Sale of New Hampshire Power Plants

Electricity rates could be going up for ratepayers in New Hampshire if Eversource (formerly Public Service of New Hampshire) successfully lobbies the New Hampshire Legislature to sell its power plants.  The potential rate increase stems from the fact that $400 million of new environmental controls at the Merimack station, along with any newly created stranded costs would still need to be recouped from the rate base.  Under the proposal, all customers – even those on third party supply – would see rate increases to cover the cost, while only customers on utility service must foot the bill so long as Eversource owns the plants.  Nevertheless, Eversource has reached an agreement with the New Hampshire PUC on the basis of $300 million in touted savings for (mostly residential) current ratepayers.  The outcome is not for certain, though the issue is being discussed in NH now.  New legislation would be necessary to authorize any increase to stranded costs, and an auction still needs to find a buyer before the plants can be sold and the actual impact can be calculated.

Transmission Project

While the project is approved and funded by ISO-NE, local opposition to the plan – particularly to the right-of-way – is expected, potentially endangering the 2018 in-service date.In addition to increasing reliability, this project has the potential to lower energy prices in Boston due to reduced congestion on the grid, though that was not the goal.overhead from Derry, NH into Tewksbury, MA) will be built to make sure the lights stay on in Boston.ISO-NE has selected Eversource and National Grid to build the $520 million Greater Boston & New Hampshire Solution transmission project to increase electricity reliability in the region.  Three new transmission lines (two underground in and around Boston, and one overhead from Derry, NH into Tewksbury, MA) will be built to make sure the lights stay on in Boston.