Nick Gosling

Dear Chairperson and Members of the House Science, Technology & Energy Committee, My name is Nicholas Gosling, and I am a resident of Bristol, New Hampshire. Today, I write in strong support of HB 760, a bill that ensures a fair and competitive energy marketplace in our state, preventing anti-competitive cost shifts that stifle consumer choice and drive up prices. New Hampshire has long championed the principles of free markets and competition. However, the current structure of our energy system has allowed monopoly utilities to socialize certain costs onto customers who choose competitive suppliers, including Community Power Aggregations (CPAs). This practice undermines fair market principles and makes it more difficult for residents like myself to benefit from lower energy rates and innovative energy solutions. HB 760 addresses this issue by: - **Preventing the socialization of losses**: Ensuring that costs incurred by customers using default utility supply are not shifted onto those who have chosen competitive suppliers. This protects consumers who opt for market-based solutions from unfairly subsidizing monopoly providers. - **Ensuring transparent rate structures**: Requiring that any over- or under-collections in utility supply costs be recovered from the same customer class that incurred them, preventing hidden cost shifts that disadvantage ratepayers seeking alternative energy options. - **Promoting true competition**: By holding monopoly utilities accountable for their own supply costs, this bill helps level the playing field, allowing CPAs and competitive suppliers to offer residents and businesses better choices for cleaner, more affordable electricity. This legislation is particularly important for the economic health of our communities. By strengthening competition, HB 760 empowers local entities to negotiate better rates and expand access to renewable energy options. More choices in the energy marketplace mean lower costs for families and small businesses, increased innovation, and enhanced grid resilience. HB 760 is a crucial step in achieving that goal, ensuring that our electricity market remains fair, competitive, and accessible to all Granite Staters. I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 760 and vote **Ought to Pass** to uphold the principles of competition and consumer protection in our state’s energy sector. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Nicholas Gosling Bristol, NH nicholas.gosling@gmail.com