CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today offered the following comments on House Bill 1487 becoming law. The legislation, which became law without the governor’s signature at midnight, blocks the implementation of low carbon fuel standards (LCFS) in New Hampshire without specific legislative approval.LCFS is a plan to cap the amount of gasoline and other liquid fuels, such as home heating oil, which would raise the price of these fuels. According to an analysis by the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) of the economic impact of the regional low carbon fuel standards on Northeast states, nominal gasoline prices would at least double and diesel and jet fuel prices would increase by at least 18-23% under the program. In 2009, Governor Lynch signed a memorandum of understanding with 10 other states to begin implementing low carbon fuel standards in the Northeast.
House Speaker William O’Brien
“The last thing our citizens and our economy need right now are higher energy prices. By implementing HB 1487, New Hampshire has become the first state to stand up against this scheme to raise the cost to fill our gas tanks or to pay to heat our homes. This legislature has taken a number of steps to reduce energy costs and put more money in the wallets of our residents and make our state more competitive. If our neighbors want to increase their costs for energy and send more of their citizens and employers to New Hampshire, we will welcome them with open arms. However, this state will not participate in low carbon fuels standards that take money from the people of our state to pay for more ‘Green Pork.’”
House Majority Leader Pete Silva
“While I’m not surprised that Governor Lynch and the Democrats hatched this scheme to raise fuel costs on the public for another round of handouts for the radical environmental lobby, I am glad that the Governor chose not to veto this legislation. The last thing we need is a ‘liquid RGGI’ for New Hampshire. Reducing energy costs in our state is crucial to our citizens and employers.”