What’s Happening at the NH Network!

                                                                  Week of November 13th

TIME SENSITIVE:  Rep. Sherry Dutzy is convening a meeting of the PWG Legislative Research Group on Thursday, November 14 at 4 pm to determine legislative priorities for this session. All are welcome. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87209928697

                                                                   UPCOMING NETWORK WEBINARS

Climate Security as a Human Right: 

Compelling our governments to hold fossil fuel producers accountable

This Monday, 11/18, at 5:30-7pm, the New Hampshire Network for Environment, Energy and Climate will present a public panel discussion on progress in holding governments and industry legally accountable for the destructive impacts of climate change. Guest speakers will include experts from the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Center for Climate Integrity, as well as Rep Tony Caplan (Henniker NH) who has recently filed HB 28 calling for the appointment of a Commission to study monetary costs to NH of climate deterioration, and the best means of recouping those costs -- including legal action against fossil fuel companies.

Legislation and policy innovations are notoriously slow-paced, while climate changes are accelerating rapidly. Over the last few years – in some places – progress has been made on another front: Litigation in the courts. Courts have held that governments have an obligation to protect their citizens from climate disasters and environmental degradation. Costs may be significant. Fossil fuel producers and traders – who’ve known for decades that negative impacts from their products were likely – can be held accountable. Fiscal prudence dictates that we be clear-eyed about the future. Can we get bipartisan support for such a process in our state? We invite specialists to catch us up on preparatory steps being taken in NH and elsewhere.

We hope you are able to join us on Monday. REGISTER AT bit.ly/ClimateSECURITY 

-December 9th at 6 pm: a presentation on The Aftermath of Fast Fashion,

Textile Waste and Environmental Impact.  Details are forthcoming.  (Rescheduled from June 2024.)

        VISIT THE NETWORK WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                              https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/calendar 

                                                                            NH NETWORK MEETING SCHEDULE for 2024/25

The mission of the Network is environment, energy and climate, and working groups will have overlapping  goals.  Feel free to “sample” different groups.  All welcome your participation.

-Environmental WG meets the 4th Wednesday of the month at 5 pm. Next meeting is November 27 and  will focus on environmental justice,  updates, news from the EJ roundtable, upcoming legislation, & plans for the year.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86992266518?pwd=lOPkWjmtqBtXdALNSy734o5iFCdHaO.1

-Municipal Energy WG meets the third Thursday of each month at 3 pm.  Next meeting is November 21st   A monthly meeting of people from town or city energy committees, to get together, learn from each other, strategize, and build community. IF you are not on a town energy committee you are still welcome to attend.   Focus in the past has been on community power, EV charging stations, funding, direct or elective pay opportunities, etc.

Clean Energy NH will be joining this Nov 21 meeting to explore the actions we still CAN TAKE after the election, what we all should be watching/doing.  Information and discussion.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3593768649?pwd=bXZmbHpoTXBram9DalhqZFBaWkprUT09 

-Plastics WG meets every other Sunday at 6 pm.   The next meeting is  November 17.   The focus of the Plastics Working Group is to address the intersectionality of climate change, human health, environmental justice, waste management, and pollution aspects of plastics and the petrochemical industry. To this end, the Plastics Working Group engages in local, state, and federal initiatives.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87209928697

-The Climate WG meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 pm.  The next meeting is December 3.  Are you concerned about climate change?  Join us on the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm to connect and collaborate with like-minded groups and individuals.  Our objective is to help groups, leaders, and citizens across New Hampshire share information and actions to help address climate pollution at the town, state, and federal levels.

https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/my/cclnhrizoom?pwd=MTRoSmtMQ3J3bksyc0xwVk9sbEJMdz09.  

-The Steering Committee meets the second and fourth Tuesday at 7pm.  The next meeting is November  26.  All are welcome, and its mission is long range planning for the Network.  Feel free to join a meeting and join in the discussion.

https://umassboston.zoom.us/my/seidler.umb?omn=96484029264

-Communications WG designs and disseminates NH Network’s information.   Next meeting is December 3 at 4 pm.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3593768649?pwd=bXZmbHpoTXBram9DalhqZFBaWkprUT09

BEYOND NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES

NH Civics has once again teamed up with Mikva Challenge to engage young people in authentic, informed, thoughtful discussion on issues important to them and empower them to become involved participants in civic dialogue for the legislative process.

I write today to invite you to participate in the third New Hampshire Youth Voice Summit on November 19th at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm in Manchester, NH from 12:15 pm -3:00 pm. 

After self-selecting issues that they care about and completing teacher guided pre-work, approximately 70 New Hampshire students in grades 7-12 will convene at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics to research, discuss, and create presentations on their ideas and present them to you, their elected representatives, government officials, and community decision makers.  Though there is a misconception that youth are apathetic, young people do care about and have ideas on issues that impact themselves and their communities. Our democracy and our communities are stronger when youth voice is heard and when opportunities are provided to practice democracy. We hope that you can join us in the afternoon to listen to their presentations, ask questions, and engage in conversation with the youth leaders and future stewards of our constitutional democracy. 

Tuesday, November 19, 2024  12:15-3:30 pm (event runs 9am-3pm, you are welcome to join earlier for lunch at noon and in the morning to work with groups if you like)

Location: New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm 100 St. Anselm Dr Manchester, NH 03102

Please let Amanda Maguire, Mikva Challenge’s New Hampshire Partner Site Director, know as soon as possible if you are able to participate by completing this short form. I can be reached at my direct line (603-630-2667) or by email (amandam@mikvachallenge.org). More information regarding the Youth Voice Summit is attached here. Please note that Mikva Challenge is a non-partisan organization and civic partners will be invited from across the political spectrum. 

-December 10th and 11th The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) invites you to participate in upcoming events to learn about and contribute to the development of the New Hampshire Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). Funded by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, the CCAP will outline key measures for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the state.

Registration Page

Online CCAP Kickoff Event December 10,  5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
(This online session will provide a condensed version of the in-person event.)

 In-Person CCAP Kickoff Event December 11, 2024 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

NHDES auditorium, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord

Both events will offer participants the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the NHDES’ development of the CCAP.  

From NH Listens and the NHDES Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Team 

More info at:  https://carsey.unh.edu/new-hampshire-listens/engage-process

-Save Forest Lake financial request from Jon Swan.  (The latest invoice is for over 6000 dollars.)  Just an FYI for you and request for assistance…..relative to the invoice from Orr & Reno for the Dalton Conservation Commision appeal of the GSL Shoreland Impact Permit.   Any donation to help offset that legal expense would be most appreciated!  

Jon writes:  Casella's motion to dismiss my counterclaims in their 2nd lawsuit filed against me.  As you know, I have been laser-focused on reading through the historical construction reports for the NCES Landfill, noting all liner and other damage reported and uncovered during the various stages of expansion.  I feel the jury trial in 2025 will be all about NCES and Casella's assertion that my statements have been false and defamatory, relative to the widespread contamination within the watershed of the Ammonoosuc River.  

Questions?  Contact Jon at saveforestlake@yahoo.com

 If interested, send a check, my address is:  Jon Swan 25 Cashman Road Dalton, NH 0359

-Informative NH Bulletin article on similarities and differences between Sununu and Ayotte on environmental issues including landfills.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQXKDfQRrFKJjwXnmvgsTzgsBjv

-Clean Energy NH on the potential outcomes of the presidential election on NH energy transition.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQXKDdHZhclsPqMZvmbGsFnMDGb

-Climate groups and the upcoming presidency

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/10112024/climate-advocacy-groups-ready-for-another-trump-presidency/

                                               What’s Happening at the NH Network! 

    Week of October 30th

      OVERVIEW

-See Save Forest Lake request in the “Take Action” section.

-Mark your calendars for upcoming Network webinars: on November 18th at 5:30 pm, an overview of legislation on fossil fuels and the environment;  on December 9th at 6 pm a presentation on the environmental effects of fashion.  (Rescheduled from June 2024.)

                                                                                                   MEETINGS

VISIT THE NETWORK CALENDAR FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS including movies, webinars, and local actions.  After you link to the website, scroll to the calendar, and open the event.  The link for that event will appear.https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/calendar 

                                                               NH NETWORK MEETING SCHEDULE for 2024/25

The mission of the Network is environment, energy and climate, and working groups will have overlapping  goals.  Feel free to “sample” different groups.  All welcome your participation.

-Environmental WG meets the 4th Wednesday of the month at 5 pm. Next meeting is November 27 and  will focus on environmental justice,  updates, news from the EJ roundtable, upcoming legislation, & plans for the yearhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/86992266518?pwd=lOPkWjmtqBtXdALNSy734o5iFCdHaO.1

-Municipal Energy WG meets the third Thursday of each month at 3 pm.  Next meeting is November 21st

A monthly meeting of people who have town or city energy committees, to get together and learn from each other, strategize together, and build community. IF you are not on a town energy committee you are still welcome to attend.  Specifically focus is on community power, EV charging stations in one’s town, solar discounts etc.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3593768649?pwd=bXZmbHpoTXBram9DalhqZFBaWkprUT09 

-Plastics WG meets every other Sunday at 6 pm – however the next meeting will be November 10, after the election, and the following meeting will be November 17.  Planning legislation to propose and support with our NH Representatives.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87209928697

-The Climate WG meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 pm.  The next meeting is November 5th.  

Are you concerned about climate change?  Join us on the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm to connect and collaborate with like-minded groups and individuals.  Our objective is to help groups, leaders, and citizens across New Hampshire share information and actions to help address climate pollution at the town, state, and federal levels.

https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/my/cclnhrizoom?pwd=MTRoSmtMQ3J3bksyc0xwVk9sbEJMdz09.  

-The Steering Committee meets the second and fourth Tuesday at 7pm.  All are welcome, and its mission is long range planning for the Network.  Feel free to join a meeting and join in the discussion.

https://umassboston.zoom.us/my/seidler.umb?omn=96484029264

-Communications WG designs and disseminates NH Network’s information.   Our new schedule will be forthcoming.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3593768649?pwd=bXZmbHpoTXBram9DalhqZFBaWkprUT09

BEYOND NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES

-Friday, November 1st, Clean Energy NH’s 16th annual Local Energy Solutions (LES) Conference

NH's largest clean energy conference - .DoubleTree by Hilton, Manchester Downtown

Presentations by industry leaders, panel discussions on the Granite State’s most pressing topics, demonstrations of new clean energy technologies. Network with the energy community throughout the state - from energy conscious individuals eager to learn more, to the state legislators who create the state’s energy policies. There will be a vendor hall of exhibitors, a keynote address, four tracks and a total of nine sessions - with hundreds of individuals from around the state in attendance.

Registration:  https://2024-les-conference.eventbrite.com/

-Friday, November 1  12  to 1 pm  Network Cafe

New Hampshire has nine regional planning commissions working across various sectors, from housing and transportation to land use planning and water protection, to better our communities. What are Regional Planning Commissions and how can we, as food system advocates working on intersecting issues, get involved and collaborate with regional planning commissions and their work? Join our November Network Café to find out!

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQXJswdJMPVgvdHjJvZlWDKSGCQ

-The annual conference of NH Association of Conservation Commissions is on Saturday, November 2nd  Info and registration at https://www.nhacc.org/annualmeeting.

Don’t miss this educational networking opportunity to learn from both peers and professionals.  We offer workshops on the fundamentals of conservation commissions as well as more advanced sessions. Choose ANY 3 SESSIONS from a selection of  24 workshops!     Go to the NHACC website for more information!  

-https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQXJkPnPzwGjZwSJSshHbgwxplg

-Business & Industry Association’s 2024 New Hampshire Energy Symposium

Thursday, November 7, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

Grappone Conference Center, Concord

Info & Registration:  https://members.biaofnh.com/ap/Events/Register/G9FEdkQfNCxCK

-December 10th and 11th The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) invites you to participate in upcoming events to learn about and contribute to the development of the New Hampshire Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). Funded by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, the CCAP will outline key measures for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the state.

Registration Page

Online CCAP Kickoff Event December 10,  5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
(This online session will provide a condensed version of the in-person event.)

 In-Person CCAP Kickoff Event December 11, 2024 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

NHDES auditorium, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord

Both events will offer participants the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the NHDES’ development of the CCAP. NHDES will cover the following topics:

 NH Listens and the NHDES Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Team

                                                        TAKE ACTION

-Save Forest Lake financial request from Jon Swan.  (The latest invoice is for over 6000 dollars.)  Just an FYI for you and request for assistance…..relative to the invoice from Orr & Reno for the Dalton Conservation Commision appeal of the GSL Shoreland Impact Permit.   Any donation to help offset that legal expense would be most appreciated!  

Jon writes:  Casella's motion to dismiss my counterclaims in their 2nd lawsuit filed against me.  As you know, I have been laser-focused on reading through the historical construction reports for the NCES Landfill, noting all liner and other damage reported and uncovered during the various stages of expansion.  I feel the jury trial in 2025 will be all about NCES and Casella's assertion that my statements have been false and defamatory, relative to the widespread contamination within the watershed of the Ammonoosuc River.  

Questions?  Contact Jon at saveforestlake@yahoo.com

 In case you wish to send a check, my address is:  Jon Swan 25 Cashman Road

Dalton, NH 03598

-NET METERING:  Write the PUC within the week.   Send your comments to your legislators (whoever they will be, as of next week) AND to clerksoffice@puc.nh.gov.  Be sure to reference Docket DE22-060.  The abbreviated request is “support increased net metering income to bolster the NH economy.”

 Talking points in the following two links.

https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2024/10/23/new-hampshires-net-metering-program-has-financial-benefits-for-all-ratepayers/?emci=86df8985-a590-ef11-8474-000d3a98fa6b&emdi=97c6ceee-2d91-ef11-8474-000d3a98fa6b&ceid=149033

www.cleanenergynh.org/nem.

-UNH Fellowship Partners:  deadline to begin the application process is November 1.   For organizations seeking capacity or a fresh perspective and/or specialized expertise to tackle a sustainability project then consider this opportunity.

https://www.unh.edu/sustainability/sustainability-fellowship-partners

- Climate and Freedom: November 2 March in Keene

 In many ways, the November 5 election will be about the freedom to thrive in a healthy, liveable climate!   Join us for a Freedom March on Saturday, November 2, 1:15 - 3:00pm. We'll gather at the Keene State College Arch (Appian Way and Main Street), and then march down Main Street's sidewalks all the way to Central Square, where we'll hear inspiring speakers. Bring homemade signs (we'll have some pre-made signs for you, too)! Let's make our voices heard, and inspire others to get out and vote.)

-Are you interested in passing Community Power in your town this year? 350NH is a local NH nonprofit that can help with free resources and manpower--whether it be organizing an event/presentation, lawn signs, social media posts, manpower tabling at events, and more.

Email Em at emilyfriedrichs@gmail.com and she can put you in touch with the right resources!

-Three Simple Steps to Prevent Floppy, 'Film' and Corrugated Plastic Signage Going to Landfill and Incinerators:

1. Save the corrugated plastic signage at designated storage locations. 

Encourage candidates to use more 'film' plastic signs next election and simply slide the the FP over the old corrugated 

sign after trimming the bottom off the CP and stapling the folded margins of the FP on each side.

2. The Floppy 'Film' signage can go to the nearest Nextrex Collection Center: 

 https://nextrex.com/view/findadropoff. There are many convenient locations such as Hannafords & Walmart, etc.

3. Save intact metal frames; take damaged frames to the transfer station to be recycled.

                                                    FEED YOUR BRAIN

Remember to breathe deeply, and find joy in our New England autumn.

                                      What’s Happening at the NH Network! 

Always check the news feed for events that were listed but were too far into the future.

https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/events 

Week of October 22nd

TIME SENSITIVE:

-NH Energy Expo is this Saturday from 9 am to 2:00 pm.  It is a free event focusing on energy saving workshops at Bow Memorial School (the NH Network is presenting at 10:30 am)

Bow, Dunbarton, Weare, Pembroke, and Concord Energy Committees have partnered to bring these important resources to all who attend. Find more information, including the exhibitor list, door prizes, and workshop schedule, at www.dunbarton-energy.org/energy-expo/.

More at https://groups.google.com/g/nh-environment-energy-and-climate-network/c/pxsgqAcCqJQ/m/QodtKdRWAwAJ

-Here is a link below for sign-ups for this week’s Conversation with the Candidate with Congressional Candidate Russell Prescott.  It is this Thursday, October 24th, at 9:30am here at WMUR.

https://form.jotform.com/242843700747156

VISIT THE NETWORK CALENDAR FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS including movies, webinars, and local actions.  After you link to the website, scroll to the calendar, and open the event.  The link for that event will appear.

https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/calendar 

                           NH NETWORK MEETING SCHEDULE for 2024/25

-Environmental WG meets the 4th Wednesday of the month at 5 pm. Next meeting is October 23 and  will focus on environmental justice updates, news from the EJ roundtable, upcoming legislation, & plans for the year

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86992266518?pwd=lOPkWjmtqBtXdALNSy734o5iFCdHaO.1

-Municipal Energy WG meets the third Thursday of each month at 3 pm.  Next meeting is November 20th

A monthly meeting of people who have town or city energy committees, to get together and learn from each other, strategize together, and build community. IF you are not on a town energy committee you are still welcome to attend.  Specifically focus is on community power, EV charging stations in one’s town, solar discounts etc.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3593768649?pwd=bXZmbHpoTXBram9DalhqZFBaWkprUT09 

-Plastics WG meets every other Sunday at 6 pm – however the next meeting will be November 10, after the election, and the following meeting will be November 17.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87209928697

-The Climate WG meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 pm.  The next meeting is November 5th

https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/my/cclnhrizoom?pwd=MTRoSmtMQ3J3bksyc0xwVk9sbEJMdz09.  

-The Steering Committee meets the second and fourth Tuesday at 7pm   – however the next meeting is October 29 (since this October has 5 Tuesdays).  All are welcome;  we’ll be making plans for the year.

https://umassboston.zoom.us/my/seidler.umb?omn=96484029264

-Communications WG is recessed and its schedule will be forthcoming.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3593768649?pwd=bXZmbHpoTXBram9DalhqZFBaWkprUT09

-Legislative WG is recessed and its schedule is forthcoming.

BEYOND NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES

-Friday, November 1st, Clean Energy NH’s 16th annual Local Energy Solutions (LES) Conference

NH's largest clean energy conference - .DoubleTree by Hilton, Manchester Downtown

Presentations by industry leaders, panel discussions on the Granite State’s most pressing topics, demonstrations of new clean energy technologies. Network with the energy community throughout the state - from energy conscious individuals eager to learn more, to the state legislators who create the state’s energy policies. There will be a vendor hall of exhibitors, a keynote address, four tracks and a total of nine sessions - with hundreds of individuals from around the state in attendance.

Registration:  https://2024-les-conference.eventbrite.com/

-Saturday, November 2nd   Register now for NHACC Annual Meeting & Conference at Pembroke Academy

Don’t miss this educational networking opportunity to learn from both peers and professionals.  We offer workshops on the fundamentals of conservation commissions as well as more advanced sessions. Choose ANY 3 SESSIONS from a selection of  24 workshops!     Go to the NHACC website for more information!  

-https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQXJkPnPzwGjZwSJSshHbgwxplg

-December 10th and 11th The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) invites you to participate in upcoming events to learn about and contribute to the development of the New Hampshire Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). Funded by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, the CCAP will outline key measures for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the state.

Registration Page

Online CCAP Kickoff Event December 10,  5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
(This online session will provide a condensed version of the in-person event.)

 In-Person CCAP Kickoff Event December 11, 2024 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

NHDES auditorium, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord

Both events will offer participants the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the NHDES’ development of the CCAP. NHDES will cover the following topics:

 NH Listens and the NHDES Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Team

-UNH Fellowship Partners:  deadline to begin the application process is November 1.   For organizations seeking capacity or a fresh perspective and/or specialized expertise to tackle a sustainability project then consider this opportunity.

https://www.unh.edu/sustainability/sustainability-fellowship-partners

-Are you interested in passing Community Power in your town this year? 350NH is a local NH nonprofit that can help with free resources and manpower--whether it be organizing an event/presentation, lawn signs, social media posts, manpower tabling at events, and more.

Email Em at emilyfriedrichs@gmail.com and she can put you in touch with the right resources!

-This is a Brief Public Comment Period Alert for the week of October 14-20, part of the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan. The briefs listed below are organized by their status this week— open for comment or closing for comment. You can view each brief and access its input form to provide feedback on the Brief Tracker, linked through the button below. Please feel free to share this email and the opportunity to provide feedback on the briefs with anyone interested in these topics.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQXJbBJMlZhcWkBfQcgtDqWvztC  

Sierra Club endorses candidates who are “Climate Champions.”  

https://www.sierraclub.org/new-hampshire/2024-nh-political-team-activities

-From the Plastics WG

• Oct 25 - NH Solid Waste Working Group, 9:30-11:30 AM

• Webinars to Watch: Northeast Recycling Council

From Energy WG

Oct. 17 - Municipal Energy Committees, - Video recording,  meeting chat, Direct pay documentation 

What’s Happening at the NH Network! 

Week of October 15th

GOOD NEWS:  

-New Hampshire’s low-income community solar program is finally nearing the starting line

https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2024/10/11/new-hampshires-low-income-community-solar-program-is-finally-nearing-the-starting-line/?emci=6dc1d4ff-3187-ef11-8474-6045bda8aae9&emdi=f11ca1f2-bf87-ef11-8474-6045bda8aae9&ceid=149101

-Are you interested in passing Community Power in your town this year? 350NH is a local NH nonprofit that can help with free resources and manpower--whether it be organizing an event/presentation, lawn signs, social media posts, manpower tabling at events, and more.

Email Em at emilyfriedrichs@gmail.com and she can put you in touch with the right resources!

-NH Gubernatorial Debate: Joyce Craig & Kelly Ayotte Both Oppose Dalton Landfill Project (10/15/2024) 

 "The Dalton area...not a good project for New Hampshire. Wrong project for New Hampshire, I wouldn't support that project"-Kelly Ayotte 

 "Absolutely do not support the landfill at Dalton, wrong place"-Joyce Craig 

-Fix the news focuses on good/outstanding news throughout the world.  It covers issues beyond energy, climate and environment, but there is a section devoted exclusively to the environment.  Enjoy.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/fix/FMfcgzQXJZtXqwFTDHfHqbpmmxTbtPlW

-Wednesday, October 16th  7pm

From Steve Marchand, former Portsmouth mayor, currently traveling around NH:

With barely three weeks to go, the national polls appear to be further tightening. A slew of national polls released this weekend generally pointed in the same direction: All seven battleground states are within the margin of error.  This is probably going to be a nailbiter.

If you have questions about how to target messaging for different types of voters, we're doing a live show Wednesday at 7pm heavy on Q&A.  Register today for "Messaging In the Final Weeks".  I've been on the road a lot the last few weeks, and have received many emails from candidates, local committees, and activists asking similar questions:

• What types of voters should I be targeting down the stretch?

• How do I balance issues like the economy, housing, and costs with issues like reproductive rights, the environment, and education?

• Should I be worried about voters "dropping off" at the bottom of the ballot?

-NH Network and Clean Energy NH together:

NH Network has begun hosting an informal monthly gathering of energy committees via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 3pm. Clean Energy NH staff are often present as a resource on those calls.

Thursday, October 17 at 3pm (click here to join the Zoom call at that time), the group will be talking about Elective Pay (a.k.a Direct Pay). I will be covering the basics of Direct Pay and answering questions as best I can. The whole group will be comparing notes on helpful resources, what the process has been like for participating communities so far, and what remaining questions the group has that Clean Energy NH can help track down answers for. 

-Thursday, October 17 at 3pm   Members of Municipal Energy Committees and others who are interested.

Join Sarah Brock of Clean Energy NH, as she talks about  Elective Pay (a.k.a Direct Pay).

Sarah writes, "I will be covering the basics of Direct Pay and answering questions as best I can. The whole group will be comparing notes on helpful resources, what the process has been like for participating communities so far, and what remaining questions the group has that Clean Energy NH can help track down answers for.  Hope to see you there and at future gatherings. We can get so much more done when we learn from one another." (click here to join the Zoom call at that time)

-Sunday, October 20  Plastics WG

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87209928697

Meeting ID: 872 0992 8697

One tap mobile +19292056099, 87209928697# US

-Wednesday, Oct 23 at 5 pm, Environmental WG  This month, will focus on environmental justice update, news from the EJ roundtable, upcoming legislation, & plans for the year

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88452788711?pwd=xeFP6yCjRP1H2Fksjbk8PYq9RYu9KJ.1

-Saturday, November 2nd   Register now for NHACC Annual Meeting & Conference at Pembroke Academy

Don’t miss this educational networking opportunity to learn from both peers and professionals.  We offer workshops on the fundamentals of conservation commissions as well as more advanced sessions. Choose ANY 3 SESSIONS from a selection of  24 workshops!     Go to the NHACC website for more information!  

-https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQXJkPnPzwGjZwSJSshHbgwxplg

-This is a Brief Public Comment Period Alert for the week of October 14-20, part of the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan. The briefs listed below are organized by their status this week— open for comment or closing for comment. You can view each brief and access its input form to provide feedback on the Brief Tracker, linked through the button below. Please feel free to share this email and the opportunity to provide feedback on the briefs with anyone interested in these topics.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQXJbBJMlZhcWkBfQcgtDqWvztC

 Weekly Update Sept. 24, 2024

Network events:

WORKING GROUPS

Climate: Wed Oct 9

Energy: Thurs Oct 17, 3pm

Plastics: Sun Oct 20, 6pm

Environment: Wed Oct 23

Agendas & zoom links at https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/working-groups

NEXT WEBINAR:  October 7, 5:30-7 pm

It's not too Late to Make a Difference in the Elections:   

SAVE THE DATE – Registration will begin soon!

P.S.  Remind the young people in your life they can register to vote if they will be 18 on or by Nov 5

>>For recordings of past events, go to newhampshirenetwork.org/events

Take action:  A bill supporting pyrolysis (aka ‘advanced recycling’ or ‘chemical recycling’) has been introduced in the U.S. Congress: 

https://www.wastedive.com/news/tracking-the-future-of-us-recycling-policy-in-congress/570778/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue: 2024-09-20 Waste Dive Newsletter [issue:66084]&utm_term=Waste Dive

Rep. Kuster promoted a pyrolysis project in Groveton, NH -- the project has not been a success.  N.H. welcomes ‘advanced recycling’ of plastics | Energy News Network

Ask our candidates for Congress whether they will support zero-waste initiatives and the transition to a genuine circular economy when it comes to resource management and reducing risk to public health and the environment.

It is imperative that they reject the American Chemistry Council’s efforts to promote this new polluting technology at the federal level.

Here is a better bill, currently before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee:   S.3127 - Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2023

Text - S.3127 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2023 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

Statewide events: 

>  Sept 26, 2 pm  Do you find people changing the subject when you speak up about climate change?  Could it be that we—the well-intentioned environmentalists—should be doing something different?  Join us for a free, live, online event,  Why Won't Anyone Listen?

Our guest, Dr. Elizabeth Sawin, will share ideas and resources to help you have impactful conversations with anyone about important social and environmental issues.  https://www.resilience.org/stories/2024-08-27/live-event-why-wont-anyone-listen/

>  "Reducing Food Waste in Schools: Transforming Cafeterias through Community-Driven and Grassroots Initiatives"  SEPT 26 | 1:00 PM ET | virtual

Join ReFED and WWF for a special “back to school” event! Based on their number of locations, our nation's schools are the largest restaurant chain in the United States. How can we help them cut down on the amount of food they waste every school day?  We’ll hear from representatives of K-12 school districts in NH and Maryland about the challenges of wasted food, how they’re addressing the problem, and using their experiences as a model for other schools.   Register Now

>  Visit the Monadnock Clean Energy Fair, Sep 28, 11-4 https://business.greatermonadnock.com/events/details/2024-monadnock-clean-energy-fair-51471 

NH Network ENERGY WG member Bruce Norland will be sharing his 6-yr experience as an EV owner.

>  From the Boston Museum of Science “Climate Club Explores” series:  Mon, Sept 30 | 5:00 p.m. | Virtual

Climate reporter Sabrina Shankman moderates conversation delving into the past, present, and future of ENERGY INNOVATIONS -- what has shaped the current landscape, and groundbreaking advancements driving us toward a sustainable future. Hear from local energy leaders about how we can effectively navigate this shift.

RSVP Now

Missed the first two events in the Climate Club Explores series? View the event recordings for "A World of Changing Landscapes," and "Climate Stewardship in Gen Alpha," here.

>  From NH Audubon:  Raptor-Safe Rat Control, Wed, Oct 9 • 6:00–7:30 pm via Zoom

A Forum on Wildlife Safe Rodent Control in New England

In recent years, shocking numbers of hawks, owls, eagles, foxes, fishers, foxes, and other

predators have been sickened or killed after preying on rodents poisoned with rodenticides.

Public and private property owners and managers can protect native predators by taking a non-

poison, integrated pest management approach to controlling rodents.

New England’s leading poison-free pest control professionals will discuss their proven, wildlife-safe pest control approaches.  Use this knowledge to advocate for an end to the use of rodent poisons in your community.

Sign Up:  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nVku6nCKRZa3Y-8Repkekw

>  October 10 in Manchester:

>  The CENH annual Local Energy Solutions (LES) Conference will take place Friday, November 1 in Manchester, NH.    Register Now

>  Join NHACC for their 54th Annual Meeting & Conference Nov 2 at Pembroke Academy.  NH Association of Conservation Commissions also offers some great webinars – check them out!  www.nhacc.org/annualmeeting/workshops    Workshops fill up fast and have limited space, register now to ensure you get your first choice of workshops and the early bird discount. 

Funding opportunities:

The Landscape Scale Restoration Program is a Forest Service State and Private Forestry competitive grant program that promotes collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes and furthers priorities identified in State Forest Action plans or equivalent restoration strategy. The Program (Northeast and Midwest) seeks to encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority rural forest landscapes. Desired outcomes of the program include improved fish and wildlife habitat; improved water quality and watershed function; mitigated invasive plants, insect infestation, and disease; reduced wildfire risk; improved forest ecosystem health; and measured ecological and economic benefits. The program supports projects with on-the-ground outcomes across northeast and midwestern states. For more info.   Application deadline: November 15, 2024

Local Source Water Protection Grant  - Grants available from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to develop and implement programs to protect local sources of drinking water. Public water suppliers, municipalities, regional planning agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, conservation districts, and watershed associations are eligible to receive funding. Grant projects must protect surface or groundwater actively used or that will be used in the future by public water systems as sources of drinking water. Applicants can receive up to $25,000 for non-climate related source protection projects (see list below) including certain activities required under US EPA’s Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit that work to limit stormwater impacts and protect source water. Routine operations/maintenance activities required under MS4 permits are not eligible.

Applicants can receive up to $30,000 for a source protection project that addresses climate/weather-related challenges – flooding, drought, cyanobacteria blooms, stormwater pollution, erosion, and sedimentation. This funding is offered to help public water systems and communities become more resilient, sustainable and save money in the long-term. The application packet is now available online. NHDES is happy to confer and exchange ideas with potential applicants in advance of the development of an application.   For more info.   Applications are due November 1, 2024.

Feed your brain:

Here’s a video made by "conservation hawks"-- five respected fly fishers share their views on climate change in this new PSA for America's anglers.  There is a "get out the vote" message at the end. It is non-partisan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHxFnSxdVLY

Community Power Coalition Q3 Newsletter | September 2024  https://mailchi.mp/750840aed8f8/welcome-to-our-cpcnh-network-6414195?e=b6dabeffa5

NH Healthy Climate collaborated with Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences to develop a climate-related course curricula for nursing education throughout New England.
Two hundred and sixty-one students have participated in the program so far.  Read, "‘It’s About Being Prepared’: Educating Nurses on Climate Crisis":  https://www.mcphs.edu/news/educating-nurses-on-climate-crisis

NH Healthy Climate and the UNH Survey Center collaborated on a survey of healthcare workers across NH, on their knowledge and experiences on climate and health.  Read the survey report at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/612cd210a8d3d07eb4886599/t/66c368e90ae84f5402b9ff01/1724082411267/NH+Healthy+Climate+2024+Healthcare+Workers+Survey+Report+%2807-31-24%29.pdf

Weekly Update Sept. 19, 2024

Energy Working Group:  Thursday, Sept 19, 3 pm

Topic:  What are various committees working on that will be voted on at town meeting?   NOW is the time to be talking about this!

Sarah Brock of Clean Energy NH will offer:

• Guidance on what needs to happen to get to a successful vote 

• Examples/recommendations of things you might want to bring to town meeting

Sarah will also give us a preview of the related resources her team at CENH is currently working on.

Join us on Thursday at 3 pm with your questions -- and add to the discussion.

Mary Beth Raven is moderating and providing a consistent zoom url for this year’s meetings: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3593768649?pwd=bXZmbHpoTXBram9DalhqZFBaWkprUT09    Please share widely -- all are welcome

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Monthly Webinar:  Monday, Sept 23, 5:30 - register at  bit.ly/Water_Woes_NH

Hear from:

• Dr Adam Finkel (University of Michigan; resident of Dalton, NH)

• Rep Wendy Thomas (Hillsborough County)

• Tom Irwin (VP and Director, CLF New Hampshire)

Moderators:  Reinmar Seidler, Cynthia Walter

PFAS, cyanobacteria, landfill runoff, E. coli, lead, arsenic – what’s going on? 

New Hampshire is blessed with an exceptionally rich network of rivers, streams and wetlands, along with nearly 1000 public lakes and ponds. Yet, we may not be managing this precious resource optimally. Do we have the institutional frameworks required to diagnose, monitor and solve systemic problems before they become chronic? How does NH’s record compare with our peers in New England? How can we improve the situation? These are the questions our guests will address in this interactive session. 

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Plastics Working Group:  Next meeting Sunday, September 22, 2024 -  6:00-7:30 PM

ZOOM LINK  (TIP: Copy this link into your online calendar so you don't have to hunt for it)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87209928697

FROM AROUND THE STATE:

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Common Ground: Saving the Planet One Acre at a Time  

will be shown

Sat, Sept 21st 6 PM, at Sweeney Theater, NHTI - Concord’s Community College

Sponsored by LCV, NOFA-NH, Interfaith Power & Light, and Laudato Si' Movement

Common Ground is the highly anticipated sequel to the juggernaut success documentary, Kiss the Ground, which touched over 1 billion people globally and inspired the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to put $20 billion toward soil health. By fusing journalistic expose’ with deeply personal stories from those on the front lines of the food movement, Common Ground unveils a dark web of money, power, and politics behind our broken food system. The film reveals how unjust practices forged our current farm system in which farmers of all colors are literally dying to feed us. The film profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who are using alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy – before it’s too late.

NH

NATIONAL OFFERING:

An Introduction to Solar+Storage  Thursday, September 19, 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET     REGISTER HERE

Solar combined with energy storage (solar+storage) can provide cost savings and keep essential services powered during grid outages. In this webinar, speakers from Clean Energy Group will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the design, installation, and economics of solar and battery storage for homes, businesses, and community facilities.  

This webinar will cover many of the topics in Clean Energy Group’s newly updated guide, Understanding Solar+Storage: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Solar PV and Battery Storage, and companion resource, Solar+Storage Project Checklist, which serves as a quick and simple starting point for individuals and organizations who are considering solar+storage

Over the past 10 years, CEG’s Resilient Power Technical Assistance Fund has awarded $1.7 million in funding support to more than 150 community-based organizations in 32 states and US territories, with over 60 projects operational and many more in development.

This webinar is free, but registration is required

Weekly Update 9/09/24

                                                                      What’s Happening at the NH Network! 

                                                                                                  Week of September 9th

-SAVE THE DATE, SEPTEMBER 23RD, FOR THE UPCOMING NETWORK MEETING.

NH is blessed with an exceptionally rich network of rivers, streams and wetlands along

with nearly 1000 public lakes and ponds. Monitoring and managing a complex system like our waterways is a task that requires both individual competency and institutional efficiency. We have the former in our state; on Sept 23 we'll discuss the latter -- and how the public can help.

-Link to the summary of the Third Annual Network Summit including goals for 2024-5

(Full descript is listened in “Feed Your Brain”)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18xxA1PI5eylh716PvNX_Yvknk4slP1OudZx4_i6XdAo/edit

-Climate WG meets tomorrow, 9/11.  See the link and comments by John Gage in “Feed Your Brain” on climate activism

-Members of the Energy Working Group met to plan for the year.  Please take a minute to read their minutes, plans for this year and invitation to join.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aZl4-khMlyCMGf3zRB1Lde1GxytsQrrI1kIPqCAcwrU/edit

-Here is a treasury of election resources we have collected this summer.  

Please share with others - and let us know of other information that could help us all.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-kboFGeMEGi4eUGRph7cq24U-5Mk9QcSfgd93KRYx44/edit

-IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING NH LANDFILL.  New information and funding requests.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzNqtBRTnMQVxGfhKGVfRfWhR

                                                                                   MEETINGS

-September 11 7 pm   Climate Working Group

https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/my/cclnhrizoom?pwd=MTRoSmtMQ3J3bksyc0xwVk9sbEJMdz09.  

We'll discuss climate voter actions, and if there's interest and time, I'll present and offer a Q&A on "What More Should the US Do on Climate."

-September 14 Design Thinking Workshop

We (PowerPLAY) will be hosting a one-day intensive in Design Thinking as it relates to climate change issues, and how interactive theater can be used to explore this problem-solving process.  It will be held on Sat, Sept 14 from 10am-1pm- lunch, then 2pm-5pm in room M213. It is free. (Paid for by an NFRF- NSF grant).  The workshop will be conducted primarily by Dr. Graham Strickert,  Associate Professor, Director of Placements (MWS) Master of Water Security,  School of Environment and Sustainability and the Global Institute for Water Security.

Email <David.Kaye@unh.edu> to  attend.

Designing The Futures We Need: Connecting Design Thinking, Applied Theatre, and Social Science for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

In this one-day interactive workshop, participants will explore how to integrate design thinking, applied theatre, and social science methodologies to understand community choices about climate change mitigation and adaptation. Special attention will be given to how boundary objects can be harnessed to bridge different knowledge systems; and some of the tools available to measure and understand emergence in collaborative processes.

-September 22  6 pm  Plastics WG  

Here are the notes from tonight’s meeting - a rich discussion by all measures, thanks to all who attended. Consider checking out the various links that came up in discussion.

One outcome of our priorities discussions is the formation of four teams to further the work of the PWG:

• Education - (Patsy leading) writing LTEs, tabling, panels, fact sheet development, public/legislator education 

• Research - (Cindy leading) researching sponsors & co-sponsors of plastics related bills from the last legislative session to develop a master list of supportive legislators for outreach purposes

• Legislation - (Sherry leading) researching and tracking bills, preparing fact sheets, testifying, working with legislators

• Collective Action - (Kristine & Cindy leading) coordinated activities that are carried out across the state or in several communities

-Week of September 24th.   Numerous workshops including panel discussions by top climate and EPA officials

Visit the Ceres at Climate Week page to explore all the events for and discover the energy and innovation we’re bringing to Climate Week NYC 2024.

-September 26th  How To Talk About the Environmental Crisis

https://groups.google.com/g/nh-environment-energy-and-climate-network/c/k80rUpmMU48?pli=1

                                                                                                FEED YOUR BRAIN

3rd Annual Summit Summary:

On the final Saturday of August,   51 intrepid environmentalists representing as many different organizations, gathered to meet with like-minded folks, sorting out issues and priorities for their work in the coming year.

Opening remarks by Chris Skogland, Director of Energy Transition at Clean Energy NH, summed up NH’s environmental successes, challenges and opportunities. Even as the state’s population has increased, we have significantly decreased our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.  Even so, record-breaking climate events require us to address “Human activities causing complex interrelated activities.”  Working together keeps us from feeling overwhelmed, sharing the diversities of approach in the room and in the state. Chris especially urged us to contribute to the state’s Comprehensive Action Plan and to use the resources of Clean Energy NH’s circuit riders. (See the presentation at https://bit.ly/ChrisSkoglundPPT)

In his remarks on the NH legislative process, Representative Nick Germana listed steps taken as a bill is prepared – firstly determining the financial impact, then finding allies in related committees and in both parties, before meticulous preparation to address arguments pro and con. He takes the long-term view in looking at a bill: it may be considered over several years, inching forward, before adoption. The glorious exception was the overnight public, bipartisan support for landfill reform. Nick credited the planning of North Country Alliance for Balanced Change, which brought together a coalition of legislators and stakeholders from many sectors to work in unison, and found a media champion at WMUR. 

These hopeful words guided break-out groups on “actionable” items to focus on this year.  Items that rose to the top included:

• renewable energy options (including community solar, public EV charging, and plans for a heat pump accelerator plan in NH)

• energy efficiency (education and outreach, the needs of low- and middle-income people and those not owning a house, saving NH Saves, retrofitting)

• waste reduction (a bottle bill, plastic waste, composting, working with the Solid Waste committee)

• food systems transformation (the connection to climate change, local and seasonal foods, eliminating food deserts, diverting food waste)

• preparing the state for carbon pricing at the national level.

For each of these topics, ideas were generated for working on critical legislation, providing greater community education, and building public engagement.   

With 5 legislators and a representative from the Department of Environmental Services participating in the breakout discussions, we remained optimistically within the range of the achievable. Attendees had listed their goals in attending the summit, and the most frequent response was “networking and learning from each other” – which the Summit achieved. A follow-up meeting is planned for early October.

The AI summary of the Summit is available at https://bit.ly/Summit24summaryAI 

-Nature’s blueprint for building prosperity

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzXdJkZHCfvJSTKgHDWsJxmXs

-Climate Action Film Series (begins September 13)

https://groups.google.com/g/nh-environment-energy-and-climate-network/c/uXJN1JVSjPc

-Energy and Federal Updates (and grants) from Senator Shaheen’s office

-NH Fiscal Policy Institute is an informative website for everything fiscal in New Hampshire

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzXbzXdVDmzqtKHscHbTPMMxF

-North Country Alliance -  Update on NH Landfills

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzNxnTktVzbdZTGzQltFmNGjr?compose=GTvVlcSDZPPHbrHTqkwKPMKmCZLzgJFvNHDssnzVlhwKMqjrrZDZsFNQtBZRWgvLCGkRrkCbrchQZ

-Climate thoughts (from John Gage)

What has worked to fight climate change?

• Policies where someone pays for polluting, major new study finds: apnews.com/article/climate-change-price-hike-policies-emissions-1d211ff66f7ab768a69466b9af281c79

• “The key ingredient if you want to reduce emissions is that you have pricing in the policy mix,” said study co-author Nicolas Koch, a climate economist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. “If subsidies and regulations come alone or in a mix with each other, you won’t see major emission reductions. But when price instruments come in the mix like a carbon energy tax, they will deliver those substantial emissions reductions.”

• Full report: "Climate policies that achieved major emission reductions: Global evidence from two decades" - science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl6547

What is the most powerful, equitable, and far-reaching way to price climate pollution?  A border-adjusted, cash-back carbon fee on fossil fuel production and imports - the Carbon Fee and Dividend Policy. It's time to close the Rising US Carbon Price Gap: bit.ly/carbon-price-gap-pdf.

Why vilify the oil and gas industry? A four-decade history of deceit: heated.world/p/why-vilify-the-oil-and-gas-industry.

"We won't solve the climate crisis unless we solve the misinformation crisis." - PBS Frontline: The Power of Big Oil:

• Part 1 - Denial: https://youtu.be/QAAbcNl4Lb8

• Part 3 - Delay: https://youtu.be/R8UOJqs5F9Q

• Part 2 - Doubt: https://youtu.be/qMe-BYUIPLU

Heads up to climate voters:

• Warning: Budget, Finance Committees Launch Joint Investigation into Donald Trump’s Quid Pro Quo Offer to Big Oil: for $1 billion in campaign contributions from fossil fuel executives, Trump has offered to undo decades of efforts to clean up the energy sector - https://www.budget.senate.gov/chairman/newsroom/press/budget-finance-committees-launch-joint-investigation-into-donald-trumps-quid-pro-quo-offer-to-big-oil-

• When you hear a Conservative candidate say they support “All-of-the-above energy options” and “the market should pick the winners and losers,” tell them we are getting too much pollution because prices do not accurately inform market actors about the true costs. Ask them what they plan to do to address the market's failure to account for the external costs of pollution in the price of fossil fuels. Then, share this article with them: The Winning Conservative Climate Solution.

• Kamala Harris listens to experts on climate policy (Economists' Statement): "Harris released a comprehensive climate plan ahead of the Climate Crisis Town Hall in September that includes a carbon fee-and-dividend" - https://climate-xchange.org/2019/11/where-2020-democrats-stand-on-carbon-pricing.

How can we get cheap, abundant energy? En-ROADS demonstrates that the path is through a policy mix that includes a cash-back pollution fee: if we rebate all the money collected from a carbon producer polluter fee back to households, our net energy costs will be less than in the current policy scenario during the 25-year transition to a clean energy economy, then fall dramatically below the cost of a fossil fuel-based future.

                                                              OPPORTUNITIES

https://www.nhacc.org

CHECK HERE FOR Funding opportunities to hire student interns for local conservation projects

-Grassroots Fund Grants

WHO WE FUND

• Community groups based in one of the six New England States (NH, CT, RI, VT, ME, MA)

• Groups do NOT need 501c3 status or a fiscal sponsor! Just a bank account in the group’s name.

• Groups with annual budgets of less than $100,000 and less than the equivalent of 2 full time paid staff (ie. no more than 80 hours of paid staff time per week) are given priority 

Seed Grants - Up to $1,000

Rolling Deadline ; ~6 week turn-around

This grant program is geared towards newly forming groups, which we consider as those that have been working together (formally or informally) for maybe a year or two, or less. Typically, these groups are still coalescing, determining decision making structures, establishing core decision makers and pathways for community input/voice. As your program matures and progresses, we invite you to reapply to the Grow grant program. 

Questions? - Contact Tess Beem at tess@grassrootsfund.org 

Grow Grants - $1,000 - $4,000 

Upcoming Fall Deadline - Tues Sept 17 ; Grants announced end of December 

The Grow grant program is geared towards groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. Grow grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes. See here for a short video overview (7 min) of the Grow program.

Questions? - Contact Mary Jones at mary@grassrootsfund.org 

We are an Environmental Justice (EJ) funder, and interpret EJ work broadly. Funding decisions are made based on a group’s alignment with our Guiding Practices. To get a sense of the kinds of projects that have received funding, you can check out our interactive Grantee Map. 

Mary Jones, Program Manager - Grow Grants Program

(she/her/hers)

New England Grassroots Environment Fund

(603) 905 9915 (ex. 2) - main office

-I’m reaching out to invite members of New Hampshire Network for Environment, Energy & Climate to join us as Community Grant Readers for this Fall’s Grow grant round. As you may remember, feedback from readers is the first stage of our review process. Scores, questions and comments from readers guide staff follow up calls with applicants and influence final funding outcomes. 

As we seek to live out the Guiding Practice of Shifting Power in our own work, the Grassroots Fund actively tries to blur the lines between grantee and grantor and especially encourages former grantees to participate as readers. You bring an invaluable perspective to Environmental Justice work in our region and we want your input to help us make decisions on future grant awards. 

Anyone can sign up to be a volunteer Community Grant Reader using this Reader Registration Form. The deadline to register is Wednesday, September 18. 

Weekly Update Sept. 19, 2024

Energy Working Group:  Thursday, Sept 19, 3 pm

Topic:  What are various committees working on that will be voted on at town meeting?   NOW is the time to be talking about this!

Sarah Brock of Clean Energy NH will offer:

• Guidance on what needs to happen to get to a successful vote 

• Examples/recommendations of things you might want to bring to town meeting

Sarah will also give us a preview of the related resources her team at CENH is currently working on.

Join us on Thursday at 3 pm with your questions -- and add to the discussion.

Mary Beth Raven is moderating and providing a consistent zoom url for this year’s meetings: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3593768649?pwd=bXZmbHpoTXBram9DalhqZFBaWkprUT09    Please share widely -- all are welcome

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Monthly Webinar:  Monday, Sept 23, 5:30 - register at  bit.ly/Water_Woes_NH

Hear from:

• Dr Adam Finkel (University of Michigan; resident of Dalton, NH)

• Rep Wendy Thomas (Hillsborough County)

• Tom Irwin (VP and Director, CLF New Hampshire)

Moderators:  Reinmar Seidler, Cynthia Walter

PFAS, cyanobacteria, landfill runoff, E. coli, lead, arsenic – what’s going on? 

New Hampshire is blessed with an exceptionally rich network of rivers, streams and wetlands, along with nearly 1000 public lakes and ponds. Yet, we may not be managing this precious resource optimally. Do we have the institutional frameworks required to diagnose, monitor and solve systemic problems before they become chronic? How does NH’s record compare with our peers in New England? How can we improve the situation? These are the questions our guests will address in this interactive session. 

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Plastics Working Group:  Next meeting Sunday, September 22, 2024 -  6:00-7:30 PM

ZOOM LINK  (TIP: Copy this link into your online calendar so you don't have to hunt for it)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87209928697

FROM AROUND THE STATE:

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Common Ground: Saving the Planet One Acre at a Time  

will be shown

Sat, Sept 21st 6 PM, at Sweeney Theater, NHTI - Concord’s Community College

Sponsored by LCV, NOFA-NH, Interfaith Power & Light, and Laudato Si' Movement

Common Ground is the highly anticipated sequel to the juggernaut success documentary, Kiss the Ground, which touched over 1 billion people globally and inspired the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to put $20 billion toward soil health. By fusing journalistic expose’ with deeply personal stories from those on the front lines of the food movement, Common Ground unveils a dark web of money, power, and politics behind our broken food system. The film reveals how unjust practices forged our current farm system in which farmers of all colors are literally dying to feed us. The film profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who are using alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy – before it’s too late.

NH

NATIONAL OFFERING:

An Introduction to Solar+Storage  Thursday, September 19, 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET     REGISTER HERE

Solar combined with energy storage (solar+storage) can provide cost savings and keep essential services powered during grid outages. In this webinar, speakers from Clean Energy Group will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the design, installation, and economics of solar and battery storage for homes, businesses, and community facilities.  

This webinar will cover many of the topics in Clean Energy Group’s newly updated guide, Understanding Solar+Storage: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Solar PV and Battery Storage, and companion resource, Solar+Storage Project Checklist, which serves as a quick and simple starting point for individuals and organizations who are considering solar+storage

Over the past 10 years, CEG’s Resilient Power Technical Assistance Fund has awarded $1.7 million in funding support to more than 150 community-based organizations in 32 states and US territories, with over 60 projects operational and many more in development.

This webinar is free, but registration is required

Weekly Update 9/09/24

                                                                      What’s Happening at the NH Network! 

                                                                                                  Week of September 9th

-SAVE THE DATE, SEPTEMBER 23RD, FOR THE UPCOMING NETWORK MEETING.

NH is blessed with an exceptionally rich network of rivers, streams and wetlands along

with nearly 1000 public lakes and ponds. Monitoring and managing a complex system like our waterways is a task that requires both individual competency and institutional efficiency. We have the former in our state; on Sept 23 we'll discuss the latter -- and how the public can help.

-Link to the summary of the Third Annual Network Summit including goals for 2024-5

(Full descript is listened in “Feed Your Brain”)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18xxA1PI5eylh716PvNX_Yvknk4slP1OudZx4_i6XdAo/edit

-Climate WG meets tomorrow, 9/11.  See the link and comments by John Gage in “Feed Your Brain” on climate activism

-Members of the Energy Working Group met to plan for the year.  Please take a minute to read their minutes, plans for this year and invitation to join.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aZl4-khMlyCMGf3zRB1Lde1GxytsQrrI1kIPqCAcwrU/edit

-Here is a treasury of election resources we have collected this summer.  

Please share with others - and let us know of other information that could help us all.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-kboFGeMEGi4eUGRph7cq24U-5Mk9QcSfgd93KRYx44/edit

-IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING NH LANDFILL.  New information and funding requests.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzNqtBRTnMQVxGfhKGVfRfWhR

                                                                                   MEETINGS

-September 11 7 pm   Climate Working Group

https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/my/cclnhrizoom?pwd=MTRoSmtMQ3J3bksyc0xwVk9sbEJMdz09.  

We'll discuss climate voter actions, and if there's interest and time, I'll present and offer a Q&A on "What More Should the US Do on Climate."

-September 14 Design Thinking Workshop

We (PowerPLAY) will be hosting a one-day intensive in Design Thinking as it relates to climate change issues, and how interactive theater can be used to explore this problem-solving process.  It will be held on Sat, Sept 14 from 10am-1pm- lunch, then 2pm-5pm in room M213. It is free. (Paid for by an NFRF- NSF grant).  The workshop will be conducted primarily by Dr. Graham Strickert,  Associate Professor, Director of Placements (MWS) Master of Water Security,  School of Environment and Sustainability and the Global Institute for Water Security.

Email <David.Kaye@unh.edu> to  attend.

Designing The Futures We Need: Connecting Design Thinking, Applied Theatre, and Social Science for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

In this one-day interactive workshop, participants will explore how to integrate design thinking, applied theatre, and social science methodologies to understand community choices about climate change mitigation and adaptation. Special attention will be given to how boundary objects can be harnessed to bridge different knowledge systems; and some of the tools available to measure and understand emergence in collaborative processes.

-September 22  6 pm  Plastics WG  

Here are the notes from tonight’s meeting - a rich discussion by all measures, thanks to all who attended. Consider checking out the various links that came up in discussion.

One outcome of our priorities discussions is the formation of four teams to further the work of the PWG:

• Education - (Patsy leading) writing LTEs, tabling, panels, fact sheet development, public/legislator education 

• Research - (Cindy leading) researching sponsors & co-sponsors of plastics related bills from the last legislative session to develop a master list of supportive legislators for outreach purposes

• Legislation - (Sherry leading) researching and tracking bills, preparing fact sheets, testifying, working with legislators

• Collective Action - (Kristine & Cindy leading) coordinated activities that are carried out across the state or in several communities

-Week of September 24th.   Numerous workshops including panel discussions by top climate and EPA officials

Visit the Ceres at Climate Week page to explore all the events for and discover the energy and innovation we’re bringing to Climate Week NYC 2024.

-September 26th  How To Talk About the Environmental Crisis

https://groups.google.com/g/nh-environment-energy-and-climate-network/c/k80rUpmMU48?pli=1

                                                                                                FEED YOUR BRAIN

3rd Annual Summit Summary:

On the final Saturday of August,   51 intrepid environmentalists representing as many different organizations, gathered to meet with like-minded folks, sorting out issues and priorities for their work in the coming year.

Opening remarks by Chris Skogland, Director of Energy Transition at Clean Energy NH, summed up NH’s environmental successes, challenges and opportunities. Even as the state’s population has increased, we have significantly decreased our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.  Even so, record-breaking climate events require us to address “Human activities causing complex interrelated activities.”  Working together keeps us from feeling overwhelmed, sharing the diversities of approach in the room and in the state. Chris especially urged us to contribute to the state’s Comprehensive Action Plan and to use the resources of Clean Energy NH’s circuit riders. (See the presentation at https://bit.ly/ChrisSkoglundPPT)

In his remarks on the NH legislative process, Representative Nick Germana listed steps taken as a bill is prepared – firstly determining the financial impact, then finding allies in related committees and in both parties, before meticulous preparation to address arguments pro and con. He takes the long-term view in looking at a bill: it may be considered over several years, inching forward, before adoption. The glorious exception was the overnight public, bipartisan support for landfill reform. Nick credited the planning of North Country Alliance for Balanced Change, which brought together a coalition of legislators and stakeholders from many sectors to work in unison, and found a media champion at WMUR. 

These hopeful words guided break-out groups on “actionable” items to focus on this year.  Items that rose to the top included:

• renewable energy options (including community solar, public EV charging, and plans for a heat pump accelerator plan in NH)

• energy efficiency (education and outreach, the needs of low- and middle-income people and those not owning a house, saving NH Saves, retrofitting)

• waste reduction (a bottle bill, plastic waste, composting, working with the Solid Waste committee)

• food systems transformation (the connection to climate change, local and seasonal foods, eliminating food deserts, diverting food waste)

• preparing the state for carbon pricing at the national level.

For each of these topics, ideas were generated for working on critical legislation, providing greater community education, and building public engagement.   

With 5 legislators and a representative from the Department of Environmental Services participating in the breakout discussions, we remained optimistically within the range of the achievable. Attendees had listed their goals in attending the summit, and the most frequent response was “networking and learning from each other” – which the Summit achieved. A follow-up meeting is planned for early October.

The AI summary of the Summit is available at https://bit.ly/Summit24summaryAI 

-Nature’s blueprint for building prosperity

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzXdJkZHCfvJSTKgHDWsJxmXs

-Climate Action Film Series (begins September 13)

https://groups.google.com/g/nh-environment-energy-and-climate-network/c/uXJN1JVSjPc

-Energy and Federal Updates (and grants) from Senator Shaheen’s office

-NH Fiscal Policy Institute is an informative website for everything fiscal in New Hampshire

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzXbzXdVDmzqtKHscHbTPMMxF

-North Country Alliance -  Update on NH Landfills

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzNxnTktVzbdZTGzQltFmNGjr?compose=GTvVlcSDZPPHbrHTqkwKPMKmCZLzgJFvNHDssnzVlhwKMqjrrZDZsFNQtBZRWgvLCGkRrkCbrchQZ

-Climate thoughts (from John Gage)

What has worked to fight climate change?

• Policies where someone pays for polluting, major new study finds: apnews.com/article/climate-change-price-hike-policies-emissions-1d211ff66f7ab768a69466b9af281c79

• “The key ingredient if you want to reduce emissions is that you have pricing in the policy mix,” said study co-author Nicolas Koch, a climate economist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. “If subsidies and regulations come alone or in a mix with each other, you won’t see major emission reductions. But when price instruments come in the mix like a carbon energy tax, they will deliver those substantial emissions reductions.”

• Full report: "Climate policies that achieved major emission reductions: Global evidence from two decades" - science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl6547

What is the most powerful, equitable, and far-reaching way to price climate pollution?  A border-adjusted, cash-back carbon fee on fossil fuel production and imports - the Carbon Fee and Dividend Policy. It's time to close the Rising US Carbon Price Gap: bit.ly/carbon-price-gap-pdf.

Why vilify the oil and gas industry? A four-decade history of deceit: heated.world/p/why-vilify-the-oil-and-gas-industry.

"We won't solve the climate crisis unless we solve the misinformation crisis." - PBS Frontline: The Power of Big Oil:

• Part 1 - Denial: https://youtu.be/QAAbcNl4Lb8

• Part 3 - Delay: https://youtu.be/R8UOJqs5F9Q

• Part 2 - Doubt: https://youtu.be/qMe-BYUIPLU

Heads up to climate voters:

• Warning: Budget, Finance Committees Launch Joint Investigation into Donald Trump’s Quid Pro Quo Offer to Big Oil: for $1 billion in campaign contributions from fossil fuel executives, Trump has offered to undo decades of efforts to clean up the energy sector - https://www.budget.senate.gov/chairman/newsroom/press/budget-finance-committees-launch-joint-investigation-into-donald-trumps-quid-pro-quo-offer-to-big-oil-

• When you hear a Conservative candidate say they support “All-of-the-above energy options” and “the market should pick the winners and losers,” tell them we are getting too much pollution because prices do not accurately inform market actors about the true costs. Ask them what they plan to do to address the market's failure to account for the external costs of pollution in the price of fossil fuels. Then, share this article with them: The Winning Conservative Climate Solution.

• Kamala Harris listens to experts on climate policy (Economists' Statement): "Harris released a comprehensive climate plan ahead of the Climate Crisis Town Hall in September that includes a carbon fee-and-dividend" - https://climate-xchange.org/2019/11/where-2020-democrats-stand-on-carbon-pricing.

How can we get cheap, abundant energy? En-ROADS demonstrates that the path is through a policy mix that includes a cash-back pollution fee: if we rebate all the money collected from a carbon producer polluter fee back to households, our net energy costs will be less than in the current policy scenario during the 25-year transition to a clean energy economy, then fall dramatically below the cost of a fossil fuel-based future.

                                                              OPPORTUNITIES

https://www.nhacc.org

CHECK HERE FOR Funding opportunities to hire student interns for local conservation projects

-Grassroots Fund Grants

WHO WE FUND

• Community groups based in one of the six New England States (NH, CT, RI, VT, ME, MA)

• Groups do NOT need 501c3 status or a fiscal sponsor! Just a bank account in the group’s name.

• Groups with annual budgets of less than $100,000 and less than the equivalent of 2 full time paid staff (ie. no more than 80 hours of paid staff time per week) are given priority 

Seed Grants - Up to $1,000

Rolling Deadline ; ~6 week turn-around

This grant program is geared towards newly forming groups, which we consider as those that have been working together (formally or informally) for maybe a year or two, or less. Typically, these groups are still coalescing, determining decision making structures, establishing core decision makers and pathways for community input/voice. As your program matures and progresses, we invite you to reapply to the Grow grant program. 

Questions? - Contact Tess Beem at tess@grassrootsfund.org 

Grow Grants - $1,000 - $4,000 

Upcoming Fall Deadline - Tues Sept 17 ; Grants announced end of December 

The Grow grant program is geared towards groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. Grow grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes. See here for a short video overview (7 min) of the Grow program.

Questions? - Contact Mary Jones at mary@grassrootsfund.org 

We are an Environmental Justice (EJ) funder, and interpret EJ work broadly. Funding decisions are made based on a group’s alignment with our Guiding Practices. To get a sense of the kinds of projects that have received funding, you can check out our interactive Grantee Map. 

Mary Jones, Program Manager - Grow Grants Program

(she/her/hers)

New England Grassroots Environment Fund

(603) 905 9915 (ex. 2) - main office

-I’m reaching out to invite members of New Hampshire Network for Environment, Energy & Climate to join us as Community Grant Readers for this Fall’s Grow grant round. As you may remember, feedback from readers is the first stage of our review process. Scores, questions and comments from readers guide staff follow up calls with applicants and influence final funding outcomes. 

As we seek to live out the Guiding Practice of Shifting Power in our own work, the Grassroots Fund actively tries to blur the lines between grantee and grantor and especially encourages former grantees to participate as readers. You bring an invaluable perspective to Environmental Justice work in our region and we want your input to help us make decisions on future grant awards. 

Anyone can sign up to be a volunteer Community Grant Reader using this Reader Registration Form. The deadline to register is Wednesday, September 18. 

                                                    Weekly Update 8/12/24

                                                                      What’s Happening at the NH Network! 

   Week of August 12

MEMBERS OF NH Network Energy Group: Please help ensure a robust discussion of priorities for sustainable energy sources and transmission. We hope you'll join us!

Dear Friends & Colleagues, energy leaders,

You are warmly invited to join with New Hampshire's environmental community, legislators, funders, members of municipal energy & conservation committees

on 

Aug 24, 2024, 9:00am-12:30pm, in Plymouth, NH

for

New Hampshire’s 3rd Annual Statewide Environmental Summit –

Keep NH Green!

Whether you are concerned about 

• emerging data on PFAS and microplastics in our food and our bodies,

• critical energy system reforms proceeding at a glacial pace,

• truckloads of solid waste appearing in our towns from out of state, or

• ongoing denial (in public and in policy) of the gravity of the climate emergency,

a key part of the solution is people gathering to share ideas, inspiration and motivation. 

Register here: bit.ly/2024EnvironmentalSummit

Facts:

• Our state is replete with awesome environmental groups working in their own specific areas of expertise or control,

• The vast majority of NH residents value our environmental health and are concerned about long-standing disconnects in public policy making us the “environmental laggard” of New England.

We can do better!

Last year's Keep NH Green Summit, presided over by Jon Swan (Save Forest Lake), was a celebration of the many initiatives thriving in New Hampshire, and an incubator for new legislation, alliances, and funding…

Don't be left out! Join us to discuss priorities and strategize for the coming year. 

Organized by NH Network for Environment, Energy & Climate and supported by the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund (NEGEF).

NH Environmental Summit 2024 – Keep NH Green

at Starr King UU Fellowship, 101 Fairgrounds Rd, Plymouth, NH 03264

Saturday, August 24, 2024

- Tentative schedule -

9:00 – Coffee, tea & mingling

9:30 – Words of welcome

9:35 – Remarks by Chris Skoglund (CENH)

9:45-10:00 – Group Conversation 1: What should our priorities be for the year?

10:00-10:45 – Report Out & Discussion 

10:45-11:00 – Break

11:00 – Remarks by Rep. Nicholas Germana

11:15-11:30 – Group Conversation 2: What potential solutions do we see?

11:30-12:15 – Report Out & Discussion

12:15-12:30 – Closing

After 12:30 Eat lunch inside or outdoors, participate in a discussion of election strategies, a Citizens Climate Lobby meeting, or chat with others …

Register here: bit.ly/2024EnvironmentalSummit

WHAT TO BRING: 

> Your own coffee mug, napkin, plate - let’s make this a ZERO WASTE event!

> A hand-drawn graph, table, list or other schematic showing your organization’s current initiatives, challenges, goals…  We’ll make a “gallery” of these posters, to learn more about each other and our priorities.

NH good news:  Grid connection legislation is now law.

https://newhampshirebulletin.com/briefs/department-of-energy-to-set-uniform-procedures-for-interconnecting-energy-projects-to-the-grid/

Global good news:   Number of plastic bags found on UK beaches down 80% since charge introduced https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/29/number-of-plastic-bags-found-on-uk-beaches-down-80-since-charge-introduced?CMP=share_btn_url 

                                                            ORDER THESE POSTCARDS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY 

Help reach independent voters in your region with a message about your local environmental concerns.   

Fill out the form at bit.ly/PostcardsPlease

The message on the back reads "In our community, we’re concerned about:____ …" and gives you space to write in the environmental issues particular to your locality:  

• Protecting the watershed? 

• Need for EV charging? 

• Testing for lead in homes and local schools?  

• A solar array for the hospital or health facility?  

• Poor air quality from trash incineration?  

• Will my children be able to ski or skate in the winter?  

What gets written here is up to you and your local postcarding team.

Addressees are "registered Independents who are infrequent voters." Postcards have been proven to work! Tell us your town, and we will tell you the number of addresses there are. Then you can let us know the number of postcards you’ll commit to sending.   

We'll supply your postcards and addresses at the August 24 Keep NH Green Environmental Summit. 

If you're not attending the Summit, we'll make other arrangements with you for getting the postcards.

Thanks to New England Grassroots Environmental Fund for funding the postcards, and thanks to 350NH for providing the addresses. If postage is a hardship, we can supply some. If you can supply your own postage, we’ll be able to provide more for others.

Please fill out the form at bit.ly/PostcardsPlease by August 12, so we can get the postcards to you by August 24. Completed postcards should be mailed out by September 10 or soon after.   

We’ve planned to print 5000 postcards, but will be glad to print more!

Questions?  Email newhampshirenetwork@gmail.org

                                                                                                            Meetings

August 15th:   UUActionNH  has monthly meetings (meet each 3rd Thursday of the month) to share issues of environmental importance.  Join them on August 15th for a webinar on composting.   

https://secure.everyaction.com/pdX12RjP1Ei_FRUci01MoQ2

August 20:   NH Healthy Climate  (formerly NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action):  Climate cafe meeting

https://17938795747767988963.googlegroups.com/attach/3fdb8ecdc390c/820%20Concord%20Climate%20Cafe.jpg?part=0.1&view=1&vt=ANaJVrEX82K2n9G4KO9l6uqiZ3VzXVa6Ar6pK6MjeNZfsyzEB__c-HZFkLYcqKawG-fI240zT7iag1_fJUt4mvPWlq8jZnp6hTMxELPw1NJOgWQxGo-bZnY

                                                    Weekly Update 8/05/24

                                                                      What’s Happening at the NH Network! 

-Join us for the New Hampshire Network 3rd Annual Green Summit - August 24th -to collaborate on statewide initiatives for a sustainable NH.  

Register at  bit.ly/EnvironmentalSummit

-The BIG news this week is the signing of HB 1649 which limits PFAS inclusion in a number of products.  Congrats to Representative Ebel and all who worked on this bill’s passage and signing!  An August 2nd press release from her office.

“Landmark legislation, HB 1649, became law today, prohibiting many commonly used consumer products with harmful PFAS from being sold in our state, including food packaging, children’s products, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, carpets and furniture.  Supported by a broad, bipartisan coalition, this hard-won effort will start to reduce PFAS use in New Hampshire, already so greatly burdened by forever chemical contamination, protecting our health, our drinking water and our environment.

This bill also ensures that industries will be held strictly liable to the state for cleanup, restoration, and other remediation costs due to PFAS contamination, while also creating a private right of action for individuals whose wells have been contaminated.  

Granite Staters have the right to trust the products they buy and their drinking water without fear of negative, long-term health impacts. HB 1649's passage is a major, common-sense step to protect Granite Staters' health and our irreplaceable New Hampshire environment. Requiring PFAS to be removed from consumer products that we use daily and ensuring proper PFAS pollution cleanup is vital. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil we walk on should be free of forever chemicals. We deserve nothing less.”

                                                                         AUGUST MEETING OPPORTUNITIES:

August 7th:  Join Responsible Environmental Protection for New Hampshire & The League of Conservation Voters for a Greener Granite State!  An Evening in Support of Candidates for State Office in NH

RSVP to join us in Concord here: Concord Event with Ro Khanna and REP-NH/LCV Wednesday, 8/7/24 - 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (google.com)

August 10th:  Join the 250th Bethlehem town celebration and advocate for “Save Forest Lake” 

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVxtlVZjCxzkFgLMLBdcXwDxNw

August 15th:   UUActionNH  has monthly meetings (meet each 3rd Thursday of the month) to share issues of environmental importance.  Join them on August 15th for a webinar on composting.   

https://secure.everyaction.com/pdX12RjP1Ei_FRUci01MoQ2

August 20:   NH Healthy Climate  (formerly NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action):  Climate cafe meeting

https://17938795747767988963.googlegroups.com/attach/3fdb8ecdc390c/820%20Concord%20Climate%20Cafe.jpg?part=0.1&view=1&vt=ANaJVrEX82K2n9G4KO9l6uqiZ3VzXVa6Ar6pK6MjeNZfsyzEB__c-HZFkLYcqKawG-fI240zT7iag1_fJUt4mvPWlq8jZnp6hTMxELPw1NJOgWQxGo-bZnY

                                         -Decision 2024 - Making the ENVIRONMENT an election PRIORITY.   

A portion, albeit large portion, of this week’s summary includes past suggestions for becoming involved in the fall primary and the November election.  People will choose to volunteer at different times, so previous week’s suggestions are offered, again.  Pick and choose what is most appealing to you.

Postcards and canvassing are effective tools, and knocking on doors is already in progress.  Contact your local candidates or favored political party to participate.   Here is a link to several postcard writing options.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVxlMmPCWKgfbvnGWHLgFMzDfn

Did you catch the NH Network's three recent climate events?  Each provided a different aspect of climate solutions advocacy with valuable information from experts - these are all well worth your time:

• Climate Solutions Update (En-ROADS 2024 Update)

• How to Run a Local Climate Cafe

• Climate Voters Unite!

• Join online: https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/my/cclnhrizoom?pwd=MTRoSmtMQ3J3bksyc0xwVk9sbEJMdz09

                                                                                                 Ask the Candidates:

We at NH Healthy Climate (formerly NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action) are asking our constituents to attend local candidate forums and ask pointed questions about the candidate’s commitment to climate action.    We have prepared a set of sample questions as prompts:

Some sample Questions for Candidates:

1. Do you feel the NH legislature should act to support efforts by individuals, businesses, municipalities and utilities at reducing the rate of climate change that is occurring?

2. In light of its impact on our economy via reduced winter tourism and costly recovery from extreme weather events, and on the health of our citizens via vector-borne illness, air and water quality, heat stress and food reliability, what role do you think our state government should play in reducing human contributions to climate change?

3. Do you believe that the New Hampshire legislature should address the production of greenhouse gas emissions that is fueling the well-documented climate changes we have been seeing in New Hampshire?

4. As predicted by the scientists who study climate change, we in New Hampshire have seen a 75% increase in storms with more than 2” of rain in 24 hours, and other examples of extreme weather.  If elected to the legislature, how would you address this increasing risk to our homes, roads, bridges, and businesses?

5. In central NH, we have seen a doubling of days with a heat index over 90 degrees since 1980. How should the state government respond to the increasing number of high heat days and their potential impact on the health of New Hampshire citizens, particularly the young and old?

6. What role do you believe that individuals, corporations, municipalities and state governments have in slowing the observed changes in our climate?  Which can have the most impact?

7. What role do you think the state government should play in helping NH residents to become more resilient in the face of weather emergencies and effectively plan for them?

8. What specific programs or policies would you support to address the impact of extreme weather or climate change?

9. Do you feel the NH legislature should play a role in promoting clean energy and the electric grid upgrades that would be required?

10. Do you believe that our state PUC may need clearer guidance from the legislature in assuring funding for energy conservation through weatherization programs (i.e. NH Saves) and promoting clean energy source development?

11. Do you believe the State should take action to promote the development of off-shore wind energy in the Gulf of Maine?

                                                                           ELECTION HELP from NH Network:

                                                         Talking points, Environment/Energy/Climate - NH issues

Environmental bills were often passed in a bipartisan manner in the past. This year, in many cases, whether or not a bill passed depended on who showed up to vote. We need to help make sure that legislators who care about the environment are elected, well-informed, and present at the State House for critical votes! 

Weather is getting more variable and more extreme. Clear and universally accepted scientific evidence points to the burning of fossil fuels as the main reason for this, since it produces carbon dioxide, methane and other gasses that trap the sun's energy in the atmosphere, warming the planet. This means that average global and local temperatures have been rising for decades, and that strong storms and wildfires are becoming more likely. The impacts of global warming are already affecting New Hampshire residents and communities:

• Higher temperatures and longer heat waves harm humans, especially the young and the old; flooding damages homes, businesses, roads; both heat and flooding destroy crops.  

• Longer summers mean the “vectors” (mosquitoes, ticks) that carry disease have longer to get established and do their harm.  

• Warmer waters allow more algal blooms (cyanobacteria) to invade our waterways, making the water unsafe for swimming and for pets.

• Will our children see NH winters? Will they get to ski NH’s mountains? Skate, play ice hockey or go ice fishing on our ponds? Hike in the summer? 

In spite of these real impacts, several NH beneficial bills were defeated in the legislature. These bills would have:

• Established a Climate & Health Protection Program in the NH Department of Health & Human Services; 

• Included language in the NH Constitution that “the state shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations”;

• Expanded the Comprehensive State Development plan to protect natural resources, identify environmental threats, and consider the mounting effects of cumulative threats to air, water and land; and

• Identified all old growth and mature forests on public land. (Why do old and wild forests matter? Not all forests are equal when it comes to slowing, spreading, and absorbing flood waters, supporting native biodiversity, removing phosphorus from our waters, mitigating climate change, and reconnecting people with nature.)

Not only were bills to protect New Hampshire's environment defeated, but numerous bills that would have supported the transition to cleaner, more affordable energy sources were also voted down. These bills targeted not only clean energy generation, such as solar and batteries, but also transportation and the building sectors. 

• Our 5 New England neighbors have committed to 80% or more renewable energy sources by 2050, while NH’s current Renewable Portfolio Standard is only 25% by 2025. Once again this year, no plan was accepted for increasing NH’s use of renewable energy, now proven to be both reliable and less expensive than fossil fuels. Yet on the State House floor, legislators continued the lie that only fossil fuels provide energy security.

In New Hampshire, the transportation sector is the largest consumer of energy and main source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in air pollutants. However, the NH legislature voted down several bills, which included:

• Providing incentives for the purchase or leasing of Electric Vehicles (EVs), including for low income residents; and

• Developing light rail service in the state.

• The current administration has been sitting on transportation funds from a legal settlement with VW, yet has not used the funds to create EV charging stations or help reduce other transportation emissions.

Our buildings are another huge source of energy consumption, energy costs, and GHG emissions.  But the legislature undermined efforts to improve building energy consumption, with impacts that will last for decades. This included:

• Adopting new building codes while rejecting more energy-efficient building standards (which would have reduced energy bills for occupants); and 

• Prohibiting towns and cities from adopting more ambitious building energy efficiency standards.

• Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) continues whittling away at NH Saves, which helps with energy efficiency to homes and businesses.

For renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind, we need the Department of Energy to permit (not obstruct or slow-walk):

• Many more transmission lines and newer transmission lines to connect the energy source to the home or business that would use it (that’s what is meant by “update the grid”);

• More reasonable reimbursements for homes and businesses that have spent money for solar arrays, expecting to sell power back to the grid to help pay for their investment (that’s “net metering”);

• Larger net metering projects, including for nonprofits like hospitals;

• Community solar projects that would allow renters or people whose homes are shaded to invest in large solar arrays near their communities;

• Offshore wind – New England’s most under-utilized natural resource.

Additional Environmental Issues: We need help to keep the land, air and water clean.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) has determined that NH already has sufficient landfill capacity to serve us at least another 8 years, yet bills that would have stemmed the tide of new landfill construction and expansion were defeated:

• Putting a moratorium on landfill permits until 2028, giving us time to get the technical information we need, and to address health and environmental concerns heard throughout the state. 

• Reducing the amount of trash that comes from out of state, from the current 50% to a manageable 15%.

• The Department of Environmental Services (DES) has been relaxing landfill standards, even as proposed landfills threaten pristine lakes.

• Landfills are a lucrative business for private waste management companies, who are known to have helped shape DES regulations to their advantage.

• Other bills would have reduced our solid waste problems, but were defeated:

  • restricting single use plastic, 

  • setting up a bottle deposit system,

  • standardizing labels for items that can be composted or recycled.

• The lax regulatory standards of NH encourage facilities like the St. Gobain factory (responsible for much of NH’s current PFAS) and landfill businesses to situate themselves in NH.

Also, a bill to identify all old growth and mature forests on public land in NH was defeated.  Why do old and wild forests matter?  Put simply: not all forests are equal when it comes to slowing, spreading, and sinking flood waters, supporting native biodiversity, removing phosphorus from our waters, mitigating climate change, and reconnecting people with nature.

                                                                         FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

 -EPA New England is pleased to announce that the Healthy Communities Grant Program is now accepting applications for projects that will benefit one or more New England communities. EPA plans to award approximately 15 cooperative agreements for amounts up to $40,000. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, November 1, 11:59 p.m. 

Project Eligibility 

The Healthy Communities Grant Program will identify and fund projects that: 

• Target resources to benefit communities at risk (environmental justice areas of potential concern and/or sensitive populations [e.g., children, elderly, tribes, urban and rural residents, and others at increased risk]). 

• Assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risks. 

• Increase collaboration through partnerships and community-based projects. 

• Build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems. 

• Achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, public nonprofit institutions or organizations, private nonprofit institutions or organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions or organizations, federally recognized Tribal governments, K-12 schools or school districts, and nonprofit organizations (e.g., grassroots and/or community-based organizations). Eligible projects under this program must be located in and/or directly benefit one or more of the Target Investment Areas and identify how the proposed project will achieve measurable environmental and/or public health results in one or more of the Target Program Areas. More detailed descriptions of the target areas can be found in the 2024 Request for Applications. 

Information Sessions To provide an overview of the application process and address questions from prospective applicants, the Healthy Communities Grant Program will host four virtual information sessions before the application

 deadline. Sessions will take place at the following times: 

• August 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET 

• September 10, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET 

• October 2, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET 

Please visit the Healthy Communities webpage to register for a session, and for further details.

                                                    Weekly Update 7/29/24

                                                                      What’s Happening at the NH Network! 

   Week of July 29

-There is a lot in this week’s summary including several suggestions for raising climate issues as the election approaches.  Pick and choose what is most effective for you.

-Join us for the New Hampshire Network 3rd Annual Green Summit - August 24th -to collaborate on statewide initiatives for a sustainable NH.  

Register at  bit.ly/EnvironmentalSummit

-Decision 2024 - Making the ENVIRONMENT an election PRIORITY.   Regardless of one’s political persuasion, each of us cares about our family’s health and the NH way of life.    Network summaries will offer tips for meeting/engaging candidates and their positions on energy, climate and the environment.   Spot a candidate?  Use the opportunity to ask them a question about the environment!   OPTIONS OFFERED BELOW.

Postcards and canvassing are effective tools, and knocking on doors in already in progress.  Contact your local candidates or favored political party to participate.   Here is a link to several postcard writing options.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVxlMmPCWKgfbvnGWHLgFMzDfn

Did you catch the NH Network's three recent climate events?  Each provided a different aspect of climate solutions advocacy with valuable information from experts - these are all well worth your time:

• Climate Solutions Update (En-ROADS 2024 Update)

• How to Run a Local Climate Cafe

• Climate Voters Unite!

• Join online: https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/my/cclnhrizoom?pwd=MTRoSmtMQ3J3bksyc0xwVk9sbEJMdz09

                                                                                            Ask the Candidates:

We at NH Healthy Climate (formerly NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action) are asking our constituents to attend local candidate forums and ask pointed questions about the candidate’s commitment to climate action.    We have prepared a set of sample questions as prompts:

Some sample Questions for Candidates:

1. Do you feel the NH legislature should act to support efforts by individuals, businesses, municipalities and utilities at reducing the rate of climate change that is occurring?

2. In light of its impact on our economy via reduced winter tourism and costly recovery from extreme weather events, and on the health of our citizens via vector-borne illness, air and water quality, heat stress and food reliability, what role do you think our state government should play in reducing human contributions to climate change?

3. Do you believe that the New Hampshire legislature should address the production of greenhouse gas emissions that is fueling the well-documented climate changes we have been seeing in New Hampshire?

4. As predicted by the scientists who study climate change, we in New Hampshire have seen a 75% increase in storms with more than 2” of rain in 24 hours, and other examples of extreme weather.  If elected to the legislature, how would you address this increasing risk to our homes, roads, bridges, and businesses?

5. In central NH, we have seen a doubling of days with a heat index over 90 degrees since 1980. How should the state government respond to the increasing number of high heat days and their potential impact on the health of New Hampshire citizens, particularly the young and old?

6. What role do you believe that individuals, corporations, municipalities and state government have in slowing the observed changes in our climate?  Which can have the most impact?

7. What role do you think the state government should play in helping NH residents to become more resilient in the face of weather emergencies and effectively plan for them?

8. What specific programs or policies would you support to address the impact of extreme weather or climate change?

9. Do you feel the NH legislature should play a role in promoting clean energy and the electric grid upgrades that would be required?

10. Do you believe that our state PUC may need clearer guidance from the legislature in assuring funding for energy conservation through weatherization programs (i.e. NH Saves) and promoting clean energy source development?

11. Do you believe the State should take action to promote the development of off-shore wind energy in the Gulf of Maine?

ELECTION HELP from NH Network:

Talking points, Environment/Energy/Climate - NH issues

Environmental bills were often passed in a bipartisan manner in the past. This year, in many cases, whether or not a bill passed depended on who showed up to vote. We need to help make sure that legislators who care about the environment are elected, well-informed, and present at the State House for critical votes! 

Weather is getting more variable and more extreme. Clear and universally accepted scientific evidence points to the burning of fossil fuels as the main reason for this, since it produces carbon dioxide, methane and other gasses that trap the sun's energy in the atmosphere, warming the planet. This means that average global and local temperatures have been rising for decades, and that strong storms and wildfires are becoming more likely. The impacts of global warming are already affecting New Hampshire residents and communities:

• Higher temperatures and longer heat waves harm humans, especially the young and the old; flooding damages homes, businesses, roads; both heat and flooding destroy crops.  

• Longer summers mean the “vectors” (mosquitoes, ticks) that carry disease have longer to get established and do their harm.  

• Warmer waters allow more algal blooms (cyanobacteria) to invade our waterways, making the water unsafe for swimming and for pets.

• Will our children see NH winters? Will they get to ski NH’s mountains? Skate, play ice hockey or go ice fishing on our ponds? Hike in the summer? 

In spite of these real impacts, several NH beneficial bills were defeated in the legislature. These bills would have:

• Established a Climate & Health Protection Program in the NH Department of Health & Human Services; 

• Included language in the NH Constitution that “the state shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations”;

• Expanded the Comprehensive State Development plan to protect natural resources, identify environmental threats, and consider the mounting effects of cumulative lthreats to air, water and land; and

• Identified all old growth and mature forests on public land. (Why do old and wild forests matter? Not all forests are equal when it comes to slowing, spreading, and absorbing flood waters, supporting native biodiversity, removing phosphorus from our waters, mitigating climate change, and reconnecting people with nature.)

Not only were bills to protect New Hampshire's environment defeated, but numerous bills that would have supported the transition to cleaner, more affordable energy sources were also voted down. These bills targeted not only clean energy generation, such as solar and batteries, but also transportation and the building sectors. 

• Our 5 New England neighbors have committed to 80% or more renewable energy sources by 2050, while NH’s current Renewable Portfolio Standard is only 25% by 2025. Once again this year, no plan was accepted for increasing NH’s use of renewable energy, now proven to be both reliable and less expensive than fossil fuels. Yet on the State House floor, legislators continued the lie that only fossil fuels provide energy security.

In New Hampshire, the transportation sector is the largest consumer of energy and main source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in air pollutants. However, the NH legislature voted down several bills, which included:

• Providing incentives for the purchase or leasing of Electric Vehicles (EVs), including for low income residents; and

• Developing light rail service in the state.

• The current administration has been sitting on transportation funds from a legal settlement with VW, yet has not used the funds to create EV charging stations or help reduce other transportation emissions.

Our buildings are another huge source of energy consumption, energy costs, and GHG emissions.  But the legislature undermined efforts to improve building energy consumption, with impacts that will last for decades. This included:

• Adopting new building codes while rejecting more energy-efficient building standards (which would have reduced energy bills for occupants); and 

• Prohibiting towns and cities from adopting more ambitious building energy efficiency standards.

• Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) continues whittling away at NH Saves, which helps with energy efficiency to homes and businesses.

For renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind, we need the Department of Energy to permit (not obstruct or slow-walk):

• Many more transmission lines and newer transmission lines to connect the energy source to the home or business that would use it (that’s what is meant by “update the grid”);

• More reasonable reimbursements for homes and businesses that have spent money for solar arrays, expecting to sell power back to the grid to help pay for their investment (that’s “net metering”);

• Larger net metering projects, including for nonprofits like hospitals;

• Community solar projects that would allow renters or people whose homes are shaded to invest in large solar arrays near their communities;

• Offshore wind – New England’s most under-utilized natural resource.

Additional Environmental Issues: We need help to keep the land, air and water clean.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) has determined that NH already has sufficient landfill capacity to serve us at least another 8 years, yet bills that would have stemmed the tide of new landfill construction and expansion were defeated:

• Putting a moratorium on landfill permits until 2028, giving us time to get the technical information we need, and to address health and environmental concerns heard throughout the state. 

• Reducing the amount of trash that comes from out of state, from the current 50% to a manageable 15%.

• The Department of Environmental Services (DES) has been relaxing landfill standards, even as proposed landfills threaten pristine lakes.

• Landfills are a lucrative business for private waste management companies, who are known to have helped shape DES regulations to their advantage.

• Other bills would have reduced our solid waste problems, but were defeated:

  • restricting single use plastic, 

  • setting up a bottle deposit system,

  • standardizing labels for items that can be composted or recycled.

• The lax regulatory standards of NH encourage facilities like the St. Gobain factory (responsible for much of NH’s current PFAS) and landfill businesses to situate themselves in NH.

Also, a bill to identify all old growth and mature forests on public land in NH was defeated.  Why do old and wild forests matter?  Put simply: not all forests are equal when it comes to slowing, spreading, and sinking flood waters, supporting native biodiversity, removing phosphorus from our waters, mitigating climate change, and reconnecting people with nature.

-Most of the environment, energy and climate bills were decided by voice vote, so there is no record of how any single legislator voted.  Here are four significant bills for which there is a voting record for anyone who was in the legislature this past year.

The voting question on the floor for these 4 bills could be: 

OTP = Ought to Pass

ITL = Inexpedient to Legislate

OTPA = Ought to pass with amendment

(other possible votes include:  to table a bill, indefinitely postpone, reconsider, or send it for interim study)

Date of final vote

Bill number

Bill title

The question

Discussion

2/22/24

HB1472

Relative to rebates of energy efficiency funds for electric vehicles.  

(There were also votes to Indefinitely Postpone, to Table and to Reconsider.)

OTP

Yea means supporting funds for EV purchase.

RESULT: defeated, then tabled 2/24

3/07/24

CACR14

Relating to the environment and natural resources.  Providing that the state shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations.

ITL

Yea means go ahead and kill this bill.

Nay means do NOT kill this bill.

RESULT:  ITL 197-168, 3/24

4/11/24

HB1649

Relative to prohibiting certain products with intentionally added PFAS and relative to civil actions for PFAS contamination, and relative to settlement of lawsuits against manufacturers of PFAS for impacts to public drinking water systems.

(There were also votes whether or not to Table and on specific amendments.)

OTPA

Yea means in support of this bill as amended.

RESULT:  OTPA 233-140, 4/24

5/02/24

SB496

Directing the department of health and human services to establish a climate and health protection program.

ITL

Yea means go ahead and kill this bill.

Nay means do NOT kill this bill.

RESULT:  ITL 186-182, 5/24

To see how a legislator voted:

For those who were a Senator or a Representative this past season,

> go to www.gencourt.state.nh.us

> for a Senator, go to Senate > select Senators > choose the Senator from the Roster and click on Current Voting Record

> for a Rep, go to House > then select House Roster > and “Select a Member” > then choose “Voting Record” 

                                                     MEETING OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE NETWORK

Third Act New Hampshire teams with our national organization of seniors and local NH partners for collective actions to help stabilize the climate, and protect our democracy.  You can check us out on our website at https://thirdact.org/new-hampshire/ and at statewide meetings on the third Thursday of the month. 

An overview of a number of activities scheduled by Third Act NH over the Summer and early Fall.  Much of the near term focus involves connecting climate, democracy and voting in the Fall election.  Please check out current plans at  https://thirdact.org/new-hampshire/events/   

Tuesday, July 30,  12-1pm  Energy Storage for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Webinar

-States are increasingly adopting ambitious clean energy and climate goals, which will require both renewable generation and energy storage technologies. Energy storage can charge directly from renewables or from the electric grid during periods of high renewable energy production, and then export that energy back to the grid during periods of high demand and low renewable availability. This reduces the need to draw upon fossil fuel resources during high demand times, and thereby reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

However, to ensure that energy storage is used in this manner, state programs and policies designed to incentivize energy storage adoption must also be strategically structured to incentivize greenhouse gas emissions reduction. This webinar will feature two different state approaches to reducing emissions with energy storage.

The webinar will feature presentations by Brian McAuley, Principal Consultant with Verdant Associates, a consultant group that conducts an annual evaluation report on California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program, and Stephan Wollenburg, Director at Sustainable Energy Advantage, a consulting and advisory firm involved in the design of the Massachusetts’s Clean Peak Energy Standard. Dr. Imre Gyuk, Chief Scientist of Energy Storage Research at the U.S. Department of Energy, will give some brief remarks on this topic at the start of the webinar.

REGISTER HERE

                                                          FEED YOUR BRAIN

Brainfood:  important report:  file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Mobilizing-Federal-Action-on-Plastic-Pollution-Progress-Principles-and-Priorities-July-2024.pdf

Notable quote, p. 8 of the report:  Under business-as-usual production and management scenarios, plastic production may account for 15-31% of the global carbon budget by 2050, undermining efforts to keep global temperatures within a 1.5 degrees Celsius climate threshold. These trends in growth are unsustainable and should be reversed.

Bill McKibben writes: Your regular election-season reminder that you can keep track of payoffs from the fossil industry to its favorite politicians here.

Also from Bill McKibben - messaging matters 

Genevieve Gunther’s new book is finally out. It’s really interesting and really useful. Here’s a little sampler, from Mother Jones

Her book lays out six key terms that she believes command the conversation, to the detriment of climate action: “alarmist,” “costs,” “growth,” “India and China,” “innovation,” and “resilience.”

These words are often used to prop up fossil fuels: by accusing people who speak out about the risks as overly alarmed, by pitting climate action against economic prosperity, by deflecting attention away from the US and onto other countries, and by protecting the status quo by pointing to carbon removal technologies and societies’ ability to bounce back. The book seeks to debunk these points of view, smartly documenting, for example, how economic models failed to account for the true costs of climate change for so long.

• For each term, Guenther offers substitute arguments that “will be hard for fossil fuel interests to appropriate.” Don’t talk about “resilience,” she says, because it implies people can tough out extreme weather; talk about “transformation” instead. The result is a binary approach that suggests there is a right way and a wrong way to talk about the climate. This quest for black-and-white moral clarity risks antagonizing potential allies—such as the climate-concerned folks who think that carbon removal has promise or advocates who worry that a message could backfire if it sounds too scary, not to mention younger Republicans, two-thirds of whom favor prioritizing renewable energy over expanding fossil fuels. But that’s a risk Guenther is willing to take.

                                                             FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

 -EPA New England is pleased to announce that the Healthy Communities Grant Program is now accepting applications for projects that will benefit one or more New England communities. EPA plans to award approximately 15 cooperative agreements for amounts up to $40,000. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, November 1, 11:59 p.m. 

Project Eligibility 

The Healthy Communities Grant Program will identify and fund projects that: 

• Target resources to benefit communities at risk (environmental justice areas of potential concern and/or sensitive populations [e.g., children, elderly, tribes, urban and rural residents, and others at increased risk]). 

• Assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risks. 

• Increase collaboration through partnerships and community-based projects. 

• Build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems. 

• Achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, public nonprofit institutions or organizations, private nonprofit institutions or organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions or organizations, federally recognized Tribal governments, K-12 schools or school districts, and nonprofit organizations (e.g., grassroots and/or community-based organizations). Eligible projects under this program must be located in and/or directly benefit one or more of the Target Investment Areas and identify how the proposed project will achieve measurable environmental and/or public health results in one or more of the Target Program Areas. More detailed descriptions of the target areas can be found in the 2024 Request for Applications. 

Information Sessions To provide an overview of the application process and address questions from prospective applicants, the Healthy Communities Grant Program will host four virtual information sessions before the application

 deadline. Sessions will take place at the following times: 

• August 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET 

• September 10, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET 

• October 2, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET 

Please visit the Healthy Communities webpage to register for a session, and for further details.

                                                    Weekly Update 8/05/24

 What’s Happening at the NH Network! 

   Week of August 5

-Join us for the New Hampshire Network 3rd Annual Green Summit - August 24th -to collaborate on statewide initiatives for a sustainable NH.  

Register at  bit.ly/EnvironmentalSummit

-The BIG news this week is the signing of HB 1649 which limits PFAS inclusion in a number of products.  Congrats to Representative Ebel and all who worked on this bill’s passage and signing!  An August 2nd press release from her office.

“Landmark legislation, HB 1649, became law today, prohibiting many commonly used consumer products with harmful PFAS from being sold in our state, including food packaging, children’s products, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, carpets and furniture.  Supported by a broad, bipartisan coalition, this hard-won effort will start to reduce PFAS use in New Hampshire, already so greatly burdened by forever chemical contamination, protecting our health, our drinking water and our environment.

This bill also ensures that industries will be held strictly liable to the state for cleanup, restoration, and other remediation costs due to PFAS contamination, while also creating a private right of action for individuals whose wells have been contaminated.  

Granite Staters have the right to trust the products they buy and their drinking water without fear of negative, long-term health impacts. HB 1649's passage is a major, common-sense step to protect Granite Staters' health and our irreplaceable New Hampshire environment. Requiring PFAS to be removed from consumer products that we use daily and ensuring proper PFAS pollution cleanup is vital. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil we walk on should be free of forever chemicals. We deserve nothing less.”

                                                                               AUGUST MEETING OPPORTUNITIES:

August 7th:  Join Responsible Environmental Protection for New Hampshire & The League of Conservation Voters for a Greener Granite State!  An Evening in Support of Candidates for State Office in NH

RSVP to join us in Concord here: Concord Event with Ro Khanna and REP-NH/LCV Wednesday, 8/7/24 - 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (google.com)

August 10th:  Join the 250th Bethlehem town celebration and advocate for “Save Forest Lake” 

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVxtlVZjCxzkFgLMLBdcXwDxNw

August 15th:   UUActionNH  has monthly meetings (meet each 3rd Thursday of the month) to share issues of environmental importance.  Join them on August 15th for a webinar on composting.   

https://secure.everyaction.com/pdX12RjP1Ei_FRUci01MoQ2

August 20:   NH Healthy Climate  (formerly NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action):  Climate cafe meeting

https://17938795747767988963.googlegroups.com/attach/3fdb8ecdc390c/820%20Concord%20Climate%20Cafe.jpg?part=0.1&view=1&vt=ANaJVrEX82K2n9G4KO9l6uqiZ3VzXVa6Ar6pK6MjeNZfsyzEB__c-HZFkLYcqKawG-fI240zT7iag1_fJUt4mvPWlq8jZnp6hTMxELPw1NJOgWQxGo-bZnY

                                         -Decision 2024 - Making the ENVIRONMENT an election PRIORITY.   

A portion, albeit large portion, of this week’s summary includes past suggestions for becoming involved in the fall primary and the November election.  People will choose to volunteer at different times, so previous week’s suggestions are offered, again.  Pick and choose what is most appealing to you.

Postcards and canvassing are effective tools, and knocking on doors is already in progress.  Contact your local candidates or favored political party to participate.   Here is a link to several postcard writing options.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVxlMmPCWKgfbvnGWHLgFMzDfn

Did you catch the NH Network's three recent climate events?  Each provided a different aspect of climate solutions advocacy with valuable information from experts - these are all well worth your time:

• Climate Solutions Update (En-ROADS 2024 Update)

• How to Run a Local Climate Cafe

• Climate Voters Unite!

• Join online: https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/my/cclnhrizoom?pwd=MTRoSmtMQ3J3bksyc0xwVk9sbEJMdz09

                                                                                      Ask the Candidates:

We at NH Healthy Climate (formerly NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action) are asking our constituents to attend local candidate forums and ask pointed questions about the candidate’s commitment to climate action.    We have prepared a set of sample questions as prompts:

Some sample Questions for Candidates:

1. Do you feel the NH legislature should act to support efforts by individuals, businesses, municipalities and utilities at reducing the rate of climate change that is occurring?

2. In light of its impact on our economy via reduced winter tourism and costly recovery from extreme weather events, and on the health of our citizens via vector-borne illness, air and water quality, heat stress and food reliability, what role do you think our state government should play in reducing human contributions to climate change?

3. Do you believe that the New Hampshire legislature should address the production of greenhouse gas emissions that is fueling the well-documented climate changes we have been seeing in New Hampshire?

4. As predicted by the scientists who study climate change, we in New Hampshire have seen a 75% increase in storms with more than 2” of rain in 24 hours, and other examples of extreme weather.  If elected to the legislature, how would you address this increasing risk to our homes, roads, bridges, and businesses?

5. In central NH, we have seen a doubling of days with a heat index over 90 degrees since 1980. How should the state government respond to the increasing number of high heat days and their potential impact on the health of New Hampshire citizens, particularly the young and old?

6. What role do you believe that individuals, corporations, municipalities and state governments have in slowing the observed changes in our climate?  Which can have the most impact?

7. What role do you think the state government should play in helping NH residents to become more resilient in the face of weather emergencies and effectively plan for them?

8. What specific programs or policies would you support to address the impact of extreme weather or climate change?

9. Do you feel the NH legislature should play a role in promoting clean energy and the electric grid upgrades that would be required?

10. Do you believe that our state PUC may need clearer guidance from the legislature in assuring funding for energy conservation through weatherization programs (i.e. NH Saves) and promoting clean energy source development?

11. Do you believe the State should take action to promote the development of off-shore wind energy in the Gulf of Maine?

                                                                            ELECTION HELP from NH Network:

                                                            Talking points, Environment/Energy/Climate - NH issues

Environmental bills were often passed in a bipartisan manner in the past. This year, in many cases, whether or not a bill passed depended on who showed up to vote. We need to help make sure that legislators who care about the environment are elected, well-informed, and present at the State House for critical votes! 

Weather is getting more variable and more extreme. Clear and universally accepted scientific evidence points to the burning of fossil fuels as the main reason for this, since it produces carbon dioxide, methane and other gasses that trap the sun's energy in the atmosphere, warming the planet. This means that average global and local temperatures have been rising for decades, and that strong storms and wildfires are becoming more likely. The impacts of global warming are already affecting New Hampshire residents and communities:

• Higher temperatures and longer heat waves harm humans, especially the young and the old; flooding damages homes, businesses, roads; both heat and flooding destroy crops.  

• Longer summers mean the “vectors” (mosquitoes, ticks) that carry disease have longer to get established and do their harm.  

• Warmer waters allow more algal blooms (cyanobacteria) to invade our waterways, making the water unsafe for swimming and for pets.

• Will our children see NH winters? Will they get to ski NH’s mountains? Skate, play ice hockey or go ice fishing on our ponds? Hike in the summer? 

In spite of these real impacts, several NH beneficial bills were defeated in the legislature. These bills would have:

• Established a Climate & Health Protection Program in the NH Department of Health & Human Services; 

• Included language in the NH Constitution that “the state shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations”;

• Expanded the Comprehensive State Development plan to protect natural resources, identify environmental threats, and consider the mounting effects of cumulative threats to air, water and land; and

• Identified all old growth and mature forests on public land. (Why do old and wild forests matter? Not all forests are equal when it comes to slowing, spreading, and absorbing flood waters, supporting native biodiversity, removing phosphorus from our waters, mitigating climate change, and reconnecting people with nature.)

Not only were bills to protect New Hampshire's environment defeated, but numerous bills that would have supported the transition to cleaner, more affordable energy sources were also voted down. These bills targeted not only clean energy generation, such as solar and batteries, but also transportation and the building sectors. 

• Our 5 New England neighbors have committed to 80% or more renewable energy sources by 2050, while NH’s current Renewable Portfolio Standard is only 25% by 2025. Once again this year, no plan was accepted for increasing NH’s use of renewable energy, now proven to be both reliable and less expensive than fossil fuels. Yet on the State House floor, legislators continued the lie that only fossil fuels provide energy security.

In New Hampshire, the transportation sector is the largest consumer of energy and main source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in air pollutants. However, the NH legislature voted down several bills, which included:

• Providing incentives for the purchase or leasing of Electric Vehicles (EVs), including for low income residents; and

• Developing light rail service in the state.

• The current administration has been sitting on transportation funds from a legal settlement with VW, yet has not used the funds to create EV charging stations or help reduce other transportation emissions.

Our buildings are another huge source of energy consumption, energy costs, and GHG emissions.  But the legislature undermined efforts to improve building energy consumption, with impacts that will last for decades. This included:

• Adopting new building codes while rejecting more energy-efficient building standards (which would have reduced energy bills for occupants); and 

• Prohibiting towns and cities from adopting more ambitious building energy efficiency standards.

• Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) continues whittling away at NH Saves, which helps with energy efficiency to homes and businesses.

For renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind, we need the Department of Energy to permit (not obstruct or slow-walk):

• Many more transmission lines and newer transmission lines to connect the energy source to the home or business that would use it (that’s what is meant by “update the grid”);

• More reasonable reimbursements for homes and businesses that have spent money for solar arrays, expecting to sell power back to the grid to help pay for their investment (that’s “net metering”);

• Larger net metering projects, including for nonprofits like hospitals;

• Community solar projects that would allow renters or people whose homes are shaded to invest in large solar arrays near their communities;

• Offshore wind – New England’s most under-utilized natural resource.

Additional Environmental Issues: We need help to keep the land, air and water clean.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) has determined that NH already has sufficient landfill capacity to serve us at least another 8 years, yet bills that would have stemmed the tide of new landfill construction and expansion were defeated:

• Putting a moratorium on landfill permits until 2028, giving us time to get the technical information we need, and to address health and environmental concerns heard throughout the state. 

• Reducing the amount of trash that comes from out of state, from the current 50% to a manageable 15%.

• The Department of Environmental Services (DES) has been relaxing landfill standards, even as proposed landfills threaten pristine lakes.

• Landfills are a lucrative business for private waste management companies, who are known to have helped shape DES regulations to their advantage.

• Other bills would have reduced our solid waste problems, but were defeated:

  • restricting single use plastic, 

  • setting up a bottle deposit system,

  • standardizing labels for items that can be composted or recycled.

• The lax regulatory standards of NH encourage facilities like the St. Gobain factory (responsible for much of NH’s current PFAS) and landfill businesses to situate themselves in NH.

Also, a bill to identify all old growth and mature forests on public land in NH was defeated.  Why do old and wild forests matter?  Put simply: not all forests are equal when it comes to slowing, spreading, and sinking flood waters, supporting native biodiversity, removing phosphorus from our waters, mitigating climate change, and reconnecting people with nature.

                                                                                   FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

 -EPA New England is pleased to announce that the Healthy Communities Grant Program is now accepting applications for projects that will benefit one or more New England communities. EPA plans to award approximately 15 cooperative agreements for amounts up to $40,000. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, November 1, 11:59 p.m. 

Project Eligibility 

The Healthy Communities Grant Program will identify and fund projects that: 

• Target resources to benefit communities at risk (environmental justice areas of potential concern and/or sensitive populations [e.g., children, elderly, tribes, urban and rural residents, and others at increased risk]). 

• Assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risks. 

• Increase collaboration through partnerships and community-based projects. 

• Build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems. 

• Achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, public nonprofit institutions or organizations, private nonprofit institutions or organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions or organizations, federally recognized Tribal governments, K-12 schools or school districts, and nonprofit organizations (e.g., grassroots and/or community-based organizations). Eligible projects under this program must be located in and/or directly benefit one or more of the Target Investment Areas and identify how the proposed project will achieve measurable environmental and/or public health results in one or more of the Target Program Areas. More detailed descriptions of the target areas can be found in the 2024 Request for Applications. 

Information Sessions To provide an overview of the application process and address questions from prospective applicants, the Healthy Communities Grant Program will host four virtual information sessions before the application

 deadline. Sessions will take place at the following times: 

• August 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET 

• September 10, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET 

• October 2, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET 

Please visit the Healthy Communities webpage to register for a session, and for further details.

                                                                      What’s Happening at the NH Network! 

   Week of July 29

-There is a lot in this week’s summary including several suggestions for raising climate issues as the election approaches.  Pick and choose what is most effective for you.

-Join us for the New Hampshire Network 3rd Annual Green Summit - August 24th -to collaborate on statewide initiatives for a sustainable NH.  

Register at  bit.ly/EnvironmentalSummit

-Decision 2024 - Making the ENVIRONMENT an election PRIORITY.   Regardless of one’s political persuasion, each of us cares about our family’s health and the NH way of life.    Network summaries will offer tips for meeting/engaging candidates and their positions on energy, climate and the environment.   Spot a candidate?  Use the opportunity to ask them a question about the environment!   OPTIONS OFFERED BELOW.

Postcards and canvassing are effective tools, and knocking on doors in already in progress.  Contact your local candidates or favored political party to participate.   Here is a link to several postcard writing options.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVxlMmPCWKgfbvnGWHLgFMzDfn

Did you catch the NH Network's three recent climate events?  Each provided a different aspect of climate solutions advocacy with valuable information from experts - these are all well worth your time:

• Climate Solutions Update (En-ROADS 2024 Update)

• How to Run a Local Climate Cafe

• Climate Voters Unite!

• Join online: https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/my/cclnhrizoom?pwd=MTRoSmtMQ3J3bksyc0xwVk9sbEJMdz09

                                                             Ask the Candidates:

We at NH Healthy Climate (formerly NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action) are asking our constituents to attend local candidate forums and ask pointed questions about the candidate’s commitment to climate action.    We have prepared a set of sample questions as prompts:

Some sample Questions for Candidates:

1. Do you feel the NH legislature should act to support efforts by individuals, businesses, municipalities and utilities at reducing the rate of climate change that is occurring?

2. In light of its impact on our economy via reduced winter tourism and costly recovery from extreme weather events, and on the health of our citizens via vector-borne illness, air and water quality, heat stress and food reliability, what role do you think our state government should play in reducing human contributions to climate change?

3. Do you believe that the New Hampshire legislature should address the production of greenhouse gas emissions that is fueling the well-documented climate changes we have been seeing in New Hampshire?

4. As predicted by the scientists who study climate change, we in New Hampshire have seen a 75% increase in storms with more than 2” of rain in 24 hours, and other examples of extreme weather.  If elected to the legislature, how would you address this increasing risk to our homes, roads, bridges, and businesses?

5. In central NH, we have seen a doubling of days with a heat index over 90 degrees since 1980. How should the state government respond to the increasing number of high heat days and their potential impact on the health of New Hampshire citizens, particularly the young and old?

6. What role do you believe that individuals, corporations, municipalities and state government have in slowing the observed changes in our climate?  Which can have the most impact?

7. What role do you think the state government should play in helping NH residents to become more resilient in the face of weather emergencies and effectively plan for them?

8. What specific programs or policies would you support to address the impact of extreme weather or climate change?

9. Do you feel the NH legislature should play a role in promoting clean energy and the electric grid upgrades that would be required?

10. Do you believe that our state PUC may need clearer guidance from the legislature in assuring funding for energy conservation through weatherization programs (i.e. NH Saves) and promoting clean energy source development?

11. Do you believe the State should take action to promote the development of off-shore wind energy in the Gulf of Maine?

ELECTION HELP from NH Network:

Talking points, Environment/Energy/Climate - NH issues

Environmental bills were often passed in a bipartisan manner in the past. This year, in many cases, whether or not a bill passed depended on who showed up to vote. We need to help make sure that legislators who care about the environment are elected, well-informed, and present at the State House for critical votes! 

Weather is getting more variable and more extreme. Clear and universally accepted scientific evidence points to the burning of fossil fuels as the main reason for this, since it produces carbon dioxide, methane and other gasses that trap the sun's energy in the atmosphere, warming the planet. This means that average global and local temperatures have been rising for decades, and that strong storms and wildfires are becoming more likely. The impacts of global warming are already affecting New Hampshire residents and communities:

• Higher temperatures and longer heat waves harm humans, especially the young and the old; flooding damages homes, businesses, roads; both heat and flooding destroy crops.  

• Longer summers mean the “vectors” (mosquitoes, ticks) that carry disease have longer to get established and do their harm.  

• Warmer waters allow more algal blooms (cyanobacteria) to invade our waterways, making the water unsafe for swimming and for pets.

• Will our children see NH winters? Will they get to ski NH’s mountains? Skate, play ice hockey or go ice fishing on our ponds? Hike in the summer? 

In spite of these real impacts, several NH beneficial bills were defeated in the legislature. These bills would have:

• Established a Climate & Health Protection Program in the NH Department of Health & Human Services; 

• Included language in the NH Constitution that “the state shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations”;

• Expanded the Comprehensive State Development plan to protect natural resources, identify environmental threats, and consider the mounting effects of cumulative lthreats to air, water and land; and

• Identified all old growth and mature forests on public land. (Why do old and wild forests matter? Not all forests are equal when it comes to slowing, spreading, and absorbing flood waters, supporting native biodiversity, removing phosphorus from our waters, mitigating climate change, and reconnecting people with nature.)

Not only were bills to protect New Hampshire's environment defeated, but numerous bills that would have supported the transition to cleaner, more affordable energy sources were also voted down. These bills targeted not only clean energy generation, such as solar and batteries, but also transportation and the building sectors. 

• Our 5 New England neighbors have committed to 80% or more renewable energy sources by 2050, while NH’s current Renewable Portfolio Standard is only 25% by 2025. Once again this year, no plan was accepted for increasing NH’s use of renewable energy, now proven to be both reliable and less expensive than fossil fuels. Yet on the State House floor, legislators continued the lie that only fossil fuels provide energy security.

In New Hampshire, the transportation sector is the largest consumer of energy and main source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in air pollutants. However, the NH legislature voted down several bills, which included:

• Providing incentives for the purchase or leasing of Electric Vehicles (EVs), including for low income residents; and

• Developing light rail service in the state.

• The current administration has been sitting on transportation funds from a legal settlement with VW, yet has not used the funds to create EV charging stations or help reduce other transportation emissions.

Our buildings are another huge source of energy consumption, energy costs, and GHG emissions.  But the legislature undermined efforts to improve building energy consumption, with impacts that will last for decades. This included:

• Adopting new building codes while rejecting more energy-efficient building standards (which would have reduced energy bills for occupants); and 

• Prohibiting towns and cities from adopting more ambitious building energy efficiency standards.

• Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) continues whittling away at NH Saves, which helps with energy efficiency to homes and businesses.

For renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind, we need the Department of Energy to permit (not obstruct or slow-walk):

• Many more transmission lines and newer transmission lines to connect the energy source to the home or business that would use it (that’s what is meant by “update the grid”);

• More reasonable reimbursements for homes and businesses that have spent money for solar arrays, expecting to sell power back to the grid to help pay for their investment (that’s “net metering”);

• Larger net metering projects, including for nonprofits like hospitals;

• Community solar projects that would allow renters or people whose homes are shaded to invest in large solar arrays near their communities;

• Offshore wind – New England’s most under-utilized natural resource.

Additional Environmental Issues: We need help to keep the land, air and water clean.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) has determined that NH already has sufficient landfill capacity to serve us at least another 8 years, yet bills that would have stemmed the tide of new landfill construction and expansion were defeated:

• Putting a moratorium on landfill permits until 2028, giving us time to get the technical information we need, and to address health and environmental concerns heard throughout the state. 

• Reducing the amount of trash that comes from out of state, from the current 50% to a manageable 15%.

• The Department of Environmental Services (DES) has been relaxing landfill standards, even as proposed landfills threaten pristine lakes.

• Landfills are a lucrative business for private waste management companies, who are known to have helped shape DES regulations to their advantage.

• Other bills would have reduced our solid waste problems, but were defeated:

  • restricting single use plastic, 

  • setting up a bottle deposit system,

  • standardizing labels for items that can be composted or recycled.

• The lax regulatory standards of NH encourage facilities like the St. Gobain factory (responsible for much of NH’s current PFAS) and landfill businesses to situate themselves in NH.

Also, a bill to identify all old growth and mature forests on public land in NH was defeated.  Why do old and wild forests matter?  Put simply: not all forests are equal when it comes to slowing, spreading, and sinking flood waters, supporting native biodiversity, removing phosphorus from our waters, mitigating climate change, and reconnecting people with nature.

-Most of the environment, energy and climate bills were decided by voice vote, so there is no record of how any single legislator voted.  Here are four significant bills for which there is a voting record for anyone who was in the legislature this past year.

The voting question on the floor for these 4 bills could be: 

OTP = Ought to Pass

ITL = Inexpedient to Legislate

OTPA = Ought to pass with amendment

(other possible votes include:  to table a bill, indefinitely postpone, reconsider, or send it for interim study)

Date of final vote

Bill number

Bill title

The question

Discussion

2/22/24

HB1472

Relative to rebates of energy efficiency funds for electric vehicles.  

(There were also votes to Indefinitely Postpone, to Table and to Reconsider.)

OTP

Yea means supporting funds for EV purchase.

RESULT: defeated, then tabled 2/24

3/07/24

CACR14

Relating to the environment and natural resources.  Providing that the state shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations.

ITL

Yea means go ahead and kill this bill.

Nay means do NOT kill this bill.

RESULT:  ITL 197-168, 3/24

4/11/24

HB1649

Relative to prohibiting certain products with intentionally added PFAS and relative to civil actions for PFAS contamination, and relative to settlement of lawsuits against manufacturers of PFAS for impacts to public drinking water systems.

(There were also votes whether or not to Table and on specific amendments.)

OTPA

Yea means in support of this bill as amended.

RESULT:  OTPA 233-140, 4/24

5/02/24

SB496

Directing the department of health and human services to establish a climate and health protection program.

ITL

Yea means go ahead and kill this bill.

Nay means do NOT kill this bill.

RESULT:  ITL 186-182, 5/24

To see how a legislator voted:

For those who were a Senator or a Representative this past season,

> go to www.gencourt.state.nh.us

> for a Senator, go to Senate > select Senators > choose the Senator from the Roster and click on Current Voting Record

> for a Rep, go to House > then select House Roster > and “Select a Member” > then choose “Voting Record” 

                        MEETING OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE NETWORK

Third Act New Hampshire teams with our national organization of seniors and local NH partners for collective actions to help stabilize the climate, and protect our democracy.  You can check us out on our website at https://thirdact.org/new-hampshire/ and at statewide meetings on the third Thursday of the month. 

An overview of a number of activities scheduled by Third Act NH over the Summer and early Fall.  Much of the near term focus involves connecting climate, democracy and voting in the Fall election.  Please check out current plans at  https://thirdact.org/new-hampshire/events/   

Tuesday, July 30,  12-1pm  Energy Storage for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Webinar

-States are increasingly adopting ambitious clean energy and climate goals, which will require both renewable generation and energy storage technologies. Energy storage can charge directly from renewables or from the electric grid during periods of high renewable energy production, and then export that energy back to the grid during periods of high demand and low renewable availability. This reduces the need to draw upon fossil fuel resources during high demand times, and thereby reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

However, to ensure that energy storage is used in this manner, state programs and policies designed to incentivize energy storage adoption must also be strategically structured to incentivize greenhouse gas emissions reduction. This webinar will feature two different state approaches to reducing emissions with energy storage.

The webinar will feature presentations by Brian McAuley, Principal Consultant with Verdant Associates, a consultant group that conducts an annual evaluation report on California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program, and Stephan Wollenburg, Director at Sustainable Energy Advantage, a consulting and advisory firm involved in the design of the Massachusetts’s Clean Peak Energy Standard. Dr. Imre Gyuk, Chief Scientist of Energy Storage Research at the U.S. Department of Energy, will give some brief remarks on this topic at the start of the webinar.

REGISTER HERE

                          FEED YOUR BRAIN

Brainfood:  important report:  file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Mobilizing-Federal-Action-on-Plastic-Pollution-Progress-Principles-and-Priorities-July-2024.pdf

Notable quote, p. 8 of the report:  Under business-as-usual production and management scenarios, plastic production may account for 15-31% of the global carbon budget by 2050, undermining efforts to keep global temperatures within a 1.5 degrees Celsius climate threshold. These trends in growth are unsustainable and should be reversed.

Bill McKibben writes: Your regular election-season reminder that you can keep track of payoffs from the fossil industry to its favorite politicians here.

Also from Bill McKibben - messaging matters 

Genevieve Gunther’s new book is finally out. It’s really interesting and really useful. Here’s a little sampler, from Mother Jones

Her book lays out six key terms that she believes command the conversation, to the detriment of climate action: “alarmist,” “costs,” “growth,” “India and China,” “innovation,” and “resilience.”

These words are often used to prop up fossil fuels: by accusing people who speak out about the risks as overly alarmed, by pitting climate action against economic prosperity, by deflecting attention away from the US and onto other countries, and by protecting the status quo by pointing to carbon removal technologies and societies’ ability to bounce back. The book seeks to debunk these points of view, smartly documenting, for example, how economic models failed to account for the true costs of climate change for so long.

• For each term, Guenther offers substitute arguments that “will be hard for fossil fuel interests to appropriate.” Don’t talk about “resilience,” she says, because it implies people can tough out extreme weather; talk about “transformation” instead. The result is a binary approach that suggests there is a right way and a wrong way to talk about the climate. This quest for black-and-white moral clarity risks antagonizing potential allies—such as the climate-concerned folks who think that carbon removal has promise or advocates who worry that a message could backfire if it sounds too scary, not to mention younger Republicans, two-thirds of whom favor prioritizing renewable energy over expanding fossil fuels. But that’s a risk Guenther is willing to take.

                                      FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

 -EPA New England is pleased to announce that the Healthy Communities Grant Program is now accepting applications for projects that will benefit one or more New England communities. EPA plans to award approximately 15 cooperative agreements for amounts up to $40,000. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, November 1, 11:59 p.m. 

Project Eligibility 

The Healthy Communities Grant Program will identify and fund projects that: 

• Target resources to benefit communities at risk (environmental justice areas of potential concern and/or sensitive populations [e.g., children, elderly, tribes, urban and rural residents, and others at increased risk]). 

• Assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risks. 

• Increase collaboration through partnerships and community-based projects. 

• Build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems. 

• Achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, public nonprofit institutions or organizations, private nonprofit institutions or organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions or organizations, federally recognized Tribal governments, K-12 schools or school districts, and nonprofit organizations (e.g., grassroots and/or community-based organizations). Eligible projects under this program must be located in and/or directly benefit one or more of the Target Investment Areas and identify how the proposed project will achieve measurable environmental and/or public health results in one or more of the Target Program Areas. More detailed descriptions of the target areas can be found in the 2024 Request for Applications. 

Information Sessions To provide an overview of the application process and address questions from prospective applicants, the Healthy Communities Grant Program will host four virtual information sessions before the application

 deadline. Sessions will take place at the following times: 

• August 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET 

• September 10, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET 

• October 2, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET 

Please visit the Healthy Communities webpage to register for a session, and for further details.

Weekly Update 6/16/24

Weekly Update 5/19/24