NH energy efficiency resource standard workshops

Following the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission's adoption last summer of an energy efficiency resource standard, a regulatory board has scheduled a series of workshops to allow public input on how utilities serving the state plan to met the standard over the next three years.

On August 2, 2016, the Commission issued its Order No. 25,932, approving a settlement agreement establishing an energy efficiency resource standard or EERS.  The Commission described the EERS as "a framework within which the Commission’s energy efficiency programs shall be implemented," effective January 1, 2018.  Compared to previous energy efficiency structures, the EERS represents a a long term, binding energy savings target consistent with a policy directive to capture all cost-effective energy efficiency.  According to a public notice issued by the Commission, "Implementation of an EERS is expected to increase investment in cost-effective energy efficiency resources, reduce energy costs for NH ratepayers, and create new jobs."

As implementation of the standard nears, the Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) Committee of the state's Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board has scheduled a series of stakeholder workshops to allow stakeholders and the general public "the opportunity to influence, early in the planning process, how utilities serving the state are intending to achieve the EERS over the next three years." Workshop topics announced so far include residential, municipal, and commercial and industrial programs; how to evaluate program cost-effectiveness; project finance and program marketing; and evaluation, measurement and verification.

Workshops have been scheduled through March 3, 2017.  Utilities are expected to file a proposed EERS plan with the EESE Board by April 1, 2017, with a final plan to be filed with the Commission by September 30 for approval by December 31.