New Hampshire
How Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. applies in New Hampshire: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Administrative Law / Environmental Law (NEPA).
New Hampshire's approach incorporates the principles established in Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. v. NRDC, particularly regarding the need for agencies to consider environmental impacts in their regulatory decisions. The state emphasizes a balancing of environmental protection with the economic viability of energy projects.
In New Hampshire, state agencies must conduct thorough environmental reviews that comply with the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee rules and NEPA-inspired frameworks, requiring a consideration of both direct and indirect environmental impacts.
The court held that the cooperative's proposal must undergo a comprehensive review in accordance with state environmental standards, illustrating compliance with NEPA principles.
The court ruled that the Department's failure to adequately assess environmental risks in planning a major project led to vacated permits, reinforcing the need for thorough environmental impact assessments.
The state court affirmed that all proposed energy projects must consider environmental impacts in detail, thus aligning with the requirements established in Baltimore Gas & Electric.
New Hampshire's approach mirrors the federal NEPA standards but emphasizes stronger state-level requirements for public participation and environmental justice. While federal law provides a broad framework, New Hampshire often imposes additional stipulations for local projects, ensuring more extensive environmental reviews.
Candidates should be familiar with how New Hampshire implements NEPA-like principles and state-specific environmental statutes, particularly under the New Hampshire RSA Chapter 162-H. Understanding key cases will assist in answering bar exam questions related to environmental law.