I’m not the only one planning to take advantage of generous tax incentives to purchase an electric vehicle (EV) soon. The ISO-New England forecast is that more than 1.5 million EVs will be traveling the roads throughout New England in the next 8 years. That’s an increase of 19 times above what we have now. To accommodate this dramatic EV trend, the states surrounding NH, as well as Quebec, are investing in substantial numbers of public charging stations. But sadly, NH is way behind in this effort and is becoming known as a “charging desert” with fewer than half the available charging ports as Maine and Vermont. Imagine how NH’s destination tourism economy will suffer if this situation continues.

The good news is that the Senate Transportation Committee is considering a bill to address this problem. SB 52 will allow the utilities to invest in the electricity distribution infrastructure (poles, wires, transformers) that will allow private entities to pay for only the EV charging equipment installation. This balanced approach will rely on electricity sales to offset installation costs so distribution rates will not increase. This bill is backed by the utilities and tourism industry and has good bipartisan support in both chambers. But to ensure that it moves forward, voters need to weigh in. Please contact members of the Transportation Committee, especially if you are a constituent, and urge support for SB 52. It’s time for NH to invest in a future tourism economy that will attract electrically-powered visitors.

Judith Saum

Rumney

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