HB567

I oppose his bill because it removes thermal energy from the class of renewable energy when it could be a viable and useful form of energy .

Thermal energy is a potential source of renewal energy and should be included in NH's list and. NOT eliminated.

Thermal energy technologies—such as biomass heating, geothermal systems, and solar thermal—play a crucial role in diversifying New Hampshire’s renewable energy portfolio and the Thermal-Renewable Energy Certificates (T-RECs) program is one of a very few tools NH municipalities have to reduce the cost of heating large institutional buildings like schools or county offices. Removing this option would harm the state’s forestry sector, as well as efforts to encourage more use of geothermal heating

This bill is very shortsighted. THERMAL heat is important. Do the supporters of this bill think that New England can't use this energy?

Thermal energy technologies such as biomass heating, geothermal systems play a crucial role in diversifying New Hampshire’s renewable energy portfolio, which is very important in helping combat climate change. The Thermal-Renewable Energy Certificates (T-RECs) program is one of a very few tools NH municipalities have to reduce the cost of heating large institutional buildings like schools or county offices so it is important that it be maintained.

Thermal energy technologies such as biomass heating, geothermal systems, and solar thermal—play a crucial role in diversifying New Hampshire’s renewable energy portfolio, which needs to be done, and needs to be accelerated. The Thermal-Renewable Energy Certificates (T-RECs) program is one of a very few tools NH municipalities have to reduce the cost of heating large institutional buildings like schools or county offices so it should not be sacrificed.

STEM HB 681 2/10/2025 Please support HR9. It is well known in education and business how critical STEM is to our students' education, getting jobs, and being able to stay in New Hampshire for STEM careers. STEM education focuses on teaching students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It’s designed to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, which are essential skills in today’s increasingly technological world. STEM will become the cornerstone of our next economy. From healthcare to entertainment to transportation, technology permeates almost every part of everyday life. Understanding the foundations of STEM helps students interact with and comprehend the world around them more effectively. Including STEM in the core curriculum helps teachers make sure every student has the tools they need to thrive in a technologically advanced, ever more complicated environment. Whether your role is a policymaker, parent, teacher, or student, realizing the importance of STEM education will help to shape a better future. Wrapping Up It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of STEM education. These courses improve critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, help students be innovative, close gender gaps, and provide useful, real-world applications, thus preparing them for the future employment market. Above all, STEM education encourages lifelong learning and prepares people to influence the global economy and society favorably. Including STEM in the core curriculum helps teachers make sure every student has the tools they need to thrive in a technologically advanced, ever more complicated environment. Whether your role is a policymaker, parent, teacher, or legislator, realizing the importance of STEM education will help to shape a better future. Thank you for your time. Donna Reardon Concord, NH 03301 bugs42953@gmail.com

Thermal energy is an excellent renewable energy option, and should count towards meeting Renewable Portfolio Standards. Why reject a technology that works?

Thermal energy technologies—such as biomass heating, geothermal systems, and solar thermal—play a crucial role in diversifying New Hampshire’s renewable energy portfolio and the Thermal-Renewable Energy Certificates (T-RECs) program is one of a very few tools NH municipalities have to reduce the cost of heating large institutional buildings like schools or county offices. Removing this option would harm the state’s forestry sector, as well as efforts to encourage more use of geothermal heating. Please OPPOSE HB567.

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 567, as it threatens the viability of New Hampshire’s biomass (low-grade wood) markets—a critical component of sustainable forestry. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Inventory Analysis, two-thirds of all timber in New Hampshire is considered low-grade. The markets supported by the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) law provide essential outlets for this material, allowing timberland owners and managers to conduct responsible forestry while maintaining economic viability. Biomass markets play a crucial role in forest health, wildlife habitat creation, and recreational trail development. They also serve as an important destination for sawmill waste and offer loggers a necessary market for sawlog tops, malformed, diseased, and poor-quality trees. With the recent closure of pulp and paper mills and the loss of utility biomass power, logging capacity has already contracted, making it increasingly difficult to perform the necessary thinning and management our forests require. Weakening biomass markets will have serious consequences for New Hampshire’s forests, rural economy, and renewable energy sector. I urge you to oppose this bill and protect the future of sustainable forestry in our state.

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Please OPPOSE HB 567. Overall, this bill is projected to result in an indeterminable decrease in state revenue and expenditures, estimates ranging from $2.5 million to $4.5 million. This will be devastating for NH ratepayers.

I apologize if this is too late, but I wanted to submit testimony anyway regarding HB567. As a managing partner of Meadowsend Timberlands, who employee 5 staff and own or manage approximately 100,000 acres of working forests in NH and VT, I oppose this bill. Furthermore, I opposed this bill as a citizen of NH who cares about the environment and wants to see the state continue to ween off natural gas as its main power source and transition to renewables. Thanks, Jack French

Banning offshore wind turbines in state waters is a mistake that will cost New Hampshire jobs, investment, and control over our own energy future. As someone about to earn a PhD in turbine design and optimization, I strongly oppose HB 567 because it would shut down innovation before it even begins. The rest of the country is moving forward with offshore wind, bringing in billions of dollars and creating thousands of jobs. New Hampshire should be shaping how offshore wind is developed, not banning it outright. With proper planning and environmental safeguards, we can ensure that wind energy benefits both our economy and our natural resources. But if we shut the door completely, we’re only making ourselves more dependent on expensive, imported energy. If we truly care about energy security and economic strength, we should be investing in smart, science-based energy solutions—not banning them without consideration. I urge you to reject HB 567 and allow New Hampshire to stay competitive in the energy market.

Our Biomass Thermal Energy Council, recently renamed the BioThermal Energy Council, has benefited greatly in recent years from the leadership of New Hampshire resident and forester Charlie Niebling. Foremost among the attributes which Mr. Niebling brought to our national trade association was his ability to merge sound forestry practices with the national interest in replacing fossil fuel heating with modern wood heating. The Biomass Thermal Energy Council works nationally to promote modern, effective wood heating policies. New Hampshire has been the leader among states in promoting renewable energy via the renewable portfolio standard and thermal Renewable Energy Credits (TRECS). Maine and Massachusetts followed New Hampshire’s example with these programs, incorporation some beneficial changes. We respectfully urge the Science, Technology, and Energy Committee to consider extending the effectiveness of these programs, as opposed to repeal or phase-out. Jonathan Parrott, Ph.D President, BioThermal Energy Council

Short-sighted and economically foolish to pass this bill. Please find it Inexpedient to Legislate

Our Association opposes this bill for the same reason as we oppose HB 219. New Hampshire's Renewable Portfolio Standard and Thermal Renewable Energy Credits has been of great benefit to numerous firms in New Hampshire, so much so that the Maine Legislature subsequently passed similar measures, enabling firms economically to install modern wood heating rather than heating with fossil fuels.

Farm Bureau opposes HB 567 and the elimination of Class 3 and Class 1 (thermal energy) from the law as well as the lowering of RPS purchase obligations for Class 1 (new sources) of renewable energy. This would for the most part remove biomass from the RPS law. The RPS is a cornerstone of our state energy policy and key to supporting local energy production and independence. The biomass production the law sustains provides forest landowners a market for their low-grade wood – an estimated two-thirds of all timber growing in the state. Removal of this low-grade wood is necessary for sustainable forest management. It is no small item to the state’s farmers that the wood ash produced from biomass energy production is a crucial locally sourced fertilizer and soil amendment that cannot be economically replaced by our farmers. We urge the Committee find HB 567 Inexpedient-to-Legislate and as always thank you for your consideration.

Whether or not the body believes "climate change" is a hoax, off shore wind is a positive investment for NH's economy. Ultimately we need to finance the clean up of natural disasters- such as the flooding storm damages off our seacoast. Off shore wind is a win- win for the people of New Hampshire. We will ultimately be less dependent on Canada for our energy and yes, dirty fossil fuel extraction can and should be mitigated. Thank you for voting against this bill which is bad for the economy of our state.

On behalf of Warwick Mills, I am writing to indicate my opposition to House Bills HB567 and HB219. Warwick Mills has made significant investments in converting to a renewable biomass fueled plant for manufacturing processes including heating, removing pollutants from ventilation air, and providing steam for its industrial processes. The availability of the Thermal REC incentive plays a large role in future investments for the business. Leaving the Thermal REC policy in place further supports New Hampshire’s clean energy efforts and future business transitions toward renewable energy sources.

This bill would have a devastating impact on our state. Offshore wind is a clean, reliable energy source that would reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and bring jobs to our state. Wind and solar energy are more affordable than coal, gas, and oil. This bill should not be passed.

Nh Dams rely on the current status to make these projects viable in helping support our local communities. Keeping NH waterways clean and producing green and creating local jobs -Travis

Thermal energy is incredibly efficient and must be included as a renewable option, in all sizes.

NH needs to look forward and act to help future generations. Renewable energy such as wind and geothermal have been proven as effective energy sources by the rest of the world and NH should act accordingly - and immediately - by taking all actions possible to support these alternatives to fossil fuel.

I am the owner/operator of a small hydro at Spaulding Pond Hydro in Rochester, NH. This bill severely weakens our ability to continue operating our facility. We pay state taxes, local taxes, and endure many expenses related to government red tape. Without the Renewable Energy Credits to help offset these burdensome expenses we cannot be economically viable. In an average year we can produce about 1300 megawatts of clean renewable energy that is part of the critical need for electricity, not only today but in the near future, as demand is forecast to increase dramatically with AI and electric vehicles. Please protect the small hydro and the small businesses in NH.