Call to Action: Save our State's Energy Efficiency Programs!

Greetings fellow climate advocates,

If you keep tabs on state-wide energy news, you've likely already heard about the NH Public Utility Commission's recent decision to reject the 2021-2023 energy efficiency plan. This plan proposed $350 million on energy efficiency spending for state programs, which was expected to result in decreased energy use and cost savings for residents. With this decision, state energy efficiency programs—i.e. NH Saves—are essentially "gutted" and energy efficiency funding is returned to where it stood in 2017.

State-wide stakeholders are considering next steps to prevent the PUC’s decision from being enacted. This could involve a re-hearing at the PUC and potentially an appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. The future of our state’s energy efficiency sector remains uncertain.

Will you help bring this issue to widespread public attention, and urge our legislators to take action? We urge you to take part in the fight to save New Hampshire’s energy efficiency programs.

Below you will find actions you can take to defend our state's energy efficiency programs, a link to talking points to help you communicate the impact of the PUC’s decision, and additional resources if you wish to learn more.

• Write to your state Senator & Representative: Tell our legislators you care about our energy efficiency programs. Find your legislators & their contact information here.

• Write a Letter to the Editor: Write a LTE to your local paper.

• Contact your local Energy Committee: Write to your town leadership and Energy Committee and share your concern about the PUC’s decision.

• Email our state leaders: Email your thoughts to the PUC at puc@puc.nh.gov, the Department of Energy at energy-info@energy.nh.go, and the Governor here.

Learn more about the impacts of the PUC’s decision with these resources:

• 'It essentially dismantles all of the progress': Energy efficiency decision sends a chill - New Hampshire Bulletin

• The Hole at the Heart of the PUC’s Heartless Order on Energy Efficiency - InDepthNH.org

• Dem Lawmakers Decry PUC Order On Energy Efficiency -InDepthNH.org

See these talking points on energy efficiency, compiled by Clean Energy New Hampshire, to help write your letters and emails. If you have a personal experience with NH Saves and/or energy efficiency, make sure to share it in your outreach to your legislators or local paper: personal stories are impactful.

Thanks for taking action and supporting our state’s energy efficiency programs.

All the best,

The Monadnock Sustainability Hub

View this email in your browser