HB 1146 - AS INTRODUCED
2020 SESSION
20-2169
06/10
HOUSE BILL 1146
AN ACT relative to the duties of the site evaluation committee.
SPONSORS: Rep. Vallone, Rock. 9; Rep. Andrew Bouldin, Hills. 12; Rep. McConnell, Rock. 11; Rep. Doherty, Merr. 20; Rep. Balch, Hills. 38; Rep. DiLorenzo, Rock. 17
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires liquefied natural gas tanks to be subject to site evaluation committee criteria.
This bill also requires economic interests to be considered for siting energy facilities.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
20-2169
06/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty
AN ACT relative to the duties of the site evaluation committee.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Energy Facility Siting; Counsel for the Public. Amend RSA 162-H:9, I to read as follows:
I. Upon notification that an application for a certificate has been filed with the committee in accordance with RSA 162-H:7, the attorney general shall appoint an assistant attorney general as a counsel for the public. The counsel shall represent the public in seeking to protect the quality of the environment and the economic interests of residents of the affected area, and in seeking to assure an adequate supply of energy. The counsel shall be accorded all the rights and privileges, and responsibilities of an attorney representing a party in formal action and shall serve until the decision to issue or deny a certificate is final.
2 Siting of High Pressure Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas Tanks. Amend RSA 162-H:10-b, I to read as follows:
I. To meet the objectives of this chapter, and with due regard to meeting the energy needs of the residents and businesses of New Hampshire, the general court finds that appropriately sited high pressure gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas tanks subject to committee approval have the potential to assist the state in accomplishing these goals. Accordingly, the general court finds that it is in the public interest for the site evaluation committee to establish criteria or standards governing the siting of high pressure gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas tanks in order to ensure that the potential benefits of such systems are appropriately considered and unreasonable adverse effects avoided through a comprehensive, transparent, and predictable process. When establishing any criteria, standard, or rule for a high pressure gas pipeline or a liquefied natural gas tank when specifying the type of information that a high pressure gas pipeline or a liquefied natural gas tank applicant shall provide to the committee for its decision-making, the committee shall rely upon the best available evidence.
3 Siting of High Pressure Gas Pipelines. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 162-H:10-b, II and II(a) to read as follows:
II. For the adoption of rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the siting of high pressure gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas tanks, the committee shall address the following:
(a) Impacts to natural, scenic, recreational, visual, economic, and cultural resources.
4 Siting of High Pressure Gas Pipelines. Amend RSA 162-H:10-b, II(g) and (h) to read as follows:
(g) Best practical measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects, including economic effects.
(h) Criteria to maintain property owners' ability to use, [and] enjoy and maintain the value of their property.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 21, 2020 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 5, 2020 | House | Exec Session |
| House | Floor Vote | |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 19, 2020: Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2020 HJ 4 P. 21
: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate (Vote 18-0; CC)
Feb. 19, 2020: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate for 02/19/2020 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 7 P. 14
Feb. 5, 2020: Executive Session: 02/05/2020 10:00 am LOB 304
Jan. 21, 2020: Public Hearing: 01/21/2020 02:00 pm LOB 304
Jan. 8, 2020: Introduced 01/08/2020 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 11