The state Senate passed a bill today that would do away with a consumer rebate from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI.
The program is made up of several Northeast states. It seeks to limit carbon emissions by selling the right to pollute.
Right now, New Hampshire rebates most of its RGGI proceeds to ratepayers. This bill would put all that money towards energy efficiency programs instead.
A similar proposal failed in last year's legislature. It's advanced along party lines this year.
Supporters say more focus on efficiency will help reduce energy use and therefore costs. Critics say ending the rebate will only increase costs.
The bill also carries an amendment that summarizes the state's energy policy as focusing on energy costs as well as climate change.
