open a proceeding to investigate how to compensate energy storage projects for avoided transmission and distribution costs while the energy storage projects also participate in wholesale energy markets. In 2022, HB 1258 (2022) amended RSA 374-H, transferring the investigatory mandate to the Department of Energy. As such, the Department is commencing this investigative proceeding to fulfill this statutory requirement and provide an opportunity for public comment on these issues.

INV 2023-001 - Investigative Proceeding Relative to Default Energy Procurement

On May 8, 2023, the Public Utilities Commission issued a Report On New Hampshire Energy Commodity Procurement. The Report was issued in the Commission’s Docket No. IR 22-053 pursuant to a Procedural Order issued by the Commission on April 24, 2023. In a subsequent letter filed in IR 22-053, the Department indicated that it would open an investigation to delve further into several important issues raised by the Report involving default energy procurement. Pursuant to the Department’s investigative powers established in RSA 12-P:2, IV and RSA 12-P:10, the Department opens this proceeding and directs the participation of all three regulated electric distribution utilities; Public Service Company of New Hampshire d/b/a Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Systems, Inc., and Liberty Utilities (Granite State Electric) Corp. d/b/a Liberty. The electric distribution utilities are required to participate; other interested persons are encouraged to participate as well. 

IP 2022-01 - Investigative Proceeding Relative to Customer-Generator Interconnection

On July 8, 2022, the Governor signed into law SB 262 (2022), requiring the Department of Energy to initiate a proceeding to investigate the potential modification of the rules of the public utilities commission in PUC 903.01(e) to ensure cost-effective, predictable, and timely interconnection procedures for customer generators to the state’s electric distribution system. Pursuant to the Department’s investigative powers established in RSA 12-P:10, the Department opens this proceeding and directs the participation of all three regulated electric distribution utilities and requests comments on the issues identified in the Order of Notice.  The electric distribution utilities are required to comment; other interested persons are encouraged to file comments.