Michael Dowe: Belknap reps need to join majority in support of net metering

To The Daily Sun,

An Open Letter to N.H. House Representatives for Belknap County:

On Wednesday, September 16 you will have the opportunity to override Governor Sununu’s veto of Senate Bill 159, the net metering bill. The majority of you, voted "no" on this bill when it was most recently voted on in the House. Ultimately, SB-159 passed both the N.H. House and Senate with wide bi-partisan support. The N.H. Senate recently voted unanimously to override the governor’s veto.

My question to you is how can you not vote to override Sununu’s veto when to do so will save N.H. towns, cities, schools, hospitals and businesses money and take over some control of energy costs?

Twelve N.H. mayors, representing thousands of N.H. citizens, wrote to Governor Sununu urging his SUPPORT for raising the cap on net metering — up to 5-megawatts. They knew that local renewable energy projects provide “the best way to control energy costs, improve the quality of our environment, and provide economic growth for our communities.”

N.H. spends $6.1 billion yearly on energy and fossil fuels from out-of-state. Imported fuel involves high transmission costs and price swings. If towns, schools, hospitals, and businesses can generate their own electricity and “net meter,” they can control and stabilize electricity costs, reduce taxes, and lower operating expenses. With Covid-19 depressing the economy, a green light on net metering would spur new projects — bringing tens of millions of dollars in new investment, local jobs and new local tax revenue.

The N.H. Business Review (March 2019) said, “Many municipalities want to convert their abandoned landfills into solar power sites, turning a liability into an asset.” In addition to municipalities, private business owners and customer generators could benefit from the revenues of net metering.

What prevents us from realizing these benefits? Governor Sununu has VETOED net metering bills, three years in a row. State Senator Jeb Bradley said, “I don’t think the state should tell towns how to deal with local issues.” On September 16, N.H. House Members will have the chance to override Sununu’s latest veto.

I encourage others to join me in urging you to go and vote to override Governor Sununu’s veto of SB-159. Voters can find out how to contact you at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/

Last time I checked, N.H. did not have any oil or gas wells, or coal mines. Let exercise our freedom to make our own energy here in the Granite State, renewable solar power, with net metering, that is good for our towns, our wallets and the planet.

Michael Dowe

Gilford