… Merrimack Station and Schiller Station have long been the target of environmental groups, including the Conservation Law Foundation, which has consistently listed the plants among the so-called “Dirty Dozen” of New England polluters. “Merrimack Station and Schiller Station power plants earn the award for the millions of pounds of toxic air pollution and greenhouse…
2016
2015
CLF Joins Historic Settlement to Divest PSNH Power Plants and Advance a Clean Energy Future for New Hampshire
Today, CLF is announcing its participation in a historic settlement agreement that will, at long last, put New Hampshire on a path to a fully competitive electric market and an energy future focused on clean, innovative, and affordable resources. Under the agreement, Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH, now known by the same name…
2014
Even This Winter, PSNH Coal Plants Aren’t Cheap
With electric rates headed up for the winter, more than a few people are admiring the perennially high but stable rates of PSNH, New Hampshire’s largest utility and the owner of the state’s two coal-fired power plants. But what’s behind PSNH’s rate’s new luster—the first time in the state’s decade-plus experience with a restructured electric…
2014
Setting the Table for Clean Energy Progress in the Granite State
Without much fanfare, New Hampshire lawmakers took important steps in 2014 toward clean energy progress. This spring, the legislature completed what is arguably the most successful session for energy issues in many years with a series of significant bills each addressing different parts of the clean energy puzzle: a pathway to ending the state’s inexcusable…
2014
New Hampshire’s Biggest Clean Energy Opportunity: PSNH Divestiture Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk
Just a year ago, the headline would have been hard to imagine in a New Hampshire newspaper. Yesterday’s Concord Monitor reported, “House, Senate Approve PSNH Divestiture Bill.” The state is now on a path that will likely lead to the sale of power plants owned by Public Service Company of New Hampshire, New Hampshire’s largest…
2014
They’re Still Number 1: PSNH’s Merrimack Station Leads the State Again in Toxic Chemical Releases
It’s clear to anyone paying attention to air pollution trends in New Hampshire that PSNH’s coal plants are a huge health and environmental liability for the state. And according to EPA data released last week, PSNH’s coal fleet continues to lead the state in toxic chemical releases: Merrimack Station in Bow remained New Hampshire’s number…
2013
The Missing Fine Print in Northern Pass Clean Air Propaganda
In a full-page advertisement in yesterday’s Concord Monitor, PSNH takes its greenwashing of the Northern Pass project to new heights of hypocrisy, this time not only continuing to tout the project’s unsubstantiated climate benefits, but splashing across the page, in large letters: “BREATHE DEEPLY, GRANDKIDS.” In some respects, today’s advertisement is just the latest in…
2013
Great Bay Waterkeeper- New Study Confirms We Are All Responsible
The NH Department of Environmental Services recently released its long-awaited draft Great Bay Non-Point Source Nitrogen Study, providing a breakdown of the sources of nitrogen pollution in the estuary, and additional insights on how to improve and protect water quality. According to the draft study, the Great Bay estuary receives, on average, a total load…
2013
“No supportable basis for optimism” and “ever higher costs”: PUC Staff calls out PSNH’s failed business model
This past Friday, staff from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission and The Liberty Consulting Group issued the results of their investigation (PDF) into the impacts of PSNH’s failing business model and “ever higher costs” to consumers. The Union Leader and NHPR were quick to quote the report’s damning conclusion: In summary, the situation looks…
2013
Coal-Fired PSNH Continues to Lose Customers, Anger Those Who Remain
It’s another spring in New Hampshire, and the slow death of Public Service Company of New Hampshire’s (PSNH) coal-fired business model continues, as do PSNH’s efforts to hold back reality and hold on to its regulatory protection from competition. More and more PSNH customers are choosing cleaner, cheaper energy options, the company is again…