SB539 Relative to eligible biomass technology in the renewable portfolio standards.
Relative to eligible biomass technology in the renewable portfolio standards.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Concerning
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Changes to biomass eligibility could affect electricity rates and the viability of biomass plants that employ workers in NH's rural North Country.
Your Community
Biomass plants are important employers in rural NH and use wood waste that might otherwise have no market. However, their environmental impact is debated.
Your Freedom
Energy policy classification with no direct impact on individual freedoms.
Status
Refer to Interim Study, Motion Adopted, Voice Vote; 01/29/2026; Senate Journal 2
Sponsor
Mark McConkey (R)
The Short Version
Addresses which biomass technologies qualify under NH's renewable portfolio standards. Biomass energy (burning wood and organic materials) is important in NH's North Country economy but faces environmental scrutiny. Sent to interim study.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Biomass plant operators and workers
- ▲ North Country communities dependent on forestry jobs
- ▲ NH timber industry
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Ratepayers if biomass subsidies increase electricity costs
- ▼ Environmental groups questioning biomass as renewable
Bill statuses as of May 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.