Revision: Jan. 12, 2010, midnight
SB 323 – AS INTRODUCED
2010 SESSION
09/10
SENATE BILL 323
AN ACT relative to the energy efficiency and sustainable energy board, the greenhouse gas emissions reduction fund, and the renewable energy fund.
SPONSORS: Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 24; Sen. Merrill, Dist 21
COMMITTEE: Energy, Environment and Economic Development
This bill changes the membership of the energy efficiency and sustainable energy board and requires the board to recommend certain legislation for consideration in the 2011 legislative session.
This bill also expands the types of programs eligible for funding from the greenhouse gas emissions reduction fund. The bill allows the public utilities commission, on its own motion, to make transfers between the greenhouse gas emissions reduction fund and the renewable energy fund.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
10-2797
09/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten
AN ACT relative to the energy efficiency and sustainable energy board, the greenhouse gas emissions reduction fund, and the renewable energy fund.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board; Duties. Amend RSA 125-O:5-a, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) Develop a plan to achieve the state’s energy efficiency potential for all fuels[, including setting goals and targets for energy efficiency that are meaningful and achievable] and, by December 1, 2010, make recommendations for legislation to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the chairs of the senate energy, environment, and economic development committee and the house science, technology and energy committee to establish and implement a policy whereby utility companies shall use all cost-effective energy efficiency resources first in providing energy to customers..
2 Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board; Membership. Amend RSA 125-O:5-a, II(a) to read as follows:
(a) The [chairman] director of the sustainable energy division of the public utilities commission, or designee.
3 New Subparagraphs; Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board; Membership. Amend RSA 125-O:5-a, II by inserting after subparagraph (o) the following new subparagraphs:
(p) The chairperson of the New Hampshire Association of Regional Planning Commissions, or designee.
(q) The chairperson of the board of directors of the community development finance authority, or designee.
4 New Subparagraphs; Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board; Nonvoting Participants. Amend RSA 125-O:5-a, III by inserting after subparagraph (d) the following new subparagraphs:
(e) The 3 public utilities commissioners.
(f) A representative from private business with experience and expertise in financing energy efficiency and sustainable energy, appointed by the chairman of the public utilities commission.
(g) A representative of oil heat dealers, appointed by the chairman of the public utilities commission.
5 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Fund. Amend RSA 125-O:23, II to read as follows:
II. Fund moneys shall be used to support energy efficiency, conservation, and demand response programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated within the state, which may include programs proposed and administered by private entities, as well as by the department, the commission, and other state and local governmental agencies. Such programs may include, but not be limited to, improving the electrical and thermal energy efficiency of New Hampshire’s residential housing and commercial building stock via energy auditing, weatherization, [energy auditing,] air sealing, insulation, installation of highly efficient lighting, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, and air conditioning equipment and measures, including renewable energy systems, energy efficiency related work force training and development, revolving loan funds for efficiency related investment, related industrial process and control systems, integration of passive solar heating and ventilation systems, and efforts to increase adherence to energy related building and electrical codes. These funds shall not be transferred or used for any other purpose, except that the commission, on its own motion, may transfer not more than $2,000,000 per year into the renewable energy fund for the purpose of funding renewable energy incentive or rebate programs established pursuant to RSA 362-F:10, V and VIII that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
6 New Paragraph; Renewable Energy Fund. Amend RSA 362-F:10 by inserting after paragraph IX the following new paragraph:
X. The commission, on its own motion, may transfer back to the greenhouse gas emissions reduction fund amounts not to exceed the total amount of moneys transferred into the renewable energy fund pursuant to RSA 125-O:23, II, if such amounts are not needed for renewable energy incentive or rebate programs established pursuant to paragraphs V and VIII.
7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.