Gov. Kelly Ayotte. (Ink link File Photo)
What does this mean for New Hampshire customers? The case affects customers served by New Hampshire electric utilities because transmission costs are included in electric bills. If the appeals fail, FERC has ordered refunds totaling more than $150 million for New Hampshire ratepayers, though state regulators would determine how any refunds are distributed. Several transmission owners, including Eversource, have appealed the ruling and asked that refunds be delayed while the case proceeds.
CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire has joined other New England states in urging federal regulators to uphold an order requiring transmission utilities to return more than $1.5 billion to electric customers across the region, including an estimated $150 million to New Hampshire ratepayers.
The request follows a long-running case before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), determined that the return on equity allowed for New England transmission owners was higher than justified and ordered the companies to refund approximately $1.5 billion to ratepayers.” Several utilities have appealed that decision.
On July 2, the New Hampshire Department of Energy and the Office of the Consumer Advocate joined their counterparts across New England in filing a motion to intervene, asking that the appeal be rejected and the refunds be allowed to proceed.
Governor Kelly Ayotte announced the state’s participation on Monday via press release, criticizing the utilities’ effort to overturn the refund order.
“Granite Staters are paying way too much for electricity, and it’s unacceptable that utilities would attempt to block relief for ratepayers after overcharging them for more than a decade,” Ayotte said in a statement. “New Hampshire joins our fellow New England states in calling for a rejection of this effort by utilities and the return of more than $150 million to ratepayers in our state.”
Department of Energy Commissioner Jared Chicoine said the filing is intended to return money to customers who paid transmission charges during the period covered by the case.
“New Hampshire’s Department of Energy and Office of the Consumer Advocate have joined with energy offices across New England to return these dollars to their rightful place: the homes and businesses across the region who have been paying inflated transmission rates for 15 years,” Chicoine said.
The dispute stems from a FERC proceeding known as Coakley v. Bangor Hydro-Electric Co., which examined the rate of return transmission utilities are permitted to earn on investments in the regional electric grid. FERC ultimately reduced the allowable return and ordered refunds to customers. The utilities are challenging that decision through the appeals process.
If upheld, the refunds would be distributed to electric customers across New England, with New Hampshire’s share estimated at more than $150 million.
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