Events 2023
✔ Past Events and Recordings
✔ Military Forward Planning for Climate Risks
November 13, 2023
From its far-flung bases to its key supply lines and its significant energy consumption, the armed services
must make sober and realistic assessments of climate risks.
Learn why the U.S. Military considers climate change a serious security concern and how it is preparing for the challenges ahead.
Special Guest Panel:
Robert Smith, CPTN US Navy (ret)
Dennis McGinn, VADM US Navy (ret)
Lisa Marie Cheney, former principal, DASD
Thomas Oppel, Chief of Staff (ret) Navy Sec'y
Moderated by: Reinmar Seidler, NH Network co-manager
✔ Planning for Offshore Wind and Sustainable Fisheries in New England
September 18, 2023
Guest Expert Panel and Presentations
Elizabeth Methratta (NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center) - Presentation
Cheri Patterson (NH Fish & Game Department) - Presentation
David Goethel (Center for Sustainable Fisheries)
Tiffany Smythe (USCGA & University of Rhode Island)
Moderated by Reinmar Seidler, Sustainability Professor at UMass Boston
Sorry! Due to technical difficulties the recording of the first half of the event is unavailable. We've posted the available recording and presentations here.
Offshore wind is said to be New England’s greatest untapped energy resource. Realizing that potential, however, is no simple exercise. The Gulf of Maine also contains some of the world’s richest fishing grounds.
Is offshore wind compatible with New England’s fishing industries?
The answer to that kind of question is nearly always “It depends!” Find out what it depends on, and how sustainable fisheries and sustainable energy systems might coexist.
News on our event topic, October 2023:
✔ August 12 — 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, Laconia, NH
In conjunction with Save Forest Lake and other NH Environmental Groups
Great Media Coverage!
Concord Monitor: Summit to address state’s environmental issues
Eagle Tribune: Summit looks to unite NH’s environmental organizations
Concord Monitor My Turn: Project 2025 and the environment
NH Business Review: Enviro advocates mull ways to nurture support
We brought: Our own mugs for coffee/tea, a bag lunch, and enthusiasm! Handouts, information, business cards, flyers, stickers about our organizations.
Thank you for helping to make this a zero-waste event!
GOAL: Future planning: New Hampshire needs your vision to grow & stay healthy! Where do we go from here?
AGENDA
• 9:00 - 9:30 — Coffee and Networking (Group Information Sharing)
• 9:30 - 10:30 — Presentations by Groups. Hear from organizations about issues of concern and how we can help each other.
• 10:30 - 10:40 — Break
• 10:40 - 12:00 — Breakout Groups to discuss messaging, recruitment, legislation, etc.
• 12:00 - 12:30 — Brown-Bag Lunch. Debrief on Breakout Groups. Schedule another Summit elsewhere in NH?
✔ 3rd Annual All-Network Gathering
Saturday, June 17, 2023, 8:30 a.m. to noon and then hiking!
Concord City-Wide Community Center • (603) 225-8690
14 Canterbury Road, Concord NH 03301
AGENDA
8:30-9:00 AM
Check In, Potluck Breakfast/Snacks and Socializing
Bring something to share and your own place settings. Please strive for Zero-waste!
9:00-10:40 AM
Expanding Our Impact: Visioning As We Network
World Cafe Conversations - whole group and breakouts; bring your writing tools
10:40-10:55 AM Break
10:55 to Noon
Turning Our Visions Into Actions
Open Space Conversations - whole group and breakouts
12:30 PM
Bag Lunch and Trail Walk at NH Audubon Silk Farm Property
Enjoy nature with Network friends and the Plastics Working Group - LINK to Trail Map
Thanks to our Facilitators
Dr. Paul Friedrichs of NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action and
Cindy Heath of the NH Network Plastics Working Group
✔Clearing the Fog
Benefits & Challenges around
Offshore Wind in New England
June 5, 2023
Concord Monitor reporting of this event:
N.H. lags in luring offshore wind’s economic benefits
By DAVID BROOKS Monitor staff, Published: 6/7/2023
Offshore wind is said to be New England’s greatest untapped energy resource. Today, Europe has well over 5000 offshore turbines producing carbon-free energy. The US has exactly five.
There is a strong push to access this clean energy, but – it’s complicated! There is pushback from many quarters. A fog of myths and misconceptions is gathering around the issue.
In this event, our panel of stellar experts will dispel the fog of misinformation, to help us understand the real benefits and challenges of offshore wind in New England.
Off Shore Wind Topics Explore:d
➤ Marine biodiversity impacts
➤ Transmission challenges
➤ Labor standards
➤ Business & supply chains
➤ Policy & politics
➤ Opportunities
MODERATOR:
Rob Werner —League of Conservation Voters and NE4OSW
PANEL:
Carol Oldham, Northeast Director, Business Network for Offshore Wind - on business & supply chains
Melissa Birchard, Senior Policy Advisor, Grid Deployment Office, US DoE - on transmission challenges & solutions
Joe O’Brien, Political & Legislative Director, N. Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters - on labor
Stan Labak, Lead, Center for Marine Acoustics, BOEM - on marine biodiversity impacts
Amber Hewitt, Offshore Wind Program Director, National Wildlife Federation - on wildlife Impacts
WHAT: Our five panelists discussed the specific benefits and challenges of moving to deploy clean energy from offshore wind in New England and the Gulf of Maine. They will dispel myths around OSW and map out pathways forward.
✔ Everyone, from farmers and clean energy advocates to school gardeners and local food distributors,
plays a part in building a food system that is resilient in the face of our changing climate. But how?
Monday, May 8th, 2023
Presentation
Colleen Stewart, of the NH Food Alliance (a program of the Sustainability Institute at UNH), will share a presentation about building a climate-resilient food system in New Hampshire.
Panel
Paige Wilson, Waste Reduction and Diversion Manager at the NH Department of Environmental Services
Maureen Prohl, New London Waste Reduction Committee, and Representative Karen Ebel, Chair NH Solid Waste Working Group, will dive deeper into one way we can all contribute to a climate-resilient food system — fighting food waste through composting.
Additional Resources
Read & review “How Do We Build a Climate Resilient Food System in New Hampshire? Six Ways that Sustainable Food Systems Build Climate Resilience,” framework (10 mins) LINK >>
Watch “Where Global Climate meets Local Food,” recording of the NH Food Alliance’s January Network Cafe (optional, 1 hour) LINK >>
Watch “Wasting Less Food in New Hampshire,” recording of the NH Food Alliance’s February Network Cafe (optional, 1 hour) LINK >>
✔ Which Climate Solutions Work for You, Your Community, and the World?
Monday, April 24th, 2023 ~ 7:00-8:30 PM
We Test Attendees' Favorite Climate Solutions at a Climate Solutions Workshop using MIT's En-ROADS Climate Policy Simulator
Explore how dozens of major climate policies compare
Learn how different policy combinations interact
Discover the impacts on emissions, temperature, energy costs, human health, sea level rise, biodiversity, and more!
✔↝ Crossover Season in the NH Legislature ↜
Our 2nd ANNUAL REVIEW!
the Beauties & the Beasts
of NH environment, energy and climate bills
Three prominent lawmakers and two scientists gave their insights into bills that need our support or opposition:
Sen. David Watters, Dover (Senate District 4)
Rep. Sherry Dutzy, Nashua (Hillsborough District 6)
Rep. Lucius Parshall, Marlborough (Cheshire District 8)
Cynthia Walter, PhD
Kristie Ellickson, PhD
Meeting Description
April 10, 2023 ~ 5:30-6:45 pm on Zoom
Three prominent NH legislators and two scientists discussed “the Beauties” and “the Beasts”— the environment, energy and climate bills that have survived committee, House or Senate to “cross over” to the other chamber of the Legislature.
Of special concern this year is the threat of toxic pollution from “Advanced Recycling.” Scientists Walter and Ellickson explained the science of measuring cumulative effects, which could make a difference in legislation to provide safeguards for new (and old) technologies.
We discussed bills that should be supported, those to oppose, and why.
Refresh your focus on the bills that still might pass in the
2023 Legislative Session!
✔ Union of Concerned Scientists 2022 Final Report:
New England State Climate Action Assessment
Monday, Feb 13, 5:30-7:00 PM
A Discussion of the USC's New England State Climate Action Assessment report with a special focus on New Hampshire.
Presented by:
Jo Field and Miriam Israel, UNH Sustainability Institute Summer Fellows
Roger Stephenson, Northeast Regional Advocacy Director, UCS
Moderated by Dr Reinmar Seidler, UMass Boston & NH NETWORK
Description
State governments must play critical roles to mitigate future climate impacts – given the lack of adequate leadership from the federal government.
Are New England states on track to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts? How is New Hampshire faring?
UCS researchers spoke with decision makers and environmental leaders in the six New England states. They also examined legislation and policy statements. How do actions taken compare with the stated policies?
What does UCS recommend to improve climate resiliency in New England and in NH?
✔ Clean Energy and Lower Bills with Community Power:
A Transformative Energy Solution for New Hampshire
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 — 7:00 to 8:30 PM (Q&A at 8 PM)
What your town, city, or county needs to know to participate.
NH communities pay soaring energy prices, due to over-reliance on natural gas for generating the bulk of our electricity, a lack of forward-looking state energy policies, and outdated electric utility restructuring laws.
Community Power gives NH communities control of their energy supply decision-making including: access to potentially less costly electricity, development of innovative local energy supply projects, and benefits to local and state economies.
This event brings together leading proponents, organizers and providers of Community Power to explain the who, what, when and how for others to seize this unique opportunity.
Panelists: Clifton Below, Assistant Mayor of Lebanon ● Henry Herndon, Energy Consultant ● Don Kreis, NH Consumer Advocate ● Joshua Bourdon, Founder Derry NetZero Task Force ● Jeff Moulton, Chair of Derry NetZero Task Force ● Bart Fromuth, Freedom Energy Logistics ● Stuart Ormsbee, Colonial Power Group ● Terry Clark, Cheshire County Commissioner ● Lisa Sweet, Rye Energy Committee ● Joe Kwasnik, moderator, NH Network Legislative Work Group
Community Power is coming to New Hampshire this spring. Energy costs are skyrocketing, and New Hampshire utility customers are paying the price. Everyone wants access to clean power with lower bills. Community Power can do it for you and more utility customers!
Over the last decade the threat of high rates from the utilities, expensive alternatives, air pollution, and the dearth of options for clean energy has given rise to a local option, one that will put your community in control instead of the utility. Community Power is an effective way to choose cheaper, clean energy for your home, business, town offices and other buildings. An option that will help you to pay less, act on climate, and lower air pollution whenever energy is used. This year, the NH Public Utilities Commission (PUC) ironed out the regulations under which Community Power could operate. Currently several NH communities are preparing to flip the “go” button starting this spring.
Community power is now a real option for you and your community. Do you live in an apartment, a condo, a small house, a place in the shade or something similar? This is for you! You are invited to discuss and learn how to bring Community Power to your neighborhood from local experts, community leaders, and supporters.
Produced by the Town of Derry’s very own Public Television, Derry Cam, and the Derry NetZero Task Force.
Supporting Organizations: NH Network, Clean Energy NH, LCV, NH Sierra Club, NH Carbon Cashback, RAD NH, 350 NH, Freedom Energy Logistics, Colonial Power Group, and Community Power Coalition of NH.
We’d like to remind you that FOUR service providers are available to communities considering adopting a Community Power plan, each with slightly different offerings. Here is contact information for those providers:
Emily Manns, Standard Power , e.manns@standardpower.com
Stuart Ormsbee, Colonial Power, sormsbee@colonialpowergroup.com
Bart Fromuth of Freedom Energy Logistics, bart.fromuth@felpower.com
Henry Herndon, Community Power Coalition of NH, henry@cpcnh.org
✔ NH Network Presents: Transactive Energy
The Electric Grid of the Future - January 13th, 2023
Our aging electric grid was not built for solar panels, batteries, and cars that act like a battery and give energy back to your house.
We need “smart grids” that can use “transactive energy” to:
Coordinate energy sources,
Improve grid operations,
Reduce peak grid load,
And minimize the need for more poles or wires.
Transactive Energy will cut costs, saving NH consumers millions of dollars each year.
