Consumer Electric Natural Gas Telecom Water

Standing up for fair residential utility rates since 1981.

The Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) is an independent state agency with statutory responsibility dictated by RSA 363.28. The OCA represents residential customers of New Hampshire's regulated utilities - electric, natural gas, telephone and water. The OCA is authorized to participate on behalf of residential consumer interests in proceedings before the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and other state regulators, federal regulators and in the courts. The OCA's mission is to advocate for reasonably priced, safe and reliable utility services.

While interested in patterns of rate or service problems, the OCA is not authorized to represent individuals in complaints with utilities. Rather, the Consumer Affairs Division of the PUC mediates individual complaints about regulated utilities.

The Office staff consists of the Consumer Advocate (Meredith A. Hatfield), Assistant Consumer Advocate (Kenneth E. Traum), Staff Attorney (Rorie E.P. Hollenberg), Utility Analyst (Stephen R. Eckberg) and Legal Assistant (Christina Martin). In addition, a statutorily authorized Advisory Board appointed by the Governor and certain legislative leaders gives the OCA policy guidance.

The OCA is a member of the National Association of State Utilities Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), an association of 44 consumer advocates in 42 states and the District of Columbia. We have members in the Consumer Protection, Telecommunications, Electricity, Natural Gas, Economics and Finance Committee.

For more information on the Office, a copy of our July 1, 2005-June 30, 2007 Biennial Report is available here. We encourage and appreciate any comments or suggestions that you may have.

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