Dear Chair Vose and Members of the Committee,
Seacoast Students for Sustainability supports HB1250, an act requiring the public utilities
commission to consider climate change in making rate-setting decisions.
We support this bill for the following reasons:
Firstly, to incentivize utilities to mitigate their effects on the environment. The consideration of
climate change in setting rates could reduce costs for pollution-free utilities and encourage
reduced negative impacts.
Secondly, to protect our state for its scenic beauty and natural environment. Visitors from all
around the country flock to New Hampshire’s rugged mountains and crystal-blue lakes. Our state
should not have to be marred by unnecessary, unsightly, and harmful pollution. Furthermore, if
the Public Utilities Commission can make even the slightest difference in protecting ecosystems
that could be damaged by these utilities, it should do so.
Finally, this bill only calls for the consideration of climate change. The Public Utilities
Commission need only wholly evaluate the impacts on New Hampshire, and it is left to their
discretion to decide the following rates. No matter your stance on the environment, you must
agree it is essential for all and any impacts to be considered in the rate-setting process.
Help New Hampshire minimize its carbon footprint. For the sake of protecting our environment
and our people, Seacoast Students for Sustainability urge you to vote Ought to Pass (OTP) on
HB1250.
Written by Loreley Godfrey, Legislation Director for SS4S
January 25, 2022