Bill Text: NH HB238 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishing a task force on applications of microgrids in electricity supply.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-07 - Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 03/07/2019 House Journal 8 P. 8 [HB238 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2019-HB238-Introduced.html
HB 238 - AS INTRODUCED
2019 SESSION
19-0207
10/01
HOUSE BILL 238
AN ACT establishing a task force on applications of microgrids in electricity supply.
SPONSORS: Rep. Somssich, Rock. 27; Rep. Cali-Pitts, Rock. 30; Rep. Vincent, Straf. 17
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a legislative task force on applications of microgrids in electricity supply.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
19-0207
10/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen
AN ACT establishing a task force on applications of microgrids in electricity supply.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Microgrids in Electricity Supply; Intent and Background; Task Force Established.
I. Microgrids have been identified as a new tool for municipalities and small community developments, including community renewable energy projects, to reduce demand on the primary electricity grid and provide more grid resiliency for public utilities. This behind-the-meter-tool allows electricity self-generation and self-consumption, either with or without a direct connection to the primary grid. Identifying the best suited applications for such microgrids and testing pilot projects is needed to fully understand and consider the most promising and financially viable applications.
II. New Hampshire's electricity network infrastructure includes not only the procurement of wholesale electricity but also the critical infrastructure to transport that energy and the delivery in a safe and reliable manner and at the lowest cost to customers. As part of the New England power supply system, transportation and delivery costs are critically important for electricity delivery and reliability and are part of utility customers costs. While all customers need to be able to rely on a reliable supply of electricity that is resilient against natural disruptions, such as winter storms and hurricanes, better management of the grid demand for electricity can reduce customer bills and encourage more efficient use of electricity. The concept of microgrids allows a community of users, whether private or municipal, to create a network to serve the energy supply and energy use that is behind the meter and not dependent on grid supply. Such a microgrid has the ability to operate either in an island-mode separate from the grid or connected to the grid with the ability to either net-meter access power into the grid or to allow for energy purchases from the grid. Microgrids, therefore, have the ability to reduce overall demand on the grid resulting in lower cost to the utility with respect to transportation and delivery costs. Customers would also be able to financially reduce their utility bills and, within the microgrid, be able to better weather storms and emergencies. Microgrid energy supply could be provided by a combination of old technologies (diesel generators) or renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, hydro or biomass) depending on the best choice for the microgrid customers. In addition, upgrades to the microgrid are much more manageable, since they do not directly interfere with the operations of the primary grid. Utilities would also play a significant role in microgrid applications since the microgrids would need to operate collaboratively with the primary grid and its operators.
III. There is established a task force to study the application of microgrids in electricity supply.
2 Membership and Compensation; Advisory Group.
I. The members of the task force shall be as follows:
(a) Four members of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall be from the science, technology, and energy committee and nominated by the committee chair, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Four members of the senate, 2 of whom shall be from the energy and natural resources committee and nominated by the committee chair, appointed by the president of the senate.
II. Members of the task force shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the task force.
III. The task force shall appoint as an advisory group to the task force the following persons to be nominated by the governor: at least 2 persons representing the interests of utility companies and at least 2 persons representing the interests of the general public.
3 Duties. The task force shall study the applications of microgrids in electricity supply and investigate the most promising applications of microgrids both near term and long term.
4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the task force shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the task force shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the task force shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the task force shall constitute a quorum.
5 Report. The task force shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2020.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
