Governor Hassan Joins Bipartisan Governors' Accord for a New Energy Future

Press Release

Continuing her efforts to build a more innovative, cleaner energy future that creates jobs, boosts New Hampshire's economy and combats climate change, Governor Maggie Hassan today joined a bipartisan group of 17 governors to announce the Governors' Accord for a New Energy Future, a joint commitment to take action to promote clean energy, clean transportation choices and a modern electrical grid.

"We know that our businesses and families need clean, reliable and affordable energy to continue to grow and prosper," Governor Hassan said. "In New Hampshire, our growing clean energy economy is creating jobs and helping lead the way toward a more affordable and more innovative energy future, and this accord will build on our efforts, increasing bipartisan collaboration with other states to share best practices, to address our shared energy challenges, and to ensure that we continue to expand energy options for our businesses and families and advance our clean energy economy."

The accord provides participating governors -- a bipartisan coalition together representing 127 million Americans -- with a platform through which their states will collaborate, learn from one another, and leverage partnerships in energy planning and policymaking. The accord reaffirms New Hampshire's commitment to continue to diversify energy generation and expand clean energy sources, modernize energy infrastructure, and encourage clean transportation options.

As a State Senator, Governor Hassan sponsored New Hampshire's original Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) legislation, which has brought numerous benefits to the Granite State, including reducing harmful emissions and helping to reduce energy costs, create jobs and encourage innovation in the state's clean energy economy. She also helped enact the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) law and consistently fights for clean air and water.

As Governor, she has signed bipartisan legislation to help maximize the benefits of RGGI for New Hampshire ratepayers, to update the RPS law and to establish a long-term New Hampshire Energy Strategy. Under Governor Hassan's leadership, New Hampshire has also joined the Under 2 MOU -- a global compact that complements the state's efforts to combat climate change -- and New Hampshire was ranked fourth in the nation in renewable energy.

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