FW: Public Hearing on Local Energy Committees!

Jim,
 
I cannot attend, but am assuming that you will encourage support from your peers for this bill.
 
Michelle

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Subject: Public Hearing on Local Energy Committees!
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:20:35 -0500
From: rstephenson@cleanair-coolplanet.org
To: mveasey@msn.com

Michelle,

 

Please Read this Alert to Local Energy Committees

 

A public hearing on legislation related to Local Energy Committees is scheduled in Concord for Wednesday January 21 at 1 p.m. in the Legislative Office Building (Room 301).

 

The hearing is meant to allow sponsors of the bill – HB189 -  to explain the purpose and need for the legislation, and to allow members of the public to also speak on the bill.

 

Please try to attend this hearing!

 

If you cannot attend but would still like to express support of the bill, let me know by email or telephone 603 570 7504.

 

Thank you,

 

Roger Stephenson

Carbon Coalition

 

Text of the bill and its sponsors are below:

 

HB 189 – AS INTRODUCED

2009 SESSION

09-0295
06/05
HOUSE BILL 189
AN ACT enabling municipalities to establish energy commissions.
SPONSORS: Rep. Borden, Rock 18; Rep. Kepner, Rock 15; Sen. Merrill, Dist 21; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 24
COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government

ANALYSIS

This bill enables municipalities to establish energy commissions.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
09-0295
06/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine

AN ACT enabling municipalities to establish energy commissions.

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

1 New Chapter; Energy Commissions. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 38-C the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 38-D

ENERGY COMMISSIONS

38-D:1 Method of Adoption. Any city by vote of its city council, and any town at any duly warned meeting, may adopt or rescind the provisions of this chapter.
38-D:2 Energy Commission. A city or town may establish an energy commission, hereinafter called the commission, for the study, planning, and utilization of energy resources for municipal buildings and built resources of such city or town.
38-D:3 Membership. The commission shall consist of no fewer than 3 nor more than 10 members. In cities, the members of the commission shall be appointed by the mayor subject to the provisions of the city charter, and in towns the members of the commission shall be appointed by the selectmen. Alternate members may be appointed in a like manner and when the alternate serves in the absence or disqualification of a regular member, the alternate shall have full voting powers. When a commission is first established, terms of the members shall be for one, 2, or 3 years, and so arranged that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of 3 years each. Any member of a commission so appointed may, after a public hearing, if requested, be removed for cause by the appointing authority. A vacancy occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment. Members of an energy commission shall be residents of the city or town which they represent. Members of an energy commission also may serve on other municipal boards and commissions, including but not limited to, a conservation commission under RSA 36-A, local planning boards under RSA 672, historic district commission established under RSA 673:4, and a heritage commission established under RSA 673:4-a.
38-D:4 Duties.
I. The commission shall:
(a) Research municipal energy use and cost and make such information available to the town on at least an annual basis.
(b) Advertise, prepare, print, and distribute books, charts, plans, and pamphlets which in its judgment are necessary for its work.
(c) Make recommendations to the local governing body or to the office of energy and planning for the creation of a municipal energy plan regarding energy conservation, sustainable design, zoning, and energy generation.
II. The commission may appoint such clerks and other employees or subcommittees as it may from time to time require.
38-D:5 Appropriations Authorized.
I. A town or city, having established an energy commission, may appropriate money as necessary for the purpose of this chapter. All or any part of money so appropriated in any year and any gifts of money received under this chapter may be placed in an energy fund and allowed to accumulate from year to year. Money may be expended from such fund by the energy commission for the purposes of this chapter without further approval of the town meeting.
II. The town treasurer, under RSA 41:29, shall have custody of all moneys in the energy fund and shall pay out the same only upon order of the energy commission. The disbursement of energy funds shall be authorized by a majority of the energy commission.
38-D:6 Director of Energy and Planning. The director of the office of energy and planning and New Hampshire regional planning commissions may establish programs to assist, at their request, the cities and towns which have established an energy commission.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.