N.H. Senate votes to support cap-and-trade

CONCORD - The N.H. Senate Wednesday voted 16-8 to support the state's continued involvement in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Jim O'Brien of Conservation NH said 11 Republicans joined all of the Senate Democrats in voting for RGGI.

Specifically, they voted to endorse an amendment put forth by Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley.

Bradley's amendment would require the first dollar from RGGI auctions to go toward energy efficiency projects and the rest to ratepayers; allows the state to pull out if one other New England state does; and revamps the manner in which projects are awarded.

"The short answer is, yes, we're pleased that the state Senate kept the program," said O'Brien. "Do we like everything in the amendment? No, but it's better than repeal."

State Sen. Nancy Stiles, R-Hampton, has been working to get sufficient Republican votes to keep the state involved in RGGI. Last Friday, she indicated she thought nine Republicans would join Democrats.

The action comes after the House voted to repeal the RGGI law.

Because the Senate and House have taken two different actions on RGGI, both will no come before a conference committee.

If House members refuse to budge from their repeal stance, the matter would die in committee and the existing RGGI law would remain in place.