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View this email in your browser JULY 2020 NEWSLETTER In This Issue: Stories & News: -EE Could be a powerful force for economic recovery -ISLR Report Explores Mechanisms for Municipal Energy Transitions Policy Updates: -PUC Issues Low-Income Solar RFP -Statewide Energy Efficiency Plan accepting public comment Webinars/Events: -7/15, NH Energy Policy Recap -7/16, NH Energy Policy 101 -7/21, CENH Ask-Me-Anything -7/30, Supporting Electric School Busses in NH -CESA Webinars! Jobs: -Monadnock Sustainability Hub, Program Manager LES is coordinated by See our Full Calendar of Events here. Visit www.nhenergy.org for further resources. Stories, News, & Reports NHBR: How Energy Efficiency Could Be a Powerful Force for Economic Recovery If you’re like most, you don’t think about the walls of your office retaining heat during a blizzard or cool air during a summer heat wave. You don’t think twice about the billions of breaths you take while in meetings or responding to emails. And you certainly don’t sing the praises of energy efficiency during happy hour. But the industry that has suffered more than any other energy sector during the coronavirus pandemic also holds the key to providing a fruitful economic recovery. Read the full article by Brianna Brand, Senior Program Director at Clean Energy NH here. REPORT Investigating City Commitments to 100% Renewable Energy: Local Transitions In Democracy Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ISLR) Increasing awareness of both the necessity and opportunity surrounding renewable energy development is resulting in climate action at the municipal-level. Cities are physically formed around energy infrastructure, and therefore they have the ability to be powerful change agents in transformative energy policy and enact worldwide action. A number of United States (U.S.) cities are proposing and implementing bold sustainable solutions in order to combat the social, environmental, and economic impacts of climate change. Cities of all sizes around the country are taking control by pledging to reach community-wide goals of 100% renewable energy, including several in New Hampshire. However, many of these cities are unsure of how to meet these commitments. Although the renewable energy potential throughout the U.S. is strong, cities are facing other types of challenges that are hindering their ability to progress swiftly to meet the commitment. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance, in partnership with a student-led team at the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, wants to enable progress toward local and equitable 100% renewable energy access and use by compiling recommendations and resources for achieving an energy transition that incorporates energy democracy. In this report, energy democracy refers to the implementation of participatory forms of energy governance and civic ownership. ILSR and the team also partnered with the Sierra Club through their Ready for 100 campaign to fully assess 100% renewable energy commitments across U.S. cities. The goal of this report is to utilize qualitative and quantitative data through a national survey and case studies to help understand the mechanisms that will best enable cities and their decision-makers to equitably transition to 100% renewable energy. Click Here to Download the Report Policy Updates & Resources Public Utilities Commission Issues Request for Proposal: Grants for Community Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Projects Providing Direct Benefits to Low and Moderate Income Residential Electric Customers Release Date: July 8, 2020 Applicate Due: 4:30 p.m. EST September 14, 2020 Community Solar for Low and Moderate Income Residents RFP #2020-002: https://www.puc.nh.gov/Home/RFPs/2020-002/20200708-RFP-2020-002-LMI-Community-Solar-And-Grant-Agreement.pdf All PUC RFPs: https://www.puc.nh.gov/Home/requestforproposal.htm Statewide Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan: Accepting Comments! Make Your Voice Heard In Support of Energy Efficiency State energy stakeholders are in the final phase of development of the 3-year statewide Energy Efficiency Resource Standard. This plan determines the goals, budgets, and programs for the NHSaves energy efficiency investments.  The Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) Committee is accepting public input on the Draft Plan. Now is the time to submit input on the draft plan before a final version of the 2021-2023 plan is presented to the Public Utilities Commission on September 1, 2020. It’s important to continue advocating for energy efficiency programs that benefit ratepayers, reduce energy costs, and advance our clean energy economy. Read the draft plan here. Energy efficiency stakeholders and the public can comment on the draft plan in two ways: Verbally at an online meeting of the EERS Committee on Monday, July 13, 2020 from 1 to 4 pm, after the utilities present a summary of their plan (5-minute limit per speaker). Details for the virtual meeting HERE. In written comments sent via email to Don Kreis (Office of the Consumer Advocate), Chair of the EERS Committee, by 5:00pm on Wednesday, July 15th, 2020: Donald.Kreis@oca.nh.gov. Broad participation and public input go a long way to ensuring robust energy efficiency programs statewide.  Optional Talking Points: Support for robust and ambitious energy efficiency programs in NH Support for ambitious efficiency savings goals (Clean Energy NH advocates for 5% electric savings and 3% gas savings over 3-years, current plan has 4.2% and 2.8% respectively.) Support peak demand management programs like bring-your-own-battery Energy efficiency should be an important component of economic recovery and a worthy investment.   Please consider submitting comments in support of this important clean energy policy. Want exclusive access to weekly policy emails and policy calls with Clean Energy NH experts? Email Brianna Brand <brianna@cleanenergynh.org> and become a member today. Events & Webinars Clean Energy NH WEBINAR: NH Energy Policy Recap Featuring Net Metering @ FERC   When: Wednesday, July 15th, 12pm - 1pm Registration: Click here to register. Description: Join Clean Energy NH for our annual Policy Recap webinar! During this free virtual event open to all of our members and supporters, we'll take a deep dive into the 2019-2020 legislative session and discuss the major bills that lived & died as well as an explanation of the impact the coronavirus pandemic had on the legislative process. This event also features Nathan Phelps from Vote Solar, who will provide an overview of the much-talked-about net metering petition at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission including what it means for the industry. Sustainable Hanover WEBINAR: NH Energy Policy 101   When: Thursday, July 16th, 10:30am - 11:30am Description: This is a webinar to help you understand state energy policies which affect us all.  It will also help you evaluate candidates' energy positions by understanding terms and policies. Presenter Henry Herndon, Director of Local Energy Solutions at Clean Energy NH and expert in NH legislative and regulatory policy, will present on the following topics: Understanding and demystifying electricity costs Key state clean energy policies including Net metering Renewable Portfolio Standards NHSaves energy efficiency funding Community Power Aggregations There will also be a question and answer session. This webinar will be moderated by April Salas, Hanover's Sustainability Director. The event will be recorded and available for access later. Zoom Meeting Access: https://dartmouth.zoom.us/j/3485113775 Meeting ID: 348 511 3775 One tap mobile +13126266799,,3485113775# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,3485113775# US (New York) Dial by your location         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)         +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)         +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)         +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)         +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)         +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 348 511 3775 Find your local number: https://dartmouth.zoom.us/u/aiTiKgn32 Clean Energy NH WEBINAR: Ask-Me-Anything, Clean Energy 2nd Edition Free, Member-Exclusive   When: Tuesday, July 21, 12pm - 1pm Registration: Click here to register. ***(If you are not already a member of Clean Energy NH, please visit our website to sign up for membership and support our ability to provide free educational content of the highest quality.)*** Description: Join Clean Energy NH's staff for the second edition of our popular webinar Ask-Me-Anything: Clean Energy version! This member-exclusive webinar series is a platform for our members to ask the questions on their mind in a conversational format with our staff of subject-matter experts. Curious about how the legislative session wrapped-up and what may be coming down the pipeline for next year? Want to know more about the Vineyard Wind supplemental EIS and what it means for the offshore wind industry? What's the latest update on Community Power NH and the North Country programs? This is your chance to ask us anything! Submit Questions in advance by emailing: brianna@cleanenergynh.org.  GSCCC WEBINAR: Supporting Electric School Busses in NH Brought to you by Granite State Clean Cities Coalition When: Thursday, July 30, 2pm - 3:30pm Registration: Click here to register. Description: Granite State Clean Cities Coalition (GSCCC) in collaboration with Drive Electric New Hampshire (DENH) is pleased to present a webinar event on “Supporting Electric School Buses in New Hampshire.” Now more than ever, we need to bring the public health benefits of zero tailpipe emissions to our communities. If you want to see electric school buses on your streets, you need to start planning today. To help you prepare, we will be connecting you to potential Volkswagen and federal funding opportunities, other financial considerations, vendors, current technology, and the challenges of and solutions for an electric school bus pilot project in a cold weather environment. This free event is open to all, especially School Districts, Business Administrators, Superintendents, Board Members, School Transportation Providers, Select Boards, Regional Planning Commissions, Energy Committees, GSCCC stakeholders & DENH members. To submit questions prior to the webinar, please email jessica.wilcox@des.nh.gov and brianna@cleanenergynh.org. CESA WEBINARS: Brought to you by Clean Energy States Alliance Webinars Include: NREL State and Local Planning for Energy (SLOPE) Platform, 7/14 State Leadership in Low- and Moderate-Income in Solar Energy, Featuring Massachusetts, Michigan, and Oregon, 7/23 State Leadership in Clean Energy: NYSERDA's Offshore Wind Program, 8/4 And More! View Full Webinar Listing Here. See full events calendar here. Jobs Monadnock Sustainability Hub, Program Manager. Download job description here. About the LES Work Group Our mission is to provide collaborative guidance and technical support to Local Energy Committees & Commissions, municipalities, schools, and other political subdivisions seeking to reduce energy use, minimize energy costs, and/or reduce fossil-fuel consumption.  Consider joining our efforts: contact Henry Herndon for more information on the LES efforts and opportunities for participation. About Our E-Newsletter: The monthly Local Energy Solutions E-newsletter is compiled and distributed by Clean Energy NH on behalf of the LES Work Group. Learn more about Clean Energy NH. Copyright © *|2018|* *|The LES|*, All rights reserved. Email us with your stories, events, or questions at: info@nhenergy.org Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. www.nhenergy.org

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