[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6379775,"mediaKeyId","2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf","parentId",2135175,"title","Bill to create climate change division in DES draws split testimony; committee recommends ITL","audioSeconds",4174,"startMs",13596000,"endMs",17770000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf&start=13596&end=17770","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf/thumbnail_13596000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6379775/New-Hampshire/Bill-to-create-climate-change-division-in-DES-draws-split-testimony-committee-recommends-ITL","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379775-09a2536292b14fcb489f72a9c0109189/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160462&Signature=OR8pIm8JMaFHKY49lOUBDZpWUbOZBqqZAwGqsCPm7ch8ndN3ZkaWss8z9IxPRN~WVfV7iJwU~w1Kaq5smoxriAbyVEn1ovwHMq7yCJvq2GtfaIMzy9UCXUFudCEU-N7~Hzks9rksilgbUE3d~85iJ3p-XK6jUPSa9pgYm-YaBLvnXipESDN~2KpU3qxQ6sItKxxLQKL-IZt9652xoH17E3sgsMhCSQp1RUSkLwlcsHAce1J2HzJN6l8L26d1gHQvwS-uBeb~mtcfqKxtNLgB-a~9LJJCvtLvOrhQAObxkx2nF6QCtWOX1lp3ajkXcLs6lOa8mlgH1ioEpG9OY1qDbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","NH House of Representatives Committee","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Wendy Thomas introduced House Bill 526, which would establish within the Department of Environmental Services (DES) a division titled Climate Change and Damage to coordinate adaptation planning, research, public education and grant management.

\"The division will focus on climate adaptation planning, identifying vulnerabilities such as sea level rise, extreme weather events and shifting ecosystems,\" Representative Wendy Thomas said. She told the committee the new unit would gather scientific information, model risks and administer grants to support resilience across municipal, infrastructure and natural-resource sectors.

Mike Fitzgerald, assistant director in DES’s Air Resources Division, briefed the committee on the agency’s current activity and a fiscal estimate. Fitzgerald said the department already conducts adaptation planning with regional partners and currently manages several federal grants, including a climate pollution-reduction grant that funds staff work. He told the committee that continued and expanded work would likely require additional personnel beyond the grant-funded roles: \"We estimated that this would probably take an additional 2 or 3 staff,\" Fitzgerald said, and noted that many related tasks are technical and ongoing.

The Conservation Law Foundation and the Conservation Law Foundation’s senior attorney argued in favor of a stand-alone division to consolidate climate-related work and ensure consistent statewide planning. \"Consolidating all of DES's activities into a single division that can, further study the issue and figure out how to better adapt to climate change is really needed, right now,\" said Nick Kraygoff of the Conservation Law Foundation.

Opponents raised cost concerns and questioned whether a new state division is the most efficient approach. Some committee members also reiterated skepticism about assigning new recurring expenditures without a specific appropriation; DES staff said the department had prepared a fiscal note that estimated additional staff and operating costs but that grant funding currently covers a portion of work.

In executive session the committee adopted a recommendation of Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 526 by a vote of 10–8. Representative Donald Nader moved for ITL and Representative Olaf Schneller seconded. The committee assigned majority and minority reports and directed report filing as required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Science, Technology and Energy (01/21/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 526 would create a Climate Change and Damage Division inside the Department of Environmental Services to coordinate adaptation, research and public engagement; DES testified additional staff would likely be needed and the committee voted 10–8 to recommend ITL.","taxTitle","Science, Technology and Energy, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17762,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379769,"Lawmakers consider clarifying PUC decisionmaking quorum after 2021 statute change",2359,15311000,17670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf&start=15311&end=17670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf/thumbnail_15311000.jpg","/articles/6379769/New-Hampshire/Lawmakers-consider-clarifying-PUC-decisionmaking-quorum-after-2021-statute-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379769-d8d3c28bac4fb89bb1721a3e40cd0383/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160462&Signature=bm97RQ-Gp8y9pWXZUIkemxPHonnu41qWFYEezkEHWxt3A2FH5qH~cKQm1YCVfUAuX0cBJ86x9K8jkF-wSuQ0n3jGFx~QbWAv32M6YCWPaOy6lSvcwr4MSG5DR16hDD-r4oh9KlbK~KDoqewrQ9lh63ll3E01o9Jn4rWU5fsMyTaxQxZI2P5s2dte9KmGgraN0RGEySYAb4cIWYaLYbSWObT-nW0QOfxlxQ2kSRKq0nr5vt5maOrT-RZGri9v-EoGjxNnsjxd0tcfZeSrYOYRYsC-z88bPXjhdqvwBQzfG3-vCHJsgx-DmyS-3HhiKWV3pOKwAUud~R7kxv-JdTeOhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Tom Corman presented an amendment to House Bill 169 to clarify how many Public Utilities Commission (PUC) members must agree to take official actions. The amendment would require a majority of the commission (effectively two of three commissioners) for hearings, orders and rulemaking.

Corman said recent statutory language — which delegates certain administrative powers to a commission chair — has the unintended effect of concentrating rulemaking authority in a single commissioner and that the amendment would restore majority voting for key actions. \"A commissioner does not make a commission,\" Corman told the committee, arguing that the 3-member panel should act collectively.

State consumer advocate Donald Kreese testified that the change would be best addressed narrowly by restoring rulemaking authority to the full commission while preserving administrative delegation to the chair. \"If it was up to me, I would just change the language in RSA 363:1 to say something like ... except for the power to promulgate rules, which shall repose in the commission,\" Kreese said.

Public Utilities Commission staff opposed broad language that would remove single-commissioner authorities absent careful drafting, arguing the commission’s workload and practical scheduling needs created routine circumstances in which a single commissioner handles certain matters. PUC staff warned that overly broad language could halt routine actions or create the need for special-commissioner appointments.

Committee members discussed options and requested that the PUC chairman provide a formal view on a narrowly tailored fix to the statute; the PUC staff agreed to provide additional, follow-up comment. No committee vote on the amendment was recorded on the hearing day.","Rep. Tom Corman proposed an amendment to require a majority of Public Utilities Commission members for hearings, orders and rulemaking, saying recent statutory language has concentrated authority in the chair.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379779,"Committee hears concerns about ISP copper-to-fiber transition; industry says rollout underway",949,12047000,12996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf&start=12047&end=12996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf/thumbnail_12047000.jpg","/articles/6379779/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-concerns-about-ISP-copper-to-fiber-transition-industry-says-rollout-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379779-df1b1d1631b093e8647ffa51da198bb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160462&Signature=Rk3pHxid6gGxwRqBHnKDvZbcF-Ntgy3WLWfjtNA03fk7fU5KfNl4-qvN8aAkzlQmgVkSORUrYM1H01ZY6gyeCvLaVzNLLX4TADT~1pRMbexqM5D1MDzCeimHxVdsVVy9xjlwUvbLcKWSvtzpIBn-1rXsHPKL2VZuBqfJuf-kiQoTQZubZcf65XKde2qFGEqtGSXMd5taelWuF9oD3QWEt7dHPltCRrGtPeIHCpVi7bdWTGBQrfnO7SncHIWbx4XyFAy3cNLVwFY5vpbXFk-IDPYj1B9k015-pRylTGsP2EcvbkW3DUX0mxaI7cWDPhT7pwhWbfYKPgRQsAoE6Y9P4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Keith Ammon (pinch-hitting for the prime sponsor) described HB 166 as a sunlight exercise: a legislative committee would review internet service providers’ infrastructure transition plans from copper to fiber to ensure conversions do not create service disruptions or leave rural customers behind.

\"A whistleblower from an ISP came forward and said that there is an inevitable progression from copper to fiber... but that the plan is obviously too aggressive and that if attempted as intended, it might lead to outages, particularly in rural areas,\" Representative Ammon summarized when introducing the bill.

Teresa Rosenberger, representing the New Hampshire Telephone Association and Consolidated Communications, testified that the firms she represents already have detailed build-out plans and federal reporting obligations following recent federal broadband funding. \"All of my clients have a plan,\" Rosenberger said. She cautioned that requiring only copper-network operators to disclose proprietary build plans could disadvantage them commercially and that carriers already notify the Federal Communications Commission when they plan a copper discontinuance.

Committee members sought technical clarifications. Representative Summers noted the cost elements of fiber upgrades (switching equipment, transceivers, repeaters) and asked whether state action could reach that technical level; Rosenberger replied that equipment choices are commercially determined and regulated at the federal level. Representative Kaplan asked whether copper-to-fiber transitions would threaten electrical service or public-safety systems; Rosenberger said she was not aware of any evidence that fiber rollouts directly cause electrical outages.

The bill’s sponsors framed the legislation as a risk-management measure: if the state examines the timelines, incentives and safeguards now, it can reduce the chance of unforeseen outages or cost spikes in rural areas as carriers upgrade networks. Industry witnesses emphasized that many carriers already accept federal funds and must meet deployment milestones and reporting requirements.

The committee collected testimony and closed the hearing without taking a vote that day. The online portal showed four supporters and one opponent for the measure; the committee said it would consider the testimony and any public filings at a later date.","House Bill 166 would establish a legislative committee to review internet service providers' plans to transition from copper networks to fiber. Witnesses said carriers have active plans and federal reporting obligations; proponents framed the bill as a transparency exercise to surface technical or market risks.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379784,"Electric cooperative opposes triennial deregulation filing bill, warns of added costs",2772,9258000,12030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf&start=9258&end=12030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf/thumbnail_9258000.jpg","/articles/6379784/New-Hampshire/Electric-cooperative-opposes-triennial-deregulation-filing-bill-warns-of-added-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379784-8ac83887bb9c3c4b486f533770c1cdec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160462&Signature=jAC8P2rNq1kr0D4c3wLW2XzdvMnTEMFrVLN-ICujLwVEakMbFedwQhMimOW6MoooitKkLPDSJvkvQbhpo26CqUIOGPtuxr65E9a817gOb9fpFqFyXa7A721QVsU74xMCpE~5odqFoaD4pV9dJwY6TEo1N3rS719N6bDnyb3UCAKkpJJ9mcgnANOG921mKieCS~3-E81kD411aVO~XjGnn22jsMQ4rkz1O-ALXTnj~7csjrgJecpy5zb9l4uydG-sK6kGPdbFuiMyW7AvJUtWyXjUcp9cdhicUTLHktv0O2OQdcbUkwJD70axhi4eOMTJGK69mF3rsJNnhPBrzxHsxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Wendy Thomas introduced House Bill 95, asking that the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) be required to file a certificate of deregulation with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) every three years so members regularly review the cooperative's regulatory status.

\"Filing a certificate ensures that the cooperative regularly reviews its regulatory status and communicates its operational choices to members,\" Representative Wendy Thomas said, framing the proposal as a transparency and member-accountability measure.

NHEC interim president and CEO Michael Jennings and board chair William Darcy testified in opposition. Jennings said members already retain the right to petition for revocation of deregulation and that NHEC’s membership overwhelmingly approved deregulation in 2000. He warned the bill could increase costs to members and to the PUC. \"The proposed legislation could cost New Hampshire rate payers an estimated $605,000 if the cooperative failed to file that certificate of deregulation,\" Jennings testified, summarizing the commission's fiscal estimate for oversight costs.

Board chair William Darcy said the coop’s deregulatory status enabled investments in broadband and other member-driven innovations and that regulation could reduce the cooperative’s ability to respond nimbly to member needs. \"If we were regulated, we would have been doing things the way Eversource, Unitil and Liberty was doing it because we weren't regulated,\" Darcy said, describing differences in procurement and service options.

The Office of the Consumer Advocate supported the bill's intent. State consumer advocate Don Kreese argued a periodic automatic member vote would strengthen democratic member control because the coop has not revisited the question since 2000. \"House Bill 95 would require the coop if it wants to stay deregulated to put that question to the coop membership every 3 years,\" Kreese said, arguing the change is a “democracy enhancing” tweak.

Public Utilities Commission staff described practical concerns. Alex Bridal (PUC staff) said the PUC opposed mandatory re-regulation and cautioned that bringing NHEC under full PUC regulation would create recurring resource needs at the commission. The PUC’s current interactions with NHEC are limited to energy-efficiency filings and safety-related matters.

No committee vote on HB 95 was recorded during the hearing day. The committee collected written comments and blue-sheet tallies showing limited online submissions for and against. Members asked about the three-year interval, costs of elections and PUC staffing; witnesses said existing member communications and internal elections already inform members about major decisions. The committee left the matter for later consideration.","Representatives and the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) debated House Bill 95, which would require NHEC to file a certificate of deregulation every three years. NHEC leaders and the Public Utilities Commission staff said the bill is unnecessary; the committee held the public hearing but did not record a final vote that day.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379789,"House panel weighs study of carbon pricing impacts; committee later votes ITL",4694,208000,4902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf&start=208&end=4902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135175-db7a71e9c104361f8ed453188ac5bdbf/thumbnail_208000.jpg","/articles/6379789/New-Hampshire/House-panel-weighs-study-of-carbon-pricing-impacts-committee-later-votes-ITL","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379789-13694ee27dac110297eb47be9d67955f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160462&Signature=RX6~srtyo1t25NNF1nsdxwiPLHCMGyJgCpoOaj3Rxp9IxbQ~97ppOdPS-1YWcF-RWdwRSjOnn3f94-kuO375VVQWx2JB2eO4~xiSy5OeHroa2-ZHNpAHzk95ospUjBZbrK3WUZorugZblf4MBOKpOvWxSTDoq6pgN4TnpI9G3ha83Etmv7wvojqmq7v2-MoIk73PrcveNRRrVvrvd2DbYHoSC8P0qZaJZ-PxUBBo2ZIfzLzDTGCqfHN0srkAHUFwmH5Nz-KMC6kDCazFKohWBURFXhpM2Vh-gwN7f18FJoYNUqmwMlkH6TTJOFX9WJvj~8C5A~xSMr-gLu08PrvJ3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Wendy Thomas, the bill’s prime sponsor, introduced House Bill 306 and framed it as a preparatory study to examine how national or regional carbon pricing mechanisms might affect New Hampshire citizens, businesses and the environment.

\"Carbon pricing is a market based strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by assigning a monetary cost to emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases,\" Representative Wendy Thomas told the committee. She said the study would examine short- and long-term effects on energy costs, public health, and economic competitiveness, and would consider how any fees might be returned to residents, businesses and municipalities.

Supporters who testified highlighted examples of existing carbon-pricing programs and their potential benefits. Representative Kat McGee, speaking in support of the study, cited the World Bank’s tally of existing carbon-pricing instruments and said the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) returns money to New Hampshire ratepayers. \"We have the regional greenhouse gas initiative as an example which is a large emitter cap and trade program here in New England that brings in an excess of $50,000,000 back to New Hampshire each year,\" McGee said.

Opponents warned of economic costs and political backlash from carbon-pricing policies. Michael Sununu, testifying for himself, said a hypothetical $40-per-ton carbon fee could raise hundreds of millions in New Hampshire and expressed skepticism about how legislatures would manage such funds. \"The potential for raising taxes on pretty much every family and business in the state to the tune of at least a half a $1,000,000,000 a year at that level,\" Sununu said, describing his estimate from a prior presentation.

Other testimony ranged from academic and legal perspectives to municipal and business concerns. Citizens Climate Lobby volunteer John Gage and other witnesses emphasized that carbon pricing is spreading internationally and urged state planning to avoid stranded assets. The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, the Public Utilities Commission staff, and the state’s consumer advocate also participated in related hearings on other bills the same day; several speakers urged careful attention to competitiveness and regulatory impacts.

In executive session, Representative Donald Nader moved that HB 306 be recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL); Representative John Bernardi seconded. The clerk recorded the committee vote as 10 in favor, 8 opposed. The committee therefore adopted an ITL recommendation. The committee directed members to file majority and minority reports on the motion.

What happens next: An ITL recommendation from the committee does not immediately kill a bill but means the committee recommends against further legislative action. The House leadership and floor procedures determine whether the bill reaches later stages.","The Science, Technology and Energy Committee heard hours of testimony on House Bill 306, a proposal to create a commission to study how regional or national carbon pricing would affect New Hampshire. After public testimony and executive-session debate the committee ultimately voted 10–8 to recommend Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to create climate change division in DES draws split testimony; committee recommends ITL

Lawmakers consider clarifying PUC decisionmaking quorum after 2021 statute change

Committee hears concerns about ISP copper-to-fiber transition; industry says rollout underway

Electric cooperative opposes triennial deregulation filing bill, warns of added costs

House panel weighs study of carbon pricing impacts; committee later votes ITL