Committee Summary for Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/19/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1089 00:04:47.715 - 8:01:09 AM	Public Hearing	extending the authorization of the department of environmental services for the evaluation and mitigation of new community water system contamination risks.	Donnelly, Tanya(R)[B+]2025
Unclear 00:19:47.715 - 8:16:09 AM	Public Hearing	relative to duties of aquatic resources control committee
HB1153 00:34:47.715 - 8:31:09 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) establishing a committee to study New Hampshire statutes relative to cats and dogs.	Bixby, Peter(D)[F]2025
HB219 00:49:47.715 - 8:46:09 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to changes to the minimum electric renewable portfolio standards.	Harrington, Michael(R)[A]2025

HB1089: Tanya Donnelly, Representative from Salem, NH Support00:04:47.715 - 8:01:09 AM; Representative Donnelly introduced HB 1089, explaining that it ensures the Department of Environmental Services (DES) maintains authority over regulating new community water systems to prevent groundwater contamination affecting nearby private wells, particularly those that are shallower. She highlighted the importance of avoiding contamination from deeper community wells and deferred detailed questions to DES representative Brandon.
HB1089: Brandon Turnin, Administrator of Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau at DES Support00:04:47.715 - 8:01:09 AM; Brandon Turnin testified in support of HB 1089, noting that the department sought its introduction to clarify statutory authority for protecting private wells from contamination when approving new community water supply wells, a practice already in place for 25 years via rules. He explained the distinction between large (over 40 gallons per minute) and small community wells, emphasizing proactive measures to prevent drawing contaminants like PFAS or gasoline into nearby private wells. Turnin addressed committee questions on testing processes, including identifying zones of contribution, monitoring water levels, and pumping tests to assess impacts, assuring that the bill codifies existing practices without adding time to approvals in uncontaminated areas.
Unclear: Representative (unnamed, context suggests Donnelly or similar), member of aquatic resources control committee Support00:19:47.715 - 8:16:09 AM; The representative described the composition of the aquatic resources control committee, including members from DES, Fish and Game, Department of Agriculture, various environmental organizations, and legislators. She advocated for expanding the committee's scope to include cyanobacteria and harmful algal blooms (HABs) alongside invasive species like milfoil and spiny water flea, emphasizing efficiency in consolidating efforts without creating a new committee. The expansion would facilitate knowledge sharing, education on reducing phosphorus and fertilizers, and research into control methods, including impacts from septic systems and land use. She noted the committee's role in introducing legislation based on its findings.
Unclear: Andrea Lamoureux, President and Policy Advocate of New Hampshire Lakes Support00:19:47.715 - 8:16:09 AM; Andrea Lamoureux supported the bill, highlighting the scientific nexus between managing invasive species and cyanobacteria, such as how harvesting invasives could release nutrients fostering algal blooms. She stressed the need for research into control methods that consider ecosystem impacts and endorsed bringing experts together to address both issues, clarifying that funding is a separate matter handled in another bill.
HB1153: Representative (prime sponsor, unnamed in detail, context suggests experienced legislator) Support00:34:47.715 - 8:31:09 AM; The prime sponsor introduced HB 1153 as a study committee to review the outdated chapter on cats and dogs, which has not been comprehensively updated in decades. She shared a story of a previous bill that inadvertently shorted municipal clerks by 25 cents due to the chapter's poor structure and amendments, leading to its failure despite fixes. The sponsor argued that the statutes are a mess, causing repeated errors among experienced legislators, and cited successful past cleanups of other chapters like produce regulations. She recommended amending the quorum requirement from every member to three, attributing it to an OLS error.
HB1153: Kurt Ehrenberg, Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society of the United States) Support00:34:47.715 - 8:31:09 AM; Kurt Ehrenberg supported HB 1153, agreeing that the laws on cats, dogs, and potentially other animals like ferrets need attention and improvement. He emphasized the need for broader coverage beyond just cats and dogs and expressed willingness to participate in the study committee's deliberations.
HB219: Mike Harrington, Representative from House Science and Technology Committee Support00:49:47.715 - 8:46:09 AM; Representative Harrington presented HB 219 FN as a minor technical update to the renewable portfolio standard (RPS), adjusting dates to reflect current realities and clarifying that wind energy RECs exclude those mandated by government procurements, such as offshore wind contracts forced on utilities. He expressed concern that flooding the market with low-cost offshore RECs could devalue New Hampshire's hydroelectric facilities, potentially leading to dam abandonments and state maintenance burdens. Harrington noted that the bill eliminates the Class 2 designation for new solar (post-2013), folding it into Class 1 without reducing eligibility, and reduces the unused useful thermal energy category to avoid unnecessary alternate compliance payments.
HB219: Tom Corman, Representative from Grafton 15 (Lebanon) Oppose00:49:47.715 - 8:46:09 AM; Representative Corman opposed HB 219 FN, arguing that removing Class 2 (new solar) from the RPS would raise ratepayer costs by discouraging solar development amid growing electricity demand from electrification and growth. He noted the long lead times for natural gas or nuclear plants, positioning solar as the quickest, cheapest, and most distributed new generation option that keeps money in-state. Corman highlighted the Senate's priority on solar initiatives like net metering and community solar, stating that the bill contradicts efforts to lower costs and support distributed energy resources.
HB219: Unnamed speaker (context: for grandchildren, against fossil fuels) Oppose00:49:47.715 - 8:46:09 AM; The speaker opposed HB 219, arguing it undermines investments in solar to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, which provide half of New Hampshire's electricity. They emphasized that every 2,000 kWh of solar replaces 1,000 kWh of fossil fuels without ongoing costs, speaking on behalf of future generations and calling the bill a setback for transitioning to clean energy.
HB219: Sam Evans-Brown, Executive Director of Clean Energy New Hampshire Oppose00:49:47.715 - 8:46:09 AM; Sam Evans-Brown, accompanied by Eric Killens from Granite State Solar, opposed the bill's impact on solar. He clarified technical aspects, noting that eliminating Class 2 without increasing Class 1 would dilute REC values through 'REC sweeping,' where utilities claim unregistered rooftop solar credits. Evans-Brown stressed the RPS's role in promoting solar as envisioned to move away from fossil fuels.
HB219: Eric Killens, Sales Manager for Granite State Solar Oppose00:49:47.715 - 8:46:09 AM; Eric Killens testified that the solar industry faces headwinds from expired tax credits, high interest rates, policy uncertainty, and supply chain issues, employing thousands in New Hampshire. He shared his personal story of building a career and family in the state through solar, warning that reducing REC values via the bill would hinder project development during market turmoil and rising fossil fuel prices due to geopolitical instability, urging preservation of market signals for clean energy stability.
HB219: Eric Killens, Granite State Solar Support01:04:47.715 - 9:01:09 AM; During Q&A, Eric Killens addresses questions on solar panel lifespan, estimating 30-40 years with minimal degradation (10% over 25 years), and ROI of about 13 years including RECs. He argues that eliminating REC revenue would extend ROI and harm the industry amid uncertainty. He discusses impacts on ratepayers, noting potential speculative savings but emphasizing long-term benefits of RPS in hedging against volatility and promoting distributed resources that reduce natural gas imports, transmission needs, and peaker plant use. He references a PUC study on distributed energy value, supporting current solar compensation. On employment, he highlights Granite State Solar's growth since 2008, expansion to Vermont, and serving residential and business customers, arguing against discouraging local jobs as electricity demand rises.
HB219: Lisa Linos, Energy Policy Expert Support01:15:00.000 - 9:11:22 AM; Lisa Linos speaks in favor of HB 219, clarifying it has minimal impact on RPS participants. She explains that unregistered facilities' estimated RECs exceed the 0.7% class 2 mandate, with overages moving to class 1, making class 2 an unnecessary accounting mechanism. She suggests folding class 2 into class 1 without harm. On class 1 thermal, she notes it has never met its 2.2% mandate, costing ratepayers $6.5 million mostly in penalties, and proposes reducing it to 1.7%. She advocates fixing class 1 ACP at $42, aligning with regional markets ($40 in MA/CT) to avoid overbidding and higher costs for NH ratepayers, while still attracting RECs.
HB219: Heidi Kroll, Jaker Millis Strategic Solutions representing hydro clients Oppose01:30:00.000 - 9:26:22 AM; Heidi Kroll opposes HB 219 on behalf of hydro clients including Granite State Hydropower Association, Brookfield Renewable, Great River Hydro, and Monadnock Paper Mills. She highlights hydro's economic role (taxes, jobs, local services), baseload and peaking capabilities, public safety (dam maintenance), recreation, and environmental benefits (trash removal). Small hydro (<5MW) participates in class 4, but larger repowered or upgraded facilities rely on class 1 RECs for investments. She warns that changes undermine these investments, as NH class 1 hydro RECs are not interchangeable with other states unlike solar. She notes the bill's proposed adjustment to fold class 2 into class 1 without increasing class 1 would be an improvement but doesn't fully address concerns.
HB219: Nick Craycoff, Conservation Law Foundation Oppose01:35:00.000 - 9:31:22 AM; Nick Craycoff opposes HB 219, emphasizing RPS's role in fuel diversity, reducing fossil fuel volatility, and stabilizing prices amid Middle East conflicts driving up energy costs. He cites studies showing renewables hedge against volatility, lower wholesale prices, and provide reliability. Weakening RPS increases exposure to fossil fuels. He references the DOE RPS report not recommending changes to ACPs or class requirements, urging rejection. RPS supports 3,500 renewable jobs and $1B solar investments; weakening jeopardizes them. It also provides public health benefits by reducing fossil fuel pollution linked to asthma, respiratory issues, heart disease, and cancer.
HB219: Kate Horgan, New Hampshire Association of Counties Oppose01:45:00.000 - 9:41:22 AM; Kate Horgan, on behalf of NH Association of Counties, opposes HB 219, noting impacts beyond Merrimack County (with biomass) to Rockingham and others exploring solar. Counties need low energy prices for 24/7 facilities like jails and nursing homes. Changes could raise costs, impacting taxpayers and increasing county taxes, as current RPS helps without burdening taxpayers.
HB219: David Trumbull, Town of Ware Oppose01:49:47.715 - 9:46:09 AM; David Trumbull opposes HB 219, arguing RPS benefits health, economy, and environment. He suggests amending to add more than 0.7% to class 1, aiming for 20-30% like other states, as solar can reach 30% reliably per Northeast Power Council. Solar is 41% cheaper than cheapest fossil fuel, reduces bills during peaks, cuts distribution charges by local generation, and mitigates climate change. Fossil fuel particulates cause 10% of global heart/lung deaths; renewables promote healthy, working population and economic growth.
HB219: Jason Stock, NH Timberland Owners Association and John Moses, Britton Lumber Company Oppose01:55:00.000 - 9:51:22 AM; Jason Stock and John Moses oppose HB 219, focusing on biomass and low-grade wood markets essential for forest stewardship. RPS supports biomass plants like Burgess Biopower and small facilities. Freezing ACPs and reducing thermal obligation devalue RECs, affecting prices and project development. Policy uncertainty deters investments. John describes their $7M wood-fired boiler/turbine project using sawdust for electricity/heat, enabled by thermal RECs and DOE grant; it employs 35-40, supports 250 loggers, and circulates in local economy. Changes would scale back such efficient, beneficial projects. Low-grade wood (2/3 of growth) needs markets to prevent fires, reduce landfill waste, and support industry ripple effects including potash fertilizer.
HB219: Josh Henley, Director of Division of Policy and Programs, Department of Energy Information Only02:04:47.715 - 10:01:09 AM; Josh Henley states the department is neutral on HB 219 as House-amended. He outlines sections: prohibiting wind RECs from government procurements (needs clarification); moving solar to class 1; eliminating class 2 and reducing class 1 thermal to 1.7%; fixing ACPs in statute (vs. CPI adjustment). He notes technical fixes needed: date alignments for compliance years, striking redundant repeal, updating office name. References DOE's view that RPS operates well per 2025 statement.

Avard, Kevin(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Pearl, Howard (V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025	McConkey, Mark(R)[B]2025