Energy + Environment
Public hearing on proposed Dalton landfill draws a crowd in opposition
They came wearing black. About a hundred people gathered at White Mountains Regional High School in Whitefield on Wednesday in opposition to a landfill proposed for a site near Forest Lake State Park in Dalton. The rally outside the school’s gym was held in advance of a public hearing hosted by the Department of Environmental […]
Hanover becomes third municipality in the state to approve a community power plan
The town of Hanover will launch its own community power program following a vote at Tuesday’s town meeting, which makes it the third municipality in the state to approve such a program. Voters gathered at Dewey Field parking lot for a drive-in style town meeting, which residents attended by car. The approval of the Hanover […]
Evans-Brown named executive director of Clean Energy New Hampshire
Former NHPR reporter Sam Evans-Brown has stepped into a leadership role at Clean Energy New Hampshire, one of the state’s most prominent clean energy advocacy organizations. The nonprofit, which was previously led by Madeleine Mineau, is also involved in educational initiatives in the state. Mineau left the executive director role in June to take a […]
‘This is definitely on us’: June brings record-breaking heat
This story was updated on Tuesday, July 13 at 3:27 p.m. to clarify that this was the hottest June on record, not the hottest month. This June was the hottest on record for New Hampshire, in addition to breaking heat records across North America. A report released by the National Centers for Environmental Information shows […]
Funding approved for climate change mitigation efforts
Last week, the Executive Council approved $63,299 to cover the cost of staff at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services who are doing work associated with a clean air settlement to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. In 2007, the U.S. Department of Justice sued American Electric Power, alleging that […]
CEO of New Hampshire Electric Co-op stepping down
After six years at the helm of the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, CEO and President Steve Camerino will be stepping down to take over as the CEO of a regional law firm. Camerino will leave the electric co-op for a top position at McLane Middleton, Professional Association, based in Manchester. Camerino had worked as an […]
White House says executive order coming on labeling beef as a ‘Product of USA’
WASHINGTON – The White House will unveil an executive order in the coming days that directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clarify that meat can receive a “Product of USA” label only if that livestock is raised in the United States rather than abroad, press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “The EO […]
Interest in local food doesn’t always mean more sales for farmers
Pooh Sprague had a record year on his Plainfield farm last year. The community supported agriculture program, often called a CSA, grew from 250 to 300 boxes. There was so much interest that the family farm had to start turning away customers. That was a complete reversal from the previous year, when Sprague thought the […]
Chicoine named interim commissioner of new Department of Energy
Jared Chicoine will serve as interim commissioner of New Hampshire’s new Department of Energy. Chicoine, a resident of North Haverhill, will be leaving his current role as the director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives. The office will effectively be dissolved in the government restructuring that Gov. Chris Sununu signed into law last week as […]
Utilities announce electricity rate increases
The Public Utilities Commission has been under fire for its failure to move forward on multiple major pending dockets. Orders have been issued recently addressing one key item, however: increasing electric rates. For both Eversource and Liberty customers, the cost of electricity will go up on Aug. 1. Unitil’s rate increase went into effect on […]
Will New Hampshire finally deliver on the promise of cheaper electricity?
Expensive electricity is not a new problem in New Hampshire. It’s one that has rankled lawmakers for decades, aggravated customers, and hindered the state in its efforts to advance clean energy initiatives. Twenty-five years ago, lawmakers thought they were on to something: allowing for market-driven solutions to bring down prices and create customer choice. Restructuring […]
New Department of Energy emerges intact from budget process
In the months of negotiations over the state’s next biennial budget, there was comparative silence on one item that would reshape energy policy in the state. The version of the budget that has been approved by both the House and Senate contains a new Department of Energy, reorganizing what is now the Office of Strategic […]