In view of family and friends who benefit from significant energy savings and lucrative jobs through the Mass Save program, the recent Public Utility Commission (PUC) rejection of an expanded energy efficiency plan for NHSaves was appalling. Gratefully many stakeholders, including the utilities, have cried foul requesting a redo of this disastrous decision. While Gov. Sununu finally acknowledged that the ruling needs review, he also said the increase for small business ratepayers from the Systems Benefits Charge (SBC) which funds NHSaves is too burdensome a “price hike.”
Perhaps the governor needs to be reminded about the letter to the PUC from a group of small business owners expressing strong support for the plan. It stated, “Because these cost savings are critical for the state’s business community to make a sustained economic recovery, short term increases to the System Benefits Charge . . . should not act as a barrier to the long-term cost reductions that would be realized by the ambitious savings targets.” Also, Mass Save offers substantial rebates and incentives to small businesses to offset SBC costs and encourage buy-in to their program. Please consider contacting the governor and your legislative representatives to urge reinstatement of the plan using a similar approach, something which would benefit all New Hampshire electricity consumers.
Judith Saum
Rumney