Warmington presents climate change plan
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Apr. 15—CONCORD — Democratic candidate for governor Cinde Warmington of Concord released her Clean Energy Economy plan Monday that includes promoting more homegrown energy, incentives for consumers to purchase electric cars and more clearly-defined goals to combat climate change.
"Governor Sununu has held New Hampshire back by failing to capitalize on the growth that abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy can provide to the Granite State," Warmington said.
"As governor, I will implement a Clean Energy Economy Plan to propel New Hampshire into a stronger, brighter and more sustainable future."
Warmington said Sununu made inadequate investments in energy efficiency and has failed to help build a robust infrastructure to support electric vehicles.
"As a result, New Hampshire lags behind every other New England state in growing a clean-energy economy," said Warmington at a press conference in front of the State House Monday.
The primary goal of the plan is to lead New Hampshire to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
One way to reduce emissions is to provide incentives to use "clean" heating and cooling technologies in housing, she said.
New Hampshire is at risk of remaining a "doughnut hole" as states surrounding New Hampshire have much more extensive networks of EV charging stations, she said.
"The risk is that visitors end up driving around us because we lack the charging infrastructure," Warmington said.
If elected, she said she'd support rebates, "especially for low-income residents" who buy EVs.
The state is not taking enough advantage of new clean energy programs available to states at the federal level, she said.
"There's a real opportunity for the next governor to bring a whole different approach to this battle against climate change," Warmington said.
"I intend to be a real leader on it."
The Republican State Committee issued a statement critical of Warmington's priorities.
"Cinde's CRONY plan would lead to more expensive energy, higher taxes, and give out subsidies via green pork that Granite Staters can't afford," the GOP statement said.
Warmington said she would support promoting private investment in renewables including solar up to five megawatts "where feasible."
Utilities should get greater state support to accelerate infrastructure upgrades such as more use of smart meters, she said.
Rep. Kat McGhee of Hollis, ranking Democrat on the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee, praised Warmington's plan.
"Her strategic vision to create jobs and strengthen New Hampshire's economy, by lowering our carbon footprint, will boost homegrown energy production, expand collaborations with producers and businesses, and inspire crucial workforce development," Warmington said.
Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and Newmarket restaurant owner Jonathan Kiper are also seeking the Democratic nomination.
The major Republican candidates seeking to replace outgoing Sununu as the GOP nominee are former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte of Nashua and former Senate President Chuck Morse of Salem.
