09Mar2005… 0437h

06/09/05 1758s

2005 SESSION

05-0682

03/10

HOUSE BILL 185

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study maximizing the incentives for the voluntary use of renewable energy in New Hampshire as defined in RSA 374-F:3.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

09Mar2005… 0437h

06/09/05 1758s

05-0682

03/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

202:1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study maximizing the incentives for the voluntary use of renewable energy in New Hampshire as defined in RSA 374-F:3.

202:2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

202:3 Duties. The committee shall:

I. Identify the benefits of renewable energy in New Hampshire, principally focusing on geothermal, wind, solar, and hydro energy. The committee should consult prior studies relating to the use of renewables to facilitate this purpose.

II. Determine incentives for utilizing renewable energy in New Hampshire without additional taxes or fees on citizens.

III. Assess the current state of technology relating to harvesting geothermal, wind, solar, and hydro energy in New Hampshire. The committee shall compile information, including:

(a) The location of known and potential geothermal deep sites and their characteristics, e.g., steam, hot water, temperature, and deleterious materials that limit use.

(b) Methodology and practicality for use of geoexchange heating and cooling on single unit commercial, industrial, or residential buildings.

(c) The location of past, existing, or potential wind farms and the commercial viability of wind power.

(d) Practicality of solar technology for individual dwelling units and for public utility solar-based electricity production.

(e) Policies which address the preservation of existing small scale hydroelectric generation facilities, as well as the development of new facilities.

(f) Policies which encourage the continued and expanded use of biomass products for the production of electric energy.

(g) Other considerations that may allow New Hampshire to optimize use of renewable energy.

IV. Solicit input from at least one member of the New Hampshire geological survey, from public utilities with expertise on renewable energy, and from any other persons with information or expertise relevant to the committee’s objectives.

202:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

202:5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2005.

202:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

(Approved: July 1, 2005)

(Effective Date: July 1, 2005)