Effort to Expand Energy Efficiency Opportunities Passes New Hampshire Senate

March 14, 2019

Contacts: Sara Persechino

Phone: (603) 271-3479

Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us

CONCORD, NH—Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted 14-10 to pass SB 122, which requires the Public Utilities Commission to allocate all funds generated through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative program to go to fund energy efficiency projects. Currently, New Hampshire statute requires that all but the first dollar of each RGGI proceed be rebated to retail ratepayers. SB 122 also redirects the allocation of the RGGI proceeds, requiring at least 35% of the funds to be spent on low-income utility core energy efficiency programs. Starting on January 1, 2020, up to $5,000,000 will be spent annually on municipal and school district energy efficiency programs.

Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) prime sponsor of SB 122, released the following statement after the vote:

“In our work to combat climate change, New Hampshire’s single best tool is energy efficiency. While other New England states have devoted their entire RGGI auction proceeds to energy efficiency projects, New Hampshire has fallen behind. Current statute underfunds New Hampshire energy efficiency programs, leading to long wait lists for energy audits and weatherization projects. SB 122 will not only help reverse this trend by allocating 100% of the so-called RGGI auction proceeds into energy efficiency projects but will also significantly reducing energy costs for industry, businesses, and residential customers through offering them a substantial increase to fund specific energy efficiency projects. In so doing, the state helps control energy consumption and demand, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and benefit property taxpayers.”