After being threatened, NH's RGGI program is safe for now!
Governor Lynch's statement following his veto of the bill that was designed to kill the NH RGGI program.
"RGGI was created as a bipartisan initiative in New Hampshire, and across the Northeast, to address shared economic and environmental concerns. Here in New Hampshire, Republicans, Democrats and Independents worked together to develop a two-part strategy: help families and businesses reduce their energy use through RGGI and increase our supplies of homegrown renewable energy through the Renewable Portfolio Standard.
I am vetoing this legislation because it will cost our citizens jobs, both now and into the future, hinder our economic recovery, and damage our state's long-term economic competitiveness." -- Governor John Lynch
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NEW HAMPSHIRE'S RGGI PROGRAM: A FAR BETTER RGGI PROGRAM
New Hampshire's RGGI program gives its citizens the biggest bang for their buck by creating a CAP AND INVEST program. Re-investing the RGGI fund money into energy efficiency projects within the state results in:
- More jobs in the green, technology and construction trades and industries;
- Less energy use in municipal buildings which lowers our tax burden; and
- Lower energy costs to residents as prices drop due to decreased demand
Please note that in the chart below the blue bars represent energy price impacts without re-investing in energy efficiency programs, and the green bars represent the minimal cost increase to consumers with investment in energy efficiency projects.
Please Click on Chart to enlarge it!
Data taken from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
PLEASE NOTE THE HIGHER JOB GROWTH EMANATES FROM RGGI FUND INVESTMENTS IN RENEWABLES AND EFFICIENCY PROJECTS - FAR MORE THAN PROJECTED FROM TAX REBATES OR REFUNDS AND SUBSIDIES TO THE OIL INDUSTRY.
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