SB 419 – AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/20/08 1068s
03/20/08 1092s
2008 SESSION
06/01
SENATE BILL 419
AN ACT relative to the duties of the energy planning and advisory board and restructuring policy principles.
SPONSORS: Sen. Downing, Dist 22; Sen. Clegg, Dist 14; Sen. Odell, Dist 8; Rep. Bettencourt, Rock 4
COMMITTEE: Energy, Environment and Economic Development
This bill:
I. Extends the duties of the energy planning and advisory board established by 2004, 164:2, III.
II. Clarifies policy principles relative to renewable energy resources.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/20/08 1068s
03/20/08 1092s
08-2782
06/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight
AN ACT relative to the duties of the energy planning and advisory board and restructuring policy principles.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Chapter; Energy Planning and Coordination. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 374-F the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 374-G
ENERGY PLANNING AND COORDINATION
374-G:1 Energy Planning Advisory Board.
I. There is established an energy planning advisory board to monitor and assist in the implementation of the New Hampshire energy plan prepared by the governor’s office of energy and community services pursuant to 2001, 121.
II.(a) The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(1) The governor, or designee.
(2) One member representing the office of energy and planning appointed by that office.
(3) One member of the senate energy, environment, and economic development committee, appointed by the president of the senate.
(4) One member of the house science, technology and energy committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(5) Two members representing the public utilities commission, appointed by the chairman.
(6) One member representing the department of administrative services, appointed by the commissioner.
(7) One member representing the department of environmental services, appointed by the commissioner.
(8) One member representing the university system of New Hampshire, appointed by the chancellor.
(9) One member representing the department of transportation, appointed by the commissioner.
(10) One member representing the department of resources and economic development, appointed by the commissioner.
(11) The consumer advocate, or designee.
(12) Two members of the business and industry community, appointed by the governor and council.
(13) Two members of the public representing renewable energy and energy efficiency interests appointed by the governor and council.
(b) The legislative members of the committee shall serve for the duration of their legislative term, and shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the board. Public members of the board shall serve for 3 years and until a successor is appointed.
III. Duties.
(a) The primary duties of the board shall be to meet on a regular basis to discuss energy policy and planning at the state level and develop strategic planning for the state’s energy policies that include, but shall not be limited to:
(1) Supply and demand for energy resources.
(2) Transmission and distribution infrastructure for electricity, natural gas, and other transportable energy.
(3) Fuel diversity within the state and region.
(4) Supporting the department of transportation’s planning efforts.
(5) Deliverable fuels.
(6) Energy efficiency and conservation opportunities.
(7) The state’s role as a major energy consumer.
(8) The environmental effects of energy generation, transmission, and distribution.
(9) New Hampshire’s role in regional energy issues.
(10) Periodic revision and update of the New Hampshire energy plan for currency as circumstances change.
(11) The board may consult and participate with members and groups of the business and residential communities within the state that may have important perspectives on energy planning.
IV. The members of the board shall elect a chairperson from among the members.
V. The board shall coordinate with other boards and study committees whose duties include consideration of matters related to energy, including usage, planning, conservation, supply, environmental attributes, sale, distribution, transmission, or storage. If any disparities between such boards and study committees occur, the energy planning advisory board shall report such matters to the legislature in its annual report, with recommendations for resolution as appropriate.
VI. The board shall review, in coordination with the public utilities commission, beginning with the effective date of this chapter, the cumulative effects on the electric rates of New Hampshire residents and businesses of the passage of energy legislation, including but not limited to, the multiple pollutant reduction program under RSA 125-O and the renewable portfolio standard, related regional mandates that affect overall electric rates in New Hampshire such as the regional greenhouse gas initiative (RGGI), the forward capacity market and reliability-must-run requirements implemented through ISO New England Inc., and any additional energy or environmental regulatory requirements resulting from state, regional, or federal action that have the potential to affect electric rates.
VII. The board shall monitor any federal action concerning renewable energy or controlling greenhouse gas emissions.
VIII. The board, in coordination with the public utilities commission, shall chart and monitor consumer electricity costs on a yearly basis.
IX. The board shall report annually to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate.
2 Restructuring Policy Principles. Amend RSA 374-F:3, IX to read as follows:
IX. RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES. Increased future commitments to renewable energy resources should be consistent with the New Hampshire energy policy as set forth in RSA 378:37 and should be balanced against the impact on generation prices. Over the long term, increased use of cost-effective renewable energy technologies can have significant environmental, economic, and security benefits. To encourage emerging technologies, restructuring should allow customers the possibility of choosing to pay a premium for electricity from renewable resources, provided there is adequate review of the effects of such policy, and reasonable opportunities to directly invest in and interconnect decentralized renewable electricity generating resources. It shall be consistent with these policies to encourage partnerships between regulated and unregulated utilities.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.