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Keeping renewable energy in NH’s future

By Staff | Feb 8, 2017

Renewable energy is generally considered a good thing, but there is currently a bill (House Bill 225) that would repeal New Hampshire’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The RPS requires utilities to get a percentage of electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind. We need to keep the RPS and oppose HB 225 for these reasons:

? The RPS encourages local jobs such as rooftop solar installation, and biomass (wood) energy production.

? Adopting more renewable energy mitigates against the risks of climate change.

? The drought this past summer ruined 50 percent of the hay crop and caused 16 percent of our dairy farms lost.

? Maple trees will cease to change color, affecting the tourism industry, which currently accounts for up to $1.6 billion a year.

? Climate change impacts health. Greenhouse cases and particulate matter from fossil fuels contribute to the rise in cases of asthma and bronchitis. Using renewable energy instead makes the air cleaner.

Repealing the RPS would be doing exactly the opposite of what is in the New Hampshire 10 year energy strategy. The strategy calls for the state to diversity its energy sources. Repealing the RPS does not in any way help diversification and it allows the state to continue to rely too much on fossil fuels.

Mary Beth Raven

Merrimack

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