Dive Brief:
- New Hampshire senators have voted to boost low-income efficiency efforts by increasing to at least 35% the portion of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative proceeds that will go to weatherization projects, the Concord Monitor reports.
- The figure currently stands at 15%, and the Concord Monitor reports New Hampshire expects the RGGI to generate $27 million for the state this year.
- The measure appears to be the opposite of a legislative effort last year, in the House, to end RGGI-funded efficiency spending.
Dive Insight:
New Hampshire lawmakers are struggling, for a second year now, with how to spend funds from its participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the successful nine-state push to reduce emissions. Last year, the House and Senate could not agree on the amount to rebate back to customers versus spend on energy projects, and the bill faded amidst committee discord.
Now, the Senate has proposed boosting to 35% the amount of the fund spent on low-income weatherization, the Concord Monitor reports. “It’s going to put more money to helping low and moderate income people make their homes more efficient,” said Sen. Jerry Little (R) told the newspaper.
The measure would also more than double the funds to municipal and local efficiency projects to $5 million. It appears to be a stark change from proposals put forth in the House last year.
By a vote of 201-154, the House in February 2015 voted to rebate back to customers all RGGI proceeds, ending spending on efficiency. According to the New Hampshire Business Review, when RGGI launched eight years ago, New Hampshire was one of a few states who used the proceeds on efficiency spending.
