Bill > HB567

This bill modifies New Hampshire's Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) by eliminating useful thermal energy technologies from renewable energy classifications. Specifically, the bill removes references to technologies producing useful thermal energy from the definition of "renewable energy source" and adjusts the percentage requirements for Class I, II, III, and IV renewable energy sources. The changes effectively lower the obligations for electricity providers to obtain Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), essentially reverting the standards to approximately 2015 levels. Key modifications include reducing the Class I renewable energy requirement from 15% to 6%, lowering the Class II requirement from 0.7% to 0.3%, and reducing the Class III requirement to 1%. The bill also repeals specific provisions related to biomass technologies producing useful thermal energy. According to the fiscal note, these changes could lead to decreased costs for electricity providers, with estimated Alternative Compliance Payment reductions of around $4.5 million and potential REC cost reductions of about $16 million. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, and while it may result in cost savings for electricity providers and potentially ratepayers, the exact financial impact remains somewhat variable depending on market conditions.

Business and Industry

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=0261&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB567