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HB 1290 · 2026 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Customer energy storage rules

AI-generated

relative to customer energy storage.

Requires the department of energy to adopt rules on installation and use of customer energy storage systems and allows the public utilities commission to approve tariffs and issue orders consistent with, or absent, such rules.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill provides that the department of energy shall adopt rules relative to installation and use of energy storage systems. The bill also provides that the public utilities commission may approve tariffs and issue orders in adjudicated proceedings consistent with, or in the absence of such rules.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The [commission] department shall adopt rules [or approve tariffs] clarifying policy for the installation[,] and interconnection[, and use] of energy storage systems by customers of utilities, while the commission may approve tariffs and issue orders in adjudicated proceedings that are consistent with such rules and pertain to the use of and utility compensation for such energy storage systems.”
From the bill
“The department and the commission [and] shall incorporate the following principles into the rules and orders, respectively [or approved tariffs]: 3 Customer Energy Storage;”
From the bill

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kat McGheeDPrimeRanking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy
  • Rep. Thomas CormenDDeputy Ranking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Tony CaplanD, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

61 signed in online · 11 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support enabling rules around storage, this encourages renewables adoption.”
— Greg Marsello, Jacksonsupports
“This bill requires an electric utility to move a customer-generator back to default service if the customer-generator was enrolled in a third-party electricity supply program without explicit consent.…”
— Richard DeMark, Meredithsupports
“As a member of the NH Audubon Conservation Committee I encourage you to support this bill. Having the Energy Department establish consistent rules clarifying energy storage is a positive for NH.…”
— Michael Cohen, Amherstsupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 9, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy1:17:27–1:31:1313m 46slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 14
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 11:00 am GP 229
  3. Feb 9, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/09/2026 11:00 am GP 229
  4. Feb 9, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/09/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 9 P. 27
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 35

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.