Local residents turned out to the statehouse

Arguing that the public would have a diminished voice and less focus on environmental and adverse impacts, local residents turned out to the statehouse on Tuesday to voice opposition to a bill seeking to put large-scale energy facility siting approval under the authority of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. House Bill 609, sponsored by state Rep. Michael Vose, R-Epping, went to a 3-hour public hearing on Tuesday before the New Hampshire House of Representatives Science, Technology and Energy Committee, which Vose chairs. The bill, supported by industry, labor unions and trade groups, seeks to dissolve the 9-member SEC, which currently includes the three PUC commissioners and some state commissioners and officials as well as two public members, and place ultimate approval decisions solely with the 3-member PUC.