Did you know that New Hampshire is the only New England state that does not have a comprehensive, updated climate action plan? Or that NH is the only New England state that does not have a mandated requirement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
According to the NH Dept. of Environmental Services (DES), NH will most likely continue to emit the same amount of greenhouse gases for the next decade under its current policies, (if we even have any). The NHDES found in 2019 that cars and trucks were responsible for nearly half (47%) of emissions.
As far as renewables go, well, NH is behind our neighbor states in generating electricity from renewables. This inaction towards climate change only continues to endanger the health and well-being of NH residents and people nationwide.
Last week, 7 states, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont came together and submitted a proposal to the federal government of $3.62 billion hoping to secure a position as a regional clean hydrogen hub. Notice who was missing? This is a part of Pres. Biden’s “Investment and Jobs Act” looking to bring about 6 to 10 similar hubs nationwide, in an attempt to address clean energy.
While some of the participating governors of the aforementioned states commented on and praised this opportunity for economic growth and promotion of their climate goals, it leads one to wonder if NH has any climate goals or even any interest in addressing the issues of clean energy, climate and extreme weather. Not to mention, it was an opportunity to secure federal money. Sadly, NH joins Florida, Idaho and South Dakota by not participating in, at the very least, one hub proposal.
However, NH does have a hydrogen project in Coos County. A former paper mill in Groveton is being used by Q Hydrogen. The plan is to redevelop the mill into “the world’s first power plant completely fueled by clean, affordable clear hydrogen” according to the company which is based out of Utah.
A little bit about hydrogen: it can be obtained from renewable energy or fossil fuels. It can be burned to provide power, stored or transported. Electrolysis and thermal processes are the most common way of producing hydrogen fuel. On the flip side, there are critics who claim hydrogen is not the perfect solution, citing it can cause pollution in other ways. Leaks can release methane (greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere and when burned, it can emit nitrogen oxide, another form of air pollution. However, if used safely and properly, hydrogen can go a long way in helping combat what is a global concern.
In early April, Sen. David Watters (D-Barrington, Dover, Rollinsford, and Somersworth.) testified to the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee on behalf of a bill he introduced to support the development of green hydrogen in NH. “I don’t want New Hampshire to be the black hole where industry says don’t go there because you can’t get anything built,” Watters said. “… I want that investment to come here, both federal money and private dollars to come in, and I think we have huge potential here.”
Gov. Sununu took office in 2017 and has since then vetoed the following:
increases to the state’s net-metering cap,
expansion of the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard,
and a bill that would have had the state study renewable energy procurements.
Let’s hope the bill being brought forth by Sen. Watters, should it make the governor’s desk, not suffer the same fate.
On the plus side, NH does participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative along with 10 other states whose goal is to reduce CO2 emissions.