Author

Amanda Gokee reported on energy and environment for New Hampshire Bulletin. She also previously reported on these issues at VTDigger. Amanda grew up in Vermont and is a graduate of Harvard University. She received her master’s degree in liberal studies, with a concentration in creative writing, from Dartmouth College. Her work has also appeared in the LA Review of Books and the Valley News.
The public benefits of private land
By: Amanda Gokee - January 9, 2023
The Mink Hills in Warner have returned to forest, where hemlock, oak, and beech trees now make their home, replacing the early settlers who clear-cut this land to make way for sheep pastures. John Bassi is working to make sure these residents – the trees and wildlife – thrive. Since Bassi and his wife, Julie, […]
SNAP outreach money coming to New Hampshire
By: Amanda Gokee - January 6, 2023
New Hampshire Hunger Solutions will receive around $250,000 to do outreach about nutrition assistance programs, as participation lags. The funding comes from the government spending bill recently signed into law, which included $111 million for New Hampshire projects, according to an announcement by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. It will fund two outreach positions. The state has […]
With energy prices soaring, some see wood heat as a chance to ‘buy local’
By: Amanda Gokee - January 4, 2023
In the 30 years Greg Berger has been farming, he’s seen the slow creep of climate change, as the frost that used to come in September now arrives in October. Rains have grown stronger and more erratic. Once infrequent, drought has become a persistent challenge on his New London farm. But climate change isn’t the […]
In a new legislative session, everything old is new
By: Amanda Gokee, Ethan DeWitt and Annmarie Timmins - January 3, 2023
This story was updated on Jan. 3 at 9:05 a.m. to correct the party affiliation of Rep. Michael Cahill of Newmarket. It’s a new legislative year and a new Legislature, and once again New Hampshire’s lawmakers have carved out a daunting workload. The House and Senate will take up more than 800 unique bills this […]
Free New Hampshire State Parks event planned for New Year’s Day
By: Amanda Gokee - December 26, 2022
New Hampshire State Parks is offering free admission to seven state parks on New Year’s Day to encourage people to get outside. Participating parks include Greenfield State Park in Greenfield, White Lake State Park in Tamworth, Milan Hill State Park in Milan, Pisgah State Park in Chesterfield, Monadnock State Park in Jaffrey, Odiorne Point State […]
Co-op’s electric rates to decrease in February
By: Amanda Gokee - December 22, 2022
The cost of electricity for New Hampshire Electric Cooperative members will go down 20 percent in February, the organization announced Wednesday. The cost of electricity will go from around 17 cents per kilowatt hour to around 13.8 cents, which will save a typical household around $15 per month. That’s less than rates offered by all […]
Residents face winter heating bills, but the new state emergency assistance program has yet to open
By: Amanda Gokee - December 22, 2022
A new program is meant to provide additional assistance to Granite Staters as energy rates for home heat and power are soaring. But with the heating season underway, the program has not yet opened and is not yet providing payments to residents in the state who aren’t covered by permanent heat assistance programs. That’s prompted […]
Rochester special election to occur on Feb. 21
By: Amanda Gokee - December 21, 2022
A special election for a Rochester House race that ended in a tie has been scheduled for Feb. 21 by the Rochester City Council. The special election comes as the House is deeply divided, with Republicans holding 201 seats and the Democrats 198. The special election will determine whether the only remaining undecided seat goes […]
Liberty electric rates to remain high, company proposes
By: Amanda Gokee - December 19, 2022
Liberty Utilities electric rates could remain near all-time highs for small and residential customers, according to a company proposal Friday. The current 22.2 cents per kilowatt hour price would dip to 22 cents for a six-month period starting in February if the Public Utilities Commission approves it.
Cost of New Hampshire search and rescue missions continues to rise
By: Amanda Gokee - December 19, 2022
A four-day search for a 19-year-old woman ultimately found dead in Franconia Notch State Park. A 53-year-old man who fell to his death on Mount Willard. While these deaths have received a lot of attention from the media and the public, fatalities tracked by Search and Rescue this year have not outpaced prior years, according […]
Butterfly conservation depends on volunteers and donations
By: Amanda Gokee - December 14, 2022
There are more than 100 species of butterflies living in New Hampshire, but the state knows little about them. The Fish and Game Department is trying to change that by enlisting volunteers to report butterfly sightings. The effort is led by the department’s nongame program, which must raise $100,000 each year in donations to receive […]
What NH loses if it no longer goes first in the presidential primary
By: Amanda Gokee - December 12, 2022
Presidential candidates walking in parades and chatting with diners at the local greasy spoon. The national press corps tagging along for stump speeches at barbecues and veterans halls. A never-ending stream of televised political ads and candidate Q&As. Every four years, New Hampshire becomes the center of the American political universe, all thanks to the […]