Bill > SB539

This bill restructures how biomass technologies are categorized in the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), a regulatory framework that requires electricity providers to source a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable energy sources. Specifically, the bill consolidates all eligible biomass technologies into Class III, increasing the Class III renewable energy obligation from 8% to 9% starting in 2025, while simultaneously reducing the Class I renewable energy obligation from 15% to 12%. The bill adds a new provision allowing a 75 MW biomass facility in Coos County (a designated distressed economic area) to be eligible for Class III certification, and removes previous operational date restrictions for biomass facilities. Additionally, the bill increases the alternative compliance payment for Class III renewable energy certificates from $31.50 to $45, which electricity providers must pay if they cannot meet their renewable energy obligations. The changes are intended to provide more flexibility for biomass energy producers and potentially support economic development in rural areas. The fiscal impact is considered indeterminable, as the bill may affect renewable energy certificate market dynamics, but the Department of Energy cannot precisely predict the economic consequences of these changes.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1314&inflect=2