Sponsor asks committee to hold SB 449 on net‑metering changes while stakeholders negotiate
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Sen. Tim Lang asked the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to hold SB 449 so he can work with stakeholders on amendments; testimony from Clean Energy NH and business groups supported the bill while the Department of Energy raised technical and administrative concerns.
Senator Tim Lang opened the hearing on Senate Bill 449 and asked the committee to hold the bill so he can meet with stakeholders and draft amendments addressing concerns raised by the House. "If this feels like Groundhog Day because it is," Lang said, adding he intends to rework policy language with industry partners before the bill moves forward.
Nick Paul of Clean Energy New Hampshire testified in support, saying SB 449 is an "incremental step" that would align New Hampshire’s net‑metering framework with financing norms (a 20‑year term for new projects), and that clarity is needed for developers and lenders. Deputy Commissioner Chris Elms (Department of Energy) described policy and technical concerns: the bill would significantly expand eligible load for net metering and could create equity issues and administrative burdens for tracking group arrangements and preventing double counting.
D.J. Burke (Business & Industry Association) noted energy costs are a major concern for manufacturers and expressed willingness to work with the committee. With no immediate action recorded, the chair closed the hearing and the sponsor asked the committee to hold the bill pending stakeholder work.