As snowflakes began to fall and temperatures dipped below freezing this weekend, households across the Granite State needed to turn up the heat, which is costing them more and more each year thanks to Governor Hassan, who has consistently advocated policies that would make energy even more expensive.
What’s worse is that Hassan belittled concerns about rising energy costs, comparing the toll on Granite Staters’ monthly bills to “a cup of coffee” – a claim that’s proven false in the years since, in which many families and small businesses have seen costs double.
Raising costs on families to pay for the Obama EPA’s overreaching regulations is the Maggie Hassan Way, not the New Hampshire Way.
In 2005, Maggie Hassan Said The Additional Costs To Cap Emissions On New Hampshire’s Coal Plants To Monthly Electric Bills Was Equivalent To A Cup Of Coffee
Hassan Said New Hampshire’s Residents Would Be Willing To Add A Dollar To Their Monthly Electricity Bills, Comparing It To A Cup Of Coffee. “Sen. Margaret Hassan, D-Exeter, said she believed New Hampshire residents would be willing to add a dollar, comparing it to a cup of coffee, to their monthly electricity bills to improve public health and protect the environment. ‘I think we have seen public support,’ she said.” (Beverley Wang, “Senate Committee Strengthens, Endorses Mercury Bill,” The Associated Press, 3/16/05)
In 2006, Hassan Co-Sponsored A Bill To Reduce Mercury Emissions At Coal-Burning Power Plants By 80 Percent
In 2006, Hassan Co-Sponsored HB1673, A Bill That Would Reduce Mercury Emissions At Coal-Burning Power Plants By 80 Percent By July 1, 2013. “Relative to the reduction of mercury emissions.” (H.B. 1673, Introduced 3/22/06)
Hassan’s Bill Was Signed Into Law By Democratic Gov. John Lynch. “Gov. John Lynch signed a bill into law yesterday that will lead to cuts in power plant mercury emission by at least 80 percent. The bill requires Public Service of New Hampshire to begin the planning and permitting work for a single scrubber to handle both units at its Merrimack Station power plant in Bow. The pollution control equipment will pull mercury and sulfur dioxide out of smoke that the coal-fired units emit. The scrubber could cost up to $250 million and must be operating by 2013 under the law.” (Tom Fahey, “Law Designed To Cut Mercury Emissions In NH,” The Union Leader, 5/10/06)
Energy Costs Have Risen Dramatically For New Hampshire Residents And Businesses
“Last Winter, New England Residents And Businesses Doubled Their Spending On Energy, Going From $3.6 Billion During The 2012-2013 Heating Season To $6.8 Billion Last Season.” “Last winter, New England residents and businesses doubled their spending on energy, going from $3.6 billion during the 2012-2013 heating season to $6.8 billion last season. The high demand for heating homes around the region diverted the natural gas supply away from being used to generate electricity and industrial uses, resulting in rising costs.” (Paul Feely, “New Hampshire’s Energy Future In ‘Crisis,’” The Union Leader, 11/15/14)
“New England’s Reliance On Natural Gas, Following A Decades-Long Campaign To Cut The Region’s Dependence On Coal And Oil, Leads Many To Believe The Cost Of Electricity Will Continue To Rise.” “As temperatures drop and residents reach for the thermostat, consumers, business owners and energy experts are all asking the same question: was the long, cold – and expensive – winter of 2013-2014 a prelude to even more difficult energy times to come? New England’s reliance on natural gas, following a decades-long campaign to cut the region’s dependence on coal and oil, leads many to believe the cost of electricity will continue to rise.” (Paul Feely, “New Hampshire’s Energy Future In ‘Crisis,’” The Union Leader, 11/15/14)
The President And CEO Of An Operator Of The New England Power Grid Blamed The Energy Shortage On The Closing Of Four Power Plants, Including Two Coal-Fired Plants. “Just how state officials react in the next few years will help determine future energy prices and economic growth in the Granite State. ‘The challenges to grid reliability are not a question of if they will arise, but when. And when is now,’ said Gordon van Welie, president and CEO of ISO New England, operator of the New England power grid, in the organization’s 2014 regional electricity outlook report…One megawatt powers about 1,000 homes. ‘The auction prices are a clear signal to the marketplace that the region needs more power generation and demand reduction capacity,’ said van Welie, who attributed the energy shortage to the closing of four power plants: two coal-fired units, an oil-burning unit and Vermont Yankee.” (Paul Feely, “New Hampshire’s Energy Future In ‘Crisis,’” The Union Leader, 11/15/14)