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SB 449 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Net metering for large customer-generators

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to relative to the participation of large customer-generators in net metering and relative to energy storage in connection with net metering.

Directs electric distribution utilities to make alternative net metering tariffs available to eligible large customer-generators and authorizes energy storage in connection with net metering, directing the department of energy to adopt related installation and interconnection rules.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. Directs electric distribution utilities to make available alternative tariffs for net metering to eligible customer-generators in accordance with PUC Order 26,029 and net metering rules adopted by the commission. II. Authorizes energy storage in connection with net metering and directs the department of energy to adopt rules relative to the installation and interconnection of such energy storage systems.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Energy storage, as defined in RSA 374-H:1, III, may be added to and charged solely from such a generation facility without affecting the generation facility's size determination relating to its eligibility meter.”
Section 1
“"Industrial customer" means a customer generator with a total peak generating capacity of greater than one megawatt and less than 5 megawatts used to offset the electricity requirements of one industrial entity with one or more accounts, provided that all accounts are located within the same utility franchise service territory.”
Section 2
“Each electric distribution utility shall make available alternative tariffs for net metering to eligible customer-generators in accordance with Order No. 26,029 dated June 23, 2017, and the net metering rules adopted by the commission.”
Section 3
“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 5

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Timothy LangRPrimeMajority Whip
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRChair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Denise RicciardiRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

109 signed in online · 45 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bi-partisan approach to securing more renewable energy for our business community in New Hampshire will benefit ratepayers and many private sector businesses. Please vote in favor of this bill and provide a positive committee report.”
— Rob Werner, Concord · League of Conservation Voterssupports
“I’m a constituent from Manchester, and I’m writing to ask for your support on SB449, SB538, and SB540. These bills will help lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy, and support local investment in our communities.…”
— Colin Conneally, Manchestersupports
“I’m a constituent from Littleton, and I’m writing to ask for your support on SB449. This bill will help lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy, and support local investment in our communities. Please support this bills as it moves through the House.…”
— Kathleen Smith, Littletonsupports
“This bill requires large customer-generators participating in net metering to consume at least 33 percent of their own generation. I am opposed to having a bill that requires someone to consume more than they need, which is what this bill does.”
— Germano Martins, Hooksettopposes

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 12, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1000s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1000sadopted
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1000sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseRoll callInexpedient to LegislateAdopted181–158How they voted
    Overall
    53% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    181–498% yea
    Democrats
    0–1540% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources26:23–39:4013m 17slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1000s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1000s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1000s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 6, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy2:18:43–2:23:174m 34slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy1:35:22–1:37:282m 6slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:43:03–4:45:152m 12slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, roll call 181-158

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 13, 2026SenHearing: 01/13/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 48
  3. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1000s, 03/12/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 9
  4. Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1000s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  5. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1000s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 8 P. 114
  7. Apr 6, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/06/2026 09:00 am GP 229
  8. Apr 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229
  9. Apr 13, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/13/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  10. Apr 15, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1439h
  11. Apr 23, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 181-158 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 68

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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