Letter: Committee leaders back bad energy bills
Published: 2/21/2021 12:01:23 AM
For anyone watching House Science, Technology and Energy Committee meetings in recent weeks thanks to Zoom, it’s been a tough show to watch.
Rep. Michael Vose, the chair, and Rep. Michael Harrington, the wing man, appear to be intent on pushing through bad energy bills that would take New Hampshire backward in terms of combating climate change. They’re also working to kill good energy bills.
Neither representative speaks about the science of climate change and the urgency of addressing it – other than to mock this. They don’t talk about green jobs, and the cost savings to towns, homeowners, and businesses that come from clean energy over time. Their constant theme is keeping costs for ratepayers down. And they speak frequently about “liberty,” which seems especially odd on a science committee.
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Leading strategic public policy, communications and advocacy firm HBW Resources today announced that Meghan Thacker joined the firm as Vice President of Federal and State Affairs, and Marc Brown joined as Senior Director of State Affairs.
Thacker and Brown expand HBW’s geographic reach in the Gulf, the West and New England, while deepening its policy and regulatory expertise.
“Reflecting the incredible growth of HBW Resources in a challenging 2020, especially in our federal and state affairs practice groups, we are pleased to add two senior leaders with great experience to our team,” HBW Resources Managing Partner David Holt said. “As we look to the new Congress and Biden Administration, HBW’s state and federal teams are poised to be a significant part of the future U.S. energy policy discussion.”
Net metering battles have surged in recent years. As 2021 begins, the same old fights are ongoing.
January 12, 2021
Russell Schiermeier graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in mechanical engineering. But a decade ago, he bought a few hundred acres near the Snake River in Idaho’s high desert and began to farm. In the years since, his farm has grown to encompass more than 3,000 acres with crops such as alfalfa, corn and peppermint, and Schiermeier has experimented with carbon sequestration and cover cropping.
Two years ago, Schiermeier installed solar panels to power the irrigation pumps that provide essential water to his crops. “That’s kind of the rub in Idaho. We’ve got such a wonderful growing season.but we just don’t have any water,” he said.
Andru Volinsky: Challenges ahead for the Executive Council
Modified: 12/17/2020 6:20:14 AM
There is hope on the horizon. A COVID vaccine has been approved and New Hampshire is rolling it out to those most in need. Balanced against this good news are recent deaths and the dangerous climb in infection rates. While I would enjoy attending my last Executive Council meeting in Council Chambers, reluctantly, I’ll participate by phone and share my concluding thoughts here.
Even in our weak executive form of government, governors clearly set the state’s agenda. They garner press attention, decide who and whether to nominate for key positions, and determine which items are voted upon by the council.