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.

This bill (HB 221) modifies how New Hampshire electric utilities assess the cost effectiveness of system benefit charges. It requires the Public Utilities Commission to use the "Granite State Test" (with Total Resource Cost as a secondary test) for cost reviews through 2026, and mandates that utility savings must equal at least 65% of overall annual energy savings. The bill does not address nuclear energy ownership or purchased power agreements as suggested in its misleading title; instead, it focuses on standardizing cost assessment methodology for utility programs. The changes apply specifically to electric utilities and the state's Public Utilities Commission. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.