New Hampshire residents and businesses face some of the highest energy costs in the nation. Many customers – like those who live in rural and remote areas and low- to moderate-income customers – face uniquely high costs and persistent market barriers. Energy efficiency is a critical strategy to help residents and businesses in the state to lower their energy bills while supporting energy resilience and the local economy but there are several barriers to adoption.
Today, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships published a report that recommends policy and program actions to address market barriers and strengthen energy efficiency programs in the state. This report describes programmatic, legislative, and regulatory actions the state can take, through four pathways: supporting robust NHSaves energy efficiency programs, increasing access to residential weatherization, updating building codes and appliance standards, and prioritizing energy efficiency in utility regulatory reform.
The recommendations build on a long track record of energy efficiency in New Hampshire and identifies key opportunities. Since 2001, electric and gas utilities have offered statewide efficiency programs under the NHSaves brand. Planning and stakeholder engagement for the 2027-2029 Statewide Energy Efficiency Plan for NHSaves begin next month. This presents a timely opportunity for stakeholders interested in energy access and affordability, housing, workforce development, and system reliability to shape New Hampshire’s energy future.
The report is built on stakeholder feedback from groups working on the ground in the state and highlights how energy efficiency policy and program changes can significantly benefit residents and businesses. Investing in energy efficiency can lower bills for residents and businesses, support the local workforce and economy, and create cost-effective solutions for reliability, resilience, and flexibility of the energy system. in achieving the state’s energy availability and affordability goals. The entire ecosystem of stakeholders, from utilities to regulatory authorities, non-profits, and the legislature, has a part to play to help the New Hampshire realize these goals.
