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Drought conditions cover 99 percent of state, with water restrictions in 78 communities
Drought conditions have engulfed New Hampshire, with around 99 percent of the state experiencing some degree of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Conditions are worst in southern New Hampshire, with 14 percent of the state in severe drought along the Massachusetts border. Just north of that, another swath is in moderate drought, making […]
Newport receives $6.1 million for wastewater facility upgrade
The town of Newport has received $6.1 million in federal funding to update its wastewater treatment facility. The update will help the town meet federal water quality standards and prevent contaminants from entering the Sugar River downstream from the facility. The facility has required remediation for a decade. While the town attempted to make the […]
What the ‘largest climate legislation ever’ would mean for the state’s economy, environment
More electric vehicles on the road, heat pumps in many homes, and an increase in renewable energy on the landscape, such as wind and solar. That’s what the country could look like if the federal Inflation Reduction Act becomes law. The bill passed the Senate this week, the first time such significant steps to address […]
Berlin to use waste heat from Burgess BioPower to clear snow from streets, sidewalks
The city of Berlin won a $19 million federal grant to use waste heat from biomass plant Burgess BioPower to keep its streets and sidewalks clear of snow in the winter. Installing the heat system will also allow the city to replace around two miles of roads in the downtown area as well as a […]
Gunstock: A reopening and a reckoning
After a 13-day closure this summer, the issues that shuttered the county-owned Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford were resolved last week. The senior management team that had abruptly quit returned to work, Adventure Park ziplines reopened, and stages were erected so the Christian music festival SoulFest could begin. Come winter, the ski mountain is set […]
Election monitor to oversee Bedford primaries following AG’s review of uncounted ballots
An election monitor will be appointed to oversee the September primary elections in Bedford, following a review by the Attorney General’s Office that found “significant deficiencies” had occurred in the town’s handling of the 2020 general election. An election official accidentally moved a tray of 188 absentee ballots before they had been processed, which meant […]
Mount Washington Commission to hold public sessions on master plan
The Mount Washington Commission will hold two input sessions this month to take public comment on its master plan for the mountain’s summit, establishing the state’s vision and direction for the park over the next 10 years. The commission is required to prepare the plan every 10 years, per New Hampshire law, to address issues […]
Bedford firm chosen to complete offshore wind assessment for NH
A Bedford environmental consultancy firm has been selected to complete an offshore wind assessment for the state. Normandeau Associates Inc. was awarded about $250,000 to complete the study and report. The Executive Council approved the contract this month on the recommendation of the Department of Energy, which received bids from two other companies, Power Advisory […]
‘Transformative’: Community power rules approved by utilities commission
In a move energy experts believe will transform the state’s energy market, the Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved community power rules that will allow cities and towns to save money and prioritize renewable energy. The rules advance efforts that date back more than 25 years to bring down New Hampshire’s high energy costs by […]
Department of Energy proposes one-time $405 electric benefit for low-income households
Facing federal deadlines to spend pandemic relief money or return it, the Department of Energy has proposed making one-time $405 payments to some low-income households to offset the cost of electricity, which will spike for many in August. The Executive Council is set to review that request when it meets Wednesday. The department would cover […]
Seabrook watchdog creates radiation monitoring system to withstand extreme weather
The watchdog group C-10 has 19 devices monitoring radiation levels within a 10-mile radius of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant. Those independently operated devices provide real-time information and trigger alerts if radiation reaches a dangerous level. But in 2018, a windstorm took those monitors offline for more than a day, leaving the region with […]
Replacing New Hampshire’s lead pipelines
A federal Oct. 2024 deadline requires all water providers to inventory their service lines containing lead. But state officials worry that small water providers will struggle to meet the deadline and are requesting funding to complete inventories on their behalf. That request will appear before lawmakers at the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee Friday, with the […]