Congressman Charles Bass

By DARIN WIPPERMAN
The Littleton Courier, May 2, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Charles Bass used a blog post last week to support conservation and energy efficiency. He noted how the "beauty and resources" of New Hampshire make the state a special place.

Conservation and economic growth are linked, according to the blog post.

Bass cited statistics that 50,000 New Hampshire jobs come from the outdoor recreation industry.

The North Country understands this especially, with forest products and tourism so important to the region. In a conversation Friday, Bass declared that the "abundance" of wood fuel serves as an "economic engine" for Northern New Hampshire.

Bass wrote, "I am proud to represent a state that offers a little bit of everything for the nature lover." Natural and sustainable resources "are treasures to be shared and preserved for future generations."

These beliefs led to Bass' continued support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Community Forest Program (CFP). Both of these grant programs help states and local communities meet environmental and conservation goals.

Bass calls for adequate funding of the LWCF and CFP. He suggests that conservation funding "must be done and can be done in a fiscally-responsible manner."

Bass has bipartisan support for his Smart Energy Act, H.R. 4017. This bill would require more energy conservation from federal agencies. The government must be "more aggressive" on energy conservation, Bass said in a Friday interview. Additionally, the Act would help businesses with energy efficiency loan programs.

The Act would also require the Department of Energy to coordinate existing research and development efforts. The department must be "more aggressive," according to Bass.

The North Country could also benefit from converting waste heat from electricity generation into energy. Electricity creates a good deal of waste heat. The Smart Energy Act would facilitate what is called Combined Heat and Power (CHP). Bass said more CHP would dramatically increase efficiency of electric heating sources. Benefits from CHP could accrue to even smallscale locations.

Bass says the Act would create "a strategic plan" for government and business to reduce energy use. He believes that the nation must examine the demand side of the energy equation, not just supply.

"Our environment and our economy go hand in hand," Bass concludes. "New Hampshire has found that right balance of stewardship and economic growth."

In May 2011 Senator Shaheen introduced a similar bill with bi-partisan support in the Senate. Bass said the Smart Energy Act is a "companion piece" to Shaheen's bill, known as the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act.

Bass' blog post can be read at: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-a-environment/223005-new-hampshire-a-model-for-responsible-conservation-and-energy-efficiency