Key Energy and Environment Bills to Watch in New Hampshire for 2025: What You Need to Know

The new legislative session in Concord is buzzing with activity around energy and environmental bills. Climate change is the hot topic, as warmer and wetter conditions continue to affect New Hampshire and the entire planet. In 2024, we witnessed record-breaking temperatures, making it the hottest year ever, both globally and for New Hampshire.

Lawmakers are divided on how to tackle climate change. While some push for policies to reduce warming, others focus on adapting to new weather realities. Despite the disagreements, there is some bipartisan support for initiatives to safeguard communities from more severe weather events that result from a warming planet.

Here’s a look at the key issues on the table:

Energy Policy Changes

A significant bill introduced by Rep. Michael Harrington aims to phase out New Hampshire’s renewable portfolio standard. This standard currently requires electric utilities to obtain a quarter of their power from renewable sources or trade certificates that prove renewable generation. Harrington believes it’s important for residents to choose their energy sources.

New Hampshire’s renewable goals are less ambitious compared to other New England states, which are striving to ramp up renewable energy use. A review in 2018 noted that New Hampshire’s policy had positive effects on renewable energy use and local economics.

Another proposal, from Rep. Ross Berry, suggests dissolving the Office of the Consumer Advocate and merging its responsibilities with the New Hampshire Department of Energy. Consumer Advocate Don Kreis expressed concern that this move could distract from the needs of utility customers.

Additionally, Rep. Jeanine Notter is advocating for changes to the renewable energy fund, which currently supports clean energy projects. Her proposal would instead direct funds back to retail electric ratepayers.

Electricity Generation Shifts

Lawmakers are also reconsidering New Hampshire’s approach to offshore wind energy. A resolution seeks to reject all wind projects in the Gulf of Maine, while another bill would ban development in the state’s waters. Meanwhile, there is growing support for nuclear energy. Proposed legislation could allow utilities to operate advanced nuclear resources, with bipartisan support for a bill classifying small-scale nuclear energy as “clean energy.”

Evaluating Climate Costs

Rep. Tony Caplan plans to establish a commission to assess the financial impact of climate change on New Hampshire. He aims to explore various ways to recover these costs through municipal bonding, legal actions, and other means.

Across the country, many states, cities, and tribes are taking action against fossil fuel companies for their role in climate change. One proposed law in New Hampshire would impose criminal penalties on companies that misrepresent their environmental impact, while another would establish a climate change division within the Department of Environmental Services.

Additionally, there’s a bipartisan effort led by Rep. Judy Aron to increase the state funding limit for municipalities hit by disasters from $25,000 to $100,000. This change would assist communities, which often face hefty upfront repair costs while waiting for federal reimbursement after disasters.

Since 2011, New Hampshire has received federal disaster assistance for 16 events, totaling about $74 million in funding. This highlights the ongoing need for robust support and proactive measures in the face of climate change.