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SB 447 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Utilities investing in nuclear power

AI-generated

enabling electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources, and relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities and limitations on community customer generators.

Defines advanced nuclear resources and includes them alongside renewable sources for utility services, sets limits on distributed generation investments, clarifies coordinator duties in nuclear development, and allows requests for proposals for multi-year energy agreements.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 23, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Defines "advanced nuclear resource" (ANR) and includes ANR options alongside renewable energy sources for utility services. II. Sets limitations and guidelines for investments in distributed electric generation. III. Clarifies the coordinator's duties in nuclear development and regulatory activities. IV. Allows the department of energy or the electric distribution utilities, or both, to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) for multi-year agreements for energy, in conjunction with or independent of any attendant environmental attributes from electric energy sources, and coordinate with one or more New England states in issuing this RFP. V. Modifies the scope and capacity limits of community solar projects, including expanding the annual cap for low-moderate income community solar projects from 6 MW to 18 MW. VI. Allows group net metering members to sign agreements with multiple group hosts, as long as their combined allocated load does not exceed their total load. VII. Expands the definition of "political subdivision" to include public housing authorities and explains eligibility for participation in group net metering.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Kevin AvardRPrimeChair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Rep. Douglas ThomasRVice Chair· Science, Technology and Energy

Also: Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

23 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

26% support74% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We desperately need to support nuclear power; it's safe and efficient.”
— Cory Stone, DOVERsupports
“We support the community/municipal solar and net metering aspects of this legislation, as they facilitate increasingly cost-effective and community-based power alternatives, but we strongly oppose the inclusion of "advanced" nuclear power provisions in this and related legislation.…”
— Doug Bogen, Barrington · Seacoast Anti-Pollution Leagueopposes
“SB447 permits monopolistic advantages for utility companies, harming business opportunities for others and raising utility prices for all of us.”
— Susan Richman, Durhamopposes
“I OPPOSE SB599-FN. The funds in the REF should be spent for their original purpose. Emptying the REF of most of its funds would not move NH in a positive direction. I urge you to OPPOSE it.”
— Donna Reardon, Concordopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-081:00 pmSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesSH 103Public hearing
  • 2026-04-0710:00 amHouse Science, Technology and EnergyGP 229Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-04-139:00 amHouse Science, Technology and EnergyGP 229Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
  2. Jan 8, 2026SenHearing: 01/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 02:00 pm; SC 46
  3. Mar 26, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1213s, 03/26/2026, Vote 4-1; SC 11
  4. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1213s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  5. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1213s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  6. Mar 26, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 9 P. 54
  7. Apr 7, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/07/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
  8. Apr 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229
  9. Apr 13, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/13/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC)
  10. Apr 23, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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