CONCORD, NH – House Deputy Majority Leader Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) today testified in support of HB 1748-FN, legislation establishing the New Hampshire Energy Efficiency and Resource Development Authority, also known as White Mountain Power, to protect Granite Staters from rising and volatile energy costs.
“HB 1748 is about whether New Hampshire leads on energy or keeps reacting to decisions made in neighboring New England states,” Sweeney said. “Our state’s low taxes and predictable regulatory climate have made us competitive. High and unstable energy costs remain one of the biggest threats to working families and small businesses.”
Sweeney continued, “New England’s overreliance on imported natural gas has produced winter price spikes, artificial scarcity, long-term uncertainty, and exposure to global fuel markets. HB 1748 addresses these structural problems by prioritizing firm, in-state baseload power, especially advanced nuclear energy, to stabilize, innovate, and produce good clean energy.”
Sweeney further explained that, “HB 1748 is a serious, long-term strategy that lowers costs, creates high-wage jobs, and puts Granite Staters, not out-of-state regulators, back in control of our energy future,” he concluded.
Background
The bill creates a focused authority to attract private investment, coordinate workforce development, and protect ratepayers through long-term price stability. It aligns energy efficiency with generation planning while preserving fiscal oversight through the Governor and Executive Council.