New Hampshire state energy resources

New Hampshire 10-Year State Energy Strategy

New Hampshire Senate Bill 191, introduced in 2013, directed the Office of Energy & Planning (OEP), in coordination with a newly formed Energy Advisory Council, to develop an energy strategy for New Hampshire. The strategy was intended to "ensure that the state's energy policies and programs support the state's economic, environmental and public health goals." The resulting September 2014 report, a related presentation,  appendices, minutes of the Advisory Council meetings, and other supporting documents may be downloaded from the OEP website.

Four Focus Areas of the Strategy

• Grid modernization to prepare for additional small-scale local energy resources, and two-way communication and distribution

• Capture cost-effective energy efficiency and use other demand-side strategies to reduce usage and lower costs

• Archive our potential for small-scale clean energy production

• Increase transportation choices

The new Energy chapter of the Durham Master Plan (under development as of early 2015) reflects many of the ideas presented in the Strategy.

Sustainable Energy Division, Public Utility Commission

As noted on the SED home page, "The Sustainable Energy Division was created in 2008 to assist the Commission in implementing specific state legislative initiatives focused on promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency and to advance the goals of energy sustainability, affordability and security.

"The Division is also charged with managing the statewide energy code program for residential and commercial buildings and setting energy efficiency standards for certain appliances." The Division provides information on:

• Renewable Energy
• Renewable Energy Fund
• Renewable Energy Rebates
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Fund
• Energy Codes

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Board (EESE)

The EESE home page states that the Board "was created by the NH legislature 'to promote and coordinate energy efficiency, demand response, and sustainable energy programs in the state.' The EESE Board is administratively attached to the PUC" [Public Utility Commission].

New Hampshire Energy Policy Recommendations

As NHLES (see below) notes, "New Hampshire's Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy (EESE) Board, in its Final Report and recommendations on the Independent Energy Study, released December 1, 2012, is calling for a comprehensive energy policy for the state that highlights the critical role of energy efficiency and local renewable resources in the state's energy future.  The Report details the most important steps that state can and should take to implement policies and enhance programs that will contribute to economic development, increased resilience and security of energy supply and a cleaner environment.  The Final Report as well as additional background material, is available on the EESE Board website."

New Hampshire Local Energy Solutions (NHLES)

The home page of NHLES notes, "The goals of NHEnergy.org remain the same: to provide a gateway to information and resources that promote local energy solutions in New Hampshire. It is intended to empower those on energy committees, in municipalities and schools to tackle the complexities of reducing our reliance on fossil fuel energy." Check out the site's:

• training webinars (including archived recordings)
• handbooks and guides
• calculators
• case studies, including "Profiles of Local Energy Succeses"
• training programs

This site also provides information about the annual Local Energy Solutions conferences, "Brought to you by the New Hampshire Local Energy Work Group, the annual LES conference provides critical resources, information, and guidance for local governments and school districts across the state seeking to implement an energy reduction project in their municipality."