Briefs
Sununu vetoes net metering expansion bill over drafting error, cost-shift concerns
Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed a bill this week that would have dramatically expanded net metering in New Hampshire, pointing to a drafting error that he said went too far. As originally introduced, Senate Bill 79 would have allowed industrial-scale businesses to install renewable net metering generators of up to five megawatts annually. But an unintentional […]
Forensic hospital on track, with a higher price tag
The Department of Health and Human Services was before the Executive Council Wednesday with a second request to repurpose unspent federal money to cover higher-than-expected construction costs for a new forensic hospital. The council gave the department the OK Wednesday to use $4.8 million it set aside during the pandemic to pay outpatient surgery centers […]
New Hampshire to dedicate funds to help resettle up to 400 Ukrainian refugees
New Hampshire will devote more than $500,000 in federal funds to help resettle up to 400 Ukrainian refugees in the state over the next three years, after an Executive Council vote Wednesday. The council approved contracts with two organizations – the International Institute of New England and Building Community in New Hampshire – which will […]
NH declares smoke advisory due to Nova Scotia wildfires
The state Department of Environmental Services is issuing an elevated particle air pollution advisory for Tuesday afternoon through Friday, citing wildfires in Canada. Central and southern Nova Scotia have experienced unusual record-breaking heat resulting in the wildfires spanning more than 25,000 acres and forcing more than 16,000 people to evacuate their homes. Current wind patterns […]
By the numbers: New Hampshire hazardous waste generation in fiscal year 2022
The amount of hazardous waste generated during fiscal year 2022 in New Hampshire totaled more than 11.6 million pounds, according to an annual report from the Department of Environmental Services. That amount was produced by 2,166 active hazardous waste generators in the state, ranging from very small businesses to major manufacturing facilities. “Proper management of […]
Invasive species: Popular aquarium sunfish found in NH waters
The state’s Fish and Game Department has identified the presence of a popular aquarium fish in the Piscataquog River and Waukewan Lake. This year’s discovery of the non-native, invasive green sunfish comes after biologists found the species in the Little Sugar River in Charlestown last year. It’s a concern, says Fish and Game, because green […]
Budget provision would make EV, hybrid drivers pay fee for road maintenance
This story was updated on May 24 at 10:37 a.m. to clarify that the legislation affects plug-in hybrids only. In New Hampshire, as in many states, highways are maintained with revenue from the state gas tax. But a 2020 Department of Transportation report projected that as more drivers trade in their gas-powered cars for electric […]
House passes Medicaid expansion bill, rejects marijuana legalization amendment
Thursday morning, legislation the House and Senate largely agree on – continuing expanded Medicaid – looked like it may become the most divisive. Both chambers have shown strong support for continuing the program, which provides insurance to more than 60,000 lower-income Granite Staters who don’t qualify for traditional Medicaid. The program, 90 percent of which […]
$10 million in federal pandemic money sought for online ‘business support’ portal
Starting a new business in New Hampshire takes vision and often a financial risk. It also requires a lot of time navigating state agency websites, registering a business, obtaining permits, or securing licenses. The Department of Business and Economic Affairs is seeking to use $10 million in federal pandemic money to develop an online “business […]
Free screenings of ‘Anxious Nation’ documentary scheduled through June
The state’s 10 community mental health centers see increasing anxiety among children and youth every day. They are hoping to share that awareness with the public with free showings of “Anxious Nation,” a new documentary about childhood anxiety that features two Granite Staters, Concord psychotherapist Lynn Lyons and her longtime client Noah Cummings of Epsom. […]
DHHS buyback of more than 36,000 unsold COVID tests approved
In February 2022, when COVID-19 tests were hard to come by, the state began selling them in its nearly 70 liquor stores for $11.29 each. About 200,000 were sold, according to Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Jake Leon. The department received permission Wednesday from the Executive Council to use about $410,700 in federal […]
Senate Finance votes to reduce Medicaid payment increase for providers by $15 million
Mental health centers, midwives, home health care aids, and other human service providers may see a smaller increase in Medicaid payments than the $134 million the House approved. The Senate Finance Committee voted, 5-1, Tuesday to cut the House’s increase by $15 million, which would give providers about a $119 million increase. With the federal […]