Upton & Hatfield, LLP announced today a favorable ruling from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission in a case handled by Justin C. Richardson, a partner in the firm’s Portsmouth office.
The Public Utilities Commission’s 30-page ruling came after four days of hearings in what the Commission described as a “contentious proceeding.” Mr. Richardson, a partner in the firm’s Energy and Utility Practice Group, became involved in the case after regulators filed testimony recommending the Company be sold or placed in receivership and its proposed rates reduced.
The Commission’s ruling found the regulators’ recommendation was “more punitive than constructive” in light of the Company’s financial condition and authorized rates above the levels proposed by the regulators. The Commission further denied the recommendation to sell the Company or place it into receivership, recognizing that it had its “customers’ best interest in mind, and is doing [its] best to respond to a difficult situation.” The Commission authorized a surcharge allowing the Company to hire additional staff.