Public News Service

The 460 megawatt Merrimack Station's particulate matter emissions allegedly exceeded EPA limits by 70% in February 2023. A successful smoke stack retest has not been completed since, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environment Services. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NH groups celebrate planned closure of New England’s last coal plant

Environmental activists in New Hampshire are celebrating the planned closure of New England's last coal-fired power plant. Granite Shore Power said …

Oyster reefs provide habitat for hundreds of species, including mussels, barnacles and sea anemones, which settle on reefs and provide food for many other species. Crabs and fish also hide from predators within reef crevices. (Adobe Stock)

Oyster Reef Restoration Benefits Farmers, Coastal Communities

By Lynn Fantom for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

Brook floater mussels are one of New Hampshire's known endangered invertebrate species. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Report: Document Mussels, Other Invertebrate Species Before They Go Extinct

New research suggests Earth's Sixth Mass Extinction event, on par with the one which ended the age of dinosaurs, is already under way. Noah …

Some consumer groups say stainless-steel cookware is safer than nonstick pans, some of which can contain toxic PFAS chemicals. (auremar/Adobe Stock)

Merrimack Residents: Stop the Source of PFAS "Forever Chemicals"

MERRIMACK, N.H. -- This week, both Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are taking action to combat a class of so-called "forever …

The Merrimack River watershed runs from the White Mountains down to the ocean in Newburyport, Mass. (jonbilous/Adobe Stock)

NH Conservationists Work to Protect Merrimack River Watershed

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The U.S. Forest Service is partnering with a group of agencies and nonprofits to conserve water quality and forest health in the …

A new lawsuit filed in New Hampshire blames PCB pollution for a drop in the loon population on Squam Lake. (Krista269/Pixabay)

NH Sues Manufacturers Over PCB Pollution

CONCORD, N.H. -- Conservation groups are praising a New Hampshire lawsuit filed Tuesday that goes after the manufacturers of the toxic chemicals …

The nation's first study of PFAS contamination is centered at the site of the former Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. (Master Sgt. Dave Casey/Wikimedia Commons)

Sununu Signs PFAS Contamination Bill

CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill yesterday to fight PFAS contamination on several fronts. The measure would compel insurance …

Much of the trash in New Hampshire's landfills comes from out-of-state sources. (New Hampshire State Parks)

Dalton Residents Seek New Zoning Laws to Keep Landfill Out

DALTON, N.H. – Residents of a small North Country town are organizing against a proposed landfill near their beloved Forest Lake. Vermont-…

In 2018, an estimated 800 million gallons of combined sewage overflow was discharged into the Merrimack River. (Wikimedia Commons)

Has Manchester Sent Spring Sewage into Merrimack River?

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Has the city of Manchester been pumping raw sewage into the Merrimack River because of heavy rains this spring? That …

Many of the EPA regulations that Scott Pruitt scrapped or delayed as EPA administrator had not yet taken effect before his resignation. (Wikimedia Commons)

Government Watchdog Groups: Pruitt's EPA Exit "Long Overdue"

WASHINGTON – After allegedly overspending on everything from pens to lavish trips and accepting questionable deals from lobbyists, government …

On the same day thousands marched in the Native Nations Rise march in Washington, about 50 locals held a vigil in solidarity with the march. (Joshua Lang).

Granite State Native Americans Stand in Solidarity Against Pipeline

CONCORD, N.H. – The Native Nations Rise March received major news coverage over the weekend. New Hampshire Native Americans and their …

New England tribal and peace activists raised money in Concord this week to help fight the Dakota Access Pipeline and prevent water contamination. (E. Zulaski)

New Englanders Join Protest Against Dakota Access Pipeline

CONCORD, N.H. – While the Dakota Access Pipeline is being built thousands of miles away, tribal and social justice activists in New England …

New FDA guidelines indicate 90 percent of fish species are safe to eat, but there are a few exceptions. (The Full Wiki)

Love to Eat Fish? Check Out New Safety Guidelines

CONCORD, N.H. – Good news for Granite Staters who love fresh fish. Two U.S. agencies have released new advice on how much and which types of …

Conservation groups in New England say the puffin is one of many species that will benefit from designation of the first National Marine Monument in the Atlantic. (Steve Deger/Wikimedia)

What Will Atlantic National Monument Mean for NH People, Wildlife?

CONCORD, N.H. -- With the stroke of a pen, President Obama designated a new national monument off the coast of Cape Cod, and there should be plenty …

Nationwide water sampling turned up harmful chemicals in many communities, including water systems that serve 53,000 in the Granite State. (Mike Clifford)

Action Urged on Chemical in Drinking Water

CONCORD, N.H. - In the wake of a major overhaul of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act, the EPA is being urged to act on a chemical found in …

Drink more H2O! Older Americans, especially men, and certain ethnic groups need to drink more water to stay healthy, according to the CDC. (Mike Clifford)

Drink More Water - Latest CDC Advice for Most People

CONCORD, N.H. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has followed up on a study done about a decade ago that looks at whether Americans are …

New Hampshire fishing guide Ron Sowa gives some fishing tips to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. Today he is among those crediting the lawmaker for her vote this month that blocked Senate Bill 1104, which would have blocked protection of small rivers and streams. Courtesy: E. Orff.

Thanksgiving Gratitude in NH on Clean Water

CONCORD, N.H. - Plenty of Granite Staters make a living in the wildlife recreation industry, and some say a vote earlier this month on the Clean …

A delegation of Granite Staters traveled to Washington last week to drum up support for the EPA's Clean Power Plan. Included was a visit with Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who supports the plan. Courtesy: K. Roert

NH Business and Health Delegation Urges Congress to Support Clean Power Plan

CONCORD, N.H. - It's no secret Congress has a budget battle brewing, and Granite Staters including a local brewer just delivered a message to …

A new National Wildlife Federation report says climate change is stressing the nation's waterways and causing hot spots in Granite State rivers, brooks and streams that are too warm for fish such as eastern brook trout to survive. Photo credit: Eric Orff

“Wildlife in Hot Water” Report: Hot Spots Driving Away NH Brook Trout

CONCORD, N.H. - "Wildlife in Hot Water" is the headline of a new report on the nation's waterways and local experts say the warming of New …

New Hampshire conservationists say streams such as this one in Epsom should return to cooler temperatures under the new EPA Clean Power Plan, which will benefit native brook trout and other local fish and wildlife. Credit: Eric Orff/National Wildlife Federation.

Clean Power Plan: “Vital” for NH Moose, Trout, Shrimp and More

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire biologists, sportsmen and conservationists are giving "thumbs-up" to the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power …

Wildlife biologist Eric Orff says Clean Water Act protections for small rivers and streams not only protect local trout but also New England's drinking water. Credit: Janice R. Orff

Poll: Wide Bipartisan and Tea Party Voter Support for Clean Water Protections

CONCORD, N.H. – A new bipartisan survey finds broad support, including from many Tea Party voters, for the Clean Water Act. Three-in-four …

PHOTO: Three groups are suing the FDA over their approval of new combinations of growth enhancing drugs to be administered to millions of animals raised for food, including pigs. Photo courtesy Humane Society of the United States.

New Drug “Cocktails” for Farm Animals Prompts Lawsuit

NASHUA, N.H. – Pharmaceuticals – they’re what's for dinner. And three groups in the U.S. are suing the federal government over …

The EPA holds public hearings this week on proposed carbon emission standards. Advocates say there could be significant health benefits for the one in 10 New England residents who cope with asthma. Photo credit: Wknight94 / Wikimedia Commons.

Major Stake for Granite State in EPA Clean Power Plan Hearings

CONCORD, N.H. - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding hearings this week on the proposed Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce carbon …

PHOTO: Coastal storm damage, like the destruction pictured here in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, will become more frequent as sea levels rise through the remainder of the century in the Northeast, according to a new report. Photo courtesy of the Risky Business Project.

Report: NH Economy Headed “Underwater?”

CONCORD, N.H. - While the Northeast is expected to experience an increase in temperatures and more extreme, hot days through the remainder of the …

PHOTO: An increase in fertilizer runoff from agriculture, along with more severe weather is leading to a larger number of reports of toxic algae blooms in the United States. The algae can make people ill and kill animals or pets. CREDIT: Ben Townsend

Report: Toxic Algae Problems Become More Common Across Nation

CONCORD, N.H. - A new analysis shows a growing scourge of harmful algae blooms across the nation, including in the Granite State. Jordan Lubetkin …

PHOTO: The Portland-Maine pipeline, shown here crossing Coos County, NH, is cited in a petition calling on the federal government to issue stricter regulations for transporting tar sands oil from Western Canada across New England and the Midwest. Courtesy NWF.

Granite Staters Join to Petition U.S. on Tar Sands Regs

LITTLETON, N.H. - More than 55 groups and individuals are petitioning the federal government to halt the planned pumping of corrosive tar-sands oil …

PHOTO: Oil found in Gulf wetlands in 2012. Courtesy: Craig Guillot, NWF

Environmental "Trial of the Century" to Start Today

NASHUA, N.H. - Billions of dollars and the health of the Gulf Coast are on the line as the civil trial against BP begins on Monday in New Orleans…

PHOTO: Sally Jewell, the current CEO of Seattle-based outdoor retailer REI, is President Obama's new nominee for Secretary of the Interior. Courtesy of REI, Inc.

Interior Department to Try On Non-Politico Secretary

NASHUA, N.H. - The CEO of REI, the prominent outdoor clothing and gear retail company, has been nominated for Secretary of the Interior by President …

PHOTO: A new report says lobster fisheries in the Gulf of Maine might be the

Lobster “Canary in Coal Mine” of New England Climate Change?

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - The New England lobster, under threat from disease and invasive species, may be the "canary in the coal mine" of climate …

A tar sands pipeline which burst in 2010 contaminated Michigan's Kalamazoon River. Protests are being held around New England against using a 62-year-old pipeline to move Canadian tar sands to Portland for export. Photo courtesy NWF

New Englanders Rally to Oppose Tar Sands Pipeline

NASHUA, N.H. - Demonstrations, pickets at gas stations and a march and rally in Portland, Maine, on Saturday capped off a week of actions from Canada …

PHOTO: Apparent plans to pump abrasive tar sands oil in an aging pipeline across three New England states are sparking opposition from critics who fear water and wildlife will be imperiled. Photo courtesy NWF.

Tar Sands Pipeline Project “Slinking Forward” Into NH, New England

EPSOM, N.H. – Training for how to clean up tar sands oil spills began in Portland, Maine this week (Tuesday and Wednesday), following an …

PHOTO: Man in a deer stand. Photo credit: Steve Maslowski, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Hunt & Fish vs. “Drill, Baby, Drill?” - NE Sportsmen Weigh In

NASHUA, N.H. - Conservation is just as important as gun rights, according to new poll of sportsmen by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF)…

PHOTO: Doug Inkley Image by National Wildlife Federation

Report: Summer's Signs of Things to Come

CONCORD, N.H. - With the long weekend marking summer's unofficial end, New Hampshire's weather is telling us a lot about climate change and where …

Blame Canada? Trying to Head Off Tar Sands Pipeline Through New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. - The risks to water and wildlife if tar sands from Alberta are sent through an existing, aging pipeline across Vermont, New Hampshire …

Is 'Genetically Modified' the Future of Our Food?

CONCORD, N.H. - The rise of genetically modified foods has put agriculture at a crossroads in New Hampshire and around the country, and some believe …

Report: Climate Change Hits Indian Country Hardest

CONCORD, N.H. - Indian country is bearing the biggest brunt of climate change, according to a new report from tribal groups and the National Wildlife …

National Security Bill Questions for NH, White Mountain Nat'l Forest

CONCORD, N.H. - A U.S. House committee today is to take up a bill that would expand the powers of the Department of Homeland Security by waiving …

Senate Showdown Today on Handcuffing EPA

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services commissioner Tom Burack has written to Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle …

Updated Guidelines on Preventing Drowning Deaths for Children

CONCORD, N.H. - The summer swimming season is here, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has revised its guidelines on how to keep children …

Report: BP Can’t Be Singled Out

As the costs of Gulf Coast cleanup efforts from the BP oil spill continue to rise, a new report examines the industry as a whole, in terms of safety …

Environmental Health Risks: Not Just Cancer

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A recent report delivered to President Obama by a special panel appointed by President Bush warned that the risk of cancer from …

Tourism Tips for New England Wacky Winter Weather

NORTH CONWAY, N.H. - As the old saying goes in New England: if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change. And, according to a …

Controversial BPA Up for Debate in Congress

CONCORD, N.H. - It makes some baby bottles, sippy cups, even children's plastic toys more durable, but the use of the chemical Bisphenol A, BPA for …

June Showers Breed Mosquito Power in NH

Concord, NH – June's heavy rains in New Hampshire gave mosquitoes a fertile ground in which to breed, and experts are predicting a rough …

EPA "Endangerment" Declaration a Boost for "Reggie"

Washington, D.C. - Things could start to get a lot stricter in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has …

Groups Chiming in on Economic Development Ideas

Concord, NH – Rumors are swirling that the economic crisis is going to put a damper on President-elect Barack Obama's plans to invest in …

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NH: Water