HB 1644-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-2763
10/08
HOUSE BILL 1644-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Vose, Rock. 5; Rep. Ammon, Hills. 42; Rep. Harrington, Straf. 18; Rep. D. Thomas, Rock. 16; Rep. Cormen, Graf. 15; Rep. Notter, Hills. 12; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires the department of energy to initiate a proceeding and conduct an investigation of the benefits and key considerations regarding support for clean or non-carbon emitting power generation, and report to the legislature in one year.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-2763
10/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Department of Energy; Clean Energy Study; Department Investigation; Report.
I. Within 90 days of the of the effective date of this act, the department of energy shall initiate a proceeding to investigate the potential benefits, risks, and key considerations around supporting clean or non-carbon emitting power generation in New Hampshire, with an emphasis on customer costs and supporting the state’s economic growth. In so doing, the department shall consult with power generators and developers, electricity distribution utilities, municipalities, and other relevant entities.
II. The department’s investigative proceeding shall examine and make recommendations concerning:
(a) Definitions of clean energy or non-carbon emitting electric generating technologies, including nuclear, advanced geothermal, and storage technologies.
(b) The benefits and risks of competitive procurement by utilities from clean energy producers.
(c) Whether clean energy sources can provide enhanced electricity reliability, system safety and energy security, can contribute to reducing winter electricity spikes, and are cost effective to electric ratepayers.
(d) The approach to supporting clean energy taken by other states, including clean energy standards.
(e) Potential benefits and costs of supporting new and existing clean energy to manage energy costs in the state.
(f) The role of clean energy in supporting economic growth and clean energy innovation.
(g) Cybersecurity and physical security standards for clean energy.
(h) Any other relevant issue raised in the department’s investigative proceedings.
III. The department shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than one year after study initiation. The report shall provide guidance to the legislature and the public utilities commission on providing financial and regulatory support for clean energy electricity generation that balances economic development, grid stability, security, costs, and potential impacts on rates for existing utility customers.
2 Effective Date. The act shall take effect upon its passage.
24-2763
Revised 12/22/23
HB 1644-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) |
Utility Assessment | |||||
Expenditures | $0 | In Excess of $250,000 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund Utility Assessment | |||||
Appropriations | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None
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• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] No • Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] No | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires the department of energy to initiate a proceeding and conduct an investigation
of the benefits and key considerations regarding support for clean or non-carbon emitting power
generation, and report to the legislature in one year.
The Department of Energy indicates the cost of the investigation would depend on scope and level of work needed. Based on the recent experience of the Department in conducting investigations, the consultant costs may be $250,000 or more. The Department notes that some of the issues to be studied may fall outside the Department’s regulation of electric utilities and existing funding sources may not cover the full cost. There would be no fiscal impact on county and local revenue or expenditures.
The Public Utilities Commission indicates this bill is primarily a Department of Energy initiative and would have no impact on the Commission's budget.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Energy and Public Utilities Commission
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 14, 2024 | 2024-0610h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 29, 2024 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 13, 2024 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 13, 2024 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 22, 2024: Lay HB1644 on Table (Rep. Vose): MA VV 02/22/2024 HJ 6
Feb. 21, 2024: Removed from Consent (Reps. McGhee, Caplan, Cormen, W. Thomas, Muns, Notter, Noel, Kennedy, Bernardy, Chretien) 02/21/2024 HJ 6
Feb. 14, 2024: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2024-0610h (NT) 02/13/2024 (Vote 19-1; CC)
Feb. 7, 2024: Executive Session: 02/13/2024 01:00 pm LOB 302-304
Feb. 7, 2024: Full Committee Work Session: 02/01/2024 10:00 am LOB 302-304
Jan. 17, 2024: Public Hearing: 01/29/2024 03:00 pm LOB 302-304
Dec. 15, 2023: Introduced 01/03/2024 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1