As Heat, Electric Bills Surge, Assistance Receives Bipartisan Support In New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — As the recession and inflation hit the home energy sector, both sides of the aisle in Concord approved millions of dollars in assistance for those who may be hardest hit by escalating bills — some of which have doubled in the last few months.

While there was bipartisan support for the subsidy, the political bickering continued after the vote.

HB 2023 sends $42 million of the state's revenue surplus to the department of energy to assist certain income earners to offset both heating and energy bills. About $7 million will be put into the existing electric assistance program. Heating assistance of $450 and $200 for electric assistance is available for households earning 60 to 75 percent of the median income in the state.

A single person who earns less than $39,000, about 60 percent of the median income in New Hampshire, can apply for the benefit. A family of four earning $75,000 or less can also apply for the assistance. Households that are less than 60 percent median income are already eligible for other assistance and will have access to a one-time benefit of $405.

An amendment in the state Senate by Democrats to raise the cap on net metering and add $10 million to the state’s weatherization program was rejected by the Republican majority.

House Speaker Sherman Packard, a Londonderry Republican, applauded the bill’s voice vote passage in the House as a “huge win” and showed representatives choosing citizens instead of party politics.

“The fiscally responsible leadership of the General Court of NH,” he said, “has produced a budget surplus which allows us to create this one-time emergency relief package that will help offset rising fuel and electric costs this winter.”

House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn) said it was not the fault of New Hampshire residents who have never needed assistance before but now do due actions at the federal level.

“Let me be completely clear,” he said, “we would not be in this situation if it were not for gross mismanagement and failed policies by the Biden Administration and complete inaction by Maggie Hassan, Chris Pappas, and Ann Kuster. Heating and electric costs are anticipated to rise to catastrophic levels. Although we cannot reverse the federal government’s decisions from Concord, we are doing what we can to help Granite Staters make it through the winter while also easing the tax burden on municipalities’ welfare programs. Washington must wake up and realize the devastating effects their policies are having on Americans.”

Sound fiscal policy and management, Osborne said, at the state level by Republicans, created a revenue surplus that was now being used to do the right thing.

Democrats also cheered the approval but blamed Gov. Chris Sununu for the high electric bills.

“Since the day he became governor, Sununu has embraced a (backward) energy policy that has caused energy prices in New Hampshire to soar high above those in other New England states,” state Rep. David Cote (D-Nashua) said. “New Hampshire has become an outlier in New England with record rate increases because Governor Sununu has consistently rejected efforts (to) increase energy efficiency and production of renewable energy.”

Cote said more “long-term investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy” were one way to get the state “out of the mess that Governor Sununu has created.” He said House Democrats would “continue fighting for policies that put our state on the path to long-term efficiency and lower costs.”

The bill was also approved in the state Senate.

Senate President Chuck Morse, a Salem Republican, commended the governor for proposing the legislation, and pointed to “fiscally responsible, strong state revenues, and our budget surplus,” created by Republicans, that could now be used to help struggling households.

“It’s only right to use a portion of our budget surplus to supplement electric and home heating expenses for households that qualify and take that heavy burden off them this winter,” he said.

State Sen. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro), the majority leader, agreed.

“Working families across New Hampshire are facing unprecedented heating and electric costs this upcoming winter season — which will only be compounded by our current high inflation that has been generated by out-of-control spending in Washington, DC,” he said. “Granite Staters should not have to choose between feeding their families, heating their homes, or paying their electric bill. I’m proud to support HB 2023 because it will have a positive impact on people's lives.”

State Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth) said, while the bill was a good one, “to make real strides forward towards reducing costs in the long term,” the body should have embraced the net metering and weatherization amendment. It could, she said, help “to ensure that municipalities, businesses, and individuals have the ability to choose their own energy futures, reduce energy costs, and reduce property taxes.”

She added, “Instead, Republicans chose to play political games instead of passing meaningful, lasting change.”

Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, thanked all involved for approving the emergency relief — the largest the state has ever seen.

“While this final legislation looks a little different from what we originally proposed, this is a big win, and I’d like to thank Speaker Packard and Senate President Morse for getting this across the finish line,” he said. “Thanks to strong fiscal management, New Hampshire is able to invest state-surplus funds to help families get through this winter.”

State Sen. Tom Sherman (D-Rye), who is challenging Sununu in November, said he and Republicans had failed ratepayers.

“We are actively falling behind in the renewable energy economy — losing out on high-paying jobs, lower energy costs, and the opportunity to fight climate change in a truly meaningful way,” he said. “I am extremely disappointed that my Republican colleagues have once again refused to adopt renewable energy policies at a time when costs have never been higher, and Granite Staters are paying the price.”

The complete guidelines of people who can submit requests for assistance and how to apply can be found here on the state’s energy department site.

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