House Rewrites Electric Renewable Portfolio Standards to Lower Electric Rates

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien offered the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 218, which, as amended, makes significant changes to New Hampshire’s renewable electric portfolio standards (RPS) law. It expands the potential number of eligible renewable generation facilities, giving slight preference to New Hampshire indigenous resources such as wood, wind and water. SB 218 passed 275 to 6.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“Senate Bill 218 strikes a balance between ratepayer rights, local economic development benefits and fuel diversity of electricity generation. Eliminating regulatory roadblocks and allowing more New Hampshire facilities to qualify for the renewable electric portfolio standards program will reduce cost to New Hampshire electric customers. We will always move forward to bring back jobs to New Hampshire and this is another step in that direction.”