Senator Donovan Fenton introduced Senate Bill 590 to allow municipalities with approved electric aggregation plans to set up a revolving fund for reinvesting non‑tax revenues from community power programs into local energy services such as efficiency, weatherization, demand‑reduction programs and local energy projects.

"The goal of SB 90 is simple and practical, to give municipalities a clearer, more flexible way to reinvest non tax revenues from their electric aggregation programs back into local energy solutions," Fenton said. He offered amendment O056S to explicitly state that no funds raised from local taxes may be used to capitalize or operate the revolving fund.

Witnesses from the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) and local officials described how the change would let towns act when opportunities arise. Dr. Bruce Tucker, of Peterborough's Community Power Committee, said a revolving trust would have allowed the town to include revenues that appeared mid‑project and avoid additional RFPs, higher costs and lost energy production from delayed solar installations. Dina Dennis of CPCNH said the amendment simply removes potential ambiguity and preserves legislative intent: "This amendment clarifying that no funds raised from local taxes may be used" aligns with RSA 53‑E’s prohibition on taxpayer funds for electric aggregation operations.

CPCNH and Clean Energy New Hampshire representatives also noted that community power programs have helped customers save money and reinvest value locally; Dennis told the committee CPCNH members serve roughly 175,000 customers across nearly 70 municipal and county programs and have helped save more than $16,000,000 on customer bills since launch.

After closing the public hearing, the committee moved into executive session and adopted amendment O056S. The committee recorded unanimous voice assent to adopting the amendment and proceeded with executive business. No final floor action on SB 590 was recorded in the hearing transcript; the amendment was adopted at committee and will accompany further committee consideration.