Committee Summary for Senate Energy and Natural Resources (04/22/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB566 00:04:02.959 - 8:02:58 AM	Public Hearing	requiring permit applications for new landfills to contain a detailed plan for leachate management.	Germana, Nicholas(D)[CT]2024
HB723 00:26:21.039 - 8:25:17 AM	Public Hearing	repealing the multi-use energy data platform.	Berezhny, Lex(R)[A+]2024
HB723 01:50:11.800 - 9:49:07 AM	Executive Session	repealing the multi-use energy data platform.	Berezhny, Lex(R)[A+]2024
HB250 1655S 01:51:28.130 - 9:50:24 AM	Executive Session	enabling local governing bodies to regulate the muzzling of dogs.	Newell, Jodi(D)[D-]2024

HB566: Nick Germana, Representative for Cheshire District 15 (Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Keene Wards 1 and 3 through 5, Walpole, Westmoreland, and Surry) Support00:04:02.959 - 8:02:58 AM; Representative Germana, the prime sponsor of HB566, discussed the bill aimed at enhancing leachate management at landfills in New Hampshire. He highlighted issues at the Casella landfill in Bethlehem and other facilities, such as the Waste Management Turnkey facility in Rochester and the municipal landfill in Lebanon, where leachate management has been problematic due to increased rainfall. The bill requires landfill operators to submit detailed leachate management plans as part of their permit applications, including how leachate will be collected, stored, treated, transported, and disposed of. It also mandates contracts with at least two facilities for leachate disposal. Germana mentioned a technical amendment suggested by Director Mike Wimsatt from DES to clarify the timing of when these plans and contracts are required. He emphasized the bill's bipartisan support and collaboration with DES and the regulated industry to ensure the regulations are sensible and not overly burdensome.
HB566: Tom Tower, Resident of Whitefield, Vice President of North Country Alliance for Balanced Change Support00:12:24.959 - 8:11:20 AM; Tom Tower spoke in support of HB566, emphasizing the urgency of addressing leachate issues at landfills. He highlighted the dangers of leachate, particularly its contamination with PFAS chemicals, and the significant increase in leachate production due to heavy rainfall. Tower cited the example of the Bethlehem landfill, where leachate levels exceeded safe limits by a large margin, posing a risk of catastrophic failure. He stressed the importance of having contracts in place for leachate management to prevent future incidents, especially given the high volume of out-of-state waste being processed in New Hampshire, which increases the burden on wastewater treatment plants and could affect the Merrimack River.
HB566: Mike Wimsatt, Director of the Waste Management Division for New Hampshire DES Information Only00:18:41.240 - 8:17:37 AM; Director Mike Wimsatt provided information on the challenges of leachate management faced by landfills in New Hampshire, exacerbated by increased rainfall. He explained the design of landfills to manage precipitation and the issues that arise when leachate accumulates beyond the designed limits. Wimsatt noted that current rules require landfills to have arrangements with at least two wastewater treatment plants for leachate disposal, but these arrangements are not proactively provided to DES. He supported HB566, stating that having explicit statutory language would strengthen DES's regulatory position and help manage leachate more effectively. He also mentioned ongoing enforcement actions related to leachate management issues at landfills.
HB723: Lex Bes, Grafton District 11 Support00:26:21.039 - 8:25:17 AM; Lex Bes introduced HB723FN, which aims to repeal the multi-use energy data platform. He explained the project's complexity and the lack of progress over the past six years, including unsuccessful attempts to secure federal funding. Bes criticized the project's economic viability and its potential to circumvent the PUC rate case process. He also raised concerns about data privacy and the opt-in nature of the platform, questioning its utility and suggesting that similar services are already available through utilities. He concluded by advocating for the repeal of the project to prevent further waste of resources.
HB723: Senator Rosen Information Only00:33:33.080 - 8:32:29 AM; Senator Rosen inquired about privacy concerns if a software company managed the data platform, to which Lex Bes responded that the government could still oversee the project and maintain data security, drawing an analogy to Microsoft Word.
HB723: Senator Avard Information Only00:37:30.320 - 8:36:26 AM; Senator Avard expressed concern about the stability of investment in New Hampshire due to the potential repeal of the data platform, worrying that it might discourage future investments if the legislature frequently reverses such decisions.
HB723: Representative O Support00:42:36.640 - 8:41:32 AM; Representative O supported HB723, addressing concerns about the platform's potential benefits. He emphasized the difference between 'could' and 'would' in terms of the platform's promised benefits versus tangible outcomes, arguing that the state should not continue to invest in a project without clear, guaranteed benefits.
HB723: Representative Cat McGee, Hillsborough 35, Hollis Oppose00:47:36.960 - 8:46:32 AM; Representative McGee opposed HB723, providing a detailed history of the data platform project. She highlighted the collaborative efforts involving utilities and stakeholders, the project's readiness to move forward with an RFP, and its potential to benefit energy management and innovation. McGee argued that repealing the statute prematurely would be detrimental, as the project is close to yielding valuable data and cost-benefit analysis.
HB723: Attorney Donald Crease, State's Consumer Advocate Oppose01:08:04.319 - 9:07:00 AM; Attorney Crease opposed HB723, arguing that the data platform would enhance customer freedom and potentially save money. He highlighted the project's collaborative nature and the imminent release of RFPs that would provide critical data. Crease criticized the partisan nature of the repeal effort and suggested that the project should be allowed to proceed to its next phase before any decision on repeal.
HB723: Nick Paul, Director of Legislative Affairs at Clean Energy New Hampshire Oppose01:21:29.840 - 9:20:25 AM; Nick Paul expressed opposition to HB723, which would repeal the statutes creating New Hampshire's statewide multi-use energy data platform. He emphasized the platform's role in modernizing access to energy information, supporting customers and the energy contracting market. The platform enables secure, standardized data sharing with contractors, suppliers, property managers, and efficiency programs, unlocking value and reducing friction in energy management. Paul highlighted a cost-benefit analysis estimating significant net benefits over 5 and 10 years, stemming from streamlined data exchange, easier consumer participation in energy savings programs, and reduced costs for commercial landlords and property managers. He argued that the platform is crucial infrastructure supporting smarter energy use, lower costs, and a competitive energy services market, and that repealing it would be a step backward.
HB723: Dan Failen, Regional Policy Director at the New Hampshire Department of Energy Information Only01:24:41.920 - 9:23:37 AM; Dan Failen presented a neutral stance on HB723. He discussed the significant resources, including hundreds of hours and consultant fees, that have been committed to the data platform project. He noted that the process has not followed traditional utility regulation, and the benefits of the platform are uncertain due to unclear participation rates and data limitations. Failen mentioned that the costs of the platform would ultimately be recovered from ratepayers, and he expressed skepticism about the benefits outlined in the cost-benefit analysis. He responded to questions about the department's involvement and the potential costs and savings associated with the platform.
HB723: Alec Omera, Director of External Affairs at UNATIL Information Only01:37:48.240 - 9:36:44 AM; Alec Omera, representing UNATIL, stated they have no formal position on HB723 but emphasized the importance of a cost-benefit analysis before deciding on the project's future. He mentioned that an RFP could provide clarity on the project's value within approximately 14 weeks of issuance. Omera highlighted UNATIL's approach to innovative projects, ensuring net benefits for customers, and clarified their role as a facilitator within the governance council rather than a project leader. He stressed the need for certainty regarding the project's value and responded to questions about the timeline for the RFP process.
HB723: Lucius Parall, Representative for Marlborough and surrounding communities Oppose01:44:22.880 - 9:43:18 AM; Lucius Parall expressed concern that HB723 would put New Hampshire at a competitive disadvantage by repealing the energy data platform. He noted that most Northeast states use such platforms, which are crucial for energy providers making investment decisions. Parall argued that without the platform, New Hampshire risks becoming an energy information desert, undermining the state's claim of being open for business, especially in light of recent legislation aimed at fast-tracking small modular reactors.
HB723: Committee Members Vote01:50:11.800 - 9:49:07 AM; The committee moved to re-refer HB723, expressing interest in seeing the results of the RFP process before making a final decision. They hoped the Public Utilities Commission would move forward with the RFP to provide more information by later in the fall.
HB250 1655S: Committee Members Vote01:51:28.130 - 9:50:24 AM; The committee discussed and passed HB250 with amendment 1655S. The amendment addressed concerns about narrowing the definition of certain terms and corrected an inadvertent change made in a previous bill regarding the reallocation of funds from dog licensing registration fees.
HB250 1655S: Committee Members Vote01:53:27.679 - 9:52:23 AM; The committee concluded their executive session on bill HB250 with amendment 1655S. They had no further bills to discuss and decided to end the session. A motion was made and seconded to come out of the executive session, and it was unanimously agreed upon, thus concluding the day's proceedings.

Avard, Kevin(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Pearl, Howard (V Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[CT]2024	McConkey, Mark(R)