Pembroke energy panel debates contacting Sen. Pearl on two clean-energy bills

The Pembroke Energy Committee on May 12 debated whether to send a joint message to Sen. Pearl in support of two clean-energy bills that the New Hampshire Climate Campaign had asked the committee to endorse.

Chair (S2) introduced the Climate Campaign's request and said the committee should be mindful of its role: "Do we think that's out of bounds? Do we think that could be interpreted by the select board or town residents if they found out that we were being senator Pearl?" The Chair asked whether contacting a legislator would cross a line for a volunteer advisory committee.

Committee member (S3) countered with a status check of the legislation: "2 19 was retained in committee in the house, so therefore, there is nothing to do about it right now." He emphasized that the committee should focus on the larger fiscal developments in the budget process, noting that "the house put in the budget zeroing out the renewable energy fund, taking all of the money from it, and getting rid of the renewable portfolio standard." That, he said, would be a higher-priority concern to monitor and, if needed, address.

Members agreed on two practical steps: (1) clarify the bills' current procedural status before any public outreach, and (2) if the committee wishes to take an institutional position, present that recommendation to the select board for transparency. Chair (S2) said he would forward the Climate Campaign email to the group and follow up with Blake (New Hampshire Climate Campaign) to ensure the request did not go unanswered.

The committee did not take a formal vote on contacting Sen. Pearl during the meeting and instead tabled the decision pending confirmation of the bills' status and consultation with the select board.