FOR THE MONITOR

Five years in, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative isn’t working out the way its supporters said it would, and they want to make drastic changes to the program in order to get state revenues flowing again.

When New Hampshire entered into the ten state compact in 2008, the economy was on the verge of recession. One minor benefit of our half-decade in the economic doldrums is that it mitigated the impact of the RGGI program on ratepayers. The program has had absolutely no effect on the environment, but it has done so while costing much less than it could have.

FOR THE MONITOR

As we look ahead to the top issues for the New Hampshire Legislature in 2013, let’s mention three from last year’s agenda that won’t matter much: redistricting, Right To Work and RGGI.

Meanwhile, here are 13 issues worth paying attention to in 2013:

(NEW YORK, NY) For the ninth consecutive time, the price for carbon allowances under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative failed to rise above the floor price. The 17th Quarterly Auction held by the nine-state emissions compact generated nearly $47.5 million, but over a third of the allowances went unsold as demand has remained weak for well over two years.

Energy is on the minds of New Hampshire voters every time they pay their electric bill. Reporter Grant Bosse looks at some of the state policies that could raise or lower those bills as we continue WGIR and NH Watchdog’s series Agenda 2012.

Grant Bosse and Paul Westcott discuss the latest carbon auction under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and try to figure out why the auction price hasn’t climbed above the artificial floor in two full years. Listen to NH Watchdog on The Paul Westcott Show Friday mornings at 7:20 on AM610 WGIR and 96.7 The Wave, through the I Heart Radio ap, or online at WGIRam.com.

Jack Heath talks to Grant Bosse about why the controversial Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, known as RGGI, can’t seem to get off the ground. That’s good news for ratepayers, but bad news for policy makers who are counting on RGGI revenues.

Tune into The Josiah Bartlett Report live at 5pm today as Jack Heath talks to Grant Bosse about his latest analysis of the controversial RGGI program, and why auction prices can’t seem to climb up off the floor. Listen to the Josiah Bartlett Report every Wednesday at 5 as part of NH Today with Jack Heath on 107.7 The Pulse, or online at WTPLfm.com.

(NEW YORK, NY) The RGGI market isn’t getting off the floor. Auction prices for carbon allowances in the northeastern compact has been at or below the minimum reserve for two full years, and the number of bidders participating in RGGI has dropped to just a quarter of what it used to be.

The latest quarterly auction, held last week, sold just 53% of the available allowances put up for sale by the nine states that remain in RGGI. Bidders bought 20.9 million of the 36.4 million allowances on the auction block at the reserve price of $1.93 each, netting just over $40 million in revenue. Since the program’s inception in 2008, the RGGI program has generated just over $1 billion from selling the rights to emit carbon dioxide from fossil-fueled power plants, the cost of which is ultimately borne by ratepayers across the Northeast.

NH Public Radio’s Josh Rogers reports that following yesterday’s failure to pass an education funding amendment through the House, it turns out Governor John Lynch never spoke to the House Democrats to support it.

It’s Acronym Week as the Senate delays a vote on repealing the Certificate of Need Board, waters down repeal of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and the House debates increasing the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. Tune into The Paul Westcott Show at 7:20am on AM610 WGIR or 96.7 The Wave, through the I Heart Radio ap, or online at WGIRam.com.