SB 451 - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-3011
10/05
SENATE BILL 451
AN ACT relative to an expedited track for certain applications to the site evaluation committee.
SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Chandley, Dist 11; Rep. Cormen, Graf. 15; Rep. McGhee, Hills. 35; Rep. Vose, Rock. 5
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes an alternative procedure and timelines for an expedited track for changes to existing energy facilities meeting certain criteria.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-3011
10/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to an expedited track for certain applications to the site evaluation committee.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Energy Facility Siting, Construction, and Operation; Applications; Reference to Expedited Process. RSA 162-H:7, I is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
I. The procedures in this section shall apply to all applications for certificates, provided that the alternative procedure and timelines for the expedited track for changes to existing facilities shall supersede conflicting procedure and timelines and apply to accepted applications meeting the criteria in RSA 162-H:7-b.
2 New Section; Expedited. Amend RSA 162-H by inserting after section 7-a the following new section:
162-H:7-b Expedited Track for Changes to Existing Facilities.?
I. This section shall apply to existing energy facilities which meet the following criteria:
(a) The repowering of an existing facility can be no larger than existing name plate capacity.?
(b) A project which is expanded or added to an existing facility may not increase the existing facility’s name plate capacity by more than 50 percent.?
(c) Any repowering or expansion project must fit within the facility’s existing footprint or be constructed on an adjacent parcel.
II. Prior to filing an application for expedited track under this section:
(a) The developer of the energy facility shall inform the committee when the interconnection study is requested.?
(b) The developer of the energy facility shall inform the committee at least 60 days before filing the application under this section. This shall not affect requirements for the department of environmental services or other agency where a permitting process is on a separate track.
III. The following timelines shall apply to application filed under this section:
(a) The developer of the energy facility files application with proposed procedural schedule and prefilled testimony.
(b) On or before day 14 after initial filing, notice shall be provided to the community and public for the scheduled public hearing, as well as any call for interventions.
(c) On or before day 30 after initial filing, the committee shall make the determination of a complete application.
(d) After 30 days but before 120 days after initial filing:
(1) The date for the public hearing date is set, and notice provided by committee.
(2) The parties and agencies shall undertake any needed studies.
(3) The parties shall file testimonies, waiver requests, or stipulations?.
(4) The parties shall conduct discovery and engage in technical review sessions.
(e) After 120 days after initial filing, the applicant shall hold a public hearing complying with the requirements of the committee. ????
(f) Not later than 150 days after initial filing, the committee shall order the issuance of the certificate under RSA 162-H:16 or a denial.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.