To the Editor:

The New Hampshire Legislature is at a crossroads on important energy policy, and several senators should be recognized for leading us on the correct path with respect to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

For the better part of 2012, New Hampshire officials negotiated with other member states in this regional initiative, and arrived at a 10-state agreement updating the nation’s first market-based program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Consistent with New Hampshire law, this agreement must now get legislative approval. Few people outside of these agencies have taken the time to fully comprehend the complex nature of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but Senators Bob Odell, Nancy Stiles and Peter Bragdon did the work they were elected to do: understand the policy and its impacts on New Hampshire and determine the appropriate course of action in the best interests of our state and citizens.

The regional agreement includes a reduction in carbon pollution by lowering the cap on power plant emissions from 165 million to 91 million tons – a reduction of 45 percent. House Bill 306, now pending in the Senate, implements this cap, and in a special provision honoring the work of the last legislature, protects ratepayers by rebating compliance revenues back to them.

A related piece of legislation, SB 123, passed the N.H. Senate this spring and would dedicate up to $2 million annually to municipal and school energy efficiency and energy conservation projects; this legislation, intended to lower the costs of local government operations and save business and residential property taxpayers money, relies on proceeds from RGGI.

In 2009 and 2010, the Municipal Energy Assistance Project worked with 48 towns across the state. Energy inventories in these towns indicated that the costs of street lighting, building lighting and heating, and transportation for each town averaged almost $200,000 annually. The municipal energy aid legislation, SB 123, passed the Senate 23-1, a strong signal that assisting local governments and reducing local taxes is a priority among our senators. The catch: Proceeds for local assistance would only be possible if the Legislature passed HB 306 permitting New Hampshire to continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Senators Odell, Stiles and Bragdon understand this vitally important point and are backing HB 306. We appreciate their hard work, their rising above ideology, and their dedication to doing what is best for New Hampshire by supporting HB 306.

JIM GRADY

Merrimack

JOHN SHEPARDSON

Wilton

ALICE FOGEL

Acworth

SUSAN ANDERSON

Rye