Help your library set up a Climate Display for Earth Day in April

Help your town learn more about climate change!  Ask your library if they would consider using the month around Earth Day to provide a book display about climate science and solutions.  Share bit.ly/library-climate-display with your library's events coordinator.  

Ask Congress to protect climate-smart funding in the new Farm Bill. 

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act allocated $20 billion in aid for climate-smart practices that help farmers and forest-owners store more carbon pollution in trees. But that funding is at risk of being reallocated when the Farm Bill is renegotiated this year. Send a quick email to ask your members of Congress to protect these climate-smart investments! We’re 8,772 messages toward our goal of 10,000, so send yours today.

Here is guidance for engaging in NH DES climate planning, based on discussions with our partners.  

1. This Is for Planning Phase Not a Legislative Phase - This Phase 1 document is a process to identify low-hanging fruit to help make the state competitive in funding opportunities, rather than a visionary plan. The strength of this plan is that it can allow the State of NH, counties, and NH municipalities, in partnership with others to help implement, to apply for funding for projects (Phase 2) that will reduce GHG emissions. That process will be very competitive nationally so hopefully the next few months can help surface a really strong collaborative proposal that results in GHG reductions and serves underserved communities (the top two EPA criteria). This plan will not affect the statutes governing NH’s climate targets or lack of climate targets. That is a separate critical process that (hopefully) will begin in the future.  It will be most useful to focus on what can be done if significant federal grant money were to be received in Phase 2. 

2.  Plan Managers Are Looking for Actionable Recommendations – The Plan is being submitted to the US EPA wants, which has requested that this first phase plan contain actionable fundable projects rather than policy priorities. Consider sharing your priority suggestions (low-hanging fruit) regarding what GHG reducing programs the State should pursue, including HOW it might be implemented and WHO might do it –stuff that we know works and doesn’t require more analysis. Mentioning on-state lead entities that should be engaged is helpful in mapping out implementation plans, to ensure they are considered partners in Phase 2 grant proposals. The timing is really tough – the Phase 2 grants are due APRIL 1st! 

3.  The Plan Managers Know NH Is Behind - Be empathetic. The majority of staff engaged in this process led parts of the 2009 NH Climate Action Plan’s development. They are dedicated public servants who are keenly aware of how behind NH is, on climate issues.

Take action to help federal climate progress!

Send Congress an email asking them to legislate the Carbon Fee and Dividend bill via this web action page:   citizensclimatelobby.org/get-loud-take-action/energy-innovation-act/.

Write to Congress to support the PROVE IT Act to do carbon emission data collection in preparation for a CBAM (part of the Energy Innovation Act):  cclusa.org/prove. 

Join New Hampshire's TH!RD ACT Working Group

Note: The photo on the linked page was taken by NH Network's Dr. Reinmar Seidler and NH Network is listed as one of this group's goals for collaboration.

Join the Environmtenal Voters Project to help engage environment-concerned non-voters to vote!

Urge Stronger Regulation of PFAS

From Cathy Corkery of NH Sierra Club 

Please urge stronger regulation of these cancer-causing chemicals.  

The slides below show areas overwhelmed by PFAS groundwater contamination.  Note: areas that appear unaffected were not tested!  (Those areas have town water, rather than wells, which were tested.)

Background

The air permit for the plastic factory in Merrimack, NH needs a new air permit to regulate the forever chemicals emissions. Forever chemicals, like PFOA and PFAS, are linked to lethal illnesses, neurological growth and development, and debilitating conditions. The proposal before the NH Department of Environmental Services is too weak because it allows too much pollution to escape into the air. 

We are asking people to apply some public pressure with two actions. Call the Governor and write a letter to your paper to demand better for people, our communities and the state.

Make the call 

WHEN: August 1st between 9 A.M. and 12 P.M.

Dial 603-271-7676

What to say

Hi, My name is ____ and I live in _____. I am calling as your constituent to ask that the PFAS pollution be better regulated at the Saint Gobain Plastic factory. The permit is too weak. The state should require the permit to add proven technology to further remove the cancer-causing chemicals from the smokestacks. Forever Chemicals are too dangerous to emit into the Granite State. Thank you.

 ##############

Letter Writing Sample

Dear Editor,

I have read about the dangers of Forever Chemicals to human health. Forever Chemicals are linked to numerous cancers, birth defects and debilitating conditions. I learned that these toxic chemicals, called Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are added to household items, like winter jackets, carpeting and coated cooking pans, just to name a few. I have done my best to remove these types of items from my own home but I learned something new that demonstrates the enormity of the problem.

The Saint Gobain plastics factory in Merrimack, NH is asking for a new air permit without adding proven and accessible removal technology allowing them to emit the forever chemicals continuously. This is unacceptable. The PFAS emissions will travel far and wide in the air and dissipate across the state. The deposition is a real threat to public health because this factory has been emitting PFAS for decades but this is only the second time the state has regulated the PFAS.

The state will issue the final draft in the middle of August. The final permit should require Saint Gobain to contain all of the PFAS emissions and stop it from coating New Hampshire. To me PFAS is like lead and mercury – even small amounts are too much.

Truly,

Letter Writing Tips

Be brief (Less than 200 words)

Stay focused on one issue; please, not two or three!

Write from the heart.

Don’t try to be funny – leave comedy to the professionals.

Be timely – reference recent news or articles

Links

NH Department of Environmental Services PFAS webpages:
•General PFAS Information:  https://www.pfas.des.nh.gov/
•Link to Air Permit Proceedings: https://www.pfas.des.nh.gov/news-and-media/blog/draft-air-permit-available-public-comment
•NH DES PFAS Map of groundwater testing: https://nhdes.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=66770bef141c43a98a445c54a17720e2&extent=-73.5743,42.5413,-69.6852,45.4489

Slide Presentation - July 2023

President Biden: Declare a Climate Emergency!

From 350NH

Write to President Biden and ask him to declare a Climate Emergency.

Please help Extended Producer Responsibility get a hearing this year!

What is it? EPR would require producers to assume costs for disposal of their products and packaging, rather than leaving it to our municipalities to bear the cost of disposal.

Why?  Reduces waste disposal costs for municipalities, thus helping hold down local taxes.  Reduces need for more landfills.  Encourages producers to create less packaging and/or use packaging that is easier to recycle or compost.  Avoid toxins which are being identified in packaging (endocrine disruptors have been found in plastics often used in food packaging).

When?  Best if you can send an email, however brief, by Oct 16, the last day of the study committee’s hearings.   

More Talking Points:(please don’t copy/use your own words/can pick just a few):

·       Please thank all 4 of the legislators listed below for dedicating their time to this study committee!

·       The bill to set up this study commission had bipartisan support in both houses, 20-0 and 24-0.  It's an issue people of both party support.

·       We are asking that they decide to create legislation for EPR – a chance to talk about it! 

·       This means the issue will have hearings, be discussed, and even get modifications.  We are not asking that it be passed into law at this time – only that it can get a full hearing this year.

·       Otherwise, it will be one more year before the issue can be taken up again.

·       A study in Canada (where some regions have EPR and some do not) found that the increase to the cost of goods for consumers was LESS than one cent!

·       Currently all NH residents pay for the landfilling of packaging and products that can’t be recycled or composted. We are paying to dispose of the waste that others have created.

·       We have examples to look at, to see what works (and what to avoid) from Colorado, Maine, Oregon, California, and other countries.

Please include all 4 legislators in your email or letters:

Representative Jacob Brouillard (Nottingham, Northwood)

27 Gerrish Drive

Nottingham, NH  03290

jacob.Brouillard@leg.state.nh.us

Representative Arnold Davis (Coos Dist 2)

PO Box 478

Berlin, NH  03570

arnidavis@gmail.com

Senator Debra Altschiller (Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Rye, Stratham)

Legislative Office Building

Room 5

33 North State Street Concord NH  03301

debra.Altschiller@leg.state.nh.us

Representative Lucius Parshall (Cheshire Dist 8)

81 Stone Pond Road
Marlborough, NH  03455

Lucius.Parshall@leg.state.nh.us

Let the Governor's Executive Council Hear from You 

The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT), which is made up of the five Executive Councilors and the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT), has scheduled public hearings throughout the state, starting tomorrow in Salem and running through October (Link to the schedule) to talk about their Ten Year Plan. 

The Ten Year Plan includes infrastructure funding - for bridges, roads, rail trails, and airports. What this plan DOESN'T include is public transportation investment or electric vehicle infrastructure. With the climate crisis worsening, we need every facet of our state government to include climate action in their long term planning. 

We need your help to turn people out to the hearings to let the EC know what is missing in the current plan and what should be included! People should attend the hearing that is in their Executive Council district. We have also set up a letter-writing campaign HERE.

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

In solidarity,

Jennifer Dube - Climate Justice Organizer

350 New Hampshire

603-361-4785

From Citizens' Climate Lobby: 5,000 messages to PROVE our love of CBAMs

 
“In a rare example of a bipartisan climate policy, momentum is growing on Capitol Hill for a plan to tax imports from China and other countries with looser environmental standards,” the Washington Post reported recently. The piece is describing the PROVE IT Act, a bill that lays important groundwork for the U.S. to eventually have a carbon border adjustment mechanism, or CBAM.

The PROVE IT Act currently has support from four Democratic senators, four Republican senators, and one Independent senator. Let’s build on that momentum! With persistent, respectful citizen lobbying we can encourage more senators to cosponsor the legislation, and we can build support for a House version of the bill to be introduced. All of that means it’s more likely to be passed, bringing us closer to major climate policy that drives down carbon emissions around the globe.

We’ve set a goal of 5,000 messages to Congress about the PROVE IT Act. The action launched yesterday, and so far CCLers have sent 3,809 messages. If you haven’t sent yours yet, hop to it! Our online action tool makes it easy to look up your representative and senators and send them a customizable message.

Send My Messages Now

Federal Request for Comment on Proposal to Reduce Food Waste Nationwide

This is from a recent White House announcement. Note the comment period closes 1-4-24.

• USDA, EPA, and the FDA seek comments on the Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics, a strategy to help prevent the loss and waste of food, where possible, increase recycling of food and other organic materials to support a more circular economy for all, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save households and businesses money, and build cleaner and healthier communities.

• Link: https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0415-0001

• Deadline: January 4, 2024

Take a Picture of the Box Smoke Stack on 11/30 or 12/1

NH Sierra Club and our friends at 350NH are collaborating to show that people are watching this old coal plant and we all worry about the health impact it has — not to mention that we ratepayers paid for the air pollution control technology because we prioritized air quality. 

Can you take a picture of the smoke stack during the next stack test — on Thursday, Nov 30 or Friday, Dec 1st? It is an all-day kind of thing so whenever you can go is a great time to take a picture.

TIPS:

• Please avoid going to the plant. We do not want to distract the good workers from ensuring that the air pollution control technology works--and we don't want to stress out the police in Bow.

• A good spot is the park in Pembroke at the end of Pleasant Street. It is called Memorial Field.

For Social Media Posts: Please post with @NHSierraClub & @350NH; #NHStackTest & #StrikeDownCoal. If you can add more then use: #NHCantWait, #BuildUpJustice & #NHPolitics. Add the date and time of the photo and include your thoughts about the future energy systems you wish to see. 

Non Social Media Posters/Influencers: Send your Pictures to Catherine.corkery@sierraclub.org. Please tell me how to show the photo credit (it can be Anonymous). Add the date and time of the photo and include your thoughts about the future energy systems you wish to see. 

Please write to puc@puc.nh.gov, mention docket DE 23-068 in the subject line, and ask the PUC to approve the 2024-2026 triennial energy efficiency plan.

Don Kreis, NH Consumer Advocate, expressed his strong support of continuing NH Saves.  The PUC has hearings Oct 25 & 31 on the upcoming triennial energy efficiency plan for 2024, 2025, and 2026.   and hearings that are coming before the PUC on Oct. 25 and 31.

Please write to puc@puc.nh.gov, mention docket DE 23-068 in the subject line, and ask the PUC to approve the 2024-2026 triennial energy efficiency plan.  The PUC must decide by 11/30.

TALKING POINTS:  Businesses and households alike need to plan their budgets, and a 3-year horizon is especially needed for business, as they decide major energy expenditures.  

When the last 3-year energy plan tottered, a swath of NH energy contractors lost business or went out of business.

Action alert! Before Nov 14th, email/call NH House Finance Committee - Support SB267

This bill was authored by Sen. Avard — enjoyed bipartisan support and DES endorsement last spring — but party-line votes cut it off.  This bill is a wise use of funds for necessary DES efforts to avoid combined impacts from pollution, called "Cumulative Impacts Analysis" (CIA).

CIA is already adopted in other states and will help DES to better protect people while industries better plan permit applications, a costly process.    

It will fund a DES staff person to examine DES permitting and find ways to avoid multiple impacts on a community; impacts that would otherwise harm health and economic vigor. 

Use the link below to email/call the 22 member committee. (13 Rep, 12 Dem) 

Finance committee meeting is NOT CLOSED- it is an EXECUTIVE SESSION, i.e., a session in which people can attend/observe and the committee might choose to ask a question of a non-committee member.)   

The New Hampshire House of Representatives (state.nh.us)

Any questions,  please email or call me,

Thanks,

Cynthia

Cynthia Walter, Ph.D

Retired Scientist

Dover, NH

412-610-4327

cawalter22@gmail.com

NHPR wants to know what we want candidates to talk about.  

Let’s let them know we want to hear about climate change solutions!   

Please write NHPR and tell them you want to hear what each candidate thinks about the goal to reduce climate pollution from fossil fuels 50% by 2030, what they think about Carbon Fee and Dividend (bit.ly/ccb-resources), and what else they will do to address the problem if elected: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoSGnepE958a9NqBVOEwHvVRcTlZAXBeeCVu96Y7ATzL4LPQ/viewform?pli=1

Write of Call DES Assistant Direct Michael Fitzgerald 

• In order to receive IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) federal $$$, NH will be updating The 2009 NH Climate Action Plan

• On Sept 20, NH DES will ask the Executive Council to approve a contract for the mandatory outreach required to inform and shape the plan. 

ACTION REQUESTED

TODAY, if possible!! 

Write or call Assistant Director Michael Fitzgerald, 

who is overseeing the plan, at least in this early stage.

michael.fitzgerald@des.nh.gov

(603) 271-6390

1. Be clear with NHDES that we expect them to pro-actively remove barriers to participation and promote free childcare so interested people can attend; hold multiple meetings in every county; offer mileage stipends; make certain that materials are in Spanish as well as English. Suggest $$ for outreach participation and access.

2. Second, if you can, attend the Sept 20 meeting of the Executive Council in Ringe.*  On their agenda will be a contract with one UNH organization to do this outreach for the climate action plan. (Climate is certainly not high on the list  for our Executive Council or Governor.) 

3. Third, plan how you can invest time to involve groups in our circles – surprise partners if you will –  from social service organizations; regional public health networks; NAACP of Greater Manchester; faith groups and state associations of same; and local Chambers of Commerce, which have a decidedly different view than the NH BIA (Business and Industry Association.  

Help ensure this climate plan has measurable outcomes and a timetable, and honestly responds to the requests of NH residents.

*Franklin Pierce University, 40 University Drive, Rindge 10 a.m., Sept 20  https://www.nh.gov/council/meetings/index.htm

End War & Warming Rally - Friday, September 15 at 6:00 PM in Concord

A joint 350NH, NH Peace Action, NH Sierra Club and Peace with Justice Advocates NHCUCC and Granite State Organizing Project Rally in Support of The NYC March to End Fossil Fuel

Fossil fuels, militarism and war all threaten humanity directly and accelerate climate chaos. This is our chance, and Biden's opportunity, to break free from fossil fuels and build a just and safe future. On September 17, The March to End Fossil Fuels is being held to coincide with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' organization of a “Climate Ambition Summit.” Peace groups are joining in, understanding and highlighting the connections between climate, peace and justice issues: access to fossil fuels are a major reason for wars over the last century; the largest institutional polluter in the world is the US Pentagon; clean renewable energy and environmental justice for low-income and people of color communities are needed for a just world peace.

Join us in Concord on Friday, September 15, to speak out on this topic and cheer on those headed to NY for the march.  

Read more about the connections between climate and militarism here:
https://www.codepink.org/10_ways_that_the_climate_crisis_and_militarism_are_intertwined
AND https://www.powershift.org/blog/climate-justice-movement-must-be-anti-war-notes-antiwar-organizers

Please bring signs with messages such as: End War & Warming! Invest in Peace & Planet! Support Life on Earth! Your general peace and environmental support signs will also work and we'll have extras to share.

Attend (remotely or in person) this meeting of the Consumer Liaison Group on Thursday June 8 from 12:30-3:30 PM.

ISO-NE (Our electric grid operator) is required to engage with the public quarterly via the Consumer Liaison Group (CLG). Meetings are open to the public and usually include panel discussions, presentations from ISO, and remarks from guest speakers on topics related to the region’s energy grid. Despite its liaison role, CLG has not been a particularly welcoming space for the average energy consumer – beginning with the fact that most people do not know it exists. The No Coal No Gas campaign is changing the way the CLG meeting AND making space within the CLG for frontline communities and residential ratepayers to have a say in regional energy planning and decisions.

The next meeting of the ISO-NE Consumer Liaison Group is right around the corner on Thursday, June 8th in Peabody, Massachusetts from noon to 3:30pm.

This meeting is evidence of the progress we are making to shift business-as-usual. Instead of gathering in a fancy hotel, we are meeting in a local community center in a frontline community that has been deeply impacted by the status quo, and All are Welcome. ISO-NE doesn't think that people will come to Peabody for a meeting, but together we will show them that environmental justice matters to people across the region! We’re showing what’s possible and building the world we want to live in.

This is both an in-person and virtual meeting, and if you want to participate in either format, you need to register with ISO-NE

How to register

Step 1: If you have never attended a meeting hosted by ISO-NE, you will be asked to make an account at https://isone.csod.com/SelfReg/register.aspx?p=isone&c=external. You'll need to use this account when you register for this and future meetings.

To register for in-person attendance (for June 8th, noon-3:30pm, lunch provided): https://www.iso-ne.com/event-details?eventId=152050

To register  for virtual attendance (June 8th 12:30-3:30pm; begins 30 min later than in-person because they can't serve us lunch online!): https://www.iso-ne.com/event-details?eventId=152051

Finally, please also complete this form (hosted by Breathe Clean North Shore) where you can tell us about accessibility needs and dietary restrictions. You'll also find a link here to our rideshare spreadsheet: https://forms.gle/w3WbKgq18TcUx8vg8. Completing this form will ensure you get updates and communications about logistics from organizers working to change the way ISO-NE does business!

May 4th, 11:00am: Last Writing Party before FERC Comments are Due (Virtual)

Join 350NH to push for an end to fossil fuel subsidies by writing a comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission! Join this writing party if you need support writing or submitting your comment. RSVP here. 

From Clean Energy NH - Hearing on Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

Senate Bill 52, a proposal to jump start investment in electric vehicle infrastructure in New Hampshire is scheduled for a hearing before the Transportation Committee next week. You can find the text of SB52 here.

Call or email your representatives to let them know you support this critical step to keep our state competitive as EV adoption accelerates here in New England and nationwide.

You can find your Senator and their contact information here and your House member(s) here. 

ACTION REQUESTED— Some Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds will only come to NH if our state government plans for it and requests it. 

NH has allowed such funding opportunities to pass us by!  Please write and or call requesting that NH aggressively pursue all available funding programs contained within the IRA to reduce energy costs, improve efficiency, and transition to clean energy solutions.

Please write and/or call:

• Jared.S.Chicoine@energy.nh.gov  (603) 271-6505 (Energy Commissioner)

• christopher.j.ellmsjr@energy.nh.gov  (603) 271-6507 (Deputy Energy Commissioner)  

• governorsununu@nh.gov (603) 271-2121 

1) Request that NH aggressively pursue all available funding programs contained within the IRA.

2) Maximize the use of available federal funds, for programs to reduce energy costs, improve efficiency, and transition to clean energy solutions. 

Tell Our NH Leaders to pursue IRA Funds

YOUR ACTION NEEDED: We learned from Don Kreis, Consumer Advocate, that some Infrastructure Reduction Act (IRA) funds will only come to NH and be put to work if our state government plans for it and requests it. In the past, NH has allowed such funding opportunities to pass us by!  Please write and or call

• Jared.S.Chicoine@energy.nh.gov  (603) 271-6505 (Energy Commissioner),

• christopher.j.ellmsjr@energy.nh.gov  (603) 271-6507 (Energy Deputy Commissioner)  

• governorsununu@nh.gov (603) 271-2121

requesting that NH aggressively pursue all available funding programs contained within the IRA and not let the conservative ideology get in the way of maximizing use of federal funds available for programs to reduce energy costs, improve efficiency, and transition to clean energy solutions.

From 350NH - Tell JLCAR: Approve Community Power Rules!

The public utilities commission finally approved new community power rules that would allow cities and towns to save money and prioritize renewable energy. Now, the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules needs to approve these rules.

These community power rules are vital to the expansion of local renewable energy sources. The rules will lower our energy costs and allow communities across the state to opt for clean, renewable energy sources. 

The Committee meets on August 18th in Concord to discuss this ruling. Can you send written testimony to the committee before they meet?

Here's what we need you to do:

1. Write a short letter addressed to the "Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules." You can include any of these important points:

• Community power allows towns to prioritize clean, renewable energy.

• Community power rules (as approved by the public utilities commission) will allow towns and cities to save money for their residents. 

• Local control of our energy is good for NH.

• Community power programs give towns and cities more control over their rates by allowing them to buy energy when it's cheapest.

2. Sign the letter with your full name and what town/city you live in

3. Email your letter to the Committee Chair, Representative William Hatch, at William.hatch@leg.state.nh.us 

Towns and cities across NH have already voted in support of community power programs. Once these new rules are in place, those cities and towns can finally move forward - purchasing their own energy and opting for more renewable energy sources. 

If you have any questions, let me know! Thank you for supporting community power in NH.

Onward,

Jennifer

She/her/hers

Climate Justice Organizer

From Save Forest Lake: Sign Petition to Override HB1454

We could really use your help. Could you please sign and SHARE w/fellow members, supporters, friends, & family our petition, linked below, which will be sent to NH House and Senate members, urging them to overturn the veto of HB1454? We'd also love it if you could JOIN US for our "Rally at the Capitol" in Concord on September 8, veto override day! 

"We, the undersigned residents of New Hampshire, ask that you, our legislators, vote to overturn Governor Sununu's veto of HB1454 to ensure that our state protects our precious waters—for safe drinking and recreation, for public and environmental health." 

HB1454 Petition: https://bit.ly/HB1454Petition

"Override The Veto Of HB1454 Rally At The Capitol" Thursday September 8 2022 Video: 

https://youtu.be/TWHnIRR2m4A

Support the PFAS Action Act with Added Amendment to Ban PFAS in Food Packaging

Currently there is a comprehensive national PFAS bill called the PFAS Action Act (HR 2467), which just added a strong amendment to ban PFAS in food packaging. HR 2467 is headed to the Senate for a vote. As expected, the chemical industry is pushing back on this specific amendment and is actively lobbying against it. 

Please sign Community Action Works's petition to urge your senator to vote yes. At a time when many of the NH communities that Community Action Works supports are fighting local PFAS contamination—this is one way we can help strengthen their efforts.

Send a letter to Congress in support of the Energy Security and Independence Act.

Millions of families are grappling with energy insecurity as the climate crisis gets worse and energy prices go up. We must expand our clean, renewable energy sources rapidly in order to combat these crises and transition off of harmful fossil fuels.

President Biden recently invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA) to ramp up domestic solar manufacturing. Now he needs Congress to have his back and pass the Energy Security and Independence Act to provide $100 billion of critical investment in the U.S.'s renewable energy supply chain and in programs to lower utility bills.

Our utility bills are getting more expensive while Exxon Mobil and other Big Oil companies are making RECORD profits. We cannot afford to rely on fossil fuels any longer - we need a just transition to renewable energy now.

Thank you for your support.

Onward,

Rebecca (She/her/hers), Communications Director, 350NH

Join the No Coal No Gas community to demand that FERC reject the latest Forward Capacity Auction results!

This detailed Forward Capacity Auction public comment toolkit includes sample comments and talking points to support you to craft your own comment, as well as step-by-step instructions for submitting your comment. You can also register here to join us a collaborative comment writing, submission, and outreach party.

More details: https://www.nocoalnogas.org/ferc-comment

TAKE ACTION: TELL FERC TO REJECT COAL AND GAS SUBSIDIES IN NEW ENGLAND

Support HB1111 and HB1652 Related to the Plastics Crisis

We are in the midst of a plastics crisis that is growing exponentially. Two important bills to address this crisis will be heard in the NH House. We provide below detailed information to help you take action now.

HB1111 (commission to study Extended Producer Responsibility) and HB1652 (beverage container deposit), which we support, will be heard by the Environment and Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, January 18th. HB1111 will be heard at 9 am and HB1652 at 2:30 pm in the Legislative Office Building, Rm 301-303, Concord.

Here is a brief overview of each bill with a link to the full text.

HB 1111 “To Establish a Commission to Study Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)” would begin the movement toward the state’s highest priority in waste management: reducing it at the source. EPR shifts primary responsibility for the burden of waste away from consumers and municipalities and makes it a shared responsibility with producers of materials such as plastic that ends up as waste. Legislation can require producers and distributors to pay their fair share to local governments to cover the cost of recycling packages and products and dealing with waste from nonrecyclable products. Fees may be based on the amount, level of toxicity, and recycling or disposal difficulty of the product with funds being used to reimburse municipalities for recycling and waste management costs, incentivizing manufacturers to produce less waste in the first place. We support this bill.

HB 1652 "Relative to the Recycling of Beverage Containers" establishes a beverage container deposit program and directs the proceeds to the general fund and to the state recycling fund. Consumers would pay a 10 cent deposit to the retailer which would be refunded upon return of the container. A “bottle bill” will help reduce roadside litter, keep recyclable material out of landfills, provide cleaner material for bottlers, reduce municipality exposure to market fluctuations for recyclables, create new business opportunities, and increase state recycling rates. NH to date has declined to join most other Northeast states in placing a redemption fee on beverage containers ( see ME, MA, VT, CT, NY). We support this bill.

There are several ways that you can make your voice heard on these bills.

●      You can attend in person, sign in and support or oppose a bill, and if you choose, present testimony if you are comfortable being in a meeting where masks are optional and with people who have not necessarily been vaccinated. Some House members reported being infected with Covid last week.

●      You can email members of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee. Send an email expressing your position to all members of the committee using this address: HouseEnvironmentandAgricultureCommittee@leg.state.nh.us. If you choose this option, consider sending a copy of your email to Sponsors and Cosponsors of the bills.

●      You can call members of the Environment and Agriculture Committee to ask them to vote for these bills. It is acceptable to call their home numbers. to find their number, go to this page and click on the committee members name to get full information.

●      You can voice your position on the bill by going to the House Remote Sign In page. It takes approximately 3 minutes to do this. We are providing step-by-step instructions should you need them. Go to the page here.                   

1.     Select date of hearing (Jan. 18) on calendar at top of page.

2.     Select Committee from dropdown menu.

3.     Select the bill from the dropdown menu.

4.     Select Member of the Public from the dropdown menu.

5.     Click on I Support This Bill or I Oppose This Bill (then Continue).

6.     Add personal Information (then Continue).

7.     On the Final Review Page, be sure to check the box that says that the information you are providing is truthful (then Continue).

8.     Note that at the bottom of the page, you can click on Sign Up Again to go back to the beginning of this process and weigh in on another bill.

We encourage each of you to at least go to the Remote Sign-In Page and voice your support for HB1111 and HB 1652. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Kristine Baber: kmbaber@gmail.com; Bonnie Christie: bchristie1953@gmail.com

Urge NHDOT To DENY The Casella Landfill Driveway Permit

https://saveforestlake.com/f/urge-nhdot-to-deny-the-casella-landfill-driveway-permit