New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission Frequently Asked Questions
This section of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission website is intended to provide objective answers to questions frequently asked by our citizens about the NH PUC.
Nothing on these pages should be considered legal advice and none of the information is intended to take the place of legal counsel.
What does the NH PUC do?
The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates New Hampshire’s registered utilities and governs the rates that consumers pay for Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Sewer, and Telecommunications (Limited) to ensure that New Hampshire’s customers of regulated utilities receive safe, adequate, and reliable service at just and reasonable rates. Learn more about us
How do I participate and where do reports get filed, to the NH Public Utilities Commission or the NH Department Of Energy?
Review the NH PUC Practice Guide for the most up to date information on participating in proceedings before the Commission.
Learn more about how The New Hampshire Department of Energy promotes and coordinates energy policies and programs in the state.
Where can I find competitive suppliers?
Please refer to the New Hampshire Department of Energy website for more information related to competitive suppliers.
How can I find out information about a certain Commission docket?
All docket, related information and proceedings of interest can be found in the document library.
I want to participate in a proceeding. What do I need to do?
To assist those who are unfamiliar with the Commission’s procedures please view the NH PUC Practice Guide.
How do I add my name to the service list?
Please review the NH PUC Practice Guide and contact us accordingly.
How do I file a confidential filing?
Please review the NH PUC Practice Guide and contact us accordingly.
Will an order be issued soon?
All information on upcoming events for the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission is found on the Public Utilities Commission Calendar. If you have further questions, please contact us.
How do I obtain historical documents that aren't available on the NH PUC website?
For historical documents please contact us. For further information please contact the New Hampshire Division of Archives & Records Management.
Does the Public Utilities Commission have a customer service line?
Please review The NH Public Utilities Commission FAQs first, and for further questions not answered please contact us.
Can I view a hearing remotely?
All participants will be expected to appear in person at a hearing, unless a written request for a particular individual to appear remotely, which explains why he or she is unable to participate in person has been filed with the Commission's Clerk's Office no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing date. Learn more
How can I lower my utility bill?
Learn more about new services and program information on energy issues or about your utility service.
Learn more about assistance programs and resources available.
Why is my cost of my utility service so high?
Learn more about new services and program information on energy issues or about your utility service.
For further utility service cost questions not resolved by your utility provider contact The New Hampshire Department of Energy Consumer Services Division.
Who do I contact If need help understanding my utility bill?
For questions related to utility bills, please contact your utility provider. For further utility service cost questions not resolved by your utility provider contact The New Hampshire Department of Energy Consumer Services Division.
What is the customer service number for my utility?
Please review you most recent utility bill.
For your convenience, please view the list of residential energy suppliers registered with The NH Department of Energy.
Who do I contact for disconnections and billing questions?
Please contact your utility service provider.
For your convenience, please view the list of residential energy suppliers registered with The NH Department of Energy.
Why does it cost so much to deliver electricity to my home?
Learn more about of new services and program information on energy issues or about your utility service.
For further utility service cost questions contact The NH Department Of Energy Consumer Services Division.
I have a power outage. Who should I call?
- For emergencies dial 911
- Your utility service provider
- NH Department of Energy Consumer Services Division
Where do I go for some comparison shopping for electricity supplier rates?
- While there is only one utility that can deliver the electricity you use to your home or business, you have choices when it comes to who supplies you with the electricity you use. There are many companies - called competitive energy suppliers - registered to supply energy to your home or business.
- The NH Department of Energy website lists all the competitive energy suppliers doing business in New Hampshire. Learn more
- A comparison of the products and prices offered by competitive energy suppliers is also available. Learn more
Who do I contact for safety concerns?
- For emergencies dial 911
- The New Hampshire Department of Energy Division of Enforcement primarily provides support to other divisions within the Department of Energy and externally to other state agencies in subject matters of Underground Damage Prevention, Pipeline Safety, Electrical Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Physical and Cyber Security, Geographic Information Systems, Audit and Investigation. Learn more
Who do I contact for telephone poles and downed wires?
- For emergencies dial 911
- The New Hampshire Department of Energy Division of Enforcement primarily provides support to other divisions within the Department of Energy and externally to other state agencies in subject matters of Underground Damage Prevention, Pipeline Safety, Electrical Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Physical and Cyber Security, Geographic Information Systems, Audit and Investigation. Learn more
Who do I contact for dig-safe questions?
For emergencies dial 911
New Hampshire is served by Dig Safe System, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation located in Wilmington, Massachusetts which also services the states of Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont as a Clearinghouse Center. Excavators are not charged for use of the system.
The notification procedure is initiated by one of two methods:
- Dial 811 or 888-DIG-SAFE® – Monday through Friday (except holidays) From 6 am to 6 pm.
- During off- hours, only emergency notifications are processed Exactix
Who do I contact for solar questions?
The NH Department of Energy provides an overview of important items to consider as you think about installing solar and additional solar related information and resources. Learn more
Who do I contact for community aggregation questions?
Contact information for the provision of notices by a community power aggregation committee or community power aggregation plan to electric utilities and to the Department of Energy is provided on the NH Department of Energy's website.
Who do I contact for Net metering questions?
- Net Metering and Group Net Metering are enabled through NH RSA 362-A and outlined in the NH Administrative 900 rules.
- More information for each program is available on the NH Department of Energy's website.
What does the NH Department of Energy do?
The New Hampshire Department of Energy was created by the NH legislature to promote and coordinate energy policies and programs in the state. Learn more
What does the NH Office of the Consumer Advocate do?
The NH Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) is an independent state agency with statutory responsibility to represent residential customers of New Hampshire’s regulated public utilities that provide electric, natural gas or water services. Learn more
What does the NH Site Evaluation Committee do?
The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) was established by the legislature for the review, approval, monitoring and enforcement of compliance in the planning, siting, construction and operation of energy facilities. Learn more
What does the ISO-New England do?
Independent System Operator New England (ISO-NE) is the independent, not-for-profit company authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to perform three critical, complex, interconnected roles for the region spanning Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and most of Maine. Together, these three responsibilities help protect the health of the region’s economy and the well-being of its people by ensuring the constant availability of competitively priced wholesale electricity. Learn more
What does the New England Power Pool do?
Since 2005, New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) has served as new England’s independent, FERC-approved stakeholder advisory group on all matters relating to the competitive wholesale market rules and transmission tariff design.
The NEPOOL stakeholder forum is designed to identify areas of consensus and resolve issues where possible, while defining, narrowing and clarifying issues or concerns where consensus is not achieved through the give and take of the NEPOOL process. Learn more
What does the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission do?
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) assists consumers in obtaining reliable, safe, secure, and economically efficient energy services at a reasonable cost through appropriate regulatory and market means, and collaborative efforts.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. FERC also reviews proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines as well as licensing hydropower projects. Learn more