Green New Hampshire
Renewable Portfolio Standard
Energy Efficient Buildings
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
Renewable Portfolio Standard
Under the New Hampshire Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), established in May 2007, the state’s electricity providers (with the exception of municipal utilities) must provide 24.8% of retail electricity sold to end-use customers from renewable sources. This is done by purchasing or acquiring certificates – known as renewable energy certificates (RECs) – that represent renewable energy generated.
New Hampshire’s RPS includes four distinct standards for different types of energy resources, including new renewable energy, new solar energy, existing biomass/methane power, and existing small hydroelectric.
The NH Public Utilities Commission provides more information on the RPS and different classes of energy resources.
Energy Efficient Buildings
New Hampshire adopted the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as the new statewide building code effective April 1, 2010. This encourages energy conservation through efficiency in envelope design, mechanical systems, lighting systems, and the use of new materials and construction techniques. In 2009, Governor John Lynch made the assurance that NH would achieve 90% compliance with the 2009 IECC by the year 2017. To help achieve this goal, the NH Office of Energy and Planning worked with GDS Associates to develop the NH Building Energy Code Compliance Roadmap.
Local governments may adopt different requirements only if those requirements are more stringent than the state code. The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has the rulemaking authority to change the standards of the code.
For official information about New Hampshire’s building codes, visit www.state.nh.us/safety/boardsandcommissions/bldgcode/nhstatebldgcode.html.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a nine-state agreement that requires major power producers to buy allowances at auction for each ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) they emit. The program is a boon to the economy, improving the bottom line for businesses and saving consumers on electricity bills at home. RGGI is attracting billions of dollars in new investments while creating a cleaner, more efficient, and more reliable power system.
New Hampshire has gained $17 million in net value to its local economy from RGGI, and added nearly 500 new jobs according to a report from the Analysis Group. Across the RGGI states of New England, Delaware, Maryland, and New York, the Analysis Group forecasts $1.6 billion in net economic value added to the regional economy and 16,000 new jobs.
Click here for more information on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative