By Terri O'Rorke, 7 February 2025

Yesterday saw the first voting session on proposed legislation in Concord. Some of those bills had to do with climate change and extreme weather. As usual, the deniers were nearly tripping over themselves as one after the other were urging us to vote against addressing the very real threat of extreme weather the state (the globe) has been witnessing for many years now. Even the Chairman of the Science, Technology and Energy Committee, Liberty Alliance member, Michael Vose (R-Epping) got up and spoke against the bills. As an aside, this was Rep. Vose’s response to the Citizens Count 2024 survey before the recent election, “Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change? "NH can do nothing to address climate change, which needs worldwide attention" In other words, why bother?

Here are some examples:

HB 106, establishing a commission to determine the monetary costs of climate damage to the state of NH and the best means of recouping such costs. The Republican majority on the committee recommended the bill as “ITL-inexpedient to legislate” (translation – a term used in legislative contexts to indicate that a bill should not proceed further.) The minority felt the bill “ought to pass.” 

The vote against ITL passed, 207-149, but failed when voted on “ought to pass.” So much for having a commission to study the financial risks and finding sensible means to pay for adaptability. Since 2011, NH has seen a higher than average rate of extreme weather events which are now resulting in turning to the federal government for assistance. So, why bother?

HB 306, establishing a commission to study the short and long-term impacts of pending national and regional carbon pricing mechanisms on NH’s citizens, businesses, institutions and environment. Again, the Republican majority on the committee recommended the bill as “ITL-inexpedient to legislate.” The minority felt the bill “ought to pass.” Let’s be clear, the bill didn’t set up carbon pricing, it was to begin a commission to study the economic impacts. This was to assist NH in preparing for economic impacts from regional and global energy markets. All other North American countries are now pricing carbon. The Republicans “tabled” it, essentially killed the bill. 

HB 526-FN, establishing a climate change and damage division in the department of environmental services. Again, the Republican majority on the committee recommended the bill as “ITL-inexpedient to legislate.” The minority felt the bill “ought to pass.” This bill was meant to take a proactive, data-driven approach to climate adaptation. Promoting science-based policy, public participation and funding for sustainable practices, NH would then find itself prepared for climate challenges and become a leader in resilience. The “why bother” Republicans tabled (killed) the bill.

Until NH can get more legislators in office who are conscious of the real threat that extreme weather and climate change brings to all of us, we’ll continue to see the “why bother”, do nothing attitude of the deniers. 

By Terri O'Rorke, 4 February 2025

Let’s read that again; the “Stalkers Empowerment Act.” Who in their right mind would want to empower a stalker? I’ll give you one guess . . .

This Fri., Feb. 7, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will hold a hearing on HB700, relative to orders of protection. This bill will make dangerous and unnecessary changes to New Hampshire's Stalking Statute, RSA 633:3-a. The “Stalkers’ Empowerment Act” will make it harder for the courts to remove deadly weapons from dangerous stalkers. It also adds language to NH’s stalking law that questions the credibility of victims. What could possibly go wrong?

Legislators need to prioritize policies that protect the public, not ones that make it easier for stalkers to terrorize and kill their victims.

Nationally, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men are stalked during their lifetimes, the majority of victims experience physical threats to their safety. In NH, hundreds of stalking victims access vital services every year through 12 community-based crisis centers in the state. 

Stalking victims already face enough barriers to seeking relief and protection through the courts. Nearly all victims in NH are self-represented in protective order cases and may not know how to navigate the judicial process. Barriers to protection should be removed, not increased.

HB700 creates additional challenges for victims by sending the message that they somehow shouldn't be believed at a time when they may already fear retaliation from their abuser for coming forward. All forms of stalking are dangerous and traumatizing.

  • Additionally, this bill makes the assumption that victims who are stalked by a neighbor or stranger are in less danger.
  • 1 in 5 stalkers use a deadly weapon to threaten their victim, and perpetrators use various tactics to stalk their victims, often changing their strategies in response to new restrictions such as protective orders.
  • Many stalkers also target people known to the victim, placing family, friends, coworkers, and community members at risk of violence.

This bill ties the hands of judges to keep victims safe. Under current law, judges have discretion when granting the removal of firearms and deadly weapons. This bill significantly raises the standard for how judges can make that determination, limiting their ability to adequately protect victims and grant life-saving relief.

Stalkers should not be empowered; legislators should not help to enable them; victims need to be protected.

To register your opposition to HB 700, follow the instructions below. Be sure to register your opposition before the hearing on Friday! 

Use this link and follow these simple steps:

1. Click February 7 on the calendar.

2. Select "House Criminal Justice and Public Safety" in the committee drop-down list.

3. Choose 11:30am - HB700 from the "bill" drop-down list.

4. Select "Member of the Public" under the "I am" drop-down list.

5. Type "Myself" in the "I am representing" section.

6. Finally, select "I oppose this bill" and then click "continue." This will lead you to a page where you can complete the registration process, (name, address, etc.)

Thank you for taking a few moments to speak up in defense of stalking victims.

By Terri O'Rorke, 3 February 2025

Upcoming vote:

HB 60, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term. This forced eviction bill would harm tenants and increase homelessness in a state already experiencing high housing costs and low housing availability. The full House will vote on this bill on Thurs., Feb. 6 at 10 AM. Please urge your Representatives to oppose this misguided bill.

Upcoming hearings:

Wednesday, February 5
HB 392-FN, directing the dissolution of the Dept. of Health and Human services’ office of health equity, dept. of environmental services’ functions for civil rights and environmental justice, and the governor’s council on diversity and inclusion. This bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs Committee, LOB Room 210-211 on Wed., Feb. 5 at 9:30 AM. To contact the committee, use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to oppose and share testimony.

Thursday, February 6
SB 255, establishing and developing crisis stabilization services. This bill would expand needed mental health crisis services in NH. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, LOB Room 101, on Thurs., Feb. 6 at 11 AM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to support and share testimony.

To submit your position to a House Committee, click SUBMIT YOUR POSITION TO A HOUSE COMMITTEE HERE.

To submit your position to a Senate Committee, click SUBMIT YOUR POSITION TO A SENATE COMMITTEE HERE.

Directions for registering your position on a bill.

·  Fill in your Personal Information

·  Select the correct date and committee for the hearing by clicking on it in the Meeting Schedule Calendar (make sure you are on the right week!). [Select Bill # and select the date].

·  In the dropbox below "Select the Committee," select committee.

·  In the dropbox below "Choose the Bill," select the correct time and bill number.

·  Select the correct option for the "I am" dropbox (likely "Member of the Public").

·  Fill in the content box under "I'm Representing" with the business, organization, or group you are representing. If you are representing yourself only, write "myself."

·  Under the “Indicate Your Position on this Bill,” check the circle stating your position on the bill. “I Oppose this Bill” or “I Support this Bill”

·  After filling in all the correct dropboxes, click “Submit.”

·  After clicking submit, you will be brought to the next page, where you will fill in the content boxes with your first and last name, your town, state, and email address.

·  Press “Continue.”

·  If you wish to speak during the hearing to present your testimony, you need to attend in person at the State House.

·  If you wish to submit testimony on the bill, email the relevant committee and upload the testimony file from your computer.

Thank you for being diligent during this extremely challenging legislative session. Let’s do all we can to preserve our democracy.

Together, we win and can move towards a better future.

By Ed Haas, 2 February 2025

The American way of life is rooted in self-reliance.  Most everything we do is oriented towards creating means and opportunity for individuals to be on their own.  Job programs create income opportunities.  Housing programs improve affordability for independent living. Our primary schooling system – the idea that everyone should be instructed in tools for living – is oriented to enabling the individual.  Persons may join in marriage or other living arrangements for economic benefit.  Some go into communal living.  For the vast majority, we expect them to become self-sustaining. 

When we believe are successful at being self-sustaining, it becomes easy to believe that the affairs of the world, the nation, the state, the city have little impact on our lives. Nonsense from government comes and goes, politicians postulate and obfuscate, laws change, but for the most part the self-reliant individual believes they are not affected.  Prices may go up and down, availability of services may come and go, but the average citizen is more concerned with their own family, educating their children, potholes in the street, and reliability of utilities.  For most everything else the average citizen believes they will take care of themselves. 

This of course is untrue, as we rely on interconnected society to provide all the means of our life. Even for folk who live disconnected and off the grid, the machinery to do so comes from somewhere.

With peaceful conditions, it is easy to believe that individuals can ignore and withdraw from political affairs.  Folks tend to keep their heads down and go about their own self-reliance business. They may still vote, but since our votes are often binary choices, there’s still little that really impacts many. 

Is this a reasonable way to live?  Let those who are concerned set the directions and solve the problems, I will adapt.  Would that that was true. 

We have today stark examples of what happens when citizens do not take responsibility.  The suffering in Gaza can be blamed on Hamas, or on Israel, and with all the stories of horror it is easy to condemn either, or both.  But it is a clear example of how the ordinary folk pay the price for the misbehavior of their government.  Hamas conducted unspeakable terrorist acts on October 7.  The severe response from Israel was expected and likely welcomed by Hamas leadership.  But who suffers?  According to the United Nations, 1.9 million persons have been displaced in Gaza, many multiple times.  Along with the Gazans, the Israelis killed, injured or taken hostage and the state of Israel as a whole has suffered. And alas, although Hamas is severely impacted, it still exists and shows strength. 

Who pays the price for political leaders’ aberrations?  Germans looked away during the rise of Nazi Germany.  Japanese followed the myth of their emperor.  Both countries and civilian populations consequently suffered death and destruction previously conceived as unbelievable.  Neither of these populations conceived of what the cost would be for blindly following their “leaders”. 

This is not victim blaming. Hamas is more like a criminal terrorist group that victimized the population, but who suffers their behavior? It was of course not easy for individuals to speak out against Hamas, and that is an understatement, given the culture of assassination.  Rather, the population allowed Hamas to distract with hatred for Israel. 

Right now, the same thing is happening in Rwanda, the Congo and Ethiopia.  Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, are in similar situations, indeed even our southern border is in the same situation to some extent.  And who suffers?  The self-reliant, politically agnostic individual takes the hit. When suspicion and hatred and vengeance are mixed in, a cycle begins that is virtually impossible to break.

The lesson is that not engaging with our political system is to give it over to groups that will impose their will, with others suffering the consequences.  Since we live in an interconnected society we are all impacted by those we select as leaders.  If left ignored, leaders will inevitably go bad:  as Lord Acton stated in the 19th Century, 

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority….”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dalberg-Acton,_1st_Baron_Acton

We are learning this lesson anew in this country today.  The demise of the past Democratic administration clearly demonstrated how good can go bad.  The door has been opened for an authoritative oligarchy which is already pressing the levers of presidential power to stress and strain our established institutions. Firing Inspectors General?  Firing federal prosecutors who are not aligned with the adminstration’s political goals?  Were not these positions non-partisan?  If they behaved in partisan activities, then truly they should be brought to heel.  Sweeping removals are however more intended to destroy the institutions rather than reform them.  Trust in the institutions is all too easily undermined just by these vacuous threats.

James Baldwin pointed out that “Your institutions will not save you”.  If we love America, we must continually reform our institutions.  If we just destroy them, as the “Appeal to Heaven’ movement would have, the individual is most likely to be punished.

By Terri O'Rorke, 2 February 2025

Yeah, between voter suppression, school vouchers and anti-immigration bills, the opposition has been very busy pushing their inhumane agendas forward. So, this “call to action” is for upcoming hearings being held on Tues., Feb. 4th with the House Election Committee. The following are bills to express opposition for with your legislators.

🚨HB418 – Restricts absentee voting to only those absent from town or with a disability. Check out HB418 Talking Points

🚨 HB217 – Requires absentee registrants to provide citizenship, age, domicile, and identity documents. (Seriously?) Check out HB217 Talking Points

🚨 HB686 – Requires ID before receiving an absentee ballot. Check out HB686 Talking Points

🚨HB608– Requires notarization of absentee ballots. Check out HB608 Talking Points (imagine being disabled and trying to figure out how to get this NEW requirement done!)

The following are bills to express support of with your legislators.

HB294– Ends delays in absentee ballot processing. Check out  HB294 Talking Points

HB344– Absentee Ballot Pre-Processing. Check out HB344 Talking Points

To submit your position, click SUBMIT YOUR POSITION TO A HOUSE COMMITTEE HERE.

Fill in your Personal Information

·   Select the relevant date and committee for the hearing by clicking on it in the Meeting Schedule Calendar (make sure you are on the right week!). [Select Bill # and select the date].

·   In the dropbox below "Select the Committee," select Election committee.

·   In the dropbox below "Choose the Bill," select the correct time and bill number.

·   Select the appropriate option for the "I am" dropbox (likely "Member of the Public").

·   Fill in the content box under "I'm Representing" with the business, organization, or group you are representing. If you are representing yourself only, write "myself."

·   Under the “Indicate Your Position on this Bill,” check the circle stating your position on the bill. “I Oppose this Bill” or “I Support this Bill”

·   After filling in all of the correct dropboxes, click “Submit.”

·   After clicking submit, you will be brought to the next page, where you will fill in the content boxes with your first and last name, as well as your town, state, and email address.

·   Press “Continue.”

·   If you wish to speak during the hearing to present your testimony, you will need to attend in person at the State House, but you upload your testimony if you cannot attend.

·   If you wish to submit testimony, email the election committee and upload the testimony file from your computer.

There are six voting rights bills headed for hearings on Tues. Please take a few moments to let your representative know how you feel about these bills. Thank you for doing so!

 

By Terri O'Rorke, 31 January 2025

Amos Fortune was about 15 years old when he was captured and taken from his home in Africa to be sold as a slave around 1725.  The “voyage” to the New World was a terrifying nightmare for those onboard slave ships, lasting between two to four months. Belongings were confiscated, they were branded, chained naked together and sent belowdecks where they were tightly packed in as “cargo” usually anywhere from 350-600 human beings aboard one ship. Many of these captives died from disease, malnutrition, murder, suffocation and/or suicide. For the ones who did not die from the horrific onboard conditions, many were left with permanent disabilities. Amos survived, was eventually auctioned off and purchased by Boston bookbinder Deacon Fortune. During his enslavement in Boston, he became well educated in bookbinding and English, eventually also converting to Christianity.

In 1740, Amos was sold to Ichabod Richardson, a tannery owner from Woburn, Massachusetts, where he became an apprentice. The first known historical record of Fortune appears in Dec., 1763, by way of an unsigned “freedom paper” prepared by Richardson, granting Fortune his freedom after four years. Richardson died in 1768, the document was left unsigned and Richardson’s will made no mention of the agreed upon promise of freedom. Nevertheless, Fortune made an agreement with Richardson’s heirs to “pay off his bond.” In 1770 at the age of 60, Fortune made his last payment and was now a free man in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

He remained in Woburn for another ten years, working as an expert tanner. He was able to purchase land there and build a home. In 1778, he married Lydia Somerset, an enslaved woman whose freedom he bought from slave holder Josiah Bowers of Billerica, Mass. Lydia died not long after they married. The next year, on Nov. 9, 1779, Fortune bought the freedom of his second wife, Violate, from slave holder James Baldwin. Amos and Violate (Violet) Fortune were married the next day in Woburn.

Two years later, the Fortunes moved to Jaffrey, New Hampshire, where Amos began what became a successful tannery and was able to train two apprentices. It was during this time he and Violate adopted a daughter, Celyndia. 

Amos became a founding member of the Jaffrey Social Library, where members would meet weekly for literary discussions. He was a member of the First Church of Jaffrey, enjoying a close friendship with the first minister, Laban Ainsworth, (who was the longest serving Congregational minister in American history.)

In 1801, Fortune died in Jaffrey and is buried in Jaffrey’s Olde Burial Ground next to Violate, who died a year later. Even though he was a former slave, Amos became a successful businessman in both Woburn and Jaffrey. He became Jaffrey’s first benefactor upon his death, when he bequeathed $233 to the town for educational programs, and $100 to the church to purchase “a handsome gift.” This contribution for educational purposes created the Amos Fortune Fund, which to this day funds literary contests in local schools. The Amos Fortune Forum honors him by hosting a Lecture Series each summer featuring distinguished guest speakers.

“Sacred to the memory of Amos Fortune, who was born free in Africa, a slave in America, he purchased liberty, professed Christianity, lived reputably, and died hopefully, November 17,1801, AET 91.”       Rev. Laban Ainsworth

By Terri O'Rorke, 28 January 2025

Long before any white European immigrant set foot in the New World (later, the United States of America), there were already indigenous folks living, hunting, fishing, gardening, trading, fighting, birthing and dying on this land. At the beginning of the 1830’s there were an estimated 125,000 Native Americans living on millions of acres of southern land - land that was deemed valuable and begrudgingly coveted by White immigrant settlers who were moving into the area. These settlers did anything they could to get that land - from looting and burning Native American homes, stealing their livestock to squatting on land that did not belong to them. 

Remember the Trail of Tears? Thousands of Native Americans were forcefully removed from their lands, walking hundreds of miles to reservations on what was then called “Indian Territory” in Oklahoma. Many died enroute or were killed, unsuccessfully defending their lands. In 2003, these forced removals and resulting deaths were rightfully described as a genocide.

Now, nearly 200 years later, a different but just as cruel, form of discrimination is taking place again in America towards people of color. People who come here for a better life for themselves and their families; people escaping war; people escaping dictatorships; people escaping drought-ridden countries (due to climate change), looking to America as their safe haven only to be cruelly treated and discriminated against. 

Hence, this call to action.

There are proposed bills at the State House targeting New Hampshire's immigrant communities.

  • SB 13 would needlessly seize many undocumented immigrants who drive across state lines into NH, even if they have a valid driver's license in another state. Immigrants, like us, need to be able to drive, and if they enter NH with a valid driver's license from another state, then they deserve the ability to move freely and care for their families without fear of arrest or deportation.
  • SB 62 bypasses local government by requiring a police department be the sole decision-maker on whether to take on the role of the federal government in participating in the federal 287(g) program, a program focused on immigration enforcement and detention that has a long record of racial profiling and other civil rights violations. This eliminates local government control and further bars any input or discretion, even community discussion, around the issue of police taking on federal immigration work.
  • SB 71 requires police officers to essentially function as federal immigration enforcers (ICE) in local communities. This would destroy any relationship between police and the community they serve, would be a major financial burden on local law enforcement and taxpayers, and may even encourage immigration enforcement in sensitive places like schools.

 Contact your state senator. Let him or her know that anti-immigrant policies like these are cruel and insulting to all people of NH and is a waste of state resources that could be used for other, more important, issues. Takes only moments to speak in defense of a fellow human being. 

By Terri O'Rorke, 25 January 2025

Well, they’re at it again. Pushing “Right-to-Work.” This bill concerns the collective bargaining rights of unions and was scheduled to be voted on last week right after the public hearing. But the overwhelming amount of online and in person testimony resulted in the committee Chair postponing the vote until early next week.

What this is about: HB 735-FN would require that every public sector union would need to recertify by a vote of the majority of the bargaining unit when the current members of the unit have never voted on the issue.

This legislation impacts an immense majority of the almost 700 local unions representing police officers, firefighters, municipal, county, and state employees, university faculty and staff, teachers, and school staff unions. This would create chaos as well as an unnecessary expense on public employers. It is also an unnecessary burden meant to weaken their power. This is another attempt to eliminate public sector unions in New Hampshire.  

Immediate Action Needed – Stop the Attack on Public Sector Employees

The hearing on HB 735-FN is scheduled before the House Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services Committee on Tues., Jan. 28, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. A huge in-person showing at this hearing would be helpful. However, if you can’t attend, please immediately REGISTER YOUR OPPOSITION at the following link, https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/remotetestimony/.

Directions are as follows:

·       Fill in your Personal Information

·       Select the date and committee for the hearing by clicking on it in the Meeting Schedule Calendar (make sure you are on the right week!). HB 735-FN and select the date – Jan. 28th.

·       In the dropbox below "Select the Committee," select House Labor, Industrial, Rehabilitative Services

·       In the dropbox below "Choose the Bill," select the appropriate time and bill number. 3:30pm – HB 735-FN

·       Select the appropriate option for the "I am" dropbox (most likely "Member of the Public").

·       Fill in the content box under "I'm Representing" with the business, organization, or group you are representing. If you are representing yourself only, write "myself."

·       Under the “Indicate Your Position on this Bill,” check the circle stating your position on the bill. “I Oppose this Bill”

 After filling in all the appropriate dropboxes, click “Submit.”

·       After clicking submit, you will be brought to the next page, where you fill in the content boxes with your first and last name, as well as your town, state, and email address.

·       Press “Continue.”

·       If you wish to speak during the hearing to present your testimony, you will need to attend in person at the State House, but you upload your testimony if you cannot attend.

·       If you wish to submit testimony on the bill, email the relevant committee and upload the testimony file from your computer. Takes minutes to complete.

Thank you for standing with unions!

By Terri O'Rorke, 21 January 2025

Liberty Alliance and Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) member, Rep. Julia Harvey-Bolia (R-Tilton) has sponsored a “preventative” bill, HB 71 aimed at yet another “problem” that doesn’t exist! The bill states: 

II.  As a condition on receipt of state financial assistance under any applicable program by a district public school, chartered public school, public academy, or an institution of higher learning, the facilities of the school or institution shall not (emphasis added) be used to provide shelter or housing for specified aliens.

Rep. Harvey-Bolia seeks to prevent schools (only public ones are in the bill) from closing if immigrants or refugees, here legally, are looking for emergency shelter. She claims, “The bill does not seek to ban the use of schools for immigrant housing so much if you receive state money, then your agreement is you will use schools as schools. We want to keep the schools for schools.” Are these the same schools the legislative majority wants to defund? And why are private, religious schools not included in this bill? 

Luckily, HB 71 has a “humane” exception for something like extreme weather emergencies, something we experience more and more: 
(b) “Short-term” means for a duration not to exceed 72 hours. 

According to Bill Gillett, the International Institute of New England's director of public policy and advocacy, “This bill seems to be directed at something that hasn’t been an issue and is unlikely to become an issue.” 

But that’s not the only bill looking to target immigrants. Rep. Bill Gannon (R-Sandown) has submitted proposed bill SB 13 which would invalidate out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. They tried this last year too and now it’s back again. People who receive these licenses from other states, including those who are undocumented, must pass road test exams, have driver identification, and often maintain car insurance. Not to different from NH requirements for drivers. Why the desire to hassle these folks?

Liberty Alliance member Rep. Tom Walsh (R-Hooksett) has introduced HB 452, a bill concerning drivers' licenses for “aliens” temporarily residing in NH. Why can’t they be as laser focused on extreme weather and climate change?

Again according to Gillett, “. . . extending (legislation) to refugees, asylees and parolees does not make any logical sense, given that they are lawfully admitted into the country and can obtain or can come with work authorization.” 

Fun fact: As of the beginning of this month, NH’s Northern Border Alliance reported law enforcement had no incidents related to illegal immigration at the New Hampshire-Canadian border in the past 6 months.

By Terri O'Rorke, 16 January 2025

Just a few days ago, the Biden administration awarded $635 million in grants for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. What will be left undistributed is barely $700,000 of the $2.5 billion from the 2021 Infrastructure Law.

These grants from the Biden administration’s zero-emission refueling infrastructure programs will fund 49 projects which will create more than 11,500 EV charging stations and alternative fuel infrastructure. These will be in areas throughout 27 states, four federally recognized Native American tribes, and the District of Columbia area.

Of that money, $368 million will be distributed for 42 projects enlarging EV charging station infrastructure within cities and towns across the country. Seven other projects, earmarked for building out the national fast charging network along designated "Alternative Fuel Corridors", will receive $268 million.

According to the New Hampshire Dept. of Transportation (NHDOT) and New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services (NHDES), the state received $15 million in federal grant funding. This money is to create additional electric vehicle charging stations across NH under the Federal Highway Administration's Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. These CFI grant funds will manage a program called “Next Level NH,” expanding EV charging stations in rural and urban areas, throughout the state. The grant money is designated to build another 199 charging ports, the equivalent of one gas station pump. 

That would be a huge increase as more people are wanting to turn to EV’s as one way of addressing climate change. According to the DriveElectricNH database, there are 699 public charging ports of all types available at 273 different locations in NH. But we’ve still got a long way to go before we catch up with three other New England states. Maine has 1,164 charging ports in 515 locations; Massachusetts has 8,429 charging ports in 3,461 locations and Vermont has 1,130 charging ports in 444 locations.

The goal of the Biden administration was to create 500,000 EV chargers by 2030. This $15 million in grant money will certainly help NH towards achieving that goal.