Liberty Utilities Says It Needs Rate Increase To Improve Modernization

By PAULA TRACY, InDepth NH

CONCORD, NH — Liberty Utilities said to continue strengthening and modernizing its natural gas system in New Hampshire, it needs an increase in rates from its more than 100,000 customers.

Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, D-NH, sought and successfully received permission from the state’s Public Utilities Commission to intervene on behalf of her District 2 constituents last week in Liberty’s rate increase request. She said the increase of more than 16 percent could cost the average customer an additional $26 a month in a state that already has some of the highest utility bills.

In a story that appeared in InDepthNH.org, attempts to reach Liberty were not immediately successful. But the company did respond last Friday afternoon to explain that the rate increase is needed and provided a statement.

Liberty filed a request with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission on July 30, 2026, seeking an increase to its 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,” the company said in a statement.

Its 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,” the statement added.

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.

The company said it will offer a variety of financial assistance programs for customers who are having trouble paying their bills.

Customers may also be able to lower natural gas usage, and potentially their bill, through our energy efficiency programs, the company said.

“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,” the statement says. “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.”

People with questions about this rate request can call 1-800-833-4200.

Liberty serves 35 cities and towns in New Hampshire, mostly in the south and western areas of the state.

With New Hampshire offices in Tilton, Concord, Lebanon and Keene, Liberty Utilities provides service to 1.2 million customer locations in North America, according to its website. The PUC docket in the case is numbered DG 26-037.

With her petition now granted, Goodlander will be allowed to advocate for the interests of constituents and communities across New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District as the Commission considers Liberty’s requested rate increase, capital investments, and recovery of those costs from ratepayers.

Goodlander has pressed the company for answers since convening local officials, developers, businesses, and other stakeholders in the Lakes Region on April 7 to examine Liberty’s refusal to connect new customers in Franklin and surrounding communities. It is a policy she claims has stalled housing and economic development.

“Granite Staters are already getting crushed by the high cost of energy, and they deserve to know that every dollar they are being asked to pay is necessary and that Liberty is making the investments it needs to reliably serve our communities,” said Goodlander.

“For months, I’ve been demanding answers from Liberty on behalf of families, small businesses, and communities that have been left in the dark about whether they can count on the natural gas service they need. Now Liberty is asking its customers to pay more. I’m seeking to intervene in this case because Granite Staters deserve affordability, transparency, and accountability, and I will leave no stone unturned in fighting for them.”

Goodlander is facing a re-election bid and won the Democratic primary last week over Paige Beauchemin.

Goodlander will face Lily Tang Williams, the Republican winner of the primary, in a rematch of the 2024 race this November in the general election.

This story was originally published by InDepth NH.