I. An energy efficiency and sustainable energy board is hereby created to promote energy efficiency, demand response, and sustainable energy programs in the state. The board’s duties shall include but not be limited to:
(a) Review available energy efficiency, conservation, demand response, and sustainable energy programs and incentives and compile a report of such resources in New Hampshire.
(b) Explore opportunities to coordinate programs targeted at saving more than one fuel resource, including conversion to renewable resources and coordination between natural gas and other programs which seek to reduce the overall use of nonrenewable fuels.
(c) Develop strategies, concepts, and tools to enhance outreach and education programs to increase knowledge and awareness about energy efficiency and sustainable energy among New Hampshire residents and businesses.
(d) Expand upon the state government’s efficiency programs to ensure that the state is providing leadership on energy efficiency and sustainable energy including reduction of its energy use and fuel costs.
(e) Encourage municipalities and counties to increase investments in energy efficiency and sustainable energy through financing tools, and to create local energy committees.
(f) Work with community action agencies and the office of strategic initiatives to explore ways to ensure that all customers participating in programs for low-income customers and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) have access to energy efficiency improvements, and where appropriate, renewable energy resources, in order to reduce their energy bills.
(g) Investigate potential sources of funding for energy efficiency and sustainable energy development and delivery mechanisms for such programs, coordinate efforts between funding sources to reduce duplication and enhance collaboration, and review investment strategies to increase access to energy efficiency and renewable energy resources.
II. The members of the board shall be as follows:
(a) The commissioner of the department of energy, or designee.
(b) The consumer advocate, or designee.
(c) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.
(d) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.
(e) The president of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, or designee.
(f) The executive director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association, or designee.
(g) The executive director of New Hampshire Legal Assistance, or designee.
(h) The president of the Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of New Hampshire, or designee.
(i) Two members of the house committee with jurisdiction over energy matters, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(j) One member of the senate committee with jurisdiction over energy matters, appointed by the president of the senate.
(k) Three representatives from not-for-profit groups representing energy, environmental, consumer, or public health issues and knowledgeable in energy conservation policies and programs, appointed by the commissioner of the department of energy.
(l) The commissioner of the department of administrative services, or designee.
(m) The state fire marshal, or designee.
(n) The executive director of the New Hampshire housing finance authority, or designee.
III. The board shall include, as nonvoting participants, the following:
(a) One representative from each utility-administered electric and natural gas energy efficiency program appointed by the commissioner of the department of energy.
(b) A representative of energy services companies delivering energy efficiency services to residential and business customers, appointed by the commissioner of the department of energy.
(c) A representative of a business or association of businesses selling or installing sustainable or renewable energy systems, appointed by the commissioner of the department of energy.
(d) A representative from the investment community with expertise in efficiency investments and financing, appointed by the commissioner of the department of energy.
IV. The chairman of the public utilities commission shall call the first meeting of the board. The board shall elect a chairperson from among its members. Seven members of the board shall constitute a quorum. The board shall make an annual report on December 1 to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house science, technology and energy committee, the senate energy, environment and economic development committee, the department of energy, and the public utilities commission, to provide an update on its activities and recommendations for action including possible legislation.
V. The board shall be administratively attached to the department of energy under RSA 21-G:10.
VI. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the board.
VII. No member of the board shall vote on a matter in which the member, his or her spouse or dependent, or the organization or entity represented by or employing the member, has a private interest which may directly or indirectly affect or influence the performance of his or her duties.
Source. 2008, 292:1. 2012, 281:10, I, eff. Jan. 1, 2013. 2017, 156:14, II, 64, eff. July 1, 2017. 2021, 91:198, 220, eff. July 1, 2021. 2022, 5:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2022; 245:7, eff. Aug. 20, 2022.