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UPDATE: Public comments are now open until November 6. You can send your comments by email e-mail to osiinfo@osi.nh.gov or via this form.
By Melissa Birchard and Tom Irwin
New Hampshire is embarking on a process that will help determine whether the Granite State embraces clean, renewable energy sources – or whether we stay addicted to polluting fossil fuels for years to come.
Governor Sununu’s administration is considering revisions to the 10-Year State Energy Strategy – and seeks feedback from New Hampshire citizens like you. This may prove an important step in New Hampshire’s energy future and our ability to tackle climate change.
Governor Sununu has long criticized the current State Energy Strategy, which calls for – among other things – strong state energy efficiency programs, expanded mass transit, and more electric vehicles. Please join CLF in demanding that any new State Energy Strategy include ambitious climate and energy goals. Public comment meetings will be held across the state October 16-19, and you can submit written comments until October 31.
Why This State Energy Strategy Is So Important
With the Trump administration exiting the Paris Climate Accord, propping up dirty coal, and dismantling the Clean Power Plan, action at the state level is more important than ever.
So far, Governor Sununu has refused to join other states committing to meet the Paris Accord climate targets, and has expressed strong support for dirty natural gas including potential new pipelines through the state. At the same time, the Governor has agreed to improve the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, has not halted key measures of progress in areas like energy efficiency, and has declined to veto important legislation to expand solar power. So there’s a chance he will heed public concern if it’s outspoken enough.
It’s critical that the Governor hear from the public that New Hampshire’s Energy Strategy needs to prioritize climate goals and clean energy.
How You Can Help
The state’s Office of Strategic Initiatives will be holding a series of public comment sessions to receive input from New Hampshire residents like you and me. It’s also providing the opportunity for written comments.
We hope you’ll join us in making clear to Governor Sununu and his administration that New Hampshire needs a clean energy future, one that:
- Is built on renewable energy like solar and wind, not dirty fossil fuels.
- Aggressively uses energy efficiency to reduce pollution and lower energy costs.
- Prioritizes electric vehicles so that NH doesn’t fall behind on the transportation revolution or lose tourism dollars.
- Puts New Hampshire on a trajectory to address climate change now, not later.
Please attend one of the upcoming public comment sessions listed below and speak up for a clean energy future. Please also submit written comments (you’re welcome to borrow the points I made above). Written comments must be received by October 31 – you can send them by e-mail to osiinfo@osi.nh.gov or by U.S. Mail to:
Office of Strategic Initiatives
107 Pleasant St.
Concord, NH 03301
Join Us at a Public Hearing
The Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) is conducting public comment sessions on potential updates to the State’s Energy Strategy on the following dates and times.
October 16th, 2017
12:00pm
Kilton Public Library
80 Main St., West Lebanon
October 16th, 2017
6:00pm
White Mountain Community College
2020 Riverside Dr., Berlin
October 17th, 2017
6:00pm
Johnson Hall, 1st Floor (BTLA)
107 Pleasant St., Concord
October 18th, 2017
6:00pm
Dublin Town Hall
1120 Main St., Dublin
October 19th, 2017
1:00pm
Wolfeboro Town Hall
86 S. Main St., Wolfeboro
October 19th, 2017
6:00pm
NH Dept. of Environmental Services, Pease Field Office
222 International Dr., #175, Portsmouth
Don’t let New Hampshire backslide – climate change is a fight that can’t wait.
