N.H. Includes Temporary Scrubber Costs in PSNH Default Service Rate

The New Hampshire PUC has approved a higher default service rate at Public Service of New Hampshire to reflect temporary authorization to collect costs related to the Merrimack Station Scrubber, pending further investigation.

Specifically, the PUC approved a temporary scrubber cost recovery rate of 0.98 cents per kWh.

The PUC also approved an adjustment in PSNH's current default service rate of 8.31 cents per kWh unrelated to the scrubber, reducing the rate to 7.77 cents per kWh.

As a result of both actions, the new default service rate is 8.75 cents per kWh, to be effective for service rendered on or after April 16, 2012.

"For clarity, we reiterate that upon the determination of the permanent rates attributable to the Scrubber addition, any under- or over-recovery will be reconciled back to the establishment of temporary rates ... The actual costs allowed to be recovered, as well as the time period during which those costs accrued for future recovery, will depend upon findings made at the conclusion of the permanent rate portion of this proceeding," the PUC said.