Bill > HB278

This bill requires the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services to incorporate "proxy carbon pricing" into its procurement decisions for transportation and building heating/cooling costs. Proxy carbon pricing is defined as a calculated cost representing greenhouse gas emissions, which will start at $85 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent in January 2026 and increase by $10 every January 1st until reaching January 1, 2050. The bill specifically uses a methane multiplier of 1.3 to account for potential methane leakage, considering methane's higher warming potential compared to carbon dioxide. The department must include these carbon cost calculations in the state's annual energy report, with prices inflation-adjusted from a 2010 baseline. While the bill does not provide direct funding or authorize new positions, it could potentially impact state procurement decisions by requiring a more comprehensive evaluation of environmental costs in purchasing and construction projects. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aims to integrate environmental considerations into state-level economic decision-making.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0621&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB278