On Nov. 19, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission rejected a three-year energy-efficiency plan that would have helped the state’s residential and commercial consumers decrease energy use and save money.

While this decision will have devastating consequences, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The PUC — stacked with commissioners appointed by Gov. Chris Sununu — as well as the governor’s own actions have consistently undermined New Hampshire’s efforts to invest in clean energy and combat climate change. In fact, the commission’s new chair has even denied the established scientific fact that humans contribute significantly to our rapidly changing climate.

As governor, Sununu has repeatedly stopped the expansion of renewable energy projects, added barriers to join regional low-carbon fuel programs, and prevented New Hampshire from joining the U.S. Climate Alliance — a bipartisan group of governors working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

An assessment of New Hampshire’s readiness to combat the climate crisis shows the state is severely lagging behind our New England neighbors. Governor Sununu’s repeated vetoes of bipartisan net-metering legislation have protected utilities from local energy competition and severely delayed New Hampshire’s cities and towns from building large-scale renewable-energy projects. And, while other states in the region have made significant strides in developing innovative technologies like offshore wind, New Hampshire is falling further and further behind.

The energy-efficiency plan that Governor Sununu’s commissioners are rolling back was developed by a range of stakeholders, including the state’s major utilities, environmental groups and consumer advocates. It would have allowed more customers to take advantage of rebate and incentive programs to weatherize their homes, buy energyefficient appliances and convert their heating source to more energy-efficient and cost-effective alternatives. The program is a proven way to help customers decrease energy use and lower their utility bills.

Sununu’s harmful political agenda couldn’t come at a worse time for effective climate action. Last summer’s U.N. climate report found that unless we act now, New England could face some of the worst impacts of climate change in the country. The combination of shorter winters, rising sea levels, and loss of native plants and animals will irrevocably harm the New Hampshire we love and threaten the economies that support our way of life.

This decision by the PUC is also bad for ratepayers. Using more energy to heat and power our homes and businesses will cost more over the long run. As proven in other states, energy-efficiency programs are smart investments for ratepayers. The benefits of future savings, while taking steps to protect our environment, far outweigh any short-term investments. Beyond the impact on ratepayers, we cannot set rational energy or utility policy in our state or country without acknowledging the fact that our consumption of fossil fuels contributes directly to our warming climates.

The energy agenda advanced by Governor Sununu and his administration doesn’t benefit New Hampshire or ratepayers; it is short-sighted and will ultimately cost Granite Staters more in electric and heating costs and prevent us from lessening our reliance on fossil fuels at a critical time.

Jameson French of Portsmouth is CEO of Northland Forest Products, based in Kingston, and currently serves as vice chair of Amplify New Hampshire.