For reasons that didn’t pass a “smell test,” in each of the last two years Gov. Chris Sununu has vetoed bipartisan net betering bills that began to address a reality the large majority of Granite Staters acknowledge – the planet and New Hampshire are warming at an alarming rate.

A new comprehensive electricity net metering bill, HB 1218, will be voted on and hopefully passed when the House reconvenes later this month. One thousand, two hundred and eighteen will give the governor the opportunity to be “for” something that is important to the state’s future. This bill has significant sponsors from both parties and it “splits the difference” with what Sununu said was the problem with the Net Metering bills that he vetoed in 2018 and 2019.

HB 1218 will allow municipalities and businesses to develop solar energy projects that are large enough to make economic sense. The bill will not have an impact on our electricity rates and it will not drive utilities out of business. The bill will allow planned construction projects to begin almost immediately and help “jump start” the economy.

One thousand, two hundred and eighteen is a lot closer to what, a year ago, Sununu and the 35% of the Legislature that supported his veto contended they can live with. Please encourage the Governor and your legislators to take this one small step towards addressing a crisis that many argue is far more important than even Covid 19.