State starts spending RGGI money

Yesterday, the Executive Council approved $5.3 million in projects funded by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The money comes from the quarterly auctions on emissions credits, and will ultimately be borne by ratepayers throughout the Northeast. New Hampshire's share of the auction proceeds are segregated by the Public Utilities Commission for projects aimed at improving energy efficiency or reducing demand.

The projects approved yesterday:

• Authorize to award funds in the amount of $87,000 to Southern NH Resource Conservation & Development Area Council, to provide energy efficiency services to NH farms. (2)Further authorize to make an advance payment of $21,750.
• Authorize to award funds in the amount of $174,000 to the Department of Resources and Economic Development, Division of Economic Development, to partner with Lakes Region Community College and develop a new energy efficiency workforce training program.
• Authorize to award funds in the amount of $2,000,000 to the Business Finance Authority of NH, to create a revolving loan fund for NH Businesses. (2)Further authorize to make an advance payment of $1,000,000.
• Authorize to award funds in the amount of $1,372,028 to the NH Retail Merchants Association, for the purpose of establishing an energy efficiency program for commercial buildings. (2)Further authorize to make an advance payment of $343,007.
• Authorize to award funds in the amount of $99,250 to Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative, to provide weatherization and renewable energy workshops to NH homeowners. (2)Further authorize to make an advance payment of $33,083.
• Authorize to award funds in the amount of $178,169 to the Construction Institute of NH, to train building professionals to build energy efficient homes, and to educate homeowners, municipalities and others about the benefits thereof. (2)Further authorize to make an advance payment of $29,106.
• Authorize to award funds in the amount of $499,948 to TRC Companies Inc., to benchmark the energy performance of NH schools. (2)Further authorize to make an advance payment of $48,812.75.
• Authorize to award funds in the amount of $813,402 to the University of NH, to create a public information and outreach program regarding energy efficiency options for the residential and municipal sectors.
• Authorize to award funds in the amount of $139,945 to the University of NH, to track the environmental and economic results of projects funded by the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Fund.