Rainville v. Lakes Region Water Co., 163 N.H. 271

LRWC is a small, private water utility regulated by the PUC, serving Tamworth and other NH communities.
LRWC owned Tamworth Water Works; Well-004 was shut in 2004 for uranium above DES limits, later replaced by Well-005.
DES found uranium in Well-004 in 2007; LRWC severed Well-004 and restored acceptable water thereafter.
PUC staff investigated LRWC’s capacity and actions; AG was separately examining LRWC’s reconnection of Well-004.
Plaintiffs allege CPA violations from misrepresenting water safety and DES standards; LRWC sought CPA exemption under RSA 358-A:3.
Trial court split: exempt for rate-setting/rate-related claims; non-exempt for misrepresentation of water safety.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
CPA exemption applies to misrepresentation claims	Rainville argues misrepresentation about water safety falls outside exemption.	LRWC contends PUC-regulated trade is exempt under RSA 358-A:3, I.	Exemption applies; CPA claims about water quality misrepresentation barred.

Empire Automotive Group, 163 N.H. 144 (N.H. 2011) (bank commissioner jurisdiction limited to financing; not all trade of vehicles)
Averill v. Cox, 145 N.H. 328 (N.H. 2000) (regulatory exemption requires broad equivalence to CPA scope)
Backer v. Public Serv. Co. of N.H., 119 N.H. 356 (N.H. 1979) (ratemaking power generally limited; exemption interpretation broad)
Appeal of Pennichuck Water Works, 160 N.H. 18 (N.H. 2010) (PUC general supervisory authority over public utilities)
Ransmeier v. State, 161 N.H. 145 (N.H. 2010) (statutory construction principles for CPA exemptions)