Revision: March 30, 2020, 10:52 a.m.
HB 1430 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
12Mar2020... 0519h
2020 SESSION
20-2309
06/08
HOUSE BILL 1430
AN ACT establishing a commission to study attainment of a clean-energy electric grid by 2030.
SPONSORS: Rep. McGhee, Hills. 40; Rep. Balch, Hills. 38; Rep. McWilliams, Merr. 27; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to study ways to achieve a clean energy electric grid by 2030.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
12Mar2020... 0519h 20-2309
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty
AN ACT establishing a commission to study attainment of a clean-energy electric grid by 2030.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Attainment of Clean Energy Grid; Commission Established. Amend RSA 125-O by inserting after section 5-a the following new section:
125-O:5-b Commission Established.
I. There is established a commission to study the feasibility of the short-term attainment of a clean-energy electric grid within the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) time line as set forth in the IPCC guideline for avoiding a scientifically significant tipping-point for irreversible damage to our water, weather, and ecosystems. For the purposes of the commission, "clean" means non-greenhouse gas emitting forms of energy that help curb the dangerous emissions contributing to rapid atmospheric warming.
II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, who shall be members of the science, technology and energy committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) The director of the office of strategic initiatives, or designee.
(d) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.
(e) The president of the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, or designee.
(f) The chief executive officer of Liberty Utilities, or designee.
(g) The president of Eversource Energy, or designee.
(h) The president of Unitil, or designee.
(i) The president of NextEra Energy, or designee.
III. The commission shall solicit testimony from state agencies and industry, as needed.
IV. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
V. The commission shall review and make recommendations on:
(a) Current energy sources powering the New England grid.
(b) Pending regional energy efficiency investments.
(c) Regional proposals for combined renewable energy projects upon which to base an aggregate effect on megawatt hours.
(d) ISO-NE requirements for base load reliability as it affects the potential for integration of intermittent energy sources.
(e) ISO-NE analysis of the megawatt hour growth resulting from the beneficial electrification of all relevant sectors, including transportation, home heating, and elective power usage through 2030.
(f) Other data that will aid in developing a workable plan.
VI. The commission shall:
(a) Work with regional grid partner states in procuring data and sharing information.
(b) Research similar plans in other states.
(c) Work with generators, power planners, and ISO-NE to check assumptions with experts and define best case scenarios.
(d) Coordinate with the New Hampshire office of strategic initiatives (OSI) for input on best practices and buy-in for transitioning to a clean energy economy.
(e) Define a high level, realistic plan for achieving a clean power grid by 2030.
(f) Research regional grid security (resilience to brown outs, blackouts & cyber attack) and whether impending grid changes can be used to improve and secure the grid.
(g) Address maintaining reliability & market stability, while considering the urgency of the environmental moment presented by rapid atmospheric warming.
(h) Work with regional grid partner-states to procure data and share information.
(i) Determine how best to coordinate with other states for aggressive regional planning.
VII. 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. Six members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VIII. The commission shall submit an interim report on March 30, 2021, and a final report on November 1, 2021 detailing its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the chairperson of the science, technology and energy committee, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library. The final report shall outline the realities of attaining a clean-energy electric grid by 2030 while maintaining grid and market stability.
2 Repeal. RSA 125-O:5-b, relative to the commission to study the feasibility of the short-term attainment of a clean-energy electric grid, is repealed.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2021.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.