New Hampshire Gov. Lynch Urges Support For Bill Allowing New Hampshire to Join Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

CONCORD - Saying it is the right thing to do for New Hampshire’s citizens, economy and environment, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch last week urged the Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development Committee to approve a proposal for New Hampshire to join a regional initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

New Hampshire Governor Lynch: Photo by Andrew Walsh (CC)

“We are dedicating ourselves here in New Hampshire to reducing the pollution that causes global warming and climate change, and joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a major part of that effort. Moving forward with this legislation makes sense because cutting our greenhouse gas pollution is the right thing to do for the long-term health of our citizens, the health of our environment, and our economy,” Gov. Lynch said.

Gov. Lynch testified in support of legislation (HB 1434) that would allow New Hampshire to enact the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which is part of an overall state effort to reduce harmful pollution that causes climate change and to promote the use of cleaner energy. Gov. Lynch signed onto the bipartisan agreement with other governors in 2005, and New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services played an integral role in developing the initiative.

“Pollution and climate change threaten our state’s environment, our health and our economy. If global warming is left unchecked, our grandchildren could be living in a much warmer climate. A climate that simply is not New Hampshire,” Gov. Lynch said. “I believe strongly there should be national action and a national energy policy that addresses these issues. But I also do not believe that New Hampshire can afford to wait for national action - and we are not waiting.”

The Initiative uses a flexible market-based program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel-burning plants. The nine states in the Northeast who have committed to RGGI have agreed to set a region-wide cap on emissions from power plants.

Research conducted by the University of New Hampshire found that New Hampshire ratepayers will save money in the long run by joining RGGI and investing its proceeds in energy efficiency. If the state does not officially join the initiative, the research found, it will see higher costs in both the short and long-term, without offsetting savings.

“Our nine neighboring states are already committed to moving forward with RGGI. We must be a partner with them, or risk getting left behind. We will be affected by RGGI - whether we officially agree or not. The policies established by the initiative will impact us, and our energy market, here in New Hampshire,” Gov. Lynch said. “We should make sure our citizens reap its full benefits.”

Source: New Hampshire Governor

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •