Section 53-E:7 - Aggregation ProgramI. The governing body of a municipality or county may submit to its legislative body for adoption a final plan for an aggregation program or any revision to include an opt-out aggregation program, to be approved by a majority of those present and voting.II. Every electric aggregation plan and any revision of a plan to include an opt-out default service program shall be submitted to the commission, either before or after being submitted by the governing body to the legislative body for approval, to determine whether the plan conforms to the requirements of this chapter and applicable rules of the commission. The commission shall approve any plan submitted to it unless it finds that it does not meet the requirements of this chapter and other applicable rules and shall detail in writing addressed to the governing bodies of the municipalities or counties concerned, the specific respects in which the proposed plan substantially fails to meet the requirements of this chapter and applicable rules. Failure to disapprove a plan submitted hereunder within 60 days of its submission shall constitute approval thereof. A municipality or county may submit a plan that is revised to comply with applicable requirements at any time and start the review process over. Any plan submitted to the commission under this paragraph shall also be submitted on the same date to the office of the consumer advocate under RSA 363:28 and any electric distribution utility providing service within the jurisdiction of the municipality or county. The consumer advocate, utilities, and members of the public may file comments about such plans within the first 21 days of their submission. Commission review and approval of electric aggregation plans shall not require a contested case but shall allow time for submission and consideration of any such comments.III. If the plan is adopted or once adopted is revised to include an opt-out service, the municipality or county shall mail written notification to each retail electric customer within the municipality or county service area where such opt-out service is to be provided. If an electric aggregation program or energy service is offered only on an opt-in basis, mailing of written notification to each retail electric customer within the municipality or county service area shall not be required. Municipalities and counties shall post public notice of aggregation programs. To enable such mailed notification and notwithstanding RSA 363:38, after an aggregation plan is duly approved the electric distribution utility or utilities serving an adopting municipality or county shall provide to such municipality or county a current list of the names and mailing addresses of all electric customers taking distribution service within the municipality or county service area, and for such customers on utility provided default service, the account numbers and any other information necessary for successful enrollment in the aggregation. Notification shall include a description of the aggregation program, the implications to the municipality or county, and the rights and responsibilities that the participants will have under the program, and if provided on an opt-out basis, the fixed rate or charges that will apply. No retail electric customer shall be included in a program in which the customer does not know all of the rates or charges the customer may be subject to at least 30 days in advance and has the option, for a period of not less than 30 days from the date of the mailing, to opt out of being enrolled in such program, unless the customer affirmatively responds to the notification or requests in writing to be included in the program.IV. Within 15 days after notification of the plan has been sent to retail electric customers in the service area, a public information meeting to answer questions on the program shall be held.V. Services proposed to be offered by or through the aggregation shall be on an opt-in basis unless the adopted aggregation plan explicitly creates an opt-out alternative default energy service program where the rate or price is known at least 30 days in advance of its application and, for a period of not less than 30 days from the date notification is mailed, the customer has the opportunity to opt out of being enrolled in such program, by return postcard, website, or such additional means as may be provided. Customers who are on default service provided by an electric distribution utility shall be enrolled by the aggregator in an aggregation provided alternative default service if they do not elect to opt out. Customers opting out will instead remain on utility provided default service. Customers taking energy service from a competitive electricity supplier shall not be enrolled in any aggregation program, unless they voluntarily opt in.VI. New customers to the electric distribution utility after the notification mailing required by paragraph III shall initially be enrolled in utility provided default service unless the customer has relocated within a single utility's service area and is continuing service with a competitive supplier or a municipal or county aggregation program. Upon request of an aggregator, but not more frequently than monthly and notwithstanding RSA 363:38, the utility shall make available to each operating municipal aggregation, or county aggregation where there is no municipal aggregation, the names, account numbers, mailing addresses, and any other information necessary for successful enrollment in the aggregation of customers that are new to or then currently on electric distribution utility provided default service after they have provided the customer list for the initial customer mailing required by paragraph III and that are located within the aggregation service area. The aggregation shall periodically mail a written notification to such new customers that have not previously opted out of the aggregator's service and shall enroll them in the aggregation consistent with the opt-in or opt-out requirements of this paragraph and paragraph III.VII. Municipal aggregations shall take priority or precedence over any county aggregations and each such aggregation shall be responsible for assuring that customers are enrolled with the correct aggregation.VIII. Customers enrolled in a municipal- or county-provided default service shall be free to elect to transfer to utility provided default service or to transfer to a competitive electricity supplier with adequate notice in advance of the next regular meter reading by the distribution utility, in the same manner as if they were on utility provided default service or as approved by the commission. No such customer shall be required to pay any exit fee or charge for such transfer. Customers requesting transfer of supply service upon dates other than on the next available regular meter reading date may be charged an off-cycle meter reading and billing charge. Upon request of the customer the aggregator shall transfer the customer back to utility provided default service.IX. Once adopted, an aggregation plan and program may be amended and modified from time to time as provided by the governing body of the municipality or county. In all cases the establishment of an opt-out default service program shall be approved as provided in paragraphs I, II, and IV.X. The commission shall adopt rules, under RSA 541-A, to implement this chapter and, to the extent authorities granted to municipalities and counties by this chapter materially affect the interests of electric distribution utilities and their customers, to reasonably balance such interests with those of municipalities and counties for the public good, which may also be done through adjudicative proceedings to the extent specified or not addressed in rules. Such rules shall include but not be limited to rules governing the relationship between municipal and county aggregators and distribution utilities, metering, billing, access to customer data for planning and operation of aggregations, notice of the commencement or termination of aggregation services and products, and the reestablishment of a municipal or county aggregation that has substantially ceased to provide services. Where the commission has adopted rules or issued orders in conformity with this chapter, complaints pertaining to actions undertaken or omitted by any municipal or county aggregator or electric distribution utility arising under this chapter, applicable rules, or orders of the commission, shall be made to the department. Thereupon, the department shall cause a copy of said complaint to be forwarded to the municipal or county aggregator or electric distribution utility complained of, which may be accompanied by an order, requiring that the matters complained of be satisfied, or that the charges be answered in writing within a time to be specified by the department. If the charges are not satisfied and it shall appear to the department that there are reasonable grounds therefor, it shall investigate the same in such manner and by such means as it shall deem proper. After investigation, the department may bring proceedings on its own motion before the commission, with respect to any complaint or violation arising under this chapter, applicable rules, or orders of the commission. If the party bringing the complaint is unsatisfied with the disposition of the complaint by the department, then they may petition the commission to resolve the matter through an adjudicative proceeding. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, municipal and county aggregators shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the department for purposes of this paragraph. For non-residential ratepayers, the department shall docket and make public any received complaint. Complaints to the department and proceedings before the commission shall not be subject to RSA 541-A:29 or RSA 541-A:29-a.Amended by 2023, 85:2, eff. 6/20/2023.Amended by 2022 , 129: 1, eff. 7/26/2022.Amended by 2021 , 229: 9, eff. 10/25/2021.Amended by 2019 , 316: 4, eff. 10/1/2019.