Eversource NH Rate Hike Hearings and Unitil Request
The New Hampshire PUC scheduled hearings on Eversource electric rate increases in 2026 while Unitil pursued a separate delivery rate request. Medical cannabis Alternative Treatment Centers should track delivery cases separately from default service under-recovery and competitive supply options.
By Jason Taken, Founder, Jaken Energy
Updated September 12, 2026PUC hearings on Eversource increases
The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission prepared public hearings on Eversource electric rate increase proposals in 2026, amid broader NH electricity price controversy [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. NHPR coverage placed the hearings in context of ** statewide bill pressure** affecting residential and business customers [nh-puc-hearings-2026].
Exact revenue requirements and class allocations should be verified on the PUC electric rates page as filings update [nh-puc-rates-page]. This post tracks process and bill structure, not a final granted percentage.
Unitil pursued a separate rate request in the same general timeframe [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Unitil accounted for about $3 million of the $50 million default service under-collection reported through April 2026 [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026].
Delivery hearings vs default service resets
New Hampshire stacks two different mechanisms in 2026:
| Mechanism | What it changes | Recent context |
|---|---|---|
| Default service reset (Feb/Aug) | Energy supply price | ~$50M under-recovery [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026] |
| Delivery rate case | Wires, transformers, demand tariffs | Eversource/Unitil hearings [nh-puc-hearings-2026] |
Medical Alternative Treatment Centers with high kW feel delivery cases through demand charges even when supply is on Community Power.
Read our NH under-recovery post for August 1, 2026 default service reconciliation. Rate hike hearings address longer-lived delivery revenue, not the same docket.
What small NH cannabis operators should track
New Hampshire remains medical-only at the state level; ATCs are often small commercial accounts but can carry industrial-level kW when flower rooms energize.
Monitor:
- PUC hearing notices for Eversource and Unitil [nh-puc-hearings-2026]
- Default service rates on Feb/Aug resets [nh-puc-rates-page]
- Community Power municipal enrollment if your town participates [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026]
- Delivery demand when expanding canopy under ATC licenses
See New Hampshire cultivation facility energy for load planning.
Worked example: delivery vs supply on an ATC
Inputs we chose.
| Bucket | Illustrative rate | 60,000 kWh, 280 kW |
|---|---|---|
| Default/CP supply | 17.0¢/kWh | $10,200 |
| Delivery energy | 4.5¢/kWh | $2,700 |
| Delivery demand | $18/kW × 280 kW | $5,040 |
| Total | $17,940 |
If PUC grants 8% delivery increase (illustrative hearing outcome) [nh-puc-hearings-2026]:
- Delivery subtotal $7,740 × 8% ≈ +$619/month
- Supply unchanged unless default reset also moves
Shopping supply does not cap delivery outcomes from hearings [nh-puc-hearings-2026].
Competitive supply during rate cases
Retail and Community Power options remain available under NH switching rules. During hearings:
- Compare fixed offers to default service net of known reconciliations [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026]
- Read understanding your commercial utility bill to isolate Energy Service vs Delivery
- Avoid evergreen contracts that auto-renew into unknown post-order tariffs
Eversource Massachusetts basic service at 17.32¢ shows ISO-NE supply pressure across the region see MA August 2026 post.
Takeaway
Eversource NH rate hike hearings and Unitil's parallel request are delivery proceedings distinct from default service under-recovery [nh-puc-hearings-2026] [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026].
Medical ATC operators should watch PUC calendars, compare supply options on forward pricing, and model demand growth against delivery outcomes that supply shopping cannot erase.
NHPR hearing context
NHPR placed Eversource hearings in statewide affordability debate [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Medical-only cannabis limits operator count, but ATCs are high-intensity C&I accounts regulators notice in class average testimony.
Unitil territory operators
Unitil serves capital region pockets distinct from Eversource default paths [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. $3M under-collection is smaller than Eversource $38M but still moves Unitil default resets [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026].
Delivery vs supply legal distinction
RSA restructuring separated default energy service from distribution [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026 context]. Hearings on delivery revenue do not automatically fix proxy pricing on supply; operators need two advocacy tracks.
Comment period mechanics
When PUC publishes hearing schedules, C&I customers may file written comments without attorney representation [nh-puc-rates-page]. Focus comments on demand ratchets affecting post-harvest HVAC, not residential hardship framing alone.
Medical ATC expansion planning
NH medical license expansions adding flower rooms trigger service upgrades concurrent with rate cases [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Upgrade deposits plus interim rate riders stress Q3 cash if mistimed.
PUC electric rates page
Verify filed revenue requirements on the NH PUC electric rates portal as hearings conclude [nh-puc-rates-page]. NHPR coverage summarizes politics; tariff sheets carry C&I demand math [nh-puc-hearings-2026].
Under-collection parallel
Eversource ~$38M, Liberty ~$9M, and Unitil ~$3M under-collections through April 30, 2026 sit alongside delivery rate hearings [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026] [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Medical ATC finance should stress test bills where both mechanisms increase year-over-year [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026].
Liberty default volatility
Liberty's illustrated ~21¢ default move shows how deferred recovery compresses into single reset windows [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026]. Unitil hearings add delivery pressure on top [nh-puc-hearings-2026] [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026].
Medical ATC load profile
Alternative Treatment Centers often run 12/12 flower with high dehumidification. August default resets coincide with peak kWh, amplifying under-recovery catch-up [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026] [nh-oca-rate-check].
February and August reset calendar
Default service still resets February 1 and August 1 independent of delivery hearings [nh-puc-rates-page]. Stack both calendars on Gantt charts for 2026–2027 budgeting [nh-puc-hearings-2026].
NHPR hearing context and statewide affordability
NHPR placed Eversource rate hike hearings in a statewide affordability debate affecting residential and business customers [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. New Hampshire remains medical-only for cannabis, but Alternative Treatment Centers can draw industrial kW when 12/12 flower rooms run dehumidification at scale [nh-puc-hearings-2026].
Written C&I comments may focus on demand ratchets and post-harvest HVAC, not only residential hardship narratives, when PUC publishes schedules on the NH PUC electric rates page [nh-puc-rates-page].
Unitil capital region parallel proceedings
Unitil pursued a separate electric rate request alongside Eversource in 2026 [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Unitil accounted for about $3 million of the $50 million default under-collection through April 2026, smaller than Eversource ~$38 million but still moving Unitil default resets [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026].
Capital region ATCs on Unitil should stack delivery hearing outcomes, August default recovery, and Community Power options on one calendar [nh-oca-rate-check].
RSA restructuring: delivery hearings versus proxy supply
New Hampshire restructuring law separated default energy service from distribution [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026]. 2026 rate hike hearings address delivery revenue including wires and transformers [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Proxy pricing on default supply is a different docket family covered in our NH under-recovery post [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026].
Medical operators need two advocacy tracks: supply procurement (Community Power, retail, default) and delivery tariffs (hearings). Shopping supply does not cap PUC-granted delivery increases [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. See New Hampshire cultivation facility energy and understanding your commercial utility bill.
Medical ATC expansion and Q3 cash stress
NH medical license expansions adding flower rooms trigger service upgrades concurrent with rate cases [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Upgrade deposits plus interim delivery riders stress Q3 cash if mistimed with August default recovery [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026] [nh-oca-rate-check].
Liberty default volatility parallel
Liberty's illustrated ~21 cents default move shows how deferred recovery compresses into single reset windows [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026]. Unitil hearings add delivery pressure on top [nh-puc-hearings-2026] [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026].
Community Power C&I enrollment check
If your Community Power municipality enrolls C&I accounts, confirm whether program rates include the same delivery riders discussed in Unitil filings [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026]. Supply-only savings do not cap delivery outcomes from hearings [nh-puc-hearings-2026].
ISO-NE regional context
Eversource Massachusetts basic service at 17.32 cents shows ISO-NE supply pressure across the region see MA August 2026 post. NH default and delivery stack local policy on the same wholesale grid [nh-puc-hearings-2026] [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026].
PUC hearing participation for C&I customers
When the PUC publishes hearing schedules, C&I customers may submit written comments without attorney representation [nh-puc-rates-page] [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Focus on demand ratchets affecting post-harvest HVAC and security load separate from cultivation lighting [nh-puc-hearings-2026].
Evergreen contracts during unknown post-order tariffs
Avoid evergreen auto-renew supply contracts that roll into unknown post-order delivery tariffs after hearings conclude [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Read contract fine print and align notice windows with PUC decision calendars [nh-puc-rates-page] [nh-oca-rate-check].
Under-recovery stack on Eversource ATC meters
Eversource ~$38 million default under-collection through April 2026 stacks with delivery hearing outcomes on the same ATC meter [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026] [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Model year-over-year bills assuming both mechanisms increase before 2027 [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026] [nh-oca-rate-check].
February and August default calendar alongside hearings
Default service resets February 1 and August 1 independent of delivery hearing schedules [nh-puc-rates-page] [nh-oca-rate-check]. Stack both calendars on 2026–2027 Gantt charts so ATC finance does not treat hearing outcomes and default recovery as one event [nh-puc-hearings-2026] [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026].
Security and cultivation load on separate panels
Some ATCs split security and cultivation across meters or panels. Delivery demand may ratchet on the cultivation meter even when security load is modest [nh-puc-hearings-2026]. Map coincident peak contributors before PUC comments on demand charge design [nh-puc-rates-page] [nh-puc-hearings-2026].
Medical ATC operators should watch PUC calendars, compare supply options on forward pricing, and model demand growth against delivery outcomes that supply shopping cannot erase [nh-puc-hearings-2026] [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026] [nh-oca-rate-check]. Download class-specific tariff PDFs after each PUC order rather than scaling residential hearing quotes to ATC meters [nh-puc-rates-page] [nh-puc-hearings-2026].
Eversource NH rate hike hearings and Unitil's parallel request are delivery proceedings distinct from default service under-recovery [nh-puc-hearings-2026] [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026]. Medical ATC operators should watch PUC calendars, compare supply on forward pricing, and model demand growth against delivery outcomes [nh-puc-hearings-2026] [nh-oca-rate-check]. Read New Hampshire switching guidance alongside NH under-recovery post for default versus delivery timing [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026] [nh-puc-rates-page]. ISO-NE regional supply pressure shown in Massachusetts basic service adds context for NH default resets even when delivery hearings dominate headlines [nh-puc-hearings-2026].
Frequently asked questions
Is Eversource NH seeking a delivery rate increase in 2026?
The New Hampshire PUC scheduled public hearings on Eversource rate increase proposals in 2026. Confirm the filed revenue requirement and class impacts on the PUC electric rates page as orders publish.
Did Unitil also file for higher rates?
Unitil pursued its own electric rate request in parallel PUC proceedings in 2026. Unitil default service under-collection was about $3 million through April 2026 per Community Power NH.
Can medical cannabis ATCs switch supply in New Hampshire?
Eligible commercial accounts may choose competitive suppliers or Community Power where available. Delivery charges remain with Eversource, Liberty, or Unitil.
How is this different from default service under-recovery?
Under-recovery adjusts default energy service reconciliation. Rate hike hearings address utility delivery revenue requirements including distribution and related costs.
When should ATCs intervene or comment?
C&I customers with high demand may file comments or participate through counsel when PUC notices publish hearing dates. Confirm procedural deadlines on the PUC site.
Related reading
- New Hampshire Cannabis Cultivation Facility Energy: ATC Caps, Winter Heat, and Eversource GV Demand
NH indoor grow power: three nonprofit ATC operators, 7,449 heating degree days, Eversource GV/LG demand, worked example at 21.22 cents/kWh.
- How to Switch Electricity Suppliers in New Hampshire: A Step-by-Step Guide for Cannabis Businesses
NH supplier switching for medical ATC accounts on Eversource, Unitil, Liberty, and NHEC: default service, enrollment, RSA 374-F rules.
- NH Utilities Under-Recovered $50M on Default Service August 2026 Reset
NH utilities under-collected ~$50M on default service by April 2026. Eversource $38M, Liberty $9M, Unitil $3M. August 1 reset hit harder for default customers.
- Understanding Your Commercial Utility Bill (Line-Item Breakdown)
Supply vs delivery, customer charge, distribution demand, transmission, capacity, riders, power factor, and taxes, with an annotated sample bill for a grow.
- Eversource and National Grid Basic Service August 2026 Increase
Eversource basic service hit 17.32¢/kWh and National Grid 17.19¢/kWh Aug 1, 2026. MA cultivators should compare supply before riding default.
Jason Taken founded Jaken Energy, the commercial energy procurement practice behind this site. He works with licensed cannabis operators in deregulated electricity markets to lower supply rates, manage demand charges, and evaluate efficiency upgrades.
Sources
Inline citations in this article, such as [nh-puc-hearings-2026], refer to the entries below. Links open the primary source in a new tab.
- [nh-puc-hearings-2026]PUC preps hearings on Eversource rate hikes — New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission / NHPR coverage. Accessed 2026-09-12.
- [nh-puc-rates-page]Electric rates — New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. Accessed 2026-09-12.
- [nh-cpcnh-undercollection-2026]Utility Supply Rates Have Fallen $50 Million Short of Actual Costs — Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire. Accessed 2026-09-12.
- [nh-oca-rate-check]Electric customers: check your rate now — New Hampshire Office of the Consumer Advocate. Accessed 2026-09-12.