HB 467 – AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
05Apr2007… 0880h
2007 SESSION
08/10
HOUSE BILL 467
AN ACT establishing a state climate change policy commission and developing a climate action plan and to report on climate change issues.
SPONSORS: Rep. Ryan, Merr 2; Rep. McKenna, Rock 5; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 24; Sen. Burling, Dist 5
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
This bill establishes a state climate change policy commission to develop a climate action plan in conjunction with the department of environmental services and report on and make recommendations on climate change issues in New Hampshire.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
05Apr2007… 0880h
07-0696
08/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
AN ACT establishing a state climate change policy commission and developing a climate action plan and to report on climate change issues.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Purpose. The Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEGECP) agreed in 2001 to a regional goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, and to 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. That agreement also called for each jurisdiction to create a plan articulating measures to achieve greenhouse gas reductions in view of these regional short and mid-term targets. It shall be the goal of the state of New Hampshire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the NEGECP agreement, as practicable, recognizing the regional nature of that agreement.
2 Commission Established. There is hereby established a state climate change policy commission.
3 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) Ten members appointed by the governor, two of whom shall come from each of the following organizations or interests: general commerce and industry, environmental interests, science/academia, public utilities, and insurance interests.
(d) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.
(e) A member of the public utilities commission, appointed by the commission.
(f) The public utilities consumer advocate, or designee.
(g) The director of the office of energy and planning, or designee.
(h) The commissioner of the department of resources and economic development, or designee.
(i) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.
(j) The commissioner of the department of safety, or designee.
II. Legislative members shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
4 Duties.
I. The commission shall propose and adopt a climate action plan consistent with the goals of the NEGECP Climate Change Agreement of 2001. Recommended actions in the plan shall be both prudent and achievable, and shall recognize the regional nature of the agreement. The plan shall:
(a) Be comprehensive in scope and identify greenhouse gas reductions in each economic sector including power generation, transportation and land use, and industrial, commercial, and residential energy use, that are needed to meet overall reduction goals.
(b) Promote the economic and efficient use of energy and the development of renewable energy resources.
(c) Include provisions for public education and outreach by the department of environmental services and other state agencies relative to climate action.
(d) Include recommendations to the general court and the governor for legislation necessary to implement the plan.
II. Prior to adopting the plan, the commission shall hold at least 2 public hearings on the proposed plan and appropriately consider all stakeholder comments.
III. The department of environmental services shall serve as the lead agency in assisting the commission in its duties. The department of environmental services shall update its state greenhouse gas emissions inventory and develop baselines for both 1990 emissions and future projected emissions without reductions to determine the amount of reductions needed. The department, in conjunction with other member state agencies and commission members, as appropriate, shall prepare an initial draft action plan for review by the full commission by September 1, 2007, unless extended by the commission.
IV. As part of its work in developing the plan, the commission shall:
(a) Study the current state of climate science and scientific studies on the current and anticipated state and regional impacts of climate change in order to better define the need and urgency for state policy actions.
(b) Identify how energy efficiency opportunities and incentive programs, in all forms of energy usage, can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, including conservation.
(c) Study promoting renewable energy, both for electrical production and as a heat and transportation fuel source, including all current and ongoing legislation and other efforts to promote development of cleaner, less carbon intensive energy including renewable portfolio standards, the regional greenhouse gas initiative, the governor’s “25 percent by ‘25” renewable energy initiative, the governor’s executive order on energy efficiency, and any other such measures.
5 Long-term NEGECP Goal. The commissioner of environmental services shall consult with the NEGECP to establish a date for the organization’s long-term regional goal of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases by 75 to 85 percent below 2001 levels.
6 Chairperson. The members of the 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 shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.
7 Report. The commission shall file its plan with the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library by December 1, 2007.
8 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon passage.