House Votes to Table HB 1238

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted today to table HB 1238 by an overwhelming margin of 304-19. By tabling the bill, the House effectively is killing HB 1238 for now, though the issue could return later in the legislative session if the Science, Technology & Energy committee opts to amend a Senate bill. Stay tuned for future updates as the legislative session progresses as your help may be needed again.

For now, however, a great victory has been achieved in stopping this harmful legislation due in large part to the support and efforts of PSNH employees who placed hundreds of calls to House members over the past week and to the many business organizations and community leaders who supported our position.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication on this important issue. Today’s vote simply could not have happened without your support.

VIDEO: Employees Discuss the Impact of a Flawed Bill

House Bill 1238 threatens to force the sale of PSNH’s various power generation facilities, which have provided valuable and economic service to customers for many years. There are hundreds of PSNH employees who work directly at the plants, or in a close, supportive role. In this video, several of those employees share their perspective on what a forced sale of the power plants would mean.

Amendment to HB 1238

The House Science Technology Committee significantly amended HB 1238 yesterday and recommended the amended version of the bill as “ought to pass.” The amended version of the bill next will go to the full House of Representatives for a vote and, if passed, to the Senate for consideration.

The amendment to HB 1238 orders the PUC to study the divestiture of PSNH generation assets and gives the commission ultimate authority to force the sale or retirement of some or all of PSNH’s generation assets.

We believe the amended version of HB 1238 is as flawed and reckless as the original version of the bill. Members of the House Science Technology and Energy Committee failed to listen to the overwhelming opposition to this legislation from business and community leaders across New Hampshire, and PSNH employees. Please stay tuned for additional updates and action steps as the vote in the full House of Representatives approaches. Your support and help will be more important than ever in the coming days and weeks.

Important Update!

The House Science, Technology & Energy committee has been granted another month to work on HB 1238, after a request by Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Garrity to suspend the rules and extend the deadline on the bill.

It’s clear from this action that committee members are not listening to the overwhelming opposition to HB 1238 voiced by members of the business community, elected officials from communities across New Hampshire, and PSNH employees. 

We anticipate soon asking you to consider additional letters and calls to legislators to counter the aggressive behind the scenes lobbying campaign now underway by competitive suppliers and special interest groups in support of this reckless legislation.

Stay tuned for more information on next steps in the fight against HB 1238—and thank you for your support! 

A Look at PSNH's Power Plants

PSNH owns and operates a fleet of state-regulated power plants, jointly capable of generating 1,150 megawatts or power. The diverse fuel mix of this fleet includes: hydro, coal, biomass, natural gas, and oil. Together, the fleet offers PSNH customers a competitive, local choice for their energy source.