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| 2009 News Items |
12/16/09
Energy Management Annual Report for State-Owned Buildings and Fleets - Fiscal Year 2009
New Hampshire’s Agencies Make Progress in Reducing Energy Use
In 2005, Governor Lynch issued Executive Order 2005-4, which adopted the EPA’s Energy Star Challenge and set a goal of reducing energy use in state buildings by 10%. As this report shows, many state agencies have already met that initial challenge, while others struggle to make changes that result in overall energy savings. more... |
Research at DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Finds No Widespread Impact of Wind Power Projects on Surrounding Residential Property Values
12/2/09 US DOE EERE
On December 2nd, DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released a technical analysis of wind energy facilities' impacts on the property values of nearby residences. The research, funded by DOE's Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program, is the most comprehensive and data-rich analysis on the subject to date. more... |
WMCC hosts a forum on financing green energy
11/19/09 Berlin Reporter
Representatives from the state, private and public sector held a information session at White Mountains Community College last Monday on energy efficiency, green energy and financing options available to reduce the state's energy consumption. more... |
| 11/16/09 - Now Available - Current Estimates and Trends in New Hampshire's Housing Supply Update: 2008 |
11/12/09
Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Historic Preservation
A guide to energy retrofits and renewable energy siting for historic structures for use by historic preservation groups, community organizations, municipal governments, preservation and building professionals, individual property owners, and others interested in historic preservation. This Guide establishes common ground for the historic preservation and energy-efficiency and renewable-energy communities. more...  |
10/20/09
OEP Develops $1.2 Million Appliance Rebate Plan To Help Homeowners Save on Their Energy Bills
The Office of Energy and Planning has submitted a $1.2 million plan to the U.S. Department of Energy for an appliance rebate program that will help New Hampshire homeowners reduced their energy bills for the long term.
The innovative proposal, developed in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, will offer $1.2 million in rebates to New Hampshire residents for the purchase and installation of solar-thermal hot-water systems and for upgrading heating systems, including boilers, furnaces and hot-water heaters to more energy-efficient models.
"New Hampshire has designed an energy efficient appliance rebate plan that will leverage current rebates and programs available to New Hampshire residents, thereby enhancing the impact of the state’s $1.2 million rebate program," said Joanne Morin, Director of the Office of Energy and Planning. "In addition, the plan will generate new opportunities related to energy consumption and green jobs and will meet the demand in the market for more energy efficient heating systems and solar-hot water heaters." |
10/14/09
Federal funds provide big boost to NH weatherization program Federal funds mean program will expand
By Jarret Bencks
jbencks@eagletribune.com
With the weather turning colder, Rockingham County's weatherization program is entering its busiest time of the year. Fall is typically when Rockingham Community Action gets the most calls about its weatherization program, but it has been working on homes throughout the summer and will continue through the winter, said Andy Gray, the program's director. "As the weather changes, we get more inquiries," Gray said. "But we are busy year-round. We don't have an offseason." more... |
10/8/09
Central Square One of Top 10 Great Public Spaces for 2009
The American Planning Association (APA) announced today that Central Square has been designated one of 10 Great Public Spaces for 2009 by APA's Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value. more...
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10/6/09
Fuel customers reject fixed-rate contracts
By Doug Ireland
The Eagle-Tribune
Even though The Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting a colder winter than last year, many fuel oil companies and their customers are warming up to the fact that this winter probably won't be as difficult for them. more... |
| 10/2/09
National Community Planning Month
Each year APA, its members, chapters, divisions, and professional institute sponsor National Community Planning Month to raise the visibility of the important role of planners and planning in communities across the U.S.
Help elevate the role of planning in your community. Host a planning department or planning commission open house, talk to kids in schools about a career in planning, present a library display about planning and planners, sponsor a neighborhood tour to highlight how planning helps the community.
To learn more visit the APA Web site. |
National Community Planning Month |
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10/1/09
National Flood Insurance Program Changes Effective October 1, 2009
On October 1, 2009, important changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will take effect. There will be an increase in rates, the standard deductibles, and the basic insurance limits. These combined changes will result in an average premium increase of 8 percent. The increases will apply only to policies that are written or renewed after October 1, 2009. more...
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9/21/09
NHDOT's statewide aerial imagery acquisition
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is coordinating with the US Geological Survey (USGS) to acquire high resolution, leaf-off, color, aerial photography. Preliminary plans are to collect 1-foot pixel resolution imagery for the entire state. Data will be collected in the spring of 2010, with final products available approximately 6-9 months thereafter. NHDOT is pleased to offer communities the opportunity "buy-up" to 6 pixel resolution to support municipal needs. more... |
7/31/09
State buildings to get energy fix
Though the old New Hampshire Hospital building in Concord has sat largely empty for decades, much of the building - 215,000 square feet - is heated through the winter. Only about 20 percent of that space is used for state offices. The heating system in the 1842 building operates with an all-or-nothing approach. more... |
7/17/09
Conservation voters applaud Governor Lynch's choice of Joanne Morin to head Office of Energy and Planning
The Granite State Conservation Voters today applauded the appointment of Joanne Morin to head the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning. Governor Lynch made the announcement today. more... |
7/16/09
Governor Names Joanne Morin of Laconia Director of Office of Energy and Planning
Gov. John Lynch today named Joanne Morin to serve as director of the Office of Energy and Planning. Morin will take over for Amy Ignatius, who was recently appointed by Gov. Lynch to the Public Utilities Commission.
"Energy and sustainable growth are two of the major challenges that we face here in New Hampshire and the Office of Energy and Planning plays a vital role in addressing those issues," Gov. Lynch said. |
7/2/09
Gov. Lynch Announces that State Government Will Now Get 25 Percent of Its Energy from Renewable Energy
Gov. John Lynch today announced that the state is now getting 25 percent of the electricity used by the majority of state government buildings from renewable sources. The state competitively bid its state energy contract, looking at bids from both renewable and traditional fuel suppliers. As a result of that process, the State of New Hampshire has entered into a contract with ConEdison Solutions to provide wind power to the state. The wind power contract runs from July 1 to May 31, 2010.
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6/17/09
Executive Council Confirms Gov. Lynch’s Nomination of Amy Ignatius to Public Utilities Commission
CONCORD - The Executive Council today unanimously confirmed Gov. John Lynch’s nomination of Amy Ignatius of Concord to serve on the Public Utilities Commission. "Amy Ignatius brings a wealth of expertise on the important issues the Public Utilities Commission deals with every day. She also has tremendous experience having worked in state government, with the legislature, local communities, citizens, and the business community to help address the energy and telecommunications challenges we face," Gov. Lynch said. |
Wind farm approval unanimous
Concord Monitor, June 11, 2009
A plan to put 33 wind turbines on forested ridgelines in Coos County won unanimous approval yesterday from the state panel charged with reviewing new renewable energy facilities. Members of the Site Evaluation Committee added a long list of conditions to its approval, many having to do with the turbines' effect on the environment. more...
Wind farm gets SEC approval
Coos County Democrat, June 17, 2009
A 33 turbine wind farm on land in central Coös was given the green light by the state Site Evaluation Committee on Wednesday, June 10. The SEC voted unanimously, 7 to 0, to issue the needed state permit — a Certificate of Site and Facility — to Granite Reliable Power. more... |
6/3/09
Gov. Lynch to Nominate Amy Ignatius of Concord to Public Utilities Commission
CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today announced that he will nominate Amy Ignatius of Concord to serve on the Public Utilities Commission at tomorrow’s Governor and Council Meeting. The Executive Council must confirm the nomination.
"Two of our most important economic development priorities in New Hampshire are building a cleaner, more stable and more affordable energy future and expanding competitive, advanced telecommunications services. The Public Utilities Commission has a vital role in both of these efforts," Gov. Lynch said. |
5/26/09
TOWN OF STRAFFORD ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING AND RIBBON CUTTING NEW STRAFFORD TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2009, 5:00-7:00 PM
STRAFFORD – On Tuesday, June 2, 2009, the Town of Strafford, New Hampshire will celebrate the opening of the new Strafford Town Hall from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a ribbon cutting at 7:00 pm. Tours will be available during the two hours prior to the ribbon cutting, as will light refreshments. Singer/story teller George Locke of Meredith will also be on hand to provide entertainment. more... |
5/20/09
County gives energy-saving measures cold shoulder
Like property managers everywhere, the Belknap County Commission is interested in energy efficiency for the buildings under its purview, but members have concluded this is a bad time to make a sizable upfront investment that may take a decade or longer to recoup. more... |
5/11/09
Innovative Permitting Initiative within the Department of Environmental Services
The New Hampshire Department of Environment Services (DES) is embarking on an exciting new agency initiative to improve our technical assistance and permitting programs to achieve superior environmental results, streamline our permitting procedures, and improve coordination with other agencies and municipalities. more... |
4/29/09
Green Commute Week in New Hampshire - May 11-15
Encouraging New Hampshire commuters to try alternative means to travel to work is the focus of "Green Commute Week". Commuters who bicycle, walk, carpool, or use public transportation to get to and from work for at least two round trips during the week of May 11-15 are eligible for donated giveaways, including an overnight stay at the Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods. more... |
3/25/09
Climate Change Task Force Releases NH Climate Action Plan
Plan Will Build On State’s Efforts to Reduce Pollution, Increase Renewable Energy Usage
Creates New Hampshire Energy and Climate Collaborative To Oversee Plan’s Implementation
CONCORD - The Climate Change Policy Task Force today released the New Hampshire Climate Action Plan and announced the creation of a public/private partnership that will oversee and guide the Plan’s implementation. The partnership, the New Hampshire Energy and Climate Collaborative, includes representatives from New Hampshire’s businesses, public entities, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. |
3/18/09
State Water Resources Plan Meetings
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is holding a series of evening meetings to involve the public in the development of a state water resources plan. The meetings consist of a one-hour presentation by DES officials regarding a recently completed report detailing the state's water resources challenges, followed by approximately one hour of discussion. DES is conducting the meetings, with the assistance of various partner organizations and stakeholders, to inform the public and to build public involvement in the development a state water resources plan by the legislature's Water Resources Committee.
These meetings are the third major step in the water planning process. The recent report represents what the state's water experts think and NHDES conducted a survey of state and local policy makers last fall to gauge their opinions. Following the public meetings, NHDES will report back to the Water Resources Committee, which will decide the next steps to take towards a state water plan.
Eleven evening meetings have been scheduled between now and the end of May.
For weather-related cancellation information, please call (603) 271-7061. more...
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2/26/09
2009 Call for Entries - National Award for Smart Growth Achievement
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the eighth annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This competition is open to public-sector or private sector applicants that have used the principles of smart growth to create better places. Private-sector applicants are encouraged to submit applications for projects that demonstrate a significant public-private partnership. more...
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2/12/09
Request for Applications: Smart Growth Implementation Assistance
Free technical assistance available!
Smart Growth Implementation Assistance 2009 Request for Applications
The Development, Community, and Environment Division in EPA’s Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation is seeking applications for technical assistance from communities that want to incorporate smart growth in their future development to meet environmental and other community goals. Eligible entities are tribal, local, regional, and state governments, and nonprofit organizations that have a demonstrated partnership with a governmental entity. Applications are due at 5:00 pm EST, April 23, 2009. more... |
High school honored for green building
Concord Monitor, February 11, 2009
A wood chip plant, special insulation and a promise to recycle the bulk of its construction waste has made the newly renovated Merrimack Valley High School the first school building in the state to earn a special environmental designation. more... |
State hopes to plug holes in homes
Concord Monitor, January 21, 2009
Anasa Mpingo's refrigerator thermometer showed 36 degrees - ideal for keeping food cold without wasting electricity. The only problem? The thermometer was outside the refrigerator, not in. more... |
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