HB575

Please OPPOSE HB 575. We need to continue to build more renewable energy to keep electric costs down in NH.

As someone about to earn a PhD in turbine design and optimization, with a background in ocean engineering and marine biology, I strongly oppose HB 575 because it would block a crucial opportunity for New Hampshire’s economy and energy security. Offshore wind is not just about clean energy—it’s about jobs, economic growth, and keeping our state competitive. Blocking offshore wind development means turning away private investment, high-paying jobs, and a chance to reduce our dependence on expensive out-of-state fossil fuels. Other states along the East Coast are moving forward, attracting billions in investment and securing their energy future. Why should New Hampshire choose to fall behind? I understand concerns about responsible development, and that’s exactly why we should be leading the way—ensuring that any offshore wind projects are done with the best science, engineering, and environmental safeguards in place. Banning offshore wind outright is shortsighted and leaves us more vulnerable to rising energy costs and external supply chains. New Hampshire has the opportunity to take control of its energy future, create jobs, and strengthen its economy. HB 575 would do the opposite, and I urge you to reject it.

We need as much off shore wind power as possible

Offshore wind should be part of our all-of-the-above energy strategy of energy abundance. The cost of electricity from offshore wind is comparable to conventional sources like coal, nuclear, and natural gas. (See Lazard’s June 2024 Report). These proposed bills would reduce the supply of cost-effective electricity, increase electricity costs for New Hampshire ratepayers, and decrease reliability of the grid.

As a proud resident of New Hampshire, I would like to see our state explore and tap into renewable resources, including offshore wind. I am soon to be a grandparent and know that a transition to renewable energy is needed for a healthy economy, healthy environment, healthy future. Janet Altobello.

Off-Shore Wind Power development can offer NH some much needed energy independence. Please ITL HB 575

Letting the fossil fuel industry block wind energy projects would be a travesty! Climate change is real, and if you don't believe it, you don't belong in government. We must encourage wind energy production for the future of New Hampshire and the entire planet.

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

It is critically important that our great State of NH is open to exploring and utilizing all forms of energy; especially forms of energy that will be sustainable, healthy and safe for future generations. Eliminating that possibility of Wind Energy off the shores of NH is not in the best interest of the people of NH or our children and grandchildren. I strongly encourage you to vote against this bill. Thank you, Michelle Hulbert Peterborough

We need renewable energy now more than ever. Offshore wind needs to be a component of that. We can't keep burying our heads in the sand and pretending that we are not causing climate change while burning fossil fuels and exaggerating the problem. We need more wind and solar projects!

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.

I strongly oppose this bill. Thank you.

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 bans offshore wind energy infrastructure in New Hampshire completely and should not be passed.

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 support the establishment of alternative sources of energy such as wind turbines, which will help provide needed energy which is cleaner and which will reduce dependence on fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and gas. Alternative energy sources are essential to slowing global warming and the associated damage from more serious floods, erosion, and fires. I've seen places where the roads are covered with water, roads are washing away homes and beaches even in NH.

This bill bans offshore wind energy infrastructure in New Hampshire completely. WHY other than supporting big oil & gas would supporters of this bill want to do this to NH and the planet? Shortsighted and greedy.

Climate Change is real. It is not something to be believed, or not believed, like religion. It is fact. And it is deadly, and it is caused by humans. We are jeopardizing our lives and we are certainly jeopardizing the lives of our children by not addressing it. We need to do as much as we can as fast as we can to stop burning fossil fuels and developing offshore wind is an incredibly powerful way to do that. As with all infrastructure projects it needs to be done carefully and in a way that minimizes its potential negative impacts on our environment, but the the net positive effects of off shore wind far outweigh any down sides to it. We should never take offshore wind out of our tool kit, and in fact, we should be hurrying to safely develop it as fast as we can.

HB 575 is ignorant and unnecessary. Legislators are wasting their time and the efforts of taxpayers trying to ban offshore wind instead of listening to people's real concerns. Here are just a few of the reasons that Offshore Wind is GOOD for New Hampshire. 1 - Right now NH is over-dependent on natural gas for fuel. Because of that we keep seeing our bills skyrocket. Natural gas prices are volatile. We need to diversify the energy we get and offshore wind is a great opportunity to do that because it is more cost effective and clean than natural gas. 2 - The offshore wind industry has proven to create good, reliable jobs in other states. New Hampshire will miss out on this opportunity for its residents if we refuse to build offshore wind. Not to mention businesses will go to Maine and Massachusetts instead of here to New Hampshire. Do we really want to repel good business? 3 - This bill implies untrue information about wind power. At this point, there is no scientific evidence that noise resulting from offshore wind site characterization surveys could potentially cause whale deaths. There are no known links between large whale deaths and ongoing offshore wind activities. (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/marine-life-distress/frequent-questions-offshore-wind-and-whales) In fact, not building offshore wind will actively contribute to declining whale life. Climate change is currently impacting our oceans negatively, harming whales, changing their migratory routes, and destroying the ecosystems they need to live. Fossil fuels actively contribute to climate change, while wind power does not burn fossil fuels and is a cleaner alternative that can reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions. I urge the committee to listen to real, studied, peer-reviewed, and trusted scientists on this issue, and not conspiracy theorists or the current president who clearly does not understand the benefits of wind power. Please listen to the people of NH who've spent the last 10 years advocating for offshore wind - vote Inexpedient to Legislate on this bill.

The world is in crisis due to climate change. The problem has been ignored for far too long and it is essential that it be addressed as soon as possible. A large majority of Americans know this and are concerned about climate change. It is our legislators who are denying the facts and caving to fossil fuel extracting companies and caving to powerful politicians who stand to gain vast amounts of personal wealth by profiting off of investments in fossil fuel companies. This comes at the expense of the people of this country and this state who know it is these activities which are driving climate change. We need to address this problem quickly and vigorously. Off shore wind is a powerful way to do this with massive potential for energy generation with minimal risk of harming our environment. Nothing should ever be done to take this option of fueling our future off the table. As a matter of fact, we should be developing offshore wind projects as expediently as possible.

Banning off shore wind energy infrastructure is short-sighted and destructive to the environment. We are fortunate in NH to not have to look at fossil fuel refining and drilling infrastructure. However, that does not mean that our beautiful state isn't impacted by all aspects of fossil fuel development, transport, and burning. Renewable energies, such as offshore wind, is the pathway to preserving our natural advantages and the revenue they produce for the state, especially winter recreation activities.

The state of NH should be doing all in its power to facilitate the development of offshore wind power in our state. What's not to like; it is a clean cost-effective form of energy that many coastal states already benefit from. Why shouldn't our state join those others in also providing new, high-paying jobs for our citizens. I therefore strongly urge you to kill HB575 Thank you, John Walsh New London

We should be expanding wind power in NH.

Wind energy is expensive and unreliable. The State should not promote, much less incentivize this wasteful infrastructure development. Hydroelectric power is readily available at constant flow rates and a fraction of the price. Is not Hydro a 'Renewable, Green Energy Source?'

I strongly oppose this bill. Banning all off-shore wind infrastructure would eliminate a good source of renewable energy. Fossil fuel use needs to be reduced to deal with serious climate issues and we need to encourage offshore wind projects, not ban them. Offshore wind energy is a clean and reliable source of energy that is more affordable than coal, gas, and oil. NH needs to encourage production of off-shore wind projects that would bring jobs to the state as well.