Issue Position: Energy & The Environment

Issue Position

In New Hampshire, our beautiful natural resources define us as a state, and Governor Maggie Hassan has always been a champion of protecting our environment and building a stronger, more affordable energy future for our families and businesses.

Maggie believes that combating climate change is critical to our economy, our environment, our people, and our way of life -- and she has made clear that we must take stronger action to support clean energy alternatives and curb the devastating effects of climate change. She is a strong supporter of the President's Clean Power Plan and called on New Hampshire's congressional delegation to do everything in their power to support the plan. Maggie also supports the recent Paris Agreement on climate change and believes the United States must take action to implement the agreement while ensuring that our international partners also fulfill their obligations.

As a State Senator, Maggie sponsored the legislation that allowed the state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a market-based program to reduce harmful emissions and energy costs, create jobs and encourage innovation in New Hampshire's clean energy economy. She also helped pass the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to maintain and grow our clean, renewable energy sector. As Governor, Maggie has built on these efforts by signing bipartisan legislation to update New Hampshire's RPS, protect Granite State ratepayers, invest in energy efficiency, and fully fund New Hampshire's Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). She also successfully pushed to raise the net metering cap to help New Hampshire's clean energy industry continue to grow and thrive.

In addition, Maggie established a long-term New Hampshire Energy Strategy that focuses on clean, renewable energy and combating climate change. She also joined the bipartisan Governors' Accord for a New Energy Future to further state collaboration in energy planning and policymaking, and she was proud to sign the Under 2 MOU, a global compact among cities, states and provinces worldwide to limit the increase in global average temperature to below two degrees Celsius.

Maggie believes that as large-scale energy projects are considered, we must work to ensure that any proposed project will deliver real benefits to our ratepayers, while incorporating local viewpoints and protecting our communities and our natural resources. She supports strong fracking regulations and closing loopholes that exempt drilling and fracking operations from basic environmental protections, and will stand up for common sense clean water rules to ensure clean drinking and recreational waters for generations to come.

In the Senate, Maggie will continue fighting for a cleaner environment and stronger energy future that will help our citizens, businesses and economy thrive. New Hampshire has shown that it is possible to protect clean air, clean water and public health; spur innovation; and promote affordable, reliable energy sources for our economy -- all at the same time. Maggie hopes to build on these efforts nationally, enabling us to grow our economy and help our nation become more energy independent.

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