Unitil announced today that its New Hampshire electric distribution utility, Unitil Energy Systems, filed a base rate case with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) requesting approval to change distribution rates for all customers. This filing will be subject to comprehensive review by the Commission in a base rate case proceeding that may last up to a year or more. The Company’s last base rate case was filed in 2021.
The proposed rates are designed to provide revenues in support of the Company's increasing electric distribution system investments and operating costs, and include proposals for an arrears management program that would offer eligible customers additional assistance in paying past due balances and managing energy costs. The filing also includes a proposed multi-year rate plan, continuation of a revenue decoupling mechanism, and other rate design and tariff changes.
“Distribution rate cases ensure that the distribution portion of the bill accurately reflects all changes to the cost of providing service to customers since the last filing,” said Alec O’Meara, Director of External Affairs at Unitil. “Included costs are then reviewed thoroughly by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission to ensure any changes are prudent and in the public interest of delivering safe, reliable service to all affordably.”
If the rates are approved as filed, a residential electric customer on Default Service using an average of 600 kWh a month would see an increase of $11.23 per month, or 9.2 percent to monthly bills. Effects on individual customers will vary depending upon rate class and usage characteristics.
