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State Gives More Time For Input On N.H.'s 10-Year Energy Strategy

Calpine

The state is giving the public more time to weigh in on its 10-year energy strategy, as part of a required update.

The strategy comes from the governor's office of strategic initiatives and was last updated in 2018. In the future, it would become the purview of the new state Department of Energy likely included in the next state budget.

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The current strategy focuses on lowering costs for ratepayers and an "all-of-the-above" approach to fuel diversity – including emissions-cutting renewables, nuclear power and natural gas.

As for climate change, the state strategy argues the best way to fight it is for clean fuels to compete on their own, without subsidies or government mandates.

“Investments and policies should prioritize the most cost-effective energy production and delivery,” the strategy states. “New Hampshire can foster a sustainable and dynamic energy economy by ensuring a favorable regulatory environment, not a regulatory and statutory environment based on favoritism. Resources should compete in the market, not compete for government policy preferences.”

Since the document's last update, the state has seen growth in local, distributed approaches to renewable energy, like solar installations. Governor Chris Sununu has also come out in support of large-scale offshore wind power, while vetoing many policies that would support smaller renewable growth.

The deadline for the public to comment on the strategy has been extended to June 25. Details on how to submit input are at the OSI website.

Annie has covered the environment, energy, climate change and the Seacoast region for NHPR since 2017. She leads the newsroom's climate reporting project, By Degrees.
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