Energy + Environment

A climbing thermometer

With summer coming fast, regulator issues electric reliability warning

BY: - May 19, 2023

As much as two-thirds of North America could face shortages of electricity this summer in the event of severe and protracted heat, according to the regulator in charge of setting and enforcing standards for the electric grid.  “Increased, rapid deployment of wind, solar, and batteries have made a positive impact,” said Mark Olson, manager of […]

Small whorled pogonia

A mysterious rare orchid makes its home in New Hampshire’s forests 

BY: - May 15, 2023

Everybody likes something rare, whether it’s a baseball card, an old car, or a seemingly nondescript orchid.  One of the rarest orchids in North America happens to make its home among particular topography in New Hampshire, in forests of hemlock, beech, oak, and pine.  The federally threatened wildflower has a grayish green stem, and its […]

EPA again proposes power plant carbon rules

BY: - May 12, 2023

The Obama administration’s 2015 Clean Power Plan – intended to cut carbon emissions from power plants – was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.  The Trump administration’s much-criticized replacement, the Affordable Clean Energy rule, derided as a “tortured series of misreadings” of the U.S. Clean Air Act, was also tossed by a federal court. […]

Outdoor activities a free bus ride away for Manchester residents this summer

BY: - May 11, 2023

For residents of New Hampshire’s largest city, the great outdoors will be a free bus ride away this summer.  A program in its second year, “Transit to Trails” will transport people at no cost from downtown Manchester to trails, state parks, and water destinations on the first Saturday of each month, from June through October. […]

Combining five bills, energy omnibus amendment gets Senate airing 

BY: - May 10, 2023

A bipartisan omnibus amendment introduced this week in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee combines five energy-related bills. In an effort to “advance both House and Senate priorities,” the amendment is co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Kevin Avard, chair of the committee, and Democratic Sen. David Watters.  While some elements received support during public testimony […]

Mobile home

Mobile home parks tackle septic, drinking water crises with federal dollars

BY: - May 9, 2023

When the North Country Village Cooperative asked the state last year for help with failing drinking water and wastewater systems, the manufactured home community was placed at No. 5 on a priority list. Fifty-seven homes occupy the former 1960s three-season campground, just a few miles from the beautiful expanse of Lake Winnipesaukee in the small […]

Bats in New Hampshire

Counting NH’s bats is really important this summer. Here’s how you can help.

BY: - May 8, 2023

Just as tourists converge on New Hampshire to take up seasonal residence, another mammal will make summer homes in sought-after barns, attics, and church steeples across the state. Bats spend the summertime roosting in warm, dark, quiet places, while taking flight at night to eat and drink. Wildlife biologists in the Granite State need help […]

Twin States Clean Energy Link

What we know about Twin States Clean Energy Link, a hydropower transmission proposal

BY: - May 3, 2023

This story was updated at 4:18 p.m. on May 3 with additional comments from Gov. Chris Sununu.  A newly proposed 211-mile transmission project bringing Canadian hydropower through Vermont and New Hampshire – dubbed the Twin States Clean Energy Link – is currently under consideration by the U.S. Department of Energy for federal funding. The $2 […]

Rusty Blackbird tracking

A wildlife tracking program has revolutionized migration research. How NH is taking part. 

BY: - May 2, 2023

American kestrel #42329 spent its winter around Masonboro Island on the southern coast of North Carolina, before starting its annual flight north on April 14.  On its way toward New Hampshire, it was tracked in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Vermont before arriving near the Granite Lake Headwaters property in Stoddard – a stopover […]

NH State Parks to host job fairs around the state on May 6

BY: - May 1, 2023

New Hampshire State Parks will hold job fairs around the state on May 6 for those looking for “stress-free, summer employment in the outdoors.” Almost every park in the state will be open for prospective employees to explore, meet team members, and find out more about available positions for the upcoming summer season.   From 10 […]

NH hydrogen plant

An interview with Q Hydrogen: Creating a ‘world’s first’ in New Hampshire’s North Country

BY: - May 1, 2023

On its way to opening in New Hampshire’s North Country is “the world’s first power plant completely fueled by clean, affordable, clear hydrogen.”  That’s what Utah-based Q Hydrogen says of its major investment in the Northumberland village of Groveton, where the company has repurposed a former paper mill on the Upper Ammonoosuc River. Construction began […]

Bedford, Merrimack establishing municipal PFAS rebate programs

BY: - April 27, 2023

The towns of Bedford and Merrimack will establish their own municipal rebate programs related to PFAS remediation in private wells.  The House Fiscal Committee last week approved a request from the Department of Environmental Services to use $2.4 million toward the programs, which will be offshoots of the state’s PFAS Rebate Program. The state currently […]