Committee hears economic and environmental arguments on bills to scale back New Hampshire's renewable portfolio standard

Representative Michael Harrington told the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee that House Bill 219 would let consumer choice replace mandatory support for renewable generation. “We started out some years ago with the idea that we had to subsidize renewable energy to get it up on its feet and running,” Harrington said, arguing the statute should be phased out so households are not compelled to fund programs they do not use.

Opponents across the north country and the forestry and hydropower sectors urged the committee to retain the RPS in its current form, saying it supports local jobs, municipal revenue and infrastructure. Michael O’Leary, asset manager for Bridgewater Power Company, told members that his small biomass facility requires sales of renewable energy certificates (RECs) to remain solvent.…