GEO Lauds New Hampshire Thermal Energy Law

July 2, 2012
The Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) lauds the New Hampshire’s new law (SB 213) that adds thermal renewable energy sources to compliance measures that electric utilities can deploy to meet the requirements of the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).
The Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) lauds the New Hampshire’s new law (SB 213) that adds thermal renewable energy sources to compliance measures that electric utilities can deploy to meet the requirements of the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).
 
Signed into law at the end of June, New Hampshire’s new law allows renewable thermal energy (such as that offered by geothermal heat pumps) to qualify for its RPS program at least through 2025. It will offer Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to geothermal, biomass and solar and project developers that are equivalent in value to those given for renewable electricity projects. The RECs will be worth up to $29 per megawatt-hour of useful thermal energy produced.
 
“The geothermal heat pump industry congratulates the New Hampshire legislature and Gov. John Lynch for their understanding and foresight in recognizing the great contributions that can be made by thermal renewable energy sources in meeting the state’s environmental and economic goals,” said GEO President Doug Dougherty.  
 
GEO Member and Northeast Geothermal Professionals President Martin Orio (Water Energy – Hampstead, NH) played an instrumental role in garnering interest and support for the bill by geothermal heat pump (GHP) companies across the region. “Though the legislation was aimed at the biomass industry,” he said, “we saw its thermal energy credit as a big win for GHPs as a renewable and an energy efficiency product.”
 
The New Hampshire thermal energy program will be available to residential, commercial and industrial projects. Qualified projects can use revenue generated from the sale of the RECs that they earn to finance capital costs, helping to cut payback time on investment.

The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) developed the concept and led efforts in support of the new law with the legislature, Governor’s Office and the state Public Utilities Commission. “Now is the time for other states to consider New Hampshire's leadership. Thermal energy represents over a third of all energy consumed in America,” said BTEC Executive Director Joseph Seymour. “Energy policy that only focuses on electricity or transportation fuels ignores the tremendous economic and environmental benefits of displacing our dependence on fossil heating fuels with renewable energy.”

According to BTEC, “Some eight states have limited thermal provisions in their RPS programs (AZ, IA, MA, MD, NC, OH, VA and WI), but they are generally narrowly restricted.” Maryland passed a landmark thermal energy bill for geothermal and other sources into law in May. Other states, notably Massachu-setts and Vermont, are considering expanding their RPS programs to include thermal sources.

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission will now forge administrative rulemaking to implement the law. Thermal projects will not qualify for the new REC incentives until after Jan. 1, 2013.
 
“Maryland and now New Hampshire recognize the importance of thermal renewable energy to achieving the goals set forth by their RPS laws,” said Dougherty. “With this momentum, GEO actively urges other states to consider and pass such landmark measures into law across the nation.”

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