HB694 (2007) Detail

Establishing a commission to study the feasibility of tidal power generation under the Little Bay and General Sullivan Bridges, in Dover.


CHAPTER 222

HB 694 – FINAL VERSION

27Mar2007… 0717h

05/31/07 1740s

2007 SESSION

07-0470

08/03

HOUSE BILL 694

AN ACT establishing a commission to study the feasibility of tidal power generation under the Little Bay and General Sullivan Bridges, in Dover.

SPONSORS: Rep. Fargo, Straf 4; Rep. Spang, Straf 7; Rep. Hofemann, Straf 6; Rep. Hutz, Straf 5

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission to study the feasibility of tidal power generation under the Little Bay and General Sullivan Bridges, in Dover.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

27Mar2007… 0717h

05/31/07 1740s

07-0470

08/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven

AN ACT establishing a commission to study the feasibility of tidal power generation under the Little Bay and General Sullivan Bridges, in Dover.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

222:1 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study the feasibility of tidal power generation under the Little Bay and General Sullivan Bridges, in Dover.

222:2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.

(d) The director of the office of energy and planning, or designee.

(e) The executive director of the public utilities commission, or designee.

(f) One member from the Northeast Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service, designated by the regional administrator.

(g) One representative from the city of Dover, designated by the city council.

(h) One representative from the town of Newington, designated by the board of selectmen.

(i) One member of the New Hampshire Estuaries Project, designated by the management committee.

(j) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.

(k) The chief of the fish and game department, division of marine fisheries, or designee.

(l) The director of the Pease development authority, division of ports and harbors, or designee.

(m) One member of the New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen’s Association.

(n) One member of the public, appointed by the governor.

(o) Two representatives of different environmental protection or advocacy organizations, appointed by the governor.

(p) One representative from the university of New Hampshire, appointed by the university president.

(q) One member from the office of the consumer advocate, appointed by that office.

II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

222:3 Duties.

I. The commission shall:

(a) Identify and collect technical and sociological data, and investigate regulatory requirements necessary to determine the feasibility of building a system for tidal power generation under the Little Bay and General Sullivan Bridges in Dover and Newington. These data shall include, but are not limited to:

(1) Permitting standards, including regulatory barriers to permitting of such projects.

(2) The public’s and business community’s attitudes toward the project.

(3) The environmental and wildlife impacts.

(4) The cost and benefits of the project and potential for compensation to the state and municipalities.

(b) Identify the lead state agency to coordinate the efforts of the commission.

II. The commission may, upon 2/3 majority vote of the commission, expand its scope to study the feasibility of tidal power generation at other appropriate infrastructures under New Hampshire jurisdiction, as long as such studies are completed on or before November 1, 2008.

222:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Nine members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

222:5 Report. The commission shall make an initial report of 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 November 1, 2007, and shall make a final report on or before November 1, 2008.

222:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: June 25, 2007

Effective: June 25, 2007