Rather than ending New Hampshire's participation in a regional cap-and-trade program designed to limit carbon emissions, House members have voted to stay in the program but send more of the profits back to ratepayers.
Lawmakers voted Wednesday on the bill. New Hampshire is one of nine states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a market-based approach to reducing carbon emissions. New Hampshire receives $15 to $18 million annually by selling carbon credits to energy generators; 80 percent goes to ratepayers and the rest helps pay for energy efficiency projects such as weatherizing homes.
The chamber voted 201-154 to stop investing any of the money in energy efficiency.
Supporters say consumers need all the relief they can get from New Hampshire's high energy prices.
