Concord, NH – The NH Energy and Climate Collaborative recently released the NH Climate Action Plan Annual Progress Review 2010. The NH Climate Action Plan was completed in March 2009 by the NH Climate Change Policy Task Force established by Executive Order of the Governor in 2007. For the past year, the NH Energy and Climate Collaborative, a group of 18 leaders from the business, non-profit and public sectors, has volunteered to track, report and communicate progress towards implementation of the recommended actions outlined in the NH Climate Action Plan. The results of these collective efforts and the state’s progress on implementing the goals of the NH Climate Action Plan are outlined in the Climate Action Plan Annual Progress Review 2010, which may be viewed at http://m1e.net/c?82384231-f43DdQ0k.hqZo%405434956-Oc5dYhhPp2tbk .
The Climate Action Plan includes some 67 recommended actions for addressing the state’s energy needs while also strengthening the economy and reducing the threats of climate change. One recommendation called for the creation of the New Hampshire Energy and Climate Collaborative to help track and support the plan’s implementation. The collaborative has over the past year:
• Served as a hub for information on statewide energy and climate action in New Hampshire.
• Created connections among institutions, individuals, and networks that are active in the state’s energy and climate arena.
• Provided a forum for problem solving on energy and climate issues in the state that are not addressed by existing institutions, individuals, and networks.
• Shared stories through a variety of communication avenues.
Many efforts have been occurring throughout the state over the past year since the release of the New Hampshire Climate Action Plan that are directly related to the plan and support its goals and recommended actions. Some of these efforts include:
• Auctions of allowances for emissions of carbon dioxide from electric power plants conducted under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative raised $24 million for energy efficiency projects in New Hampshire between September 2008 and June 2010, which in the first round of grants resulted in:
o More than 30 energy efficiency training opportunities.
o More than 709 people trained in energy efficiency.
o 500 energy efficiency projects complete or underway.
o More than 185 buildings received energy audits or benchmarking information.
• In fiscal year 2010, the Renewable Energy Fund disbursed $1.34 million to 237 homeowners for distributed electric generation facilities such as solar photovoltaics and wind turbines.
• The Green Launching Pad, administered by the University of New Hampshire, was established to provide a mechanism for start-up green companies to obtain some funding through a competitive technology program.
• Through the Municipal Energy Assistance Program, 47 New Hampshire towns are measuring and beginning to manage energy use and become project-ready.
Retail Merchants Association of NH, through its Energy • Efficiency Program, met its year one goal of enrolling 25 businesses into its energy retrofit demonstration project.
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was created to stimulate the economy and these grants will inject a total of more than $70 million into New Hampshire’s economy for energy related projects.
To learn more about the Annual Progress Review and how to get involved in implementation efforts, visit the Collaborative’s website at http://m1e.net/c?82384231-ZNOWcW94KBO6g%405434956-xlAwFpu8LkAVw or contact Stacey Doll, Coordinator for the NH Energy and Climate Collaborative at (603) 271-6947 or at stacey.doll@des.nh.gov .
This message brought to you by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03302.
As winter weather approaches, the New Hampshire State Police, Department of Transportation, and Department of Environmental Services remind motorists that driving during winter storms can be dangerous depending on conditions and driver behavior. Now is the time to start thinking differently about how you drive in winter conditions – before it’s too late.
