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Self-interest veto of net metering

By Jerry Boyer - Bedford | Aug 8, 2020

“Electricrate” is an on online source that tracks electric rates across the country. According to their data, which was sourced from the US Energy Information Administration, New Hampshire rate payers pay the sixth highest average monthly electric bills in the country. Most of our power comes from nuclear and fossil fuel sources. Other states use renewable energy, (like wind and solar power) and encourage net metering.

Net metering allows consumers to use energy from solar panels to reduce their electric bills. Increasing the use of solar panels further cuts energy costs in two ways; it reduces peak demand, and it lowers our share of regional transmission costs. Under the current regulations imposed by the State, there is a limit on net metering projects, which drastically reduces its benefits. For this reason, towns like Bedford and Jaffrey have had to delay solar projects because providers are not interested in small projects that meet the current 1 megawatt limit.

Net metering bills have passed with bi-partisan support in the New Hampshire Legislature. However, on July 24, Governor Sununu vetoed a net-metering bill for the third year in a row. He stated that the bill is “…a direct handout to politically well-connected industries.” He made this statement even though he himself has received $99,900 from Eversource PACs and employees (most of whom don’t live in New Hampshire).

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