PSNH's service territory will likely be open to competition sometime in early 2001. It may take some time for suppliers to enter the State and begin offering service to all types of customers. Consumers should not worry if they have not signed up with a competitive supplier by the time competition begins. The local utility will supply electricity, at the reduced rates mentioned earlier, to those homes and businesses who have not yet chosen a competitive supplier while consumers explore their options and learn about different companies. Residential and small business consumers will have just over two and half years, and large businesses over one and half years, before they need to make a choice.
Many customers are concerned about the environmental impacts of producing electricity.
Those interested should find out whether the electricity marketed is powered by fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas, and how much air pollution this creates, or instead by cleaner, more environmentally-friendly renewable resources such as wind, solar, hydro, and biomass. At a State House ceremony, the Governor hailed the progress made with the passage of this new law, under which customers can get full credit for any power they choose to generate from small-scale renewable energy generation installed on their homes or businesses. Net metering provides an incentive for home and business owners to install renewable energy systems that generate clean energy. A few utilities currently permit some form of net metering.