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Final Proposed Renewable Interconnection Standards Published
In New Hampshire the Department of Energy (DOE) published its final distributed energy resources (DER) proposal for the adoption of En 201.05
Minor language changes include language at the end of En 201.05(a) which includes “such waiver does not contradict the objective or intent of the rule” was deleted. Also, the “duration of the waiver shall be only for the duration of time requested, if any, and in no instance for longer than one year” is now in effect.
As background, the New Hampshire Department of Energy(DOE) initiated this matter in response to a new state law (SB 391 of 2024). More specifically, this proceeding was initiated “to examine and assess draft rules to be adopted for the purposes of setting uniform procedures for distributed energy resources (DER) that are proposed for a customer generator’s interconnection to the electrical infrastructure of New Hampshire’s investor-owned utilities.”
The NH DOE also noted that it “intends to consider several topics in addition to the examination of interconnection rules required by SB 391.These topics include, but are not limited to, the incorporation of SB 270 (2022) establishing the Electric Assistance Program Low Moderate Income Community Solar Program (EAP LMI Program); Municipal Host Group Net Metering as enabled through HB 315 (2021); SB 161 (2023) enabling certain housing projects to be considered eligible entities for LMI Community Solar Projects; SB 40 (2023) enabling certain hydroelectric generators to be customer generators as a matter of law; rule updates related to utility and host group administration; and other updates reflecting regulatory changes that occurred from 2019-2024. The Department will also consider certain recommendations of the Grid Modernization Advisory Group, included in its September 1, 2024, report titled Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection Cost Allocation: An Evaluation of Alternatives and Recommendations for Consideration.”
Next steps include:
- Interconnection working group technical session #2 scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on 1/9/25; session #3 scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on 2/20/25; session #4 scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on 4/10/25.
- Non-interconnection working group technical session #2 scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET on 1/14/25; session #3 scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET on 2/18/25; session #4 scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET on 4/10/25.
- Combined stakeholder meeting #2 scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on 5/22/25.
- Preliminary draft rule set due to NHDOE by 6/10/25; NHDOE finalized draft rules for filing with Office of Legislative Services (OLS) expected 9/15/25.
- Submission of initial proposed rules to OLS expected 10/1/25; OLS publication of Form IIC in Rulemaking Register expected 10/8/25. Public comment hearing scheduled for 10/28/25.
- Approval of final rules expected 4/6/26.
Final Proposal (12/24/2024)
NHDOE Proceeding No. RUL 2024-005 (Opened 09/24/2024)
