Request for Proposals

New Hampshire has significant renewable energy resources, opportunities and existing renewable generation capacity that have not been adequately quantified. The goal of this program is to develop and begin to implement processes for capturing data related to a variety of renewable energy sources, and based on these findings, to promote the expansion of renewable energy generation in all sectors. Funding will allow a new rebate program for solar hot water and/or biomass heating systems to be administered by the NH Public Utilities Commission, supplementing its existing program to provide incentives for renewable energy.

OEP continues to develop this program, collaborating with the Public Utilities Commission, administrator of the new funding sources concurrently coming on line at the state: the Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Fund and the Renewable Energy Fund. This ARRA-SEP funding targets incenting thermal renewable energy technologies that are critical to New Hampshire’s renewable energy market transformation and economy. OEP is carefully balancing the technologies, consumer demand, existing market penetration, and available funding. OEP recognizes that both solar hot water and high efficiency biomass heating systems will create local jobs, reduce importation of fuels, and reduce emissions from fossil fuels.

OEP continues to develop this program. It has not yet been determined if this program will incent solar hot water systems and/or high-efficiency central biomass heating systems. This decision hinges on other incentive programs being designed by the Public Utilities Commission. Determining the size of the grants will be done in conjunction with other criteria and decisions. Once the decisions have been made by the PUC, we can supplement this filing.

OEP continues to develop this program. At this time, we still need to determine what sectors this program will target: residential, business, commercial and industrial, or non-profit. This decision hinges on other incentive programs being designed by the Public Utilities Commission, which OEP will determine in autumn 2009.

OEP anticipates entering into a Memoranda of Understanding with the NH Public Utilities Commission to administer this program, as it has recently developed the infrastructure to administer both the Renewable Energy Fund and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Fund. OEP and the PUC anticipate developing an application process similar to those processes nearing implementation at the PUC. Incentives will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis.

Applicants seeking financial incentives for the approved system must submit a complete application to the Public Utilities Commission, which will be reviewed by the PUC to ensure all requirements of the application are met. The program will be designed to ensure that energy savings and emissions reductions are prioritized.

As stated in OEP’s Comprehensive Application of May 12, 2009, OEP does not anticipate these programs or projects to negatively affect the environment. However, if any of the proposed projects potentially impact the environment, a DOE EF1 will be submitted. In each Request for Proposals or Memoranda of Agreement, OEP will include statements about NEPA compliance and reporting. Similarly, Davis Bacon, Historic Preservation, Buy American, reporting requirements, and other important factors will be included in the RFPs.

Through the new financial incentive program being administered through the Public Utilities Commission and starting in July 2009, information provided on the application will be available to OEP. Data will now be available to the State regarding distributed renewable energy capacity, system installations, and to some degree performance of these systems. OEP will work with the Public Utilities Commission and the regulated utilities to consolidate information about residential and commercial RE systems and the energy they generate. With this baseline information, the PUC and OEP will be able to create additional data collection, management, and analysis processes for renewable energy.

OEP anticipates partnering with another entity through a competitive RFP to provide outreach and education materials about renewable energy. As a young and growing marketplace, these technologies are unfamiliar to consumers, who seek to be educated regarding the technologies, the vendors, the funding sources, and other needs. OEP handles some of these issues currently, but anticipates the need to expand as the market grows, and as such will rely on a partnership to disseminate this information.

OEP receives requests for information from homeowners, business owners, policy makers, and many others about renewable energy technologies, vendors, and feasibility. OEP anticipates additional requests, via telephone, e-mail, and in person. Furthermore, OEP staff often makes presentations to the general public, policy makers, business and industry groups, about relevant topics. OEP staff will incorporate these topics into conferences, seminars, workshops, media opportunities, and other outreach opportunities.

To Be Awarded: $500,000 Total: $580,921.17

For more information about this program, contact Laura Richardson. (271-6092)