For the past four years, Gov. Chris Sununu and Science Technology & Energy committee Republicans have blocked many urgently needed energy efficiency and renewable energy planning bills and initiatives. It is clear that because this group does not acknowledge the existence of Climate Change nor the need to plan for the future, they are more than content to provide protection for fossil fuel interests. Even energy efficiency efforts have been targeted for cuts, because these politicians claim they do not work. This despite NHSaves requiring a cost-benefit analysis for every such project that they support, often with a 4:1 payoff.

In the run-up to the election the Republicans seemingly have seen the light, and are proclaiming that 2023 will be the Year of Biomass. This despite their efforts to shut down New Hampshire’s biomass plants during the past two years. This was an effort to cripple biomass energy production in New Hampshire, despite the roughly 1,000 jobs it supports, the millions of local tax revenue it produces and the in-state renewable energy it generates. They argued that it was too expensive. However, now they are changing course because in the current worldwide energy crisis, that energy is competitive and is also local. Because Republicans did not plan for a future without cheap natural gas, they now realize that they must take some action because New Hampshire residents are suffering from the high energy costs of out-of-state fuel sources. While Democrats were busy producing viable energy plans for New Hampshire’s future (a White Paper in 2018 documenting our state’s energy resources, and another White Paper in 2020 laying out a green plan of action for New Hampshire), as well as submitting dozens of bills in support of the clean energy transition, Gov. Sununu was busy vetoing these efforts, while STE Republicans spent their time blocking many reasonable initiatives.

Voters deserve a New Hampshire energy policy that is planned and should prioritize energy efficiency along with in-state renewable energy such as solar, hydro, biomass and wind energy. These energy sources have zero or almost zero energy costs and provide price stability, while fossil fuels will continue to be volatile and dependent on world markets. This November, New Hampshire voters should determine our state’s energy future.

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