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Committee pauses bill ordering DOE assessment of transformer vulnerability after security, cost concerns
Summary
The Science, Technology and Energy Committee recessed consideration of HB 17-23, which would direct the Department of Energy to assess New Hampshire’s high-voltage transformer vulnerability to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances, after members questioned funding, technical capacity and confidentiality; the item was rescheduled for March 3.
The Science, Technology and Energy Committee on Feb. 17 recessed action on House Bill 17-23 after a lengthy debate over whether the state should direct the Department of Energy to study the vulnerability of high-voltage transformers to geomagnetically induced currents and recommend mitigation measures.
Representative Matson, the member who had moved the bill, described the replacement amendment as directing the Department of Energy to “investigate the vulnerability of electric transmission transformers and other system components to geomagnetically induced currents,” with a requirement that the investigation start within 90 days of the bill’s effective date and be completed within 12 months. The amendment also included confidentiality protections for…
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