Rep. Rita Mattson

Maddy summaryHB 1718 authorizes residential and commercial customers with renewable energy systems (like solar panels) to add battery storage without affecting their eligibility for net metering. The bill updates definitions to clarify that energy storage charged solely from renewable sources does not count toward the 1-megawatt size limit for net metering eligibility. It grants the Department of Energy rulemaking authority for customer energy storage systems and gives the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) the power to set compensation terms for energy exported from storage systems. This bill directly affects homeowners and businesses using renewable energy who want to install battery storage to use more of their own generated power. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment with no state funding impact.

Maddy summaryHB 1723 requires all electric utilities and grid operators in New Hampshire to assess and report vulnerabilities of high-voltage transformers (100 kV+ and 25 MVA+) to geomagnetic disturbances (like solar storms) and electromagnetic pulses. By January 2027, covered entities must conduct technical assessments using specific international standards, evaluating risks like transformer saturation and insulation damage. They must then submit detailed reports to state agencies by 180 days after enactment, including transformer specifications, manufacturing origins, and recommended protection measures. This aims to safeguard critical grid infrastructure from potential widespread power outages caused by natural or man-made electromagnetic events.

Maddy summaryHB 1774 requires New Hampshire to participate in a federal tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations and creates a state list of qualifying groups. It prohibits state financial aid for college programs that don't meet federal earnings standards, defined by outcomes like job placement and wages above 150% of the federal poverty level. This affects public colleges, universities, and students enrolled in programs deemed "low-earning outcome" under federal criteria. The law aims to redirect state funding toward academic programs with stronger job prospects for graduates.

Maddy summaryHB 1455 establishes new criteria for energy sources used in New Hampshire state programs, requiring them to be affordable, reliable, dispatchable, and include hydrocarbons. It defines "reliable" energy as sources available on demand (dispatchable), maintaining grid stability, and including hydrocarbon-based generation like natural gas. The bill redefines "green energy" to explicitly include nuclear power and natural gas combustion, aligning with National Ambient Air Quality Standards. These standards apply to all energy serving New Hampshire customers through state-funded programs, prioritizing domestic sources and reducing reliance on foreign adversaries.

Maddy summaryHB 1618 prohibits solar radiation modification (SRM), weather modification, and other atmospheric interventions that release pollutants in New Hampshire. It directly affects any entity - government agencies, researchers, or private groups - conducting such activities within the state. The bill replaces existing law to ban these interventions, requires enforcement by county sheriffs or deputized citizens, and establishes penalties for violations. The key change is banning experiments involving chemical releases (like cloud seeding) that could harm air quality, health, or ecosystems, as outlined in the "Clean Air Preservation Act."