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SB591 Allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities.

Environment & Energy Now Law Auto-scored

Allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities.

Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?

4

Overall Impact Score

Concerning

Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)

4
💰

Your Wallet

Utility-owned generation could reduce competition and lead to higher rates passed to captive ratepayers through rate base costs.

5
🏘️

Your Community

Could improve energy reliability but risks recreating monopoly conditions in electricity generation.

4
⚖️

Your Freedom

Reverses deregulation that gave consumers more choice; could reduce competitive energy options.

Status

Signed by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 108; Effective 07/27/2026

Sponsor

Kevin Avard (R)

The Short Version

Would allow regulated utility companies to own or build electricity generation facilities. This reverses NH's deregulation approach where utilities were separated from generation to promote competition.

Who's Behind This Bill?

Who Benefits

  • Utility companies gaining generation revenue
  • Investors in regulated utilities

Who Pays the Price

  • Ratepayers who may bear costs of utility-owned generation
  • Independent power producers facing less competition
  • Competitive energy markets

Bill statuses as of May 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.

This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.