SB 303-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
02/15/2024 0554s
2024 SESSION
24-2861
10/05
SENATE BILL 303-FN
AN ACT relative to the use of renewable energy funds by the department of energy.
SPONSORS: Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Rep. Vose, Rock. 5
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
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ANALYSIS
This bill adds battery storage projects to uses of the renewable energy fund, deletes a required renewable generation incentive program, and authorizes a political subdivision incentive, rebate, or grant program using the fund. The bill also modifies the reporting date by the department of energy concerning the renewable energy fund.
This bill is a request of the department of energy.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
02/15/2024 0554s 24-2861
10/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to the use of renewable energy funds by the department of energy.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Reporting Date by Department of Energy. Amend RSA 362-F:10, IV to read as follows:
IV. The department of energy shall make an annual report by [October] November 1 of each year, beginning in [2009] 2024, to the house science, technology and energy committee, and the senate energy and natural resources committee detailing how the renewable energy fund is being used and any recommended changes to such use. The report shall also include information on the total peak generating capacity that is net energy metered under RSA 362-A:9 within the franchise area of each electric distribution utility, and the percentage this represents of the amount that is allowed to be net metered within each franchise area. Information shall be provided on net metered group host registrations and the associated customer groups, including number and location of group host facilities, generation by renewable source and size of facility, and group load served by such facilities.
2 Department of Energy; Authority for Incentive and Rebate Programs; Political Subdivision Projects Added. Amend RSA 362-F:10, VIII to read as follows:
VIII.(a) The department of energy may, after notice and hearing, by order or rule, establish additional incentive or rebate programs and competitive grant opportunities for renewable thermal and electric energy projects sited in New Hampshire, or may modify existing programs or opportunities. Funding allocations shall be subject to the apportionment requirements under paragraph X.
(b) The department of energy shall, after notice and hearing, by order or rule, develop incentive or rebate programs or competitive grant opportunities for renewable thermal and electric energy projects for political subdivisions. Any project that receives funding shall be sited in New Hampshire. Funding allocations for political subdivision projects under this subparagraph shall not be subject to the apportionment requirements under paragraph X.
3 Renewable Projects Funding. Amend RSA 362-F:10, X and XI to read as follows:
X. [Consistent with RSA 362-F:10, VI,] The department of energy shall, over each 2-year period commencing July 1, 2010, reasonably balance overall amounts expended, allocated, or obligated from the fund, net of administrative expenditures, between residential and nonresidential sectors. Funds from the renewable energy fund awarded to renewable projects in the residential sector shall be in approximate proportion to the amount of electricity sold at retail to that sector in New Hampshire, and the remaining funds from the renewable energy fund shall be awarded to projects in the nonresidential sector which include commercial and industrial sited renewable energy projects, existing generators, and developers of new commercial-scale renewable generation in New Hampshire, provided no less than 15 percent of the funds shall annually benefit:
(a) Low-moderate income residential customers, including, but not limited to, the financing or leveraging of financing for low-moderate income community solar projects in manufactured housing communities or in multi-family rental housing.
(b) Residents of a public housing authority created pursuant to RSA 203, or a housing project as described in RSA 78-B:2, XXIII, where the electric bills are either paid directly by the residents or by the public housing authority or housing project, provided that at least a majority of the residents benefiting are at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) calculated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
XI. The department of energy shall issue requests for proposals that provide renewable projects in the nonresidential sector, which include commercial and industrial sited renewable energy projects, existing generators, and developers of new commercial-scale renewable generation in New Hampshire, with opportunities to receive funds from the renewable energy fund established under RSA 362-F:10. The requests for proposals shall provide such opportunities to those renewable energy projects that are not eligible to participate in incentive and rebate programs developed by the department of energy under RSA 362-F:10, V and RSA 362-F:10, VIII. The department of energy shall issue a request for proposals [no later than March 1, 2011 and] annually [thereafter,]and select winning projects in a timely manner.
4 Repeals. RSA 362-F:10, V through VII, and IX, relative to a residential small renewable generation incentive payment program, are repealed.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
24-2861
Amended 2/23/24
SB 303-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2024-0554s)
AN ACT relative to the use of renewable energy funds by the department of energy.
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 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None
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Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | ||
Funding Source(s) | Renewable Energy Fund
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Appropriations | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None
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• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] Yes • Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] N/A
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METHODOLOGY:
This bill adds battery storage projects to uses of the renewable energy fund (REF), deletes a required renewable generation incentive program, and authorizes a political subdivision incentive, rebate, or grant program using the fund. The bill also modifies the reporting date by the Department of Energy concerning the renewable energy fund.
The Department of Energy states this bill modifies the due date of the REF annual report; allows the Department to modify programs after a notice and hearing and directs the Department to create programs for political subdivisions and; repeals the requirements for a small renewable generation incentive payment program. The Department indicates the bill would have no impact on state, county, or local revenue. However, with a specific program for political subdivisions, county and local revenues could increase, provided they choose to apply for and are awarded funds. The bill directs a series of changes to how the REF is administered. The impact on state expenditures would be dependent on program design, applicants’ desires to undertake such projects, and the amount of revenue available from alternative compliance payments. State expenditures are limited by the balance of the renewable energy fund.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Energy
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 7, 2024 | 2024-0443s |
| Feb. 7, 2024 | 2024-0554s |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 4, 2024 | Senate | Hearing |
| Feb. 15, 2024 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| March 19, 2024 | House | Hearing |
| April 15, 2024 | House | Exec Session |
| April 15, 2024 | House | Floor Vote |
April 18, 2024: Committee Report: Ought to Pass 04/15/2024 (Vote 19-0; CC)
April 5, 2024: Executive Session: 04/15/2024 02:00 pm LOB 302-304
March 20, 2024: Full Committee Work Session: 03/25/2024 01:00 pm LOB 302-304
March 13, 2024: Public Hearing: 03/19/2024 09:30 am LOB 302-304
Feb. 29, 2024: Introduced (in recess of) 02/22/2024 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 6
Feb. 15, 2024: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-0554s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/15/2024; SJ 4
Feb. 15, 2024: Committee Amendment # 2024-0554s, AA, VV; 02/15/2024; SJ 4
Feb. 7, 2024: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2024-0554s, 02/15/2024, Vote 4-0; SC 7
Dec. 21, 2023: Hearing: 01/04/2024, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 49
Dec. 6, 2023: To Be Introduced 01/03/2024 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1