SB 26-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2015 SESSION
15-0702
06/03
SENATE BILL 26-FN
AN ACT relative to the electric renewable portfolio standard.
SPONSORS: Sen. Bradley, Dist 3
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
This bill requires the public utilities commission to:
I. Establish a low-income home weatherization program.
II. Suspend funding for certain projects for up to 3 years if price increases in default service exceed 25 percent.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
15-0702
06/03
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen
AN ACT relative to the electric renewable portfolio standard.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Renewable Energy Fund. Amend RSA 362-F:10, VIII to read as follows:
VIII. The commission may, after notice and hearing, by order or rule, establish additional incentive or rebate programs and competitive grant opportunities for renewable thermal and electric energy projects sited in New Hampshire. The commission shall, after notice and hearing, by order or rule, establish a low-income home weatherization program consistent with the income criteria established by the portion of the system benefits charge attributable to programs for low-income customers. Funding for the low-income home weatherization shall take priority over other projects funded by this section for 3 years.
2 Renewable Energy Fund. Amend RSA 362-F:10, XI to read as follows:
XI. The commission shall issue requests for proposals that provide renewable projects in the nonresidential sector, which include commercial and industrial sited renewable energy projects, existing generators, and developers of new commercial-scale renewable generation in New Hampshire, with opportunities to receive funds from the renewable energy fund established under RSA 362-F:10. The requests for proposals shall provide such opportunities to those renewable energy projects that are not eligible to participate in incentive and rebate programs developed by the commission under RSA 362-F:10, V and RSA 362-F:10, VIII. The commission shall issue a request for proposals no later than March 1, 2011 and annually thereafter, and select winning projects in a timely manner. In the event of price increases for default service that exceed 25 percent, the commission shall suspend, for a period of up to 3 years, funding for any projects in this paragraph. All such moneys shall be rebated to that class of customers during the time the commission suspends projects.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBAO
15-0702
01/29/15
SB 26-FN - FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to the electric renewable portfolio standard.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Public Utilities Commission states this bill, as introduced, may increase state, county, and local expenditures and may decrease state, county and local revenue by an indeterminable amount in FY 2016 through FY 2018.
METHODOLOGY:
The Public Utilities Commission states this bill suspends all renewable energy rebate programs, for residential and non-residential customers for a period of three years and grant programs for up to three years. During this three year period, funding would be directed to a low income weatherization program created by order or rule. The program income criteria for the low income weatherization program would be consistent with the existing low income program funded by the systems benefit charge. Further, in the event of a price increase for default service that exceeds 25 percent, this bill directs the Commission to suspend the commercial and industrial grant program for a period of up to three years. By redirecting renewable energy funds away from renewable energy projects to non-renewable projects, electricity costs will increase by an indeterminable amount for ratepayers, including state, county and local governments. Additionally, any renewable energy grants that state, county and local governments are currently receiving or would apply to receive or any programs, such as the state buildings renewable energy project program, would be unavailable over the next three years, decreasing grant revenue. The bill also directs the Commission balance the overall amounts expended, allocated, or obligated between residential and non-residential sectors based on the approximate proportion of electricity. Based on 2014 data, the proportion of total retail sales of electricity is approximately 45 percent residential and 55 percent non-residential. The Commission states if the grants and rebates for non-residential customers are suspended, as required by this bill under certain circumstances, it will be difficult to maintain the required balance of expenditures between the residential and commercial/industrial customers.