2001 SESSION

01-0469

03/09

HOUSE BILL 316-FN

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes the position of state energy manager.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

01-0469

03/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand One

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 The general court finds that:

I. The state of New Hampshire spends over $17,000,000 annually in energy and water costs for state facilities and operations.

II. Current successful efforts are underway through the building energy conservation initiative at the governor's office of energy and community services to utilize performance contracting to reduce energy costs and save the state money through energy efficiency upgrades to state facilities.

III. Enlisting the services of an individual with expertise and a sole charge as an energy manager will save the state substantial additional money and enable the state to better carry out the mandates of RSA 21-I:19-a to maximize energy efficiency in the construction, renovation, and maintenance of state buildings, and to include life cycle costing of energy cost saving measures as a significant criterion in purchasing and leasing decisions.

IV. The recent fluctuations in prices of natural gas, deliverable fuels, and electricity throughout the region underscore the desirability of placing added emphasis on the state's ability to analyze energy cost and supply trends as they may affect state operations, and to structure energy procurement decisions accordingly.

V. Reducing the state's use of energy generated by fossil fuels not only saves money but also has a positive effect on the environment.

2 New Chapter; State Energy Manager. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 12-K the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 12-L

STATE ENERGY MANAGER

12-L:1 State Energy Manager. The governor shall appoint a state energy manager, who shall be subject to the supervisory authority of the director of the governor's office of energy and community services. The director of the governor's office of energy and community services shall establish minimum qualifications for the state energy manager. The duties of the state energy manager shall include, but not be limited to:

I. Managing a system of energy use and cost accounting to track state energy consumption.

II. Providing technical assistance to the department of administrative services designed to assist in carrying out the mandates of RSA 21-I:19-a.

III. Providing technical assistance to the department of administrative services, division of plant and property management, for energy equipment procurement, maintenance, and operations.

IV. Providing technical assistance to the department of transportation, division of public works, for building design development.

V. Providing technical support to state agencies with performance contracts for energy improvements and as appropriate to train energy facilities managers and other personnel in efficient operations and maintenance practices.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

01-0469

1/23/01

HB 316-FN - FISCAL NOTE

FISCAL IMPACT: