2026 Rate Update - Residential - New Hampshire Gas - Liberty
Liberty – New Hampshire Gas Rate Request Information
To continue strengthening and modernizing our natural gas system while providing safe, reliable service, Liberty filed a request with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (NHPUC) on July 30, 2026, seeking an increase to base distribution rates. The requested increase reflects necessary and prudent investments we've made over the past three years and will help support additional improvements in the years ahead.
Our last rate case was filed in 2023. Since then, we've invested more than $145 million to improve our natural gas system. These investments include replacing cast iron, bare steel, and other leak-prone pipes and service lines, making significant upgrades in our Southern Region, including a new take station, and investing in new technology to enhance customer service and strengthen cybersecurity.
As part of the filing, Liberty also requested temporary rates that would allow the company to earn the rate of return approved in the last distribution rate case while the NHPUC reviews the full request. If approved, temporary rates are expected to take effect on November 1 and would represent only a portion of the overall rate request. The review process is expected to take approximately 12 months, after which the NHPUC will determine final rates.
What does this mean?
For typical R-3 residential heating customers using 61 therms per month, the monthly bill impact of the requested temporary distribution rates would be an increase of approximately $5.96 per month. Proposed permanent distribution rates would result in an additional increase of approximately $20.00 per month. Bill impacts for commercial and industrial customers will vary. For information regarding the specific rates proposed for each class of service, click here.
Is assistance available?
Yes. We offer a variety of financial assistance programs for customers who are having trouble paying their bills. To learn more about the programs available and find the option that's right for you, click here. As part of the rate case, we are also proposing a new arrearage management program (AMP) for income-eligible customers. If approved, AMP will help reduce outstanding balances by providing arrearage forgiveness of up to $1,200 per year.
You may also be able to lower your natural gas usage, and potentially your bill, through our energy efficiency programs. Many of these programs are available at no cost. Learn more about our efficiency programs here.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are filing a rate request with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (NHPUC or Commission) to support necessary and prudent improvements to our system that will enhance safety and reliability of service, add value for our customers, and support a high-quality workforce.
The last full rate request was filed in 2023.
The NHPUC is ultimately responsible for establishing and approving the rates customers pay. We provide the NHPUC with full transparency into our financials, which indicate the overall costs to maintain a safe and reliable system in the coming years.
After we file a rate request, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (NHPUC) reviews our filing to determine whether the proposed rates are just and reasonable. As part of that process, we have requested temporary rates that would allow us to earn the rate of return approved in our last distribution rate case while the NHPUC reviews our full request. These temporary rates are based on costs incurred in 2025.
If approved, temporary rates are expected to take effect on November 1 and would represent only a portion of our overall rate request. The NHPUC will then continue reviewing our filing before making a final decision on the rates that will apply going forward. The overall review process is expected to take approximately 12 months.
If approved by the NHPUC, the temporary rate adjustment planned to take effect November 1, would increase an average residential heating customer bill (using 61 therms per month) by approximately $5.96 per month, or 3.8% based on current rates. If approved by the NHPUC, the permanent rate adjustment will increase a typical residential customer’s bill by an additional $20.00 per month, a 12.74% increase from the temporary rates. Permanent rates, if approved, will be retroactive effective November 1, 2026.
Yes, each Liberty customer has the right to participate in the rate case we have filed with the NHPUC. You may file written comments with the NHPUC, and, in some circumstances, you may have the right to participate as a full party to the rate case. The Commission has opened Docket No. DG 26-037 to consider our rate request. Documents associated with the rate case are available from the PUC’s virtual file room here. The NHPUC’s procedural rules are available here. The Office of the Consumer Advocate maintains a guide to public participation in NHPUC proceedings on its website.
Natural gas supply costs have risen dramatically in recent years, largely due to extreme weather events, wars overseas, supply and demand issues, and overall economic uncertainty. We contract with suppliers to purchase natural gas and pass those costs directly on to customers. We do not benefit from the cost of natural gas supply.
In the last three years, we have invested more than $145 million in our infrastructure through investments, initiated substantial system upgrades in our Southern Region, including the new Harvey Road Take Station, and invested in new technology to serve customers and increase cyber security.
As we look ahead, we plan to continue investing in system improvements through a distribution integrity management program and other efforts to enhance safety and reliability and add value for customers. We have also proposed a new arrearage management program and a fee-free credit card program to improve the customer experience.
We offer flexible payment options for residential and business customers, allowing additional time to spread past-due balances and make payments more manageable. We also work with our customers to resolve past-due balances and avoid the potential of disconnection. Learn more about available options here.
The state of New Hampshire also has several programs available to customers, including a Homeowners Assistance Fund, Fuel Assistance, Discount Rate, and a Neighbor Helping Neighbor Program. Click here for more information.
Part of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., Liberty is committed to providing safe and reliable natural gas, water, and electricity distribution services to over one million customer connections. Liberty’s utility operations are primarily located in the United States and Canada and have expanded to Chile and Bermuda. With a customer-centric approach to management, Liberty provides a superior customer experience through local management, conservation and energy efficiency initiatives, and programs for businesses and residential customers. We measure our performance in terms of service reliability, customer satisfaction, and an unwavering dedication to public and workplace safety. Liberty’s North American distribution operations include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma and Texas in the United States, and New Brunswick, Canada.
In New Hampshire, Liberty provides services to approximately 99,800 natural gas customers.
Key Investments Included in the Rate Request
Keeping your service safe, reliable, and cost-effective is at the forefront of our decision-making. We recognize the importance natural gas plays in your daily life and the important role we play in our community. Our rate request reflects a balance of these priorities, along with a commitment to adding valuable services and programs for our customers. While we do all we can to control costs for our customers, it is imperative that we make regular and prudent investments in our infrastructure and system.
In the past three years, we have:
- Invested more than $145 million in our infrastructure through investments such as the replacement of cast iron and other bare steel mains and service lines, as well as leak-prone pipes;
- Initiated substantial system upgrades in our Southern Region, including a new Harvey Road Take Station; and
- Invested in new technology to serve customers and increase cyber security.
Proposed Investments and Programs Moving Forward
Looking ahead, we are advancing a coordinated set of operational and capital initiatives that will strengthen system safety, reliability, supply resilience, and long-term performance. At a high level, these initiatives include:
- The continued retirement and replacement of cast iron, bare steel, and other leak-prone pipe as part of our broader pipeline integrity and safety program;
- Major supply and reliability enhancement projects, including station upgrades and new pipeline segments to address forecasted pressure and capacity needs in our Southern Region as well as supply constraints in our Northern Region;
- A new over-pressurization protection program that enhances safety through regulator stations, enhanced sensing capabilities in our system, and expanded SCADA monitoring, a combination of software and hardware used to gather data and monitor systems in the field remotely; and
- Key operational expenses like a gas safety excellence program supporting the safe and reliable operation of our gas distribution system and improving the long-term integrity and reliability of the gas system for customers.
Proposed Customer Programs
- In addition to the infrastructure upgrades, we are also proposing a new Arrearage Management Program for income-eligible customers that will help reduce outstanding balances by providing arrearage forgiveness of up to $1,200 per year.
- In addition, we are proposing to implement a fee-free credit and debit card, along with fee-free electronic check payment options.
Learn more about these past and future projects by visiting our infrastructure webpage.
Still Have Questions?
Should you have any additional questions about this rate request or any other matter concerning your electric service, please contact us at 800-375-7413.