Senate Considers Clean Power Act

By Josh Rogers on Wednesday, April 3, 2002.

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A plan to reduce air pollution emitted by New Hampshire power plants is now before the State Senate.

The proposal, known as the Clean Power Act, enjoys the backing of the governor, most state environmental groups, and Public Service of New Hampshire.

As NHPR's Josh Rogers reports, PSNH support may be the key to its likely passage.

The plan to legislatively reduce four major pollutants from state power plants would be the first of its kind nationally. And supporters say itï¿½s a prudent leap forward that strikes the right balance between the environment, state utilities, and electric consumers. Lead sponsor, Wolfeboro Republican Jeb Bradley urged senators to stay the course. And during testimony before the senate environment committee, he stressed the importance of having PSNH as a willing partner in a proposal that would set timetable far more aggressive than any now being considered at the federal level..

'It is of national significance that a utility is agreeing to a timeframe thatï¿½s in the year 2007, letï¿½s not destroy our change at achieving the very good in our quest to achieve the perfect, which may very well be unachievable.'

Under the agreement passed by the house, PSNH power plants in Bow, Newington, and Portsmouth would have until 2007 to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, the chief cause of acid rain; nitrogen oxide, which creates smog; carbon dioxide; which hastens global warming; and less explicitly, mercury. While the measureï¿½s champions and foes both applaud such a timetable, some are angry that the planï¿½s inclusion of pollution credits. A provision that means PSNH could escape making changes by purchasing credits from out of state plants that emit fewer toxins.ï¿½.Portsmouth representative Jim Splaine spoke for many in room when he urged senators to strive for something more stringent..

'We should not be in the business of trading our health for cleaner air someplace else. We ought to do everything we can now that we have the opportunity. Maybe the public service company would say yes to something a little better than this.'

PSNH president Gary Long minced few words in dashing such hopes.

'We cannot accept any revisions for this bill. We negotiated in good faith we negotiated in good faith. Additional burden where it does not workï¿½.We cannot accept that.'

And according to most observers, PSNHï¿½s support of the plan is essential. Ken Coburn, head of the department of environmental services air resources division, says PSNHï¿½s opposition essentially killed a more aggressive incarnation of the clean power act proposed last yearï¿½..But Coburn also disagrees with critics of pollution credits. He points out that most of New Hampshireï¿½s pollution is produced out of state. He says credits purchased elsewhere will improve local air quality. And says critics of pollution credits ought to look at what the practice has achieved on a national level.

'Trading as initially instituted in the clean air act of 1990 has led to about 30 percent better reduction than what were required around the county. It has done so at about 87 % less cost than required. Itï¿½s done it quicker with more compliance its win win win win win.'

The senate environment committee is scheduled to vote on the clean power act tomorrow.