New Hampshire Moves up List of Energy-Efficient States
EFFICIENCY
New Hampshire Union Leader
Joe Markman
Boston University Washington News Service
10/21/09
WASHINGTON – The Granite State has been getting greener, according to a state-by-state study released Wednesday.
The 2009 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, released at a press conference in Washington by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, ranks New Hampshire 13th in the country in implementing efficient use of energy, five spots higher than last year.
Experts say investing in energy efficiency – such as home weatherization, higher vehicle emissions standards and more-conservative electrical use – is the easiest way to both trim costs and help the environment.
“It’s an exciting time for energy,” Mary Downes, an energy efficiency specialist at the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, said in a telephone interview. “We are getting an enormous amount of funding and attention and education.”
All the New England states got high marks on the scorecard, which judged states in six categories, including state government initiatives and transportation policies. Massachusetts came in second and Connecticut third, while every state in the region was in the top 10 except New Hampshire.
California ranked first overall and Mississippi pulled up the rear.
New Hampshire has been making a concerted effort over the past few years to be more energy-efficient. Two state agencies have been working with private companies and individual volunteers to put into practice environmentally conscious ideas.
The Department of Environmental Service’s Climate Change Policy Task Force and the Public Utilities Commission’s Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Energy Board are working in various areas, including agriculture, forestry and government leadership.
Ocean Bank in Portsmouth is one company that is working to lower energy costs at small businesses through reduced-interest loans.
“I’m pleased to hear that we’re improving despite some of the issues that stand in the way,” said Janet Brewer, vice president and director of community development for the bank.
One obstacle to New Hampshire’s appearing at the top of the scorecard is the reluctance of individuals and businesses to invest in energy-saving measures whose costs will not be immediately recouped.
“Rather than make a bad decision they make no decision at all,” Brewer said.
A possible fix for this is pending in the state legislature. Russell Aney, a member of New London’s energy committee, said legislation introduced by Rep. Beatriz Pastor, D-Grafton, would enable towns to provide loans that would be paid back through an additional property tax.
Such loans would spur people to invest in greening their buildings, Aney said. The loans would cost less because municipalities can borrow at reduced interest rates, and would be more secure than typical loans because only those projects whose costs would be covered through energy savings would be eligible.
A further barrier to energy efficiency is making people aware of the benefits.
At Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion, a concert center on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in Gilford, marketing director Chris Lockwood said visiting artists often bring with them a lesson for the audience about becoming greener.
The center itself has made strides toward becoming more energy-efficient, inviting local students to audit one of its cafés. The students found the café needed more insulation because it started out as a two-car garage.
“We’re feeling our way with our green efforts,” Lockwood said. “But I think green is here to stay. It’s a positive thing all the way around.”
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