This bill amends the New Hampshire Energy Policy to enhance the state's approach to energy resources, emphasizing affordability, reliability, diversity, and security for the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. The revised policy includes new legal language that establishes the state's commitment to using market and regulatory mechanisms to achieve these goals. Key insertions outline the promotion of various energy resources, including on-demand and distributed energy sources, while ensuring customer choice and removing regulatory barriers to innovation. The bill also emphasizes the importance of market forces in driving energy resource use and sets parameters for government intervention to be limited and goal-specific.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for energy conservation and efficiency based on market principles, aiming to address barriers while focusing on cost-effective strategies. It mandates that the state maintain an environment conducive to accurate market signals, balancing consumer prices with energy reliability and public health. The regulatory processes are to be adjusted to weigh economic costs against necessary levels of review, with a commitment to collaborate on expedited federal actions when required. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
As Amended by the Senate: 378:37
Version adopted by both bodies: 378:37