Linda Burnap: New Hampshire ranks with highest electricity-cost states

To The Daily Sun,

Due to the war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, starting Aug. 1, many Granite Staters will face increases of $6 to $18 monthly as New Hampshire’s three investor-owned utilities (Eversource, Unitil, National Grid) and the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire raise rates after approvals by the Public Utilities Commission and the CPCNH board. Granite Staters already rank among the highest electricity-cost states nationally.

It could get worse. Gov. Kelly Ayotte chose not to veto Republican HB 690 in 2025, directing the Department of Energy to examine exiting the regional grid in promoting their “Consumer Protection Energy Plan.” The $230,000 study by Boston-based consultant London Economics International released in June after a month-long feasibility investigation concludes leaving ISO New England, the nonprofit that oversees grid operations and the wholesale electricity market across six states, would considerably raise costs.

Separating would be extremely complex, requiring extensive legal expenses: major changes to laws built around the regional grid, and lawsuits. LEI warns complete physical disconnection isn’t realistically feasible; investor-owned utilities would need to cede. It would “island” New Hampshire and Maine, disrupt how in-state generators, including NextEra-owned Seabrook Station, sells power outside the state, and create expensive legal and regulatory responsibilities under federal oversight. Best case scenario would raise costs for ratepayers a minimum $148 million, plus unplanned expenses, while leaving high-stakes reliability gambling — especially during disasters.

One upside hypothetical: more autonomy over how we buy/sell electricity. Instead of exiting, NHDE should pursue reforms within ISO New England for autonomy and benefits, as Maine and Connecticut did in 2008 and 2020.

Electricity powers our world. Until there's detailed, factually supported data — with formulas to reduce risks and strict, enforceable safeguards — the burden of proof is on those pushing this reckless abandonment before taking irreversible steps.

Linda Burnap

Wolfeboro