CONCORD, N.H. - Today, Governor Kelly Ayotte called for the return of more than $1.5 billion to ratepayers across New England, including $150 million to New Hampshire, after more than a decade of transmission utilities overcharging consumers on their electric bills.

After 15 years of proceedings, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determined that New England's transmission utilities have been overcharging customers to the benefit of their shareholders. Transmission utilities own the regional grid that delivers power to consumers in New Hampshire and earn a rate of return on their investments determined by FERC. FERC's decision in Coakley v. Bangor Hydro-Elec. Co. reduced their profit margins and ordered them to refund $1.5 billion dollars to ratepayers across New England. Now, these utilities have challenged that refund, putting investors before ratepayers at a time when electric bills in New Hampshire and across the region are already too high.

"Granite Staters are paying way too much for electricity, and it's unacceptable that utilities would attempt to block relief for ratepayers after overcharging them for more than a decade," said Governor Ayotte. "New Hampshire joins our fellow New England states in calling for a rejection of this effort by utilities and the return of more than $150 million to ratepayers in our state. We'll continue working to lower electric bills and hold utilities accountable when they try to boost their bottom lines instead of focusing on keeping rates as low as possible."

On Thursday, July 2, New Hampshire's Department of Energy and Office of the Consumer Advocate joined other New England states in filing a motion to intervene to reject the appeal from utilities.

"New Hampshire's Department of Energy and Office of the Consumer Advocate have joined with energy offices across New England to return these dollars to their rightful place: the homes and businesses across the region who have been paying inflated transmission rates for 15 years," said Commissioner Jared Chicoine of the Department of Energy.

Governor Ayotte has made lowering Granite Staters' electric bills and reducing energy costs a critical priority of her administration:

• Nominated and confirmed a new Chairman at the Public Utilities Commission with affordability as a "top priority".
• Successfully pushed ISO New England to fast-track market rule changes to reduce unnecessary costs.
• Issued an Executive Order directing state energy leaders and stakeholders to develop a roadmap for next-generation nuclear power in New Hampshire.
• Joined New England Governors in a bipartisan commitment to foster next-generation nuclear and bring more energy to the region.
• Partnered with New England Governors in a letter urging FERC to reject a major profit increase for transmission utilities.