Removes offshore wind industry development from the office of energy innovation, repeals the related workforce training committee and offshore/port development commission, and moves the grid modernization and hydrogen advisory councils into the office of energy innovation.
relative to the office of offshore wind industry, the offshore and port development commission, and the office of energy innovation.
HB682 would eliminate the state's Office of Offshore Wind Industry, the Office of Energy Innovation, and related workforce-training and commission structures. The large majority of submitters oppose the bill, arguing offshore wind is a clean, increasingly affordable energy source that fights climate change and would bring jobs and investment NH risks losing to neighboring states if it steps back. A small number of submitters support the bill, either as a housekeeping companion to related legislation or because they view offshore wind as environmentally harmful, unreliable, or not worth the cost compared to alternatives.
A few submitters characterize offshore wind development itself as ecologically destructive, including harm to marine wildlife, and support the bill on those grounds.
One submitter frames support for the bill as procedural, since its language changes are consistent with other bills (HB575, HRC4) the submitter also supports.
One submitter argues wind energy is expensive and unreliable compared to alternatives like hydroelectric power, and that the state should not incentivize offshore wind development.
The dominant argument is that offshore wind is a clean, increasingly cost-competitive energy source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and helps address climate change, and that eliminating these offices would set back NH's clean energy transition.
“Off shore wind is a powerful way to do this with massive potential for energy generation with minimal risk of harming our environment.”
— Karen Campbell, Epsom · #391614 — read full submission →
“Offshore wind energy is a clean and reliable source of energy and we need to encourage its production.”
— Nancy Miles, Hanover · #390705 — read full submission →
Many submitters argue that closing these offices would cost New Hampshire jobs, economic development, and investment, and would let neighboring states like Maine and Massachusetts capture the economic benefits of the growing offshore wind industry instead.
“If NH stops engaging in the process of wind in the Gulf of Maine, then Maine and Massachusetts are going to reap the economic benefits of this booming new industry, and once again New Hampshire will be left behind.”
— Rebecca Beaulieu, Dover · #391541 — read full submission →
“N.H. lags behind every state around us on renewables. There lots of good paying jobs for skilled workers in wind and solar but our state is not realizing our potential”
— Thor Thomforde, Greenville · #385555 — read full submission →
Some submitters argue the state should pursue an "all of the above" energy strategy determined by market forces rather than legislatively foreclosing one option, and that lawmakers should not be picking energy winners and losers.
A number of submitters argue offshore wind reduces NH's dependence on volatile, out-of-state or imported fossil fuel markets, improving energy security and shielding ratepayers from price swings.
A few submitters characterize the bill as motivated by fossil fuel industry lobbying, citing groups like ALEC as opposing offshore wind development on the industry's behalf.
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 22, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
Please OPPOSE HB682. It is important For NH to get Offshore Wind, and NH has been working on this. Windpower would help us to produce enough energy in the evening when solar energy would not be produced. The more renewable energy we have, the less need there will be to build more expensive Power Plants. This is how we can lower the price of electricity in NH.
As someone about to earn a PhD in turbine design and optimization, with a background in ocean engineering and marine biology, I understand both the technical and economic stakes of HB 682. This bill threatens to stall innovation, limit job creation, and leave New Hampshire behind in an industry that is growing across the country. Climate change is real, and the energy transition is happening whether we embrace it or not. By failing to support offshore wind, we risk increasing our reliance on out-of-state oil and gas, making us more vulnerable to market fluctuations and foreign supply chains. New Hampshire has an opportunity to lead—attracting private investment, creating high-paying jobs, and securing long-term energy independence. Without an office to propel this industry forward, we are not just missing an opportunity—we are actively choosing to fall behind while neighboring states reap the benefits. A strong economy depends on forward-thinking energy policy. We should be working to position New Hampshire as a leader in the energy sector, not shutting the door on progress.
We need as much off shore wind power as possible
Eliminating the off-shore wind from the Office of Energy Innovation will deprive our state from fully participating as a key stakeholder in discussions of regional renewable energy planning whenever off-shore wind is included as an option, and will limit our state's ability to fully participate in the Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force. Dismissing out of hand one option for the generation of renewable energy decreases the options for our state and its citizens going forward, and is especially short-sighted.
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.
Offshore wind generation offers economic potential for NH, creating local jobs and revenue for shoreline communities. Wind is a local, cheap source of power, with far less pollution than the fossil fuel sources it replaces.
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!
My file of dead cetaceans is too large!? How do I send!?
We need to have alternatives to oil and gas.
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.
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. Eliminating the office of offshore wind and the office of energy innovation and repealing the committee on wind workforce training. would stop any progress that we've made to reduce fossil fuel use.
Hello, I support this bill ending/banning offshore wind. Regards, Jonathan Belmont
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.
This bill would eliminate the office of offshore wind and the office of energy innovation and repeal the committee on wind workforce training. WHY other than supporting big oil & gas would supporters of this bill want to do this to NH and the planet? Shortsighted and greedy.
Waiting years longer to "observe" how another state fares on technology which is well understood makes absolutely no sense for the citizens of this state. Who benefits from delaying our transition to sustainable power sources? Only big business. To focus on the edge case of a superstorm when it is snowing to block solar and wind is above the turbine operational level is just silly. Science has these answers. How does power consumption change in such a superstorm and how do you deliver that power? The dangers of continuing to rely on fossil fuels, particularly when we're entering a trade war with our closest allies and challenging other fuel suppliers by closing out USAID, is laughable. We need sustainable US-based power and we have plenty of wind and sun!
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.
Eliminating the office of offshore wind and the office of energy innovation and repealing the committee on wind workforce training 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.
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.
Getting rid of critical offices in our state government right now is not the way to cut costs. This would not only take jobs away from Granite Staters, it would set us back when we need to be participating in offshore wind development. If NH stops engaging in the process of wind in the Gulf of Maine, then Maine and Massachusetts are going to reap the economic benefits of this booming new industry, and once again New Hampshire will be left behind.
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 HB682. 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. Eliminating the office of offshore wind as well as the energy office of innovation would end seeing any progress made in NH towards reducing our fossil fuel use. Fossil fuel use needs to be reduced to deal with serious climate issues and we need to encourage all the newest technologies for renewable energy sources. Offshore wind energy is a clean and reliable source of energy and we need to encourage its production. Off-shore wind projects would bring jobs to the state as well.
OSW is a boondoggle and destruction to the ecosystem