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Lawmakers weighing wind permit changes
April 30, 2013 by Sam Evans-Brown in New Hampshire Public Radio

The House Science, Technology and Energy Committee kicked off a summer's worth of work to reform the way the state evaluates proposals for new power plants Tuesday. They heard a whole day's worth of testimony about wind energy.

Senate kills wind-farm moratorium
March 27, 2013 by Garry Raymo in New Hampshire Union Leader

Instead the Senate voted 23-1 to establish two study committees to review the state Site Evaluation Committee's ability and capacity to do its job and the criteria for siting wind farms.

Legislation gives Northern Pass project a pass, foes insist
March 27, 2013 by Dave Soloman in New Hampshire Union Leader

"We didn't want to make a blanket decision to stop all SEC applications," said Prescott. "We made a decision to stop the filings for wind energy because there are many imminent issues. They are right on our doorstep. The decisions are going to be made soon.

RGGI money eyed by NH House for low-income families
March 21, 2013 by Garry Raymo in New Hampshire Union Leader

However, some members wanted to see the program repealed, including House Republican Alliance co-chair Rep Pam Tucker, R-Greenland. ...Over the past two years, the House voted to repeal RGGI, while the Senate wanted to modify the program. Two years ago, the bill died when the Senate failed to override former Gov. John Lynch's veto.

Also filed under [ Tax Breaks & Subsidies]

SEC changes met with skepticism in Senate
March 20, 2013 by Sam Evans-Brown in New Hampshire Public Radio

Opponents of Wind Farms and of Northern Pass are backing an effort to explicitly require the state's Site Evaluation Committee to consider effects on view sheds, home values, opinions of town governments and other factors, when permitting new energy projects.

Calls made for moratorium on new energy projects
March 20, 2013 in WMUR TV

With project proposals popping up with increased frequency, supporters of the idea said a step back would be a thoughtful move. "This is not about thumbs up or thumbs down on any specific project, it's looking at the process by which we approve them," said Sen. Andy Sanborn, R-Bedford.

Wind moratorium will get a vote on senate floor
March 20, 2013 by Sam Evans-Brown in New Hampshire Public Radio

After a long day of testimony, Senator Bradley introduced an amendment that stripped the language having to do with transmission lines out of the bill and replaced it with a one year moratorium only on new wind farms. The bill would create a committee to study and recommend updates to the siting rules for wind farms.

Delay worries windfarm opponents in Bristol
March 7, 2013 by Dan Seufert in New Hampshire Union Leader

The chief sponsor of HB 580 said he and his fellow lawmakers on the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee chose to "retain" the bill because the legislation wasn't prepared well enough to withstand a debate on the House floor. ...Reilly said he is confident HB 580 will be brought before the full House for a vote.

Wind moratorium won't make it out of committee
March 5, 2013 by Sam Evans-Brown in New Hampshire Public Radio

While wind opponents were frustrated today, the committee's vote sets the stage for an omnibus bill to come forward next session to reform how the Site Evaluation Committee makes its decisions ...In the meantime the lawmakers have sent a letter to the Site Evaluation Committee, which decides whether to approve new energy projects, asking them to update and rewrite the rules on wind farm permitting, to make the process more comprehensive.

Wind farms inspire email blast to NH lawmakers
March 5, 2013 by Dan Seufert in New Hampshire Union Leader

HB 580, sponsored by Rep. Harold "Skip" Reilly Sr., R-Grafton County District 8, and co-sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Forrester, R-Belknap District 2 calls for a moratorium on commercial wind projects until the state issues a new comprehensive energy plan. "I am not exaggerating, I received more than 1,000 emails in the past few days from people in favor of the moratorium," Reilly said. "I think, since I sponsored the bill, I've had six or eight people write to me who are opposed to it."

New Hampshire considers whether to strengthen RGGI cap-and-trade program
February 25, 2013 by David Brooks in The Telegraph, Nashua

If the proposed reduction in the RGGI cap goes through, that price would probably rise again. This won't be welcomed by RGGI opponents, who describe the program as a hidden tax that raises electricity rates but accomplishes little. ...PSNH has been a vocal opponent of RGGI, which it says contributes to an increase in its rates.

Wind farm opponents: Slow down
February 18, 2013 by Dan Seufert in Manchester Union Leader

"The NLRA believes that the state should enact a moratorium on all pending and proposed commercial wind projects until a comprehensive energy plan can be prepared to guide state energy policy toward a more carbon-free, cost-effective, locally produced, and high-efficiency energy environment which does not sacrifice the quality of life that supports our economy."

In New England, a Natural Gas Trap
February 16, 2013 by Matthew L. Wald in New York Times

The underlying issue in New England is that gas pipeline capacity is inadequate to keep prices steady in times of high home heating demand, said Vamsi Chadalavada, executive vice president and chief operating officer of ISO New England. ISO is leading a study focused mainly on reliability, but reliability is intertwined with price, he said.

Also filed under [ Connecticut| Massachusetts| Maine| Vermont]

Northern Pass seen as focus of five bills
February 13, 2013 by Bill Smith in Manchester Union Leader

"Recently we have seen a number of proposals for new energy facilities, specifically wind farms and transmission lines, that will have an important and lasting impact on our state," Arnold said. Arnold said the Legislature should act quickly on a bill giving the SEC a broad range of authority in considering proposed facilities.

Also filed under [ Transmission]

Windfarm expert: NH will see little benefit from projects
January 21, 2013 by Dan Seufert in Manchester Union Leader

Luce said Northeast states are being sought out by wind-power developers looking to capitalize on old and inadequate renewable energy standards. "These are simplistic standards that are grossly slanted toward large, stealth wind-power projects like the ones proposed here," said Luce, who was the guest speaker of New Hampshire Wind Watch at Newfound Memorial High School.

Borden to help craft energy plan; Rep. will lead New Hampshire committee
January 8, 2013 by Deborah Mcdermott in Seacoast Online

State Rep. David Borden, D-New Castle, said key among them will be working to formulate a new 10-year energy plan for New Hampshire. Also on the committee's horizon are bills to revamp the state's involvement in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, establishing a moratorium on wind turbines, strengthening the state's renewable energy portfolio standards and banning ethanol in gasoline.

Legislator wants halt to more wind farms
December 19, 2012 by Dan Seufert in Manchester Union Leader

"When they came up with the energy plan, they were dealing mostly with natural gas and other forms of alternative energy," he said. "It's time now to re-evaluate where we are going and come up with a comprehensive energy plan." The bill is in response to proposed wind-power projects in the Newfound Lake/Mount Cardigan area.

Alternative energy backers go to court in Seabrook Station fight
November 10, 2012 by Jim Haddadin in Fosters Daily Democrat

The groups contend that alternative energy sources could eventually make the nuclear energy supplied by Seabrook Station unnecessary. ...When it dismissed the groups in March, the NRC indicated alternative energy technology must be viable today "or in the near future" in order for consideration.

Also filed under [ USA]

Northern Pass isn't best option, rival study says
June 13, 2012 by Annmarie Timmins in Concord Monitor

A rival energy group to Northern Pass said yesterday that its new study shows the hydropower project is no longer economically viable because natural gas is increasingly becoming a cheaper alternative.

Also filed under [ Transmission]

New rules could boost region's renewable power
January 23, 2012 by Jay Lindsay in The Associated Press

A federal order issued last fall is intended to make it easier to construct transmission lines, costly and controversial projects that are notoriously tough to build.

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