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HB 1718 · 2026 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Energy storage and net metering rules

AI-generated

relative to authorizing energy storage in connection with net metering.

Adds rulemaking authority for the department of energy over customer energy storage systems, updates terminology, and authorizes the public utilities commission to set compensation terms for renewably-charged energy storage exports.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill adds rulemaking authority for the department of energy regarding customer energy storage systems, updates terminology, and authorizes the PUC to set compensation terms for energy storage exports charged solely from renewable sources.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Energy storage, as defined in RSA 374-H:1, III, may be added to such a generation facility without affecting the generation facility's size determination relating to its eligibility to net meter.”
Section 309:1
“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.”
Section 309:3
“The commission may determine terms and conditions for how a customer-generator may use and be compensated for exports to the grid from energy storage added to renewable energy generation sources in conjunction with net metering and related tariff provisions.”
Section 309:4
“Such energy storage, if configured to allow electricity to be exported to the grid, shall be charged only from such generation facility, except as provided for in RSA 362-A:9, XXV.”
Section 309:7

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Michael VoseRPrimeChair· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Thomas CormenDDeputy Ranking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Kat McGheeDRanking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy
  • Rep. Douglas ThomasRVice Chair· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources

Also: Rep. Michael HarringtonR, Rep. Rita MattsonR, Rep. John SchnellerR, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

63 signed in online · 22 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Please support this bill. Other states have very successfully implemented including consumer battery support into broad rate-payer cost-reduction by systems drawing on batteries during peak-demand intervals, It is reasonable to include net-metering structure into any consumer-to-grid power provision.”
— Ann Shedd, KEENEsupports
“To: Members of the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee, As currently written, the bill prohibits batteries in conjunction with net metering from ever being charged from the grid and conflicts with beneficial utility programs like Liberty’s battery pilot.…”
— Douglas Plumley, Enfieldsupports
“NH residents and business should have the right to control their energy future and costs. This bill, if amended in line with the Clean Power Coalition's recommendation, will support this.…”
— ELISABETH BLAISDELL, Portsmouthsupports

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy4:31:36–4:32:441m 8slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy2:19:37–2:21:552m 18slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0582h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:26:59–5:27:2930slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0582h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0582h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division I1:40:45–1:43:332m 48slocated in the stream transcriptDivision I Work Session
  • Mar 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance38:18–40:582m 40slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 9, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources1:03:04–1:14:3911m 35slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor5:48:47–5:52:113m 24slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1714s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1791s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1714s — failed, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor6:07:09–6:08:521m 43slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1909s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1909s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1909s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:00:28–4:01:341m 6slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1909s and 2026-1791s (Reps. Vose, Weyler) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2157e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2157e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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. 32
  2. Jan 26, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 01/26/2026 02:00 pm GP 229
  3. Jan 27, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 01/27/2026 03:00 pm GP 229
  4. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
  5. Feb 9, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/09/2026 11:00 am GP 229
  6. Feb 9, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0582h 02/09/2026 (Vote 17-0; RC) HC 7 P. 38
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0582h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 102
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0582h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 102
  9. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 102
  10. Mar 9, 2026HouseDivision I Work Session: 03/09/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  11. Mar 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  12. Mar 17, 2026House: Ought to Pass 03/17/2026 (Vote 25-0; CC)
  13. Mar 26, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 3
  14. Mar 26, 2026SenIntroduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
  15. Apr 9, 2026SenHearing: 04/09/2026, Room 103, SH, 02:00 pm; SC 13
  16. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1714s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  17. May 7, 2026SenHB 1718 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  18. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1714s, AF, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  19. May 7, 2026SenSen. Watters Floor Amendment # 2026-1791s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  20. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1791s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  21. May 14, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1909s, 05/14/2026, Vote 7-0; SC 18A
  22. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1909s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  23. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1909s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  24. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1909s and 2026-1791s (Reps. Vose, Weyler): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22
  25. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2157e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  26. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2157e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  27. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  28. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  29. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 309; eff. I. Secs 1.4.7.8 eff prov sec 9 II. Rem eff 1/1/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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