Committee Summary for Senate Commerce (01/09/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB4 00:05:11.080 - 12:35:17 PM	Public Hearing	relative to commercial property assessed clean energy and resiliency (C-PACER).	Innis, Daniel(R)[B]2025

SB4: Senator Dan Innis, Bradford, NH Support00:05:11.080 - 12:35:17 PM; Senator Dan Innis introduced Senate Bill 4, also known as the CPACE Bill, which aims to streamline funding for energy-related projects in commercial buildings and multi-family housing developments. The bill proposes the involvement of the Business Finance Authority (BFA) as a central administrator to simplify the program and make it more accessible. The senator mentioned that no projects in New Hampshire have utilized CPACE due to previous statutory issues, which this bill aims to rectify. Key stakeholders, including the BFA, NH Bankers Association, NH Municipal Association, and the National CPACE Alliance, have reviewed and supported the proposed changes.
SB4: James Key Wallace, Executive Director of the Business Finance Authority Support00:11:46.760 - 12:41:52 PM; James Key Wallace explained that the CPACE program requires no appropriation or impact on the state budget, and it will be managed by the self-funded BFA. He emphasized that participation in CPACE is voluntary for both lenders and municipalities. Wallace noted that other states have successfully implemented CPACE, leading to significant capital investments in energy projects. He highlighted that the bill addresses technical issues in the existing law and introduces the BFA as a central administrator to assist municipalities at no cost, making the program more manageable and attractive.
SB4: Sam Evans Brown, Executive Director of Clean Energy New Hampshire Support00:15:27.240 - 12:45:33 PM; Sam Evans Brown expressed strong support for the bill, reflecting on his experience as a reporter covering the initial CPACE program in 2010, which faced challenges in gaining traction. He praised the collaborative effort in crafting this bill as an example of effective New Hampshire politics. Brown highlighted the financial benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy investments, noting that these projects pay for themselves over time but require upfront capital. He believes that the CPACE program, with its low-cost financing, will encourage more such investments.

Innis, Daniel(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Ricciardi, Denise(V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Murphy, Keith(R)[A]2025
Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025