Senator Hassan Introduces Bill to Create National Study on Net Metering

Legislation Would Provide Guidance to Establish and Expand Net Metering Programs to Support Growing Clean Energy Industry and Help Lower Energy Bills for Hard-Working Granite Staters 

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan today introduced the National Evaluation of Techniques for Making Energy Technologies more Effective and Resilient (NET METER) Act to create a national study on net metering to guide states interested in starting a net metering program or expanding an existing program.

Net metering allows consumers and businesses who generate some or all of their own electricity, particularly through wind and solar energy technology, to be compensated for the excess energy that they provide to the electric grid and other customers.  

“Net metering plays a critical role in helping build a more innovative, affordable, and cleaner energy future for New Hampshire and for the country by helping lower the energy bills of hard-working Granite Staters and Americans and increasing energy independence,” Senator Hassan said. "To help establish or expand existing net metering programs, I am proud to introduce the NET METER Act, which will provide valuable guidance and insight to states working to transition to more affordable, reliable clean energy and to combat climate change. I will continue working to move this measure forward and to support our growing clean energy industry that’s critical to spurring economic development and building a cleaner environment in which all of our people and businesses can thrive.”

The NET METER Act directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to review the opportunities and challenges associated with net metering, which would conclude with a report. By establishing a national study on net metering, the legislation will assist policymakers and industry experts as they make decisions about investments around implementing net metering programs or expanding existing ones.

Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Bernie Sanders (D-VT) joined Senator Hassan in introducing the NET METER Act. Representatives Tony Cardenas (CA-29) and Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

As Governor of New Hampshire, Senator Hassan pushed for and signed a law raising the state's cap on net metering to meet the growing demand for solar energy from homeowners and businesses.

See here for the bill text.

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