§ 374:3-c — Off-Grid Electricity Provider

I. In this section:
(a) "Off-grid electricity provider" means an entity, person, private company, electric cooperative, municipal agency, or otherwise, that engages in any combination of generating, transmitting, distributing, or selling electricity at retail to consumers; is not connected to any existing electric transmission or distribution system within the state for either primary or backup supply, operates independently of existing utilities and other regulated entities, is not located within or crosses any federal, state, or municipal roadway or right-of-way, or crosses state boundaries. Off-grid electricity providers are not public utilities.
(b) "Begins operations" means the date on which the off-grid electricity provider first generates, transmits, distributes, or sells electricity within the state.
II. An off-grid electricity provider that begins operations on or after the effective date of this section shall be exempt from RSA Title XXXIV. Each off-grid electricity provider shall remain subject to all other applicable laws and regulations, such as municipal and state highway safety regulations, and RSA 162-H, unless specifically excluded from those laws or regulations by a separate act.
III. At any time, if an off-grid electricity provider elects to connect to any portion of an existing electric transmission or distribution system within the state for either primary or backup supply, locates within or crosses any federal, state, or municipal roadway or right-of-way, or crosses state boundaries, it shall cease being an "off-grid electricity provider" and immediately become subject to the provisions of RSA Title XXXIV.

Legislative History

2025, 285:1, eff. Aug. 1, 2025.