Did you know that the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC), after delaying approval of an energy-efficiency plan for almost a year, decided not to approve the plan and effectively defunded the future of energy efficiency in New Hampshire?
Small charges on all utility bills have been used to fund NH Saves, which provides customers with information, incentives and support designed to save energy, reduce costs and protect our environment statewide. Many homeowners, businesses and institutions in Peterborough have benefited from NH Saves programs. A recent article in the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript noted that the Peterborough Town Library has earned a $27,000 rebate from NH Saves for energy-efficiency upgrades built into the library’s renovation.
By cutting the funding for NH Saves, the PUC is making it much harder for people to afford energy-efficiency steps that will save them money in the long run. It costs much less to save energy by improving efficiency than it does to build new power plants to meet rising demands. Increasing energy efficiency saves all ratepayers money, not just those who have taken advantage of NH Saves incentives. Energy-efficiency programs protect lives, keep homes warm and reduce energy bills.
This step by the PUC is particularly upsetting for the citizens of Peterborough, who last May set a goal for the entire town of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2050. One of the most-effective actions we can take to achieve that goal is to increase our energy efficiency, thus reducing the total amount of energy we need to purchase.
It is important to let the PUC (puc@puc.nh.gov) and our state legislators know that this defunding of energy efficiency makes no sense and is unacceptable. Do it today!
Anne Huberman
Peterborough