ENVIRONMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE TO CALL ON CONGRESS TO PASS ENERGY BILL THIS YEAR
CONCORD – New Hampshire is rated a rising star for its bold leadership to increase renewable energy and save energy, according to a report released today by Environment New Hampshire.
The Environment America report, “America’s Clean Energy Stars: State Actions Leading America to a New Energy Future” praised New Hampshire officials for adopting bold policies to promote clean energy that can provide a model for the entire nation. In releasing the report, Environment New Hampshire and New Hampshire Sierra Club called on Congress to follow the lead of the states by passing a strong energy bill that increases renewable energy, fuel economy and energy conservation.
“New Hampshire is rising to our nation’s energy challenge by taking action to reduce energy consumption and promote clean, renewable energy. Governor Lynch, Commissioner Burack, Senator Fuller Clark and Representative Kaen, among many others, deserve tremendous credit for helping to lead the nation,” said Erika Staaf of Environment New Hampshire. “While we can and should do even more to meet our energy challenges, our leaders in Washington should follow the road map provided by New Hampshire and pass a strong energy bill this year that saves energy, saves oil and moves America forward to a new energy future”.
In developing the report, Environment America researchers looked at five areas of cutting-edge clean energy policy adopted by the state governments: renewable electricity standards, the Clean Cars Program, utility energy efficiency programs, energy efficiency standards for appliances, and building energy codes.
“Increasing our state’s energy independence is one of my priorities,” said Governor John Lynch. “I have set a goal of ensuring 25 percent of our state’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2025, and recently signed into law the Renewable Energy Act to help us meet that goal. In addition, I issued an executive order directing state agencies to buy more energy efficient equipment and vehicles and, through my Jobs Cabinet, we’ve launched a new effort to help businesses become more energy efficient,” added Lynch.
“Here in New Hampshire we are working toward a clean energy future,” said Senator Martha Fuller Clark, Chair of the Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development Committee. “Last year we worked together to pass the Renewable Energy Act of 2007, and this year we look ahead to new polices and initiatives that address energy efficiency and climate change, and to achieve the Governor’s 25 x 25 energy challenge.”
“This year, the New Hampshire legislature is considering several policies that will help drive our state’s clean energy, clean air, and energy efficiency programs forward,” said Representative Naida Kaen, Chair of the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee. “Among those are the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to cap carbon emissions from utilities across the region; Appliance Efficiency Standards legislation; and legislation to regulate the use of outdoor wood-burning furnaces.”
“Through collaboration and cooperation, New Hampshire has successfully implemented policies and programs to increase clean renewable energy and save energy for the people of New Hampshire,” said Thomas Burack, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services. “By working together, we can build from existing policies, such as New Hampshire’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, and continue to implement important programs such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, among many others.”
A number of states, including New Hampshire were spotlighted for special recognition in the report.
New Hampshire is one of nine states – Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Wisconsin – highlighted as “rising star” clean energy states in recognition of their strong recent actions to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources of energy.
New Hampshire is a “rising star” by virtue of its adoption in 2007 of a renewable electricity standard that will require 23.8 percent new renewable energy by 2025, by its significant investments in energy efficiency through its systems benefit charge, and by its adoption of updated residential building codes.
“State leaders have begun to move us in the right direction on energy, but we must do much more at every level of government,” said Jerry Curran of the New Hampshire Sierra Club. “Congress should pass a strong energy bill this year that saves energy, saves oil by increasing fuel economy for cars and light trucks to at least 35 MPG and increases America’s use of clean energy requiring at least 15% of our electricity to come from renewable energy.”
