Legislators consider climate change in 2019

The question of how to respond to climate change continues to generate fierce debate, both internationally and here within the Granite State, where lawmakers must decide the fate of policies aimed at shielding New Hampshire residents from a changing environment.

Here’s a summary of notable 2019 bills related to climate change in New Hampshire.

Planning for climate changes

Sen. David Watters is sponsoring SB 285, which would enable the state and municipalities to create “Coastal Resilience and Cultural and Historic Reserve Districts.” Those designated areas would have special access to funding to prepare for and respond to climate change-related events, such as sea level rise, storm surge, and extreme precipitation. SB 285 also directs the Department of Transportation to plan for the redesign and potential abandonment of state highways resulting from sea level rise, storm surge, and extreme precipitation events.

In the House, Rep. John Mann is sponsoring HB 568, which would require the state energy strategy to consider the effects of climate change.

Modifying existing programs: RGGI

Many people identify fossil fuels as the root cause of climate change. New Hampshire already has two programs that aim to decrease the use of fossil fuels: the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Renewable Portfolio Standard.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) requires fossil fuel power plants to purchase allowances for carbon dioxide emissions. Revenue from RGGI is sent to a combination of ratepayer rebates and grants for energy efficiency projects.

The debate over RGGI often centers on whether the benefits of clean energy and energy efficiency grants are worth higher electricity bills.

Learn more about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

There are many 2019 bills aimed at revising how the state spends RGGI revenue. For example, Rep. John Mann is sponsoring HB 582, which would end residential ratepayer rebates and increase funding for energy efficiency projects. His bill also requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to consider the impact of climate change in its decisions.

Sen. Martha Fuller Clark is also sponsoring a bill that would end ratepayer rebates and instead send that funding to energy efficiency grants, SB 122.

Rep. Jeanine Notter is sponsoring a bill in the opposite direction. Her bill, HB 477, would send all of the RGGI money to ratepayer rebates, ending funding for energy efficiency programs.

Modifying existing programs: RPS

The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires electricity providers to purchase a certain amount of electricity from renewable energy sources, peaking at 25% in 2025. If a provider does not meet the RPS requirements, it must pay fees. Revenue from the program is sent to individuals and businesses working on renewable energy projects.

Like with RGGI, the debate over the RPS in New Hampshire often centers on whether the benefits of renewable energy balance the cost of higher electricity rates.

Learn more about the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)

Sen. Martha Fuller Clark is sponsoring SB 124, a 2019 bill that would extend the RPS goals past 2025, to 2040.

Rep. Jacqueline Cali-Pitts is taking a more incremental approach in HB 496, which would establish a committee to analyze committing New Hampshire to the goal of providing 50% of electricity for residents and businesses from renewable sources by the year 2040.

Other bills aim to modify the percentage of different energy sources under the RPS, for example to increase the share of solar energy.

Adding a carbon tax

In addition to RGGI and RPS, some legislators want New Hampshire to explore a carbon tax.

Rep. Lee Oxenham is sponsoring HB 735 to add a fee on any carbon-based fuel imported, sold, or used in New Hampshire.

Similar to RGGI and RPS, the fee aims to discourage use of fossil fuels and generate money for greenhouse gas reduction programs. 70% of the revenue from the fee would be returned to customers through rebates.

However, opponents of a carbon tax argue that it would be a heavy burden on residents, who would likely see higher costs for heating fuel and gasoline.

Others are open to a carbon tax at the national level, but believe action at the state level would penalize Granite Staters without any major impact on the environment.

SB 75, sponsored by Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, would establish a commission to study the economic impact of a national carbon pricing program on New Hampshire.

Other bills

Legislators are sponsoring many other bills that address climate-related issues.

For example, Sen. Martha Fuller Clark is sponsoring SB 76 to ban offshore oil and natural gas exploration in New Hampshire waters.

Sen. David Watters is sponsoring a bill, SB 275, to require the state government to transition to zero emission vehicles by 2039.

Some bills add more opportunities for residential customers to get rebates for residential solar power, while other bills allow customers to use the same system to get compensation for energy storage systems.

Learn more about residential solar power and net metering

Meanwhile Gov. Chris Sununu has already asked the federal government to form a taskforce to facilitate offshore wind power development.

Learn more about the debate over wind power in New Hampshire

Do you have an opinion on any of these bills? Share your thoughts in the comments below.