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SB 591 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Utilities owning power generation facilities

AI-generated

allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities.

Amends standards governing electric utility investment in distributed energy resources, allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 29, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill amends certain standards governing electric utility investment in distributed energy resources.

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

“Distributed electric generation owned by or receiving investments from an electric utility under this section shall be limited to a cumulative maximum in megawatts of [6] 10 percent of the utility's total distribution peak load in megawatts.”
Section 108:1
“This limitation shall not apply to [front-of-meter] energy storage[, the energy storage pilot approved by commission order number 26,209,] or demand response.”
Section 108:1

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. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

25% support75% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We shouldn't be allowing for increased investment in non-renewable energy at the current time, especially with oil prices going up due to the fiasco with Iran.”
— Nathaniel Blair, Salemopposes
“This bill would hurt competition in the energy supply market. Thank you!”
— Lisa Sweet, Ryeopposes

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
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0779s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0779sadopted
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0779sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass11–7
    Overall
    61% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted180–151
    Overall
    54% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources11:11–26:3915m 28slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0779s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0779s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0779s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy3:25:42–3:31:265m 44slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy1:52:03–1:54:112m 8slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:19:26–5:23:494m 23slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 180-151
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
  2. Jan 27, 2026SenHearing: 01/27/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 2
  3. Mar 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0779s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
  4. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0779s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  5. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0779s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 8 P. 114
  7. Apr 7, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/07/2026 10:30 am GP 229
  8. Apr 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229
  9. Apr 13, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 04/13/2026 (Vote 11-7; RC)
  10. Apr 15, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  11. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 180-151 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 73
  12. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  13. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  14. May 28, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 108; Effective 07/27/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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