Gov. Lynch backs 25 x 25 US energy plan
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
appearing in the NH Union Leader on August 30, 2006

Laconia – Gov. John Lynch is calling on New Hampshire to set a goal of getting 25 percent of its energy from clean, renewable sources by 2025.

Speaking yesterday at a roundtable with business and community leaders in Laconia, Lynch endorsed a national effort in which governors and business leaders are calling for a similar goal nationally.

He has directed the state Office of Energy and Planning and Department of Environmental Services to develop a plan to meet the goal. Lynch said the program would help ensure stability in energy prices, take advantage of New Hampshire’s wood supply and help create jobs in the state.

He said 14 percent of New Hampshire’s power already is from renewable energy.

The governor said wood-fired plants are a natural choice for New Hampshire, but the state also must look at solar, wind and hydro energy.

Lynch is joining governors and business leaders nationwide in endorsing "25 x 25," an effort aimed at producing 25 percent of the energy consumed in the United States from clean, renewable power by 2025.

"States are working to meet the goals in a number of different ways -- from creating renewable portfolio standards to offering incentives to spur the construction of new renewable energy facilities," he said.

Lynch said by increasing renewable energy sources, the US can decrease its dependence on oil from unstable parts of the world, and make the nation and economy more secure. The shift could also spur the creation of new jobs and new industries in New Hampshire, he said.

"Increasing renewable energy would take advantage of New Hampshire’s ample wood supply, and encourage the responsible harvesting of lesser-grades woods -- which will help preserve our forests from development," Lynch said.

"Increasing our use of clean, renewable fuels can help create jobs in New Hampshire -- in research and development fields, in the timber industries, and in building and operating new types of plants," he added, pointing to the Public Service of New Hampshire conversion of its coal-fired power plant in Newington to a wood-fired plant.

Jim Coburn, the Republican candidate for governor, said, "The vision needs to go far beyond what’s been stated, but it’s good to see some movement in this direction."

Earlier this year, Coburn discussed the need for a long-range energy plan for New Hampshire. He had suggested suspending the state’s 18-cent-a-gallon gas tax through the summer to give drivers a break and serve an incentive for tourists to come to New Hampshire.