Iran war reshapes debate over New Hampshire bill to reclassify solar power
With Middle East airstrikes targeting energy infrastructure, the war is reshaping a debate at the New Hampshire State House over solar power.”There’s so many layers to this energy thing, right?” Sen. Kevin Avard, R-Nashua, said.Lawmakers in Concord are seeing an already complex debate over renewable energy become tangled in the consequences of war in the Middle East.”With the Iran conflict already leading to higher gasoline and heating oil prices in the state and likely to raise natural gas prices, the last thing we should be doing right now is adopting policies that would increase the state’s exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices,” Nick Krakoff, of the Conservation Law Foundation, said.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<House Bill 219 would reclassify solar power under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires a minimum percentage of energy on the grid to come from renewable sources.Instead of holding its own classification, solar would have to compete with other renewable projects.”Singling out solar by itself gives it an economic advantage over other types of projects that may be more economically efficient,” Rep. Michael Harrington, R-Strafford, said.Solar power companies said this move would harm their industry and force more reliance on foreign gas and oil.”So this is not the time to weaken market signals for clean energy, particularly when we are once again seeing a global fossil fuel pricing increase because of geopolitical instability,” Eric Kilens, of Granite State Solar, said.Beyond the global level, local and county officials are worried about what the bill would do to their bottom line.”Every county, municipality, town, school that invested significantly in renewable energy is going to take a hit to the tax base,” Chris Peterson, facilities engineer for Merrimack County, said.Supporters of this bill argue it won’t kill solar. Opponents closed out Thursday’s hearing saying, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.“The Department of Energy has said that the Renewable Portfolio Standard is working as intended,” Sam Evans-Brown, of Clean Energy NH, said.
With Middle East airstrikes targeting energy infrastructure, the war is reshaping a debate at the New Hampshire State House over solar power.
“There’s so many layers to this energy thing, right?” Sen. Kevin Avard, R-Nashua, said.
Lawmakers in Concord are seeing an already complex debate over renewable energy become tangled in the consequences of war in the Middle East.
“With the Iran conflict already leading to higher gasoline and heating oil prices in the state and likely to raise natural gas prices, the last thing we should be doing right now is adopting policies that would increase the state’s exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices,” Nick Krakoff, of the Conservation Law Foundation, said.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<
House Bill 219 would reclassify solar power under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires a minimum percentage of energy on the grid to come from renewable sources.
Instead of holding its own classification, solar would have to compete with other renewable projects.
“Singling out solar by itself gives it an economic advantage over other types of projects that may be more economically efficient,” Rep. Michael Harrington, R-Strafford, said.
Solar power companies said this move would harm their industry and force more reliance on foreign gas and oil.
“So this is not the time to weaken market signals for clean energy, particularly when we are once again seeing a global fossil fuel pricing increase because of geopolitical instability,” Eric Kilens, of Granite State Solar, said.
Beyond the global level, local and county officials are worried about what the bill would do to their bottom line.
“Every county, municipality, town, school that invested significantly in renewable energy is going to take a hit to the tax base,” Chris Peterson, facilities engineer for Merrimack County, said.
Supporters of this bill argue it won’t kill solar. Opponents closed out Thursday’s hearing saying, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
“The Department of Energy has said that the Renewable Portfolio Standard is working as intended,” Sam Evans-Brown, of Clean Energy NH, said.