News Updates - 2023
NEWS: NEtwork Weekly Stuff
News Updates, Recent Meeting Notes, and Next Meeting Information
Upcoming
February 13th (Monday) - 5:30-7:00 PM - Climate Resilience New England—How Does NH Stack Up?
February 14th (Tuesday) - 7:00 PM - Legislation Working Group
February 19th (Sunday) - 6:00 PM - Plastics Working Group
February 20th (Monday) - 5:30-7:00 PM - Steering Committee (Zoom open at 5:15 for Google Group Help and Visiting)
February 5, 2023 - Weekly Update
Another busy week and deep thanks, again, to the Network Managers for their on-going organizational work.
Please note meetings for 2/5 and also that 2/6 has two back-to-back meetings. The Network Steering Committee meeting is setting the agenda for the coming months and exploring a relationship with the Concord Monitor’s Environmental desk.
If you did not see this NH Network webinar Clean Energy and Lower Bills with Community Power: A Transformative Energy Solution for New Hampshire on January 24, 2023 click here for the link.
Meetings
Sunday, February 5 at 6 pm Plastics Working Group is Sunday, February 5 at 6 pm.
Hope you can join us to celebrate the important milestone of reaching our goal of people from 40 towns committed to taking action on plastic waste and pollution in just one year from the launch of the Ten Towns, Ten Actions Toolkit on February 7, 2022.
Check out this spreadsheet - a compilation of the actions over the past year by the TTTA members who are committed to taking action to reduce plastic pollution and waste in their communities. Bravo! We will review this at the meeting as well and more additions will likely be submitted by the time the meeting rolls around.
ZOOM Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6275609302
Meeting ID: 627 560 9302
Monday, February 6 at 5:30 to 6:30 pm Network Steering Committee.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81685788421?pwd=Sld2cGdLZUhqS1RObzZMd3dJdWQrQT09
Meeting ID: 816 8578 8421
Passcode: 766059
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kd1HLb4nkP
Monday, February 6 at 7:00 pm monthly NH Network Climate Working Group meeting on zoom at
https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/j/87017408244?pwd=TUhvM3V3U3NmalRRMzJXNUwxUEVuQT09.
Monday, February 13: 5:30-7:00 PM - NH Network's Monthly Event: Climate Resilience New England—How does New Hampshire Stack Up?
Roger Stephenson and research fellows will share the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) recently released New England State Climate Action Assessment 2022. New England is ahead of most of the U.S. in both policy and action. How is New Hampshire doing?
Here's the link to our flyer (please share widely!):
FLYER Resilience Feb 2023 - SR-RGS 3.pdf
Action Items
From Joe Kwasnik
Please check into our NH Network website to see the Bills of Interest coming up for hearing and Executive Session this week in the NH House and Senate. You can access the Bills of Interest at:
https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/NH-bills
In order to register your support or opposition to the bills, just follow the directions that are located on the Bills of Interest link on the NH Network website. We very much encourage folks to register for all of these bills as it does make a difference. It lets the legislators know whether a bill has public support or not. Just this week, registrations for HB208 which asks for greenhouse gas emissions limits in NH garnered overwhelming public support and very little opposition...and it was publicly announced at the close of the hearing for the bill.
For this week, we recommend the following positions on bills up for public hearing this week:
Support Oppose
HB458 HB 321
HB263 HB 251
HB605 HB 281
HB111 HB 616
HB372 HB 622
SB267
The following bills are in Executive Session this week:
HB381 HB 211
HB385 HB 139
HB161 HB 633
HB166
Thank you for all of your efforts to communicate to our legislators...they need to know that citizens are following their legislative actions.
As always, please register your support/opposition for upcoming bills electronically and if you can actually attend the hearings and also provide testimony, your impact on the legislative process will be impactful!
From Northeast Resource Recovery Center (NRRA)
HB 242 Relative to banning PFAS in food packaging. House Commerce & Consumer Affairs 2/8/2023 at 1:15 p.m. PFAS exposure has been linked to immune system suppression, lower birth weight, and increased risk for some cancers. Consumer Reports tested more than 100 food packaging products and found PFAS were in some packaging from every retailer they looked at. These substances migrate into the food you eat. When packaging ends up in landfills it can contaminate water and soil, or spread through the air if incinerated. A priority bill from Northeast Resource Recovery Center (NRRA).
From Cynthia Walter
SUPPORT SB 267, which proposes controls on the highly toxic "Advanced Recycling" process. This bill is supported by NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action, Conservation Law Fund, Union of Concerned Scientists, and NH Network.
Bill SB 267 can protect NH from excess toxics from a new industry, Advanced Recycling of plastic.
Here are tips and hints for testimony. You may also attend the hearing and sign in support of the bill without giving testimony.
email the 5 members of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Here is background on advanced recycling that will help you draft your email or remarks; we encourage you to put it in our own voice.
Questions?
Contact Cynthia Walter - cawalter22@gmail.com
From John Gage
Everyone: I want to call attention to an important climate bill that will be upcoming, and ask you please support it via the online form. This bill will enable the entire NH Legislature to focus on the economic and practical sides of reducing New Hampshire's carbon footprint:
HB 372 - "Relative to establishing a commission to study the short-term and long-term impacts of pending national and regional carbon pricing mechanisms on NH citizens, businesses, institutions, and environment."
This is the biggest state climate bill that will be heard this year in terms of the behavior changes it would drive long-term in our state legislature. This includes supporting policies to increase investments in energy efficiency, accelerate clean energy deployments, electrify heating and transportation, and avoid future fossil fuel infrastructure expansion.
January 29, 2023 - Weekly Update
From Bruce Burke:
A huge thank you to the team for an outstanding webinar on Community Power last week. If you have not seen it, click here for the recording.
There is a lot of legislative activity this week. Therefore, this summary will include only these action opportunities. Apologies to folks who have posted other articles during this past week.
Please note submission on some of these bills needs to happen today.
If interested in other actions issues, please go to the Kent Street Coalition website or join their Monday night “week ahead.”
From Susan Richmond:
Please read https://newhampshirenetwork.org/NH-bills carefully. They don't all follow chronological order. We believe the issue with coloring the row of a bill to support in green and to oppose in red has been corrected. UNBOUNDED THANKS to Joe Kwasnik, who performed the Herculean duties of researching and presenting all these bills ON TOP OF moderating Tuesday's Celebration of Community Power.
From Joe Kwasnik:
Folks
This week looks like a very busy week (26 bills of interest) in the NH Legislature with some committees doubling up on hearings to catch up on last week's snowstorm. Below you will see a list of the bills in hearing this week. For details on the bills including when the hearings will be held, please visit the NH Network Bills of Interest at:
https://newhampshirenetwork.org/NH-bills
I HAVE NOTED PRIORITY BILLS WITH AN *. In particular, HB208 and SB166 need support testimony if folks can do...HB208 is focused on GHG emission reduction goals/climate action plan and SB166 is focused on electric grid modernization which is very badly needed in NH.
SUPPORT OPPOSE
HB234 HB246
HB418* HB61*
HB576* HB175
HB92 HB176*
HB208* HB443
HB630* HB165
HB161 HB633
HB139 HB456
SB68 SB167
SB69
SB113
SB123
SB186
SB166*
SB168
SB191
SB161
In addition:
Here are 2 more bills deserving of support. They will both be heard this Wed, Feb 1:
Feb 1, 11:30 pm: Municipal & County Govt HB 226 enabling municipalities to regulate the distribution and disposal of certain solid waste within landfills; .Regulating the point of sale distribution of single use packaging and the disposal of single use packaging waste within their municipal landfills and transfer stations.
Feb 1, 2:20 pm: Municipal & County Govt HB 273 requiring composting and waste recycling to be made available to residents of public housing.
Northeast Resource Recovery Association has a list of 2023 bills concerning solid waste: https://www.nrrarecycles.org/policy-legislation
From Clean Energy NH (included last week)
HB246, as introduced, would rebate the Renewable Energy Fund to ratepayers, an empty gesture that will not result in significant savings for New Hampshire families while decimating energy efficiency programs. The bill will be heard by the Science, Technology, and Energy Committee on Monday at 3pm.
Take action by logging into the House’s Online Submission Form the day of the hearing to register your opposition and, if you so choose, attach written testimony. If you are able to attend the hearing in-person and wish to provide testimony, please let us know by replying to this email.
January 23, 2023 - Weekly Update
Overview from Bruce Berk
Meetings
Legislative action items and explanations: NH Network, Clean Energy NH and Rep. Ebel recommendations
Feed Your brain: Landfill info including a lengthy, fascinating Boston Globe magazine article on the Forest Lake, Casella controversy
There are a number of important issues, and EV chargers and the NH Saves Program are highlighted below. Both necessitate timely action
Meetings
Monday, January 23 noon A Preview of the 2023 Legislative Session by Clear Energy NH
On Monday, January 23 beginning at noon, hear more about how Clean Energy NH is driving forward clean energy policy as the 2023 legislative session begins, during the 2023 Legislative Preview webinar. Sam, Nick and Chris will discuss their outlook regarding pressing topics of interest including: net-metering, electric vehicles, energy efficiency measures, community scale renewable energy, and more.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-preview-of-the-2023-legislative-session-tickets-490459667067
Cost to members: free Cost to non-members; $5.00
Tuesday, January 24th 7 to 8:30 pm (Q and A at 8 pm) (See meeting details below)
COMMUNITY POWER Plans to GO LIVE IN NH THIS Spring. Community Power is A Transformative Energy Solution for New Hampshire. What your town, city or county need to know to participate.
Register to attend, by zoom or in person: climate-action-NH or type in: bit.ly/climate-action-NH
NH communities pay soaring energy prices, due to over-reliance on natural gas for generating the bulk of our electricity, a lack of forward-looking state energy policies, and outdated electric utility restructuring laws.
Community Power gives NH communities control of their energy supply decision-making including: access to potentially less costly electricity, development of innovative local energy supply projects, and benefits to local and state economies.
This event brings together leading proponents, organizers and providers of Community Power to explain the who, what, when and how for others to seize this unique opportunity.
Monday, January 30th from 6:30-7:30 What is Advanced Recycling (AR)?
AR uses heat and chemicals to turn plastic waste into gases and liquids, some of which can be converted to materials for re-use. Unusable waste can be burned in AR facilities, according to a new law in NH. MANY ARE CONCERNED WITH THE DIRECTION OF THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY
Join NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action, Union of Concerned Scientists, Conservation Law Foundation, and NH Network for an explanatory webinar on so-called advanced recycling and learn how to advocate for strong regulation of advanced recycling plants in NH!
Register Here: www.nhclimatehealth.org/our-events
Friday, February 3 12 to 1 pm Webinar of reducing food waste (25% of landfill) in NH’s landfills.
Action items
From Joe Kwasnik and the Legislative Working Group
In order to register your support or opposition to a bill, I encourage you to go to the NH General Court Webpage and click on either the House or Senate pages. From each of these pages go to the House or Senate meeting schedule and click on the relevant committee and hearing day. On this page you can do remote sign-in and also submit testimony. The bills that are of particular importance this week are: https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/NH-bills
Recommended Support: HB 234, 418,576, and 92
Recommend oppose: HB 246, 211, and 61
NH Energy explains NH Saves Program
HB246, as introduced, would rebate the Renewable Energy Fund to ratepayers, an empty gesture that will not result in significant savings for New Hampshire families while decimating energy efficiency programs. The bill will be heard by the Science, Technology, and Energy Committee on Monday at 3pm.
Take action by logging into the House’s Online Submission Form the day of the hearing to register your opposition and, if you so choose, attach written testimony. If you are able to attend the hearing in-person and wish to provide testimony, please let us know by replying to Nancy at Clean Energy Team https://cleanenergykeene.com
NH Energy explains EV charging and SB 52
There is a new bill SB52 that is being heard right now that would direct the PUC to work with all of the state utilities to require them to invest with more significant funding levels in EV charging programs and more economically sustainable rates. Ultimately, the increased consumption of electricity would drive down rates for all utility customers regardless of whether they drive an EV. This is critical legislation as New Hampshire is falling behind our neighbors and it will start impacting our economy when EV sales accelerate.
This is the link to the bill Current Legislation Search (state.nh.us) please note that if it moves on to the next stage, the text will be cleaned up.
Karen Ebel (democratic house leader) explaining upcoming solid waste bills.
I want to bring three pieces of legislation to your attention that are being supported by NH's Solid Waste Working Group (SWWG): HB 300, HB 462 and HB 465.
As you know, NH recently adopted new solid waste diversion goals: to reduce the weight of solid waste being disposed of by 25% by 2030 and 45% by 2050. To achieve these goals, the SWWG has identified food waste diversion as a priority. About 25% of tonnage going into our landfills is food waste. By reducing what goes into our landfills, we save landfill space, put our food waste to better use (especially if it can be used to feed the hungry) and decrease methane, a bi-product of decomposing food waste.
The hearings for HB 300 and HB 462 are on January 24th at 10am and 11am respectively in Legislative Office Building Rooms 301-303.
HB 300, is a food waste disposal ban bill. The bill would ban food waste generators of more than 1 ton/week from disposing of waste if there's a facility within 50 miles to handle it. It is modeled on legislation used in our surrounding states, including Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
HB 462 is an appropriations bill. Last year, the Solid Waste Management Fund (SWMF) was created to establish a matching grant program for municipalities and businesses to achieve better solid waste management in NH, but it was not funded. Aligning with efforts to reduce food waste to achieve NH's solid waste diversion goals, this bill seeks to amend the uses of the fund to prioritize food waste diversion projects for a couple years. This amendment is the focus of this hearing. If the committee agrees and House votes in favor, the bill goes on to the Finance Committee to consider appropriating money to the fund. The bill requests $2M to get the program going.
HB 465 seeks to reduce PFAs entering our waste stream. It would ban the sale of carpets and rugs with intentionally added PFAs to be sold in the state starting in a couple years. The idea is to reduce toxicity in the waste stream at the front end because managing it in the landfills and wastewater is so challenging. Reducing toxicity in the waste stream is a major goal of our newly adopted Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). This bill has been referred to the House Commerce Committee. No hearing has been scheduled yet.
Please consider testifying at the bill hearings and/or submitting testimony in support. http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/misc/OnlineInstructions.pdf
Please note that you cannot sign in until a bill has been scheduled for a hearing. You can check the calendar here: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/schedule/dailyschedule.aspx
Feed your Brain
Boston Globe article: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-big-stink-how-a-proposed-landfill-is-roiling-a-tiny-new-hampshire-town/ar-AA16wEo9
If you have access to the Caladonian Record, "North Country Reps Sponsor Landfill Siting, Solid Waste-Related Legislation by Robert Blechl Jan 4, 2023"
January 18, 2023 - Weekly Update
Overview from Bruce Berk:
Transactive Energy webinar summary
NH Network and Kent Street Coalition links for legislative actions.
Plastic Workings Group update
Meeting opportunities: weatherization, legislative overview, community power, advanced recycling
Action Item: Supporting federal legislation on fossil fuel company transgressions.
Feed Your Brain: legislative overview by Kat McGhee, Extended Producer Responsibility in Canada webinar, mirrors (!) for climate mitigation webinar, energy saving devices for the future
First, apologies for not providing this summary on Monday. Now, that the legislature is in session, Monday summaries are critical to enable folks to take action. Ideally, a link for Network legislative opportunities, and a link for Kent Street Coalition (KSC) opportunities will be available each Monday. Please note that the latter organization covers a wide variety of New Hampshire concerns.
Last Friday, the Network presented on Transactive Energy - a term not easily digested, but here is one layman’s interpretation. It is a present and a future energy option that offers an individua/organizationl the ability to upload or download energy from the grid via a storage battery, an EV car (a storage battery on wheels) and perhaps one’s water heater. It enables consumers to lock in the most economic hour/s to charge batteries or to sell electricity back to the grid saving themselves money and making the grid more efficient.
Companies are beginning to offer the ability (Chevy Bolt and perhaps GM) to aggregate this power. In other words, an individual does not need to check the projected next day hourly rates to make a buying or selling decision. It is done automatically (once you have the necessary equipment.)
The NH Electric Cooperative is running pilot programs which are explored in this webinar. Well worth a look. https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/events#h.xg5hq54o518l
Here is the Network link for this week’s legislative opportunities (Yes, this should have gone out sooner.)
https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/NH-bills
Kent Street Coalition link. This week’s summary offers legislative bills from free school lunches to minimum wage to women’s rights, but it also offers a primer on the legislative process. (The Network offers the KSC link as a public service. KSC’s positions are not necessarily endorsed by the Network.)
https://mailchi.mp/6df5022d7b1e/ksc-happenings-action-january-15-20251404
Another excellent resource to follow all NH legislation is legiscan.com.
Plastics working group update: Plastics Working Group has a number of local initiatives. You can review them at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZmD2x2kAkIPsPc98-7G6EMPPikhCtvVEDcjyIojZzAc/edit
Meetings:
Thursday, January 19 6:30 to 8 pm WEATHERIZE 2023
Save Energy, Save Money & Seal Up Those Drafty Houses!
PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE: REGISTER
If your house qualifies, NHSaves will reduce the cost of an energy audit to $100 and will cover 75% of the cost of weatherizing, up to $6,000. Take advantage of these funds while they last.
Other incentives may be available through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Sunday, January 22 6 pm. Plastics Working Group
Meeting ID: 627 560 9302
Passcode: garden
Monday, January 23 noon A Preview of the 2023 Legislative Session by Clear Energy NH
On Monday, January 23 beginning at noon, hear more about how Clean Energy NH is driving forward clean energy policy as the 2023 legislative session begins, during the 2023 Legislative Preview webinar. Sam, Nick and Chris will discuss their outlook regarding pressing topics of interest including: net-metering, electric vehicles, energy efficiency measures, community scale renewable energy, and more.
Register here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-preview-of-the-2023-legislative-session-tickets-490459667067
Cost to members: free Cost to non-members; $5.00
Tuesday, January 24th 7 to 8:30 pm (Q and A at 8 pm) (See meeting details below)
COMMUNITY POWER WILL GO LIVE IN NH THIS APRIL! Community Power is A Transformative Energy Solution for New Hampshire. What your town, city or county need to know to participate.
Register to attend, by zoom or in person: climate-action-NH
Or type in: bit.ly/climate-action-NH
NH communities pay soaring energy prices, due to over-reliance on natural gas for generating the bulk of our electricity, a lack of forward-looking state energy policies, and outdated electric utility restructuring laws.
Community Power gives NH communities control of their energy supply decision-making including: access to potentially less costly electricity, development of innovative local energy supply projects, and benefits to local and state economies.
This event brings together leading proponents, organizers and providers of Community Power to explain the who, what, when and how for others to seize this unique opportunity.
Monday, January 30th from 6:30-7:30 What is Advanced Recycling (AR)?
AR uses heat and chemicals to turn plastic waste into gases and liquids, some of which can be converted to materials for re-use. Unusable waste can be burned in AR facilities, according to a new law in NH. MANY ARE CONCERNED WITH THE DIRECTION OF THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY
Join NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action, Union of Concerned Scientists, Conservation Law Foundation, and NH Network for an explanatory webinar on so-called advanced recycling and learn how to advocate for strong regulation of advanced recycling plants in NH!
Register Here: www.nhclimatehealth.org/our-events
ACTION ITEMS:
From John Gage (Visit his January 15th email for more information)
Please take a minute now to register your support for NH Bill HCR5, "A RESOLUTION urging the taking of appropriate legal action against multinational fossil fuel companies for harms incurred from disinformation campaigns about the effects of fossil fuel combustion." The bill will be heard by the State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday, 1/20, @ 2:30 pm.
You can register your support on the House of Representatives Online Testimony Submission page:
Personal Information: First Name, Last Name, Town, State, Email Address
Select Date of the Hearing: Friday, 1/20/2023
Select Bill:
Select the Committee: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee
Choose the Bill: 2:30 pm - HCR5
I am: A Member of the Public
I'm Representing: A Member of the Public
Indicate Your Position on this Bill: I Support This Bill
You may optionally upload a PDF or type in additional testimony.
Submit
Why is this needed? The damages of climate change from fossil fuel carbon emissions were predicted decades ago, but the fossil fuel industry has blocked legislation through various means (by misinforming the public and manipulating politics and policies) that would have prevented the problems. Now, taxpayers, towns, and states are paying for the damages, and the polluting industry that knowingly set us up for this problem should be held liable.
FEED YOUR BRAIN
January 18 11 am Webinar on EPR in Canada
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uqzvbs22TzuuRr9zTKaM4Q
Video overview of this year’s legislative agenda. Watch all of it or fast forward to hear Kat McGhee’s comments on environment, science and technology. Start at 1:08.
https://groups.google.com/g/nh-environment-energy-and-climate-network/c/7pLXSHhkw50
MIRRORS FOR CLIMATE MITIGATION:
A climate solution that uses mirrors to help cool the Earth
Presented by Prof. Lisa Doner, Plymouth State Univ.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023 at 11:00 am
This talk is geared toward a general audience. For those who missed Dr. Ye Tao's talk back in July, or who don't have a strong science background, this talk is for you!
One of the most pressing environmental problems we face today is that the earth is overheating, threatening human, plant and animal life. This presentation will discuss a strikingly innovative solution, which proposes that surface-based mirrors can be used to reflect sunlight away from the earth before it can be absorbed as heat, thereby helping to reduce rising temperatures. Such a simple, mechanical solution would grant us a vitally necessary reprieve - time to work on transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Register at: https://www.meer.org/
From Joe Kwasnik: This link highlights some of the home energy technologies now coming on the market to control/monitor/export energy to and from your home were interesting. A glimpse of the future especially if Transactive Energy becomes a reality in NH.
https://news.energysage.com/highlights-from-ces-2023/
Comment on the National Climate Assessment (This looks above a layman’s input, but worthwhile for self educating.)
https://groups.google.com/g/nh-environment-energy-and-climate-network/c/ZdHmwhzVFq8
January 11, 2023 - Weekly Update
Summary Overview
Following NH Legislative Bills
Plastics Working Group Update
Feed Your Brain
Informative articles on recycling breakthroughs and carbon pricing
Meeting Schedule for January
There are a number of informative and important opportunities including two Network workshops and a Clean Energy New Hampshire presentation.
Following NH Legislative Bills
The House and Senate are gearing up. Committee organizational meetings are being held, and testimony is beginning. Again, this year, there is a tab on the NH Network website (Take Action) that each Sunday night (hopefully) will preview the upcoming weekly environmental, energy or climate bill’s calendar. In addition, this tab will offer an on-going update for each followed piece of legislation.
Another excellent resource to follow all NH legislation is legiscan.com.
Perhaps the most important proposed environmental legislation for this session is to update the power grid and transactive power. Please join the Network for an introduction and explanation this Friday, the 13th. (See details below)
Plastics Working Group Update
Plastics Working Group has a number of local initiatives. You can review them at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZmD2x2kAkIPsPc98-7G6EMPPikhCtvVEDcjyIojZzAc/edit
Feed Your Brain
Great reads on the innovators in the sustainable packaging industry.
https://usplasticspact.org/reuse-refill-2022-award-finalists/
https://sustainablepackaging.org/awards/
Carbon Pricing and its Inevitability
-https://www.greenenergytimes.org/2022/12/carbon-pricing-is-inevitable/:
-How NH Can Act
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-rgFiO-NzhkezM4HK5S2n1rnUf_5UG4xgyP4IqNtF5E/edit
Meeting Schedule for January
Friday, January 13, 2023, 5:30-7:00 pm Network Meeting on Transactive Energy
Preregistration required, register here:
TRANSACTIVE ENERGY Registration or type in: bit.ly/NHN-transactive-energy
We have heard a lot lately about “smart electric grids,” which can unlock the potential of Transactive Energy to coordinate our many new distributed energy resources, such as solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles. Transactive Energy is expected to improve local grid operations, reduce peak grid loads and energy prices, and minimize the need to expand the local electric utility grid.
The NH Electric Cooperative is currently conducting pilot scale Transactive Energy projects to demonstrate the potential of this new technology. Plan on attending NH Network’s January 13th meeting to hear about this exciting new work by the Cooperative, and what it might mean for the wider New Hampshire.
Explanation of transactive power
https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/resources/transactive-energy
Link to Flyer, TRANSACTIVE ENERGY
Thursday, January 19 6:30 to 8 pm WEATHERIZE 2023
Save Energy, Save Money & Seal Up Those Drafty Houses!
PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE: REGISTER
If your house qualifies, NHSaves will reduce the cost of an energy audit to $100 and will cover 75% of the cost of weatherizing, up to $6,000. Take advantage of these funds while they last.
Other incentives may be available through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Sunday, January 22 6 pm. Plastics Working Group
Meeting ID: 627 560 9302
Passcode: garden
Monday, January 23 noon A Preview of the 2023 Legislative Session by Clean Energy NH
On Monday, January 23 beginning at noon, hear more about how Clean Energy NH is driving forward clean energy policy as the 2023 legislative session begins, during the 2023 Legislative Preview webinar. Sam, Nick and Chris will discuss their outlook regarding pressing topics of interest including: net-metering, electric vehicles, energy efficiency measures, community scale renewable energy, and more.
Register here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-preview-of-the-2023-legislative-session-tickets-490459667067
Cost to members: free Cost to non-members; $5.00
Tuesday, January 24th 7 to 8:30 pm (Q and A at 8 pm) (See meeting details below)
Clean Energy and Lower Bills with Community Power
Community Power is a Transformative Energy Solution for New Hampshire. What your town, city or county needs to know to participate.
Register to attend, by zoom or in person: climate-action-NH
Or type in: bit.ly/climate-action-NH
NH communities pay soaring energy prices, due to over-reliance on natural gas for generating the bulk of our electricity, a lack of forward-looking state energy policies, and outdated electric utility restructuring laws.
Community Power gives NH communities control of their energy supply decision-making including: access to potentially less costly electricity, development of innovative local energy supply projects, and benefits to local and state economies.
This event brings together leading proponents, organizers and providers of Community Power to explain the who, what, when and how for others to seize this unique opportunity.
Hear from: Clifton Below, Assistant t Mayor of Lebanon ● Henry Herndon, energy consultant ● Don Kreis, NH Consumer Advocate ● Joshua Bourdon, Founder Derry NetZero Task Force ● Jeff Moulton, chair of Derry NetZero Task Force ● Bart Fromuth, Freedom Energy Logistics ● Stuart Ormsbee, Colonial Power Group ● Terry Clark, Cheshire County Commissioner ● Lisa Sweet, Rye Energy Committee ● Joe Kwasnik, moderator, NH Network Legislative Work Group
January 3, 2023 - Weekly Update
There are a number of informative meetings and action opportunities for January. These include championing the Carbon Cashback initiative (tonight), a new endeavor on Fixing the Grid and a meeting to explain weatherizing one’s home with NH Saves funding.
In addition, note the two upcoming Network meetings on Transactive Energy and Community Power.
Action Item is a “how to” introducing a climate warrant article for your town.
The New Hampshire Bulletin’s piece, “ In a New Legislative Session, Everything Old is New” offers an overview of the legislative agenda including energy and environmental initiatives. It is worth a read.
https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2023/01/03/in-a-new-legislative-session-everything-old-is-new
This can be a useful website for understanding funds and process for home energy rebates.
https://www.energy.gov/scep/home-energy-rebate-programs
Meetings
Wednesday, January 4 7:00pm Climate Working Group Meeting (see meeting details below)
https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/my/cclnhrizoom?pwd=MTRoSmtMQ3J3bksyc0xwVk9sbEJMdz09
Or by phone: 1-929-205-6099 Meeting ID 9831200408 Meeting Passcode 1632
Wednesday, January 11th at 6:30pm Fix the Grid Campaign Launch on hosted by the Union of Concerned Scientists. (See meeting details below)
Join us to get oriented to the campaign strategy, meet others involved in the effort, and then dig in on state-specific plans with fellow advocates from New Hampshire. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAodOytpzIjHtBZbp1ugGHA-a30MPm_Hdmz
Friday, January 13, 2023, 5:30-7:00 pm Network Meeting on Transactive Power. (See meeting details below including a link EXPLAINING transactive energy)
Preregistration required, register here: TRANSACTIVE ENERGY Registration
or type in: bit.ly/NHN-transactive-energy
We have heard a lot lately about “smart electric grids,” which can unlock the potential of Transactive Energy to coordinate our many new distributed energy resources, such as solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles. Transactive Energy is expected to improve local grid operations, reduce peak grid loads and energy prices, and minimize the need to expand the local electric utility grid.
Thursday, January 19 6:30 to 8 pm WEATHERIZE 2023
Save Energy, Save Money & Seal Up Those Drafty Houses!
PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE: REGISTER
If your house qualifies, NHSaves will reduce the cost of an energy audit to $100 and will cover 75% of the cost of weatherizing, up to $6,000. Take advantage of these funds while they last.
Other incentives may be available through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Tuesday, January 24th 7 to 8:30 pm (Q and A at 8 pm) (See meeting details below)
Community Power is A Transformative Energy Solution for New Hampshire. What your town, city or county need to know to participate.
Register to attend, by zoom or in person: climate-action-NH
Or type in: bit.ly/climate-action-NH
NH communities pay soaring energy prices, due to over-reliance on natural gas for generating the bulk of our electricity, a lack of forward-looking state energy policies, and outdated electric utility restructuring laws.
Community Power gives NH communities control of their energy supply decision-making including: access to potentially less costly electricity, development of innovative local energy supply projects, and benefits to local and state economies.
This event brings together leading proponents, organizers and providers of Community Power to explain the who, what, when and how for others to seize this unique opportunity.
Hear from: Clifton Below, Asst Mayor of Lebanon ● Henry Herndon, energy consultant ● Don Kreis, NH Consumer Advocate ● Joshua Bourdon, Founder Derry NetZero Task Force ● Jeff Moulton, chair of Derry NetZero Task Force ● Bart Fromuth, Freedom Energy Logistics ● Stuart Ormsbee, Colonial Power Group ● Terry Clark, Cheshire County Commissioner ● Lisa Sweet, Rye Energy Committee ● Joe Kwasnik, moderator, NH Network Legislative Work Group
DETAILS FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS
January 4th Climate Working Group potential topics for discussion:
WA state is doing some remarkable things to reduce its carbon emissions. Perhaps we can help NH do some of these too. This article provides a good summary:
Carbon pricing is spreading around the world, and will eventually come to the US. But when and how it happens will make all the difference. Please read this article in the current issue of the Green Energy Times. Let's discuss the five "Carbon Pricing Signals" listed, and strategize how we can help NH's elected leaders best prepare our state, businesses, and families for it:
3. The Future of Heat Pumps: https://community.citizensclimate.org/groups/discuss/viewtopic/1773/1810/27418. You'll need a (free) CCL account to read this discussion among experts about what is available now and what is coming down the pipe. We may not have time to discuss it, but if you are interested in heat pumps, it's worth the effort to see it.
January 11th Fix the Grid meeting will be answering questions like:
Who's who in the regional grid and how do we make sense of the alphabet soup of acronyms?
What kind of change is needed to unlock a just, transparent clean energy transition?
What power do we have to make those changes a reality, and where do we focus our efforts?
How can all the states working together make this a successful campaign?
January 13th Transactive Power
The NH Electric Cooperative is currently conducting pilot scale Transactive Energy projects to demonstrate the potential of this new technology. Plan on attending NH Network’s January 13th meeting to hear about this exciting new work by the Cooperative, and what it might mean for the wider New Hampshire.
Explanation of transactive power: https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/resources/transactive-energy
Link to Flyer, TRANSACTIVE ENERGY
Action Items
This is a final call for anyone who wants to engage in a powerful and rewarding project to put climate solutions up for discussion and vote in your 2023 town meeting. Citizens' petitioned warrant article submission deadlines are coming soon.
For details, please see below, carboncashback.org, or the 30-minute segment in the NH Network's "Local Action, Global Impact" event at youtu.be/TGAmRm2g39M?t=2087. (Questions: Contact John Gage)
Website CCL: citizensclimatelobby.org and carboncashback.org
carboncashback.org/celebration for previous NH Carbon Cash-Back town warrant article resolution results. And we currently have about 10 town champions currently working on this effort for their towns' 2023 annual town meetings, and we would love to add more.
Links to those city resolutions and many of the towns' resolutions are available in the "Towns Passed" list on carboncashback.org."