HB 281 is a bad energy bill that will increase our energy bills

To the Editor,

On June 8 the New Hampshire House of Representatives will vote on HB 281 which is an energy bill combining several different energy initiatives. One thing this bill does by repealing least cost integrated planning requirements (LCIRP) is it removes one of the last remaining pieces of public scrutiny and transparency from the utility planning process, something that is anti-democratic, unacceptable and could cause large increases in energy costs around the state.

This bill, if passed, would also keep watchdog 3rd parties, like Sierra Club, CLF and others, from scrutinizing and evaluating the utilities’ energy plans. It is never a good idea to remove checks and balances on large projects that will affect energy ratepayers in New Hampshire.

The LCIRP requires utilities to determine the “lowest reasonable cost, while providing for the reliability and diversity of energy sources. To maximize the use of cost effective energy efficiency and other demand side resources and to protect the safety and health of the citizens, the physical environment of the state, and the future supplies of resources.”

By removing these requirements, the utilities would no longer be required to find the least cost solutions to New Hampshire’s energy needs with regard to all energy projects including poles and wires, gas pipelines, meters and programs for efficiency and behind the meter contributing sources. Because utilities are allowed to charge the cost of energy projects back to the rate-payers, this would most likely result in increased electric and natural gas costs.

This is not something that is needed or wanted in New Hampshire right now.

Also, by repealing this statute, the utilities would not be obligated to look at measures to protect the health and safety of New Hampshire residents or to determine the impact of energy projects on our environment. Doing away with the LCIRP would essentially give the utilities free reign to start energy projects that may end up costing us higher rates, impact our health and which could potentially harm our environment.

Guardrails, like the LCIRP are put in place so that projects do not go off track and end up crashing in flames. LCIRP is a guardrail that New Hampshire needs to keep in place to both protect our health, our environment, and to keep our energy costs down.

For these reasons, we and the Democratic members of the Science, Technology and Energy committee will vote against this bill and will continue to work to ensure health and energy protections while not imposing extra energy costs onto New Hampshire's ratepayers.

Respectfully signed,

Representative Wendy Thomas Hills-12, town of Merrimack
Science, Technology & Energy Committee

Representative Tony Caplan Merrimack 8, Henniker, NH
Science, Technology & Energy Committee