CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire Senate has voted to override Governor Chris Sununu’s vetoes of two energy bills. SB 365 and SB446 were vetoed by the Governor in June, with the governor citing that the two bills would put too much of a burden on rate and taxpayers costing them $100 million over three years.

SB 365 was championed by Wolfeboro’s own Jeb Bradley and would give a three year subsidy to six biomass plants in New Hampshire, including Pinetree Power in Tamworth.

SB466 would increase the net-metering cap from one megawatt to five megawatts.

The energy bills have garnered the most attention, with dozens of farmers, loggers and environmentalists protesting in front of the statehouse and signing petitions urging lawmakers to overturn the veto.

Senators voted 21-3 easily getting the two thirds majority needed to overturn the vetoes.

However in the house SB365 squeaked by passing by a single vote with a total vote of 226-113 exactly two-thirds of the majority.

SB 446 did not pass, though it received a majority of 213 to 128, that was not enough to meet the two-thirds requirement in order to override a veto.

Senate Minority Leader Donna Soucy (D-Manchester, District 18) said “Time and again, Governor Sununu has failed to sit down with lawmakers to craft legislation that best serves the people of our state, instead relying on his veto pen after the legislative process has concluded. It is unfortunate that, in vetoing SB 365, the Governor listened more to the fossil fuel industry than he did to the 900 biomass workers whose hard work generates more than $254 million annually for New Hampshire’s economy.”

When he originally vetoed the bills the Governor said that the two bills would cost ratepayers approximately $100 million combined over the next three years in higher electricity costs, placing a burden on the elderly, those on fixed incomes, and on businesses.

Sununu said SB 365 would not guarantee the solvency of the six biomass plants in the state and would only generate 3.5% impact on the revenue of wood suppliers of those facilities.

He said SB 446 would just be a handout to large-scale solar energy developers.

Voter Information:

Voters may register at the Polls during the state primary September 11th, and on election day November 6th.

Are you registered? Check your party registration.

Information on Voter ID Law: At the polls, you will be asked for an approved photo ID:

• Driver’s license issued by any state or federal government;
• Non-driver ID card issued by NH DMV or motor vehicle agency of another state;
• Photo ID card for “voting identification only” issued by NH DMV (RSA 260:21);
• United States armed services identification card;
• United States passport or passcard;
• NH student ID card;

If you don’t have an approved photo ID, you’ll still be able to vote, but you’ll have to sign a “challenged voter affidavit.” You’ll also have your photo taken. If you object to having your photo taken because of religious beliefs, you can fill out an affidavit of religious exemption.

You will then get a letter from the secretary of state asking you to verify that you actually voted. You must respond within 30 days, or the attorney general will start an investigation to determine if any fraud occurred.

Problems at the poll? Contact the moderator at the polling location. If your problem is not addressed, the New Hampshire Attorney General has set up a voter hotline to report problems or ask questions. Voters may call 1-866-868-3703 (1-866-VOTER03) on Election Day.

Conway Sample Primary Ballots

Sample Democratic Ballot

Sample Republican Ballot

Sample Libertarian Ballot

Berlin Sample Primary Ballots

Sample Ballots

Polling Times in the Mount Washington Valley

Albany: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at town hall.

Bartlett: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at town hall.

Berlin: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m

Precinct 1 at Berlin Recreation Center – First Avenue Entrance

Precinct 2 &3 at St. Anne Hall – 304 School Street Entrance

Precinct 4 at Community Bible Church –  Sullivan Street Entrance

Brookfield: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the office building on Wentworth Road.

Chatham: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at town hall.

Conway: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Conway Recreation Department in Center Conway. (Hale’s Location also votes here.)

Eaton: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at town hall.

Effingham: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Effingham Elementary School.

Freedom: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at town hall.

Hart’s Location: 18 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Notchland Inn, then from 5 to 7 p.m. at the town hall.

Jackson: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Whitney Center.

Madison: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Madison Elementary School.

Moultonborough: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Moultonborough Life Safety Building.

Ossipee: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at town hall.

Sandwich: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sandwich Town Hall.

Tamworth: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Tamworth Town House.

Tuftonboro: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Town House.

Wakefield: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Town Hall Opera House.

Wolfeboro: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Great Hall on the second floor.

If your polling location isn’t listed Go to the secretary of state’s website to search by name or address.