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HB 1455 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2895
06/08
HOUSE BILL
1455
AN ACT
relative to the criteria for reliable energy sources.
SPONSORS: Rep. Notter, Hills. 12; Rep. Mattson, Ches. 18; Rep. Schneller, Hills. 2; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Bernardy, Rock. 36; Rep. Vose, Rock. 5
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes energy security and clean energy standards by defining eligible energy sources for state programs, prioritizing domestic and dispatchable generation, and requiring that energy used in New Hampshire be affordable, reliable, and include hydrocarbons.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2895
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
relative to the criteria for reliable energy sources.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Chapter; Energy Security and Clean Energy Standards. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 374-H the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 374-I
ENERGY SECURITY AND CLEAN ENERGY STANDARDS
374-I:1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to promote energy security, affordability, and reliability in New Hampshire by prioritizing domestic energy sources, minimizing reliance on foreign adversaries, and establishing clear criteria for clean and green energy eligibility in state programs.
374-I:2 Definitions. In this chapter:
I. “Affordable” means the lowest cost method of providing electricity, accounting for the full lifecycle cost of each generation source.
II. “Dispatchable” means a source of electricity that is available on demand and can be adjusted by grid operators to meet real-time system needs, except during routine maintenance or repairs.
III. “Foreign adversary country” means any country designated as such under 10 U.S.C. section 4872(f)(2).
IV. “Reliable” means a source of electricity that is not subject to intermittent availability or routine daily weather variation and maintains a performance standard of at least 80 percent, except during routine maintenance or repairs.
374-I:3 Energy Security and Affordability.
I. The department of energy, in consultation with the public utilities commission, shall prioritize energy security and affordability by:
(a) Promoting the use of fuel sources produced primarily within the United States.
(b) Ensuring that fuel for nuclear reactors is sourced primarily from North America and not from foreign adversary countries, except as required by international treaty or similar instrument.
(c) Supporting infrastructure that reduces reliance on foreign nations for critical materials or manufacturing.
II. Energy sources used to serve New Hampshire customers shall:
(a) Be affordable.
(b) Be reliable.
(c) Deliver cost savings to residential and commercial customers relative to energy sources listed in 42 U.S.C. section 15852(b), based on the average cost per unit of energy output, excluding any direct or indirect government subsidies over the past 5 years.
(d) Be dispatchable.
(e) Include energy generated by hydrocarbons.
374-I:4 Criteria for Reliable Energy Sources. Reliable energy sources shall be dispatchable to meet customer demand at all times of day and during all seasons; include energy generated by hydrocarbons; and, demonstrate grid stability by maintaining continuously dispatchable output, adjusting generation within one hour to stabilize the grid, and providing backup to renewable sources during periods of low availability.
374-I:5 Green Energy and Clean Energy Standards. For the purposes of any state program that funds “green energy” or “clean energy” initiatives, the following shall apply:
I. “Green energy” includes energy generated using sources listed in 42 U.S.C. section 15852(b), or hydrocarbons combusted for electricity generation that meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards under the Clean Air Act.
II. Green energy shall include energy generated by nuclear reactors and energy generated using natural gas.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.