Breaking News: Renewable Energy Changes Derailed

A bill to change how renewable energy is defined in New Hampshire has been derailed even before its first public hearing. Meanwhile, the move to repeal RGGI is on track for a full day of hearings Thursday.

Rep. Richard Barry (R-Merrimack), the sponsor of a bill to change the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standards law, told Front Door Politics Monday morning that the Science Energy and Technology Committee has decided to give the proposal an “inexpedient to legislate” recommendation in advance of tomorrow’s scheduled hearing. Barry said he did not intend for the House Bill 302 to benefit large-scale hydro electric providers, such as Hydro-Quebec’s pending Northern Pass project. (See our Friday, Feb. 4 Daily Dispatch for more information about HB 302.)

On a related scheduling note, Barry’s bill to withdraw New Hampshire from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will receive an all-day public hearing in Representatives Hall at the State House on Thursday, Feb. 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. House Bill 519 would repeal the cap and trade program known as RGGI, designed to control New Hampshire’s carbon dioxide emissions. (See our Dec. 28 Daily Dispatch for more information about repealing RGGI.)

This breaking news post was written by Michael McCord and Hilary Niles.

Posted by Niles Media on Feb 7 2011. Filed under Commerce, electricity, energy sector, land use, Property, utilities, Weekly Briefing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry