Thomas Pfau

To the Members of the Science, Technology and Energy Committee, My name is Tom Pfau, and I serve as the co-chair of the Rye Energy Committee. I am writing to express my strong opposition to HB 1002 and respectfully urge the Committee to recommend the bill as Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL). HB 1002 would repeal New Hampshire’s 50-year-old property tax exemption for solar energy systems, creating immediate financial instability for municipalities and homeowners. From a municipal perspective, this bill is deeply problematic because it undermines local autonomy and replaces a reliable planning tool with total uncertainty. Furthermore, the lack of grandfathering is a breach of investor confidence, signaling to residents and developers that the state is willing to change the rules after they have made significant financial commitments. In Rye, the impact would be felt by the owners of over 150 homes currently equipped with solar arrays. These residents invested in renewable energy under a specific framework; forcing a new tax burden on them now is a bait-and-switch that penalizes local clean energy leaders. This uncertainty also complicates our committee’s current efforts to develop town-wide solar and battery financing programs, as it becomes difficult to partner with local banks and installers when the underlying economics are subject to sudden legislative shifts. HB 1002 is a step backward for local control, energy affordability, and market stability. I respectfully urge you to vote ITL on this measure. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Tom Pfau Co-Chair, Rye Energy Committee