CHAPTER 267

HB 1129 – FINAL VERSION

25Mar2014… 0797h

05/15/14 1778s

4Jun2014… 1915CofC

2014 SESSION

14-2183

08/01

HOUSE BILL 1129

AN ACT requiring the development of an energy efficiency implementation plan.

SPONSORS: Rep. Grossman, Straf 4; Rep. Backus, Hills 19; Rep. Shepardson, Ches 10; Rep. Raymond, Belk 4; Rep. J. Mann, Ches 2; Rep. Till, Rock 6

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill directs the office of energy and planning, in consultation with the department of environmental services and the public utilities commission, to coordinate development of an implementation plan for capturing cost effective energy efficiency in the state.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

25Mar2014… 0797h

05/15/14 1778s

4Jun2014… 1915CofC

14-2183

08/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen

AN ACT requiring the development of an energy efficiency implementation plan.

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

267:1 Findings. The general court finds that:

I. The acquisition of energy efficiency that can be obtained at a lower cost than conventional energy supply benefits the citizens and businesses of New Hampshire.

II. Several studies and reports have concluded that there is significant potential for additional energy efficiency in New Hampshire that will benefit the citizens and businesses of New Hampshire, and make recommendations to the state for capturing that efficiency potential. These studies include:

(a) Additional Opportunities for Energy Efficiency in New Hampshire, prepared for the New Hampshire public utilities commission by GDS Associates, January 2009.

(b) The New Hampshire Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Fund, Year 3 (July 2011 – June 2012) Evaluation, prepared for the public utilities commission by Carbon Solutions New England, 2012.

(c) Independent Study of Energy Policy Issues, prepared for the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board by Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, September 30, 2011, prepared in response to SB 323 (2010).

(d) Increasing Energy Efficiency in New Hampshire: Realizing Our Potential, prepared for the office of energy and planning by Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, November 15, 2013.

267:2 Development of Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan.

I. The office of energy and planning, in consultation with the public utilities commission, the department of environmental services, and the department of administrative services, shall convene stakeholder meetings to identify means to maximize cost-effective energy efficiency across all energy use sectors, including electric consumption, heating homes and buildings, and powering our transportation modes. Stakeholders shall include, but not be limited to, residential, commercial, and industrial energy users, utilities, energy suppliers, state agencies, financing entities, residential and commercial building professionals, transportation experts, business leaders, and non-governmental organization policy advocates.

II. The goals of the stakeholder process shall be:

(a) To develop recommendations for short and long-term state energy efficiency goals. These goals shall take into account and complement any goals that are developed by the public utilities commission in its development of an electric and gas utility energy efficiency resource standard, and the findings of the state energy advisory council in the development of the state energy strategy.

(b) To develop a plan for the state with the goal of achieving all cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities that are less expensive than energy supply. The stakeholder process shall use the reports referenced in section 1 of this act as input for the plan, and shall specifically consider:

(1) The potential to reduce energy waste in new construction and existing buildings through such measures as ratification of appropriate energy codes, educating municipalities and the public about energy codes, and leveraging support from private and non-government organizations.

(2) The appropriateness of and need for a rate recovery mechanism that reconciles utilities’ investments in energy efficiency programs with resulting potential lost revenue.

(3) How to better engage the private financing market by developing investment opportunities in the energy efficiency industry.

(4) Whether the current funding sources and levels for low-income weatherization are adequate.

(5) Whether cost-effectiveness tests used in New Hampshire are appropriate.

(c) To make recommendations for the implementation of the plan in subparagraph (b) including any legislation deemed necessary.

267:3 State Compliance With Executive Order.

I. The office of energy and planning, in consultation with the department of administrative services and members of the state agency energy efficiency committee, shall examine whether the state is currently fulfilling the directives of executive order 2011-1 to lead-by-example in energy efficiency, whether additional goals may be appropriate for state-owned and leased buildings and fleet vehicles, and what tools are available or needed to help meet those goals.

II. The process shall consider, at a minimum:

(a) Whether and how the provisions of RSA 21-I:19-a through RSA 21-I:19-i should be updated to provide agencies with the necessary incentives to undertake performance contracts.

(b) Whether the establishment of a revolving loan fund administered by the department of administrative services would increase the ability of the state to undertake efficiency upgrades in state buildings.

(c) Whether and how to allow the department of administrative services to utilize a portion of funds available to implement energy efficiency measures to offset the cost of administration and oversight of energy efficiency projects.

(d) The level of capital investment necessary to implement all cost-effective energy efficiency measures in state-owned buildings.

(e) Whether and how to allow energy savings to be used for additional projects or maintenance of existing equipment to ensure its continued efficient operation.

267:4 Report Required. The office of energy and planning shall submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the senate energy and natural resources committee, the house science and technology committee, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2014, and a final report on or before July 1, 2015.

267:5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: July 28, 2014

Effective Date: July 28, 2014