HB 175 – AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
04Jan2006… 0123h
2005 SESSION
03/10
HOUSE BILL 175
AN ACT relative to divestiture of PSNH generation assets, establishing an energy policy task force, and establishing a fund for the costs of the energy policy task force.
SPONSORS: Rep. Maxfield, Merr 6
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
This bill extends the prohibition on the divestiture of PSNH generation assets to June 30, 2008 and establishes an energy policy task force. This bill also establishes for the costs of the energy policy task force.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
04Jan2006… 0123h
05-0393
03/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five
AN ACT relative to divestiture of PSNH generation assets, establishing an energy policy task force, and establishing a fund for the costs of the energy policy task force.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Divestiture of PSNH Generation Assets. Amend RSA 369-B:3-a to read as follows:
369-B:3-a Divestiture of PSNH Generation Assets. The sale of PSNH fossil and hydro generation assets shall not take place before [April 30, 2006] June 30, 2008. Notwithstanding RSA 374:30, subsequent to [April 30, 2006] June 30, 2008, PSNH may divest its generation assets if the commission finds that it is in the economic interest of retail customers of PSNH to do so, and provides for the cost recovery of such divestiture. Prior to any divestiture of its generation assets, PSNH may modify or retire such generation assets if the commission finds that it is in the public interest of retail customers of PSNH to do so, and provides for the cost recovery of such modification or retirement.
2 Energy Policy Task Force.
I. There is established an energy policy task force.
II. The members of the task force shall be as follows:
(a) Five members of the house of representatives, at least 2 of whom shall be members of the legislative oversight committee on electric utility restructuring, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Five members of the senate, at least 2 of whom shall be members of the legislative oversight committee on electric utility restructuring, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) Three members appointed by the governor.
III. Legislative members of the task force shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the task force.
IV. The task force shall:
(a) Review the state’s energy policies and make recommendations for appropriate changes necessary to accommodate the changing energy environment in New Hampshire.
(b) Review the divestiture of PSNH generation assets, and the policies for supply.
V. The members of the task force shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the task force shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the task force shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Seven members of the task force shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The task force shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before September 30, 2006.
3 Fund Established. The task force shall establish a fund which shall be held by the state treasurer. The fund shall consist of $100,000 from assessments against the state's electric utilities made by the public utilities commission pursuant to the methodology defined in RSA 363-A:2. The fund may be used, with the prior approval of the fiscal committee of the general court, to pay costs for technical assistance incurred pursuant to section 2 of this act.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.