Revision: Jan. 15, 2019, 9:41 a.m.
HB 496 - AS INTRODUCED
2019 SESSION
19-0001
06/10
HOUSE BILL 496
SPONSORS: Rep. Cali-Pitts, Rock. 30; Rep. Somssich, Rock. 27
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a committee to undertake an analysis of the requirements that would have to be considered if New Hampshire were to commit to the goal of providing 50 percent renewable energy for electricity only to residents and businesses by the year 2040.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
19-0001
06/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to identify the requirements needed to commit New Hampshire to a goal of 50 percent renewable energy for electricity by 2040.
2 Membership and Compensation; Advisory Group.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
II. Legislative members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
III. There shall be an advisory group to assist the committee in fulfilling its duties. The advisory group shall consist of 4 members representing New Hampshire utility companies and 3 members representing major New Hampshire renewable energy companies, each of whom shall be chosen by the members of the committee.
I. The committee shall undertake an analysis of the requirements that would have to be considered if New Hampshire were to commit to the goal of providing 50 percent renewable energy for electricity only to residents and businesses by the year 2040.
II. The study shall include the following factors and concerns for evaluation:
(a) The current sources of renewable energy produced in New Hampshire and how regulations and/or rules or incentives would need to be changed to allow for an increase of in-state generated renewable energy. The potential capacity of renewable energy, such as biomass, solar, wind, both on-shore and off-shore, and hydro-electric power should be considered.
(b) Currently available technologies connected to renewable energy that are expected to improve energy efficiency and energy savings by 2040.
(c) Emerging technologies, such as offshore and onshore wind energy and tidal energy, that are expected to become price competitive and cost efficient, or that enhance grid operations, through both energy management and energy storage, by 2040, and that could have an impact on the generation and efficient use of renewable energy. Because New Hampshire will no longer have any in-state fossil fuel energy generation, this advantage offers a variety of flexible options for renewable energy sourcing. Worldwide solar energy and wind energy is already cheaper than new fossil fuel energy sources, and these renewable energy sources are growing annually at double-digit rates.
(d) Improvements in technologies and processes utilizing renewable energy can be expected by 2040 and should be considered, such as grid level energy storage, peak-saving measures, time-of-day rates, and on-demand energy.
(e) Although nuclear energy is not considered a genuine renewable energy source, nuclear energy generated within the state of New Hampshire should be included as part of the 50 percent renewable energy goal.
(f) Potential out-of-state sources of renewable energy should be considered if they are needed during a transitional phase to meet the 50 percent renewable energy goal by 2040.
(g) What role the state’s utilities can play and what incentives they may need to support a 50 percent renewable energy goal should be considered. A number of utilities nationwide, such as in Hawaii, New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts, are changing their business model to adapt to the changing renewable energy landscape.
(h) Since there are many opportunities for both the state and municipalities to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, the obstacles that currently exist should be identified. In light of existing investments by local municipalities and school districts in renewable energy, state action in these areas may achieve effective and rapid expansion of renewable energy potential.
(i) An evaluation should include an assessment of the impact of setting a 50 percent renewable energy goal for New Hampshire versus not setting a goal, while other New England states set such goals without any input from this state. Some states, such as Hawaii, have either already set 100 percent renewable energy goals, while others, such as California, New York, and Massachusetts, are within 1-2 years of setting such goals.
IV. The committee shall seek additional advice, input, testimony, and expertise from interested parties and stakeholders, including associations of scientists, environmental organizations, energy analysts, and any other person or group the committee deems relevant to its study.
V. The committee shall request that the public utilities commission initiate a proceeding to determine the impact of renewable energy usage requirements on ratepayers.
4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2019.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.