HB 1518-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2020 SESSION

20-2456

06/10

HOUSE BILL 1518-FN

AN ACT relative to the alternative compliance payments for renewable energy obligations not met through the purchase of renewable energy credits.

SPONSORS: Rep. Pearl, Merr. 26; Rep. Lang, Belk. 4; Rep. Costable, Rock. 3; Rep. Plumer, Belk. 6

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

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ANALYSIS

This bill sets the alternative compliance payment at $55 per megawatt hour to the renewable energy fund for electric distribution utility requirements not satisfied by renewable energy credits.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

20-2456

06/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty

AN ACT relative to the alternative compliance payments for renewable energy obligations not met through the purchase of renewable energy credits.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1  Findings and Purpose.  The general court hereby finds that renewable energy policies should be technology neutral, so that one resource is not arbitrarily favored over another.

2  Electric Renewable Portfolio Standards; Renewable Energy Fund.  Amend RSA 362-F:10, II to read as follows:

II.  In lieu of meeting the portfolio requirements of RSA 362-F:3 for a given year if, and to the extent sufficient certificates are not otherwise available at a price below the amounts specified in this paragraph, an electricity provider may, at the time of report submission for that year under RSA 362-F:8, make payment to the commission at the [following rates] rate of $55 for each megawatt-hour not met for a given class obligation through the acquisition of certificates[:

(a)  Class I-$55, except for that portion of the class electric renewable portfolio standards to be met by qualifying renewable energy technologies producing useful thermal energy under RSA 362-F:3 which shall be $25 beginning January 1, 2013.

(b)  Class II-$55.

(c)  Class III-$31.50.

(d)  Class IV-$26.50].

3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

20-2456

10/29/19

HB 1518-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to the alternative compliance payments for renewable energy obligations not met through the purchase of renewable energy credits.

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [ X ] County               [ X ] Local              [    ] None

METHODOLOGY:

This bill would change the alternative compliance payment rate (ACP) for all Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) classes to $55.00, to be adjusted annually in accordance to current statutory requirements.  The current ACP rates for calendar year 2019 are:

• Class I (new renewables) = $57.15
• Class I Thermal (new thermal) = $25.97
• Class II (solar) = $57.15
• Class III (biomass/methane) = $55.00
• Class IV (small hydroelectric) = $28.60

Suppliers of electricity must either purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) or make ACPs to satisfy the RPS statutory requirements.  The ACP rate acts as a price ceiling for RECs.  In general, raising the ACP rate may cause RPS compliance costs to rise.  This in turn would result in retail electric suppliers incurring increased costs, either for RECs or ACPs, which may then increase costs for electric ratepayers, including the State and its political subdivisions. Conversely, lowering the ACP rate may cause RPS compliance costs to decrease which would result in decreased costs for retail electric suppliers, either for RECs or ACPs, which may then decrease costs for electric ratepayers, including the State and its political subdivisions.

The market for RECs is a regional one, and generators across New England may be eligible to participate in REC markets in more than one state.  This makes REC prices dynamic and difficult to predict.  Thus, it is not possible to predict the dollar impact the changed ACP rates will have on State, County, or Local expenditures.  It is also difficult to predict the dollar impact on the State's Renewable Energy Fund which receives its revenue solely from ACPs.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Public Utilities Commission and Department of Environmental Services