Governor Calls for Immediate Return of $150 Million to Ratepayers

CONCORD, NH - Today, Governor Kelly Ayotte sent a letter to Eversource, Unitil, and National Grid calling for the immediate return of money overcharged by these companies on Granite Staters' electric bills.

Governor Ayotte previously joined fellow New England Governors in calling on utilities to return the more than $1.5 billion in overcharges to ratepayers across the region, including $150 million to New Hampshire. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ordered the returns after determining that New England's transmission utilities have been overcharging customers to the benefit of their shareholders for a decade.

"Transmission utilities have overcharged Granite Staters to boost their bottom lines, and they continue to delay the return of this money at a time when families are struggling," said Governor Ayotte. "I am calling on Eversource, Unitil, and National Grid to immediately refund the $150 million that is owed. It is beyond time for the utility companies to do the right thing and put that money back in the pockets of Granite Staters."

Read the Governor's full letter to the utility companies.

In addition to calling for the return of this money, 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.