Committee Summary for House Science, Technology and Energy (02/10/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1724 00:06:55.600 - 9:02:31 AM	Public Hearing	relative to public transparency of electric utility retail charges and cost reporting for transmission, wholesale electricity, capacity, and generation adequacy.	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2025
HB1728 01:20:57.920 - 10:16:33 AM	Public Hearing	requiring sufficient cybersecurity protections for critical infrastructure and technology projects.	McFarlane, Donald(R)[A]2025
HB1733 03:28:03.439 - 12:23:39 PM	Public Hearing	relative to default electric service procurement and the recovery of competitive market supply costs.	Harrington, Michael(R)[A]2025
HB1736 04:22:42.000 - 1:18:18 PM	Public Hearing	repealing the authority of the public utilities commission to approve alternative forms of regulation for utilities.	Sweeney, Joe(R)[A]2025

HB1724: Representative Wendy Thomas, Merrimack Support00:06:55.600 - 9:02:31 AM; Representative Thomas introduced HB 1724, emphasizing the need for transparent annual reporting by public utilities on key electricity cost drivers such as transmission costs, wholesale market impacts, capacity needs, and generation adequacy. She broke down the bill's sections: utility cost reporting requirements, transmission cost transparency, wholesale market impact reporting, capacity and generation adequacy analysis, and annual report timelines. The goal is to inform policymakers, regulators, and the public about rate increases, ensure accountability, protect consumers from inefficient charges, and support cost-effective energy policy, especially amid high energy bills in New Hampshire.
HB1724: Griffin Roberts, Eversource Energy Oppose00:32:04.480 - 9:27:40 AM; Griffin Roberts opposed HB 1724, arguing that the bill's requirements are duplicative of existing transparent processes at the PUC, ISO New England, and FERC. He detailed how transmission costs are reviewed annually through PUC filings (e.g., docket DE 25-045), default service procurements are overseen every six months with no profit markup (docket 25-17), and forward capacity markets are managed by ISO with public reports. Integrated distribution plans under HB 1431 already forecast demand and assess infrastructure. For data centers, interconnecting customers fully fund upgrades before work begins. He warned that a continuous PUC docket and additional DOE/OCA reports would be resource-intensive, increase costs, and provide no new value since information is already publicly accessible.
HB1724: Griffin Roberts, Eversource Energy Oppose00:51:21.440 - 9:46:57 AM; Griffin Roberts continues responding to committee questions, emphasizing the redundancy of the proposed report given existing public information on grid operations, utility business, and factors affecting electricity prices. He highlights Eversource's daily efforts to educate customers via hotlines and bill messages. Roberts notes the potential added costs of producing a redundant report and suggests that if required by law, they would comply, but reiterates that much information is already available. He addresses concerns about information volume by pointing to existing resources and customer outreach options.
HB1724: Meg Stone, New Hampshire Department of Energy Information Only00:56:22.160 - 9:51:58 AM; Meg Stone states that the Department of Energy is neutral on HB 1724 but agrees with Eversource on duplicative elements in the bill. She raises concerns about the introductory paragraph on page two fitting into state energy policy but subsections A through G being more suitable as directives to the PUC, DOE, and OCA in separate statutes. Stone notes no precedent for a continuous docket, which could increase costs, as existing dockets occur periodically. She seeks clarification on whether section G requires one joint report or separate ones from DOE and OCA, and highlights the tight 90-day timeframe for reports. Additionally, she mentions the bill did not receive a fiscal note, estimating it would require one full-time employee and possibly a consultant for reviewing reports and participating in the continuous docket.
HB1724: Arthur Cunningham, Sierra Club Support01:00:26.160 - 9:56:02 AM; Arthur Cunningham, a lawyer and author of the bill based in Hopkinton, urges the committee to focus on subparagraph B on page two, which addresses the lack of regulatory review for billions of dollars in transmission infrastructure projects, particularly asset condition projects by Eversource. He explains that these projects are incorporated into rates via the formula rate process without scrutiny from ISO New England, PUC, or FERC on necessity, demand projections, prudence of costs, or justness of rates. Cunningham emphasizes that the bill's main thrust is to ensure regulatory oversight of these unreviewed projects. He references materials provided to the committee, including a Sierra Club letter to DOE requesting review in light of FERC orders 1920 and 192A, a lawsuit challenging the $400 million X178 project costs, and ISO New England's minimal compliance filing, which he highlights as insufficient for the scale of investments.
HB1724: Arthur Cunningham, Sierra Club Support01:05:41.200 - 10:01:17 AM; Cunningham criticizes ISO New England's proposal for an AC reviewer role as inadequate and advisory only, refusing to review asset condition projects for cost prudency or just and reasonable rates. He argues this highlights ISO's avoidance of oversight on billions in project costs imposed on ratepayers without regulatory review. He urges the committee to address the root issue of transparency in transmission costs. During questioning, he explains the bill aims to publicize costs via hearings and reports, focusing on informational disclosure rather than rate-setting, and references paragraph B requiring utilities to detail projects over five years, including needs, costs, and prudency. He notes the information is public but hard to consolidate, and supports potential amendments to narrow the bill.
HB1724: Mary E. Schweitzer (Miss Corkery), representing clients Support01:10:40.640 - 10:06:16 AM; Schweitzer clarifies the bill focuses on transmission lines, not distribution, creating a New Hampshire venue for discussing project impacts on rates without needing to go to ISO or FERC. She emphasizes consolidating information in one place for ratepayers, appreciating questions about accessibility.
HB1728: Representative Donald McFarland, Grafton District 18 Support01:20:57.920 - 10:16:33 AM; McFarland introduces HB 1728 as a bill on responsibility, applying the principle of reasonable care to operators of critical infrastructure operational technology against foreseeable risks. It does not mandate technologies, audits, or state regulation but clarifies liability for foreseeable threats to energy and life safety systems. He mentions passing around an amendment addressing trauma hospitals, a letter from Chief Information Security Officer Ken Weeks, and DEES information on impacted water and wastewater systems. He introduces Josh Corman to discuss threats and harms further.
HB1728: Josh Corman, I am the Cavalry Support01:24:41.760 - 10:20:17 AM; Corman, a former UNH philosopher and 30-year hacker culture veteran, founded the nonprofit I am the Cavalry to address cybersecurity where digital meets physical risks, noting that traditional cavalry isn't coming for such issues.
HB1728: Josh Corman, I Am The Cavalry Support01:25:39.840 - 10:21:15 AM; Josh Corman continues his testimony on the growing dependence on connected technology outpacing security measures, particularly in critical infrastructure like water and hospitals. He discusses his work on the Undisruptible 27 project, focusing on lifeline functions in sectors like water and power that, if disrupted, could cause deaths within 24-48 hours. He highlights vulnerabilities in water systems supporting hospitals, the low participation in voluntary cybersecurity programs, and threats from nation-states like China's Volt Typhoon targeting civilian infrastructure to disrupt U.S. response to potential Taiwan conflicts. Corman advocates engineering down consequences rather than just adding cybersecurity, praises the bill for introducing a standard of care that encourages responsible connectivity, and emphasizes resilience against accidents or adversaries.
HB1728: Representative McGee (Bill Sponsor) Support01:37:37.840 - 10:33:13 AM; Representative McGee responds to committee questions, explaining the bill's threshold of 10,000 people or 3,300 households as a starting point, expanded via amendment to include systems supplying trauma hospitals to cover high-risk areas. He addresses fiscal note concerns from NHMA, arguing costs are minimal if operators already meet basic standards, and highlights existing programs to reduce expenses. On liability, he clarifies the bill codifies foreseeable risks without creating new sue rights, helping operators justify investments. He stresses the bill's focus on operational technology (OT) safeguards like firewalls and disconnect options, setting a low bar for high-impact protections against remote attacks.
HB1728: Representative Jonah Wheeler, Peterborough Support02:03:43.119 - 10:59:19 AM; As co-sponsor, Representative Wheeler emphasizes the digital world's vulnerabilities, citing 400 unsecured water facilities nationwide and risks of 48-hour disruptions causing deaths. He supports the bill as setting a public sector standard of care to protect infrastructure, raising awareness without heavy regulation, and ensuring fair competition. He addresses questions on physical vs. remote threats, noting cyber risks are easier to exploit remotely, and believes the bill promotes buffers against attacks while opening conversations on vulnerabilities.
HB1728: Meg Stone, NH Department of Energy Information Only02:15:10.560 - 11:10:46 AM; Meg Stone provides neutral testimony, noting the bill's definitions should align with existing statutes on critical infrastructure and clarifying ambiguous phrasing. She highlights exclusions of small municipalities like Wolfeboro (5,800 customers) potentially at higher risk, absence of enforcement mechanisms, and suggests considering Senate Bill 589 for wastewater, drinking water, and grid interconnections with cybersecurity standards.
HB1728: Griffin Robers, Eversource Oppose02:19:14.719 - 11:14:50 AM; Eversource opposes the bill as duplicative of federal cybersecurity standards for electric utilities, creating vague 'reasonable care' liability without caps, risking financial burdens and litigation. They detail existing measures like firewalls and segmentation, close collaboration with regulators, and argue the bill's broad definitions cover electric systems unnecessarily, lacking clarity on compliance.
HB1728: Sarah Burke Cohen, NH Municipal Association Oppose02:27:36.960 - 11:23:12 AM; NHMA opposes due to potential $100,000-$500,000 costs per municipality without funding, seen as an unfunded mandate. Even 'engineering down' connectivity incurs personnel or re-engineering expenses. Many municipalities use available programs but face ongoing improvement costs; vagueness could lead to litigation. They encourage local decision-making and note education efforts on risks.
HB1733: Representative Matt Sabor Dwanir, Seabrook (introducing for sponsor) Information Only03:28:03.439 - 12:23:39 PM; Introduces the bill clarifying that default service cost reconciliations stay within default rates, not recoverable from departing customers, amending RSA 374:5-e.
HB1733: Josh Elliot, NH Department of Energy Information Only03:29:02.160 - 12:24:38 PM; Neutral; bill codifies current practice keeping default costs in default service but removes PUC flexibility for unforeseen scenarios like a 'death spiral' where costs might need broader allocation. Emphasizes cost-causer pays principle and docket processes for resolutions.
HB1733: Donald Crease, Consumer Advocate Support03:39:51.200 - 12:35:27 PM; Supports as ensuring price certainty for default service as a low-risk backstop, preventing subsidies to utilities via non-bypassable charges. Suggests incentives for utilities to manage portfolios profitably, prefers HB 1534 for explicit risk minimization, and notes ongoing under-recoveries from spot market exposure.
HB1733: Jim Monahan, Constellation Energy Support03:53:59.840 - 12:49:35 PM; Supports with amendment to ban spot market procurement (50% of load), arguing current PUC practices maximize risk, harm competition, and violate statutes minimizing risk and volatility. Proposes guardrails for fair market, notes ongoing dockets create uncertainty, and views default as a safety net, not lowest price.
HB1733: Dena Dennis, Community Power Coalition of NH Support04:11:52.399 - 1:07:28 PM; Supports to preserve competition by keeping default costs separate, addressing risks from PUC's 50% spot market procurement causing undercollections potentially shifted unfairly. Rejects death spiral fears, advocates timely reconciliations, and references RSA 374-F:3 on transitional default service.
HB1733: Michael Lacata, Eversource Oppose04:16:11.520 - 1:11:47 PM; Opposes as limiting PUC flexibility for unforeseen issues, noting current practice already keeps costs in default per Order 28142. Amends different statute section than HB 1534; views procurement practices as separate issue, potentially better addressed via amendment or HB 1534.
HB1736: Representative Joe Sweeney, Rockingham District 25 Support04:22:42.000 - 1:18:18 PM; Introduces HB 1736, emphasizing the need for transparency, predictability, and accountability in utility rates amid rising energy costs. Responds to cases where alternative rate mechanisms bypassed consumer protections. States the bill does not prohibit innovation or incentive-based approaches but ensures traditional safeguards like prudency and oversight remain in place. Refers technical questions to the Department of Energy.
HB1736: Josh Elliott, Department of Energy Support04:24:39.279 - 1:20:15 PM; Supports HB 1736 as introduced, clarifying it repeals the carveout for alternative regulation but does not prohibit it. Explains RSA 378:28 requires prudent, used, and useful investments, which the Department believes applies to alternative mechanisms despite PUC's interpretation in the Eversource case, leading to an appeal. Views the bill as clarification, not policy change, ensuring alternative structures meet the same standards as traditional rate cases. Addresses questions on incentive-based approaches, PUC discretion, and application to innovation.
HB1736: Don Crease, Consumer Advocate Oppose04:40:16.480 - 1:35:52 PM; Initially appears supportive but clarifies opposition due to ambivalence; supports repealing the current alternative regulation statute but recommends replacing it with one authorizing incentive regulation based on performance benchmarks that reward or penalize utilities. Criticizes the PUC's recent decision allowing 'free money' via guaranteed increases, appealing to the Supreme Court. Distinguishes between harmful alternative plans and beneficial incentive structures. Offers to share a draft bill for a targeted replacement.
HB1736: Sam Evans Brown, Clean Air New Hampshire Oppose04:53:17.760 - 1:48:53 PM; Opposes HB 1736, perplexed by claims it doesn't prohibit alternative ratemaking, believing repeal signals against innovation. Supports overhauling utility regulation to counter capital bias in cost-of-service models, which favor expensive infrastructure over cost-effective solutions like software. Advocates for performance-based ratemaking to align utility incentives with ratepayer benefits, arguing ex-post 'used and useful' reviews are insufficient.
HB1736: Alec Omera, Unitil Oppose05:00:20.798 - 1:55:56 PM; Opposes HB 1736, viewing alternative and incentive-based ratemaking as tools for regulators to achieve policy goals. Notes Unitil has no such plan in NH but has one in Massachusetts for rate stability. Supports PUC's announced proceeding to develop guidelines, arguing prescriptive legislation ignores utility differences. Sees repeal as removing a valuable option without clear benefit.
HB1736: Nick Kraoff, Conservation Law Foundation Oppose05:08:17.040 - 2:03:53 PM; Opposes HB 1736, arguing it bans alternative regulation, forcing traditional cost-of-service methods that incentivize overinvestment and higher costs. Advocates performance-based ratemaking to prioritize affordability, citing examples from Hawaii and Connecticut for metrics on disconnections and non-wires alternatives. Suggests amending RSA 374:3-a to clarify it doesn't supersede 'used and useful' requirements, using a scalpel over a chainsaw approach.
HB1736: Michael Lacata, Eversource Oppose05:14:33.280 - 2:10:09 PM; Opposes HB 1736, which repeals RSA 374:3-a, the sole authority for alternative regulation since 1994. Argues repeal creates regulatory uncertainty, discouraging investment; the statute is enabling, not mandatory. Supports performance-based ratemaking for stability and transparency, explaining the PUC-approved Eversource plan includes metrics with penalties and annual allowances subject to future prudency review, not 'free money.' Recommends awaiting PUC's investigatory docket on alternatives.
HB1736: Dena Dennis, Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire Information Only05:23:07.280 - 2:18:43 PM; Neutral on HB 1736, viewing it as a blunt approach needing more thought. Highlights how alternative regulation counters capital bias, incentivizing investments in non-capital areas like tree trimming and systems supporting competitive power markets (e.g., billing, data platforms). Supports PUC options for efficient, affordable solutions meeting public needs.

Vose, Michael(Chairman)(R)[A-]2025	Bernardy, JD(Clerk)(R)[B+]2025	Thomas, Douglas(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025
Notter, Jeanine(R)[A-]2025	Schneller, John(R)[B+]2025	Harrington, Michael(R)[A]2025
McGhee, Kat(D)[CT]2025	Ploszaj, Tom(R)[A-]2025	Mattson, Rita(R)[B+]2025
Raynolds, Ned(D)[D-]2025	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2025	Parshall, Lucius(D)[F]2025
Caplan, Tony(D)[D-]2025	Summers, James(R)[B]2025	Cormen, Thomas(D)[F]2025
Swanson, Dale(D)[D-]2025	Larochelle, John(D)[F]2025	Sabourin dit Choinière, Matt(R)[A-]2025