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New Hampshire Climate CoalitionPlanning In December 2001, New Hampshire issued a planning document that included a series of policy options for reducing global warming pollution. Unfortunately, the state has made no progress to date in developing a comprehensive plan, identifying policies and timelines necessary to reach the regionally agreed-upon goals. A stakeholder process was set up to receive input on Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) proposals. Implementation In March 2004, the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) proposed to the legislature to reduce carbon dioxide from the state's three old coal and oil power plants by 25 percent from the 1990 baseline by 2011. Since then, DES has retreated from that position, first proposing legislative language to simply give them authority to implement the RGGI agreement as it applies to New Hampshire. When that legislation became bogged down in a House committee, they proposed separating CO2 regulation from this bill otherwise dealing with mercury reduction, and it has now been transformed in to a stand-alone bill for next year to set up a commission to address implementing RGGI. Other climate-related legislation introduced in January 2006 include a bill to require DES to produce a climate action plan, a bill to study wind power and two bills to set a renewable portfolio standard for state power utilities. The latter initiative is being backed by the Governor's office. In July of last year, Governor Lynch issued an executive order calling for state government to reduce energy use in state facilities by 10%. It also initiates a Clean Fleets Program to improve fuel efficiency in state owned vehicles. An energy information system will be implemented to measure progress toward meeting the goals of the executive order, as well as an incentive award for best department effort. For more information, contact the New Hampshire Climate Coalition: Copyright © 2004 New England
Climate Coalition. Updated January 27, 2006.
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