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Health & Fitness

Important Workshop to Give Citizens Say on Location of Energy Projects

NEWINGTON — Seacoast-area residents will have a unique opportunity to express opinions on changes to the way energy projects — including renewable energy projects — are sited in New Hampshire. 

On Monday, Dec. 9, the N.H. Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) will hold an interactive citizen-input workshop at the Town of Newington Main Hall for residents to suggest how the state could improve the State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) process. The SEC makes important decisions about the siting of energy facilities, including renewable energy, transmission lines, and pipelines. 

This project is a result of Senate Bill 99, which requires the OEP to seek public input on potential changes to New Hampshire’s energy siting process. The workshop will include brief presentations on the current SEC process, challenges and alternatives; discussions with other citizens; and polling on attendees’ option preferences. New Hampshire residents can also provide additional comments directly to the OEP at the end of the workshop, or via email any time. 

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“This is an important process and having voices in support of continued renewable energy investment would be very valuable,” said Jack Kenworthy, chief executive officer of Portmouth-based Eolian Renewable Energy. “New Hampshire has ambitious renewable energy targets that enjoy broad public support, but without reasonable siting guidelines, we will not be able to build the necessary new capacity to reach those goals. This is an opportunity to support renewables by encouraging the adoption of science-based objective standards for clean energy siting here in New Hampshire.” 

Starting from the premise that renewable energy is a community resource, Eolian Renewable Energy, founded in 2009, strives to assure that every project it undertakes is done with active community engagement; that all site plans minimize impacts and maximize local benefits; and that the final product is one that communities can be proud of for decades to come. Engaging and listening to stakeholders, bringing new economic development, revenue, and other benefits to host communities — these are the pillars on which Eolian has built its reputation. 

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The OEP workshop begins with registration at 5 p.m., kick-off is at 6 p.m., and the event will end at approximately 9:30 p.m. Space is limited to 150 to 200 people, and attendees must pre-register at www.raabassociates.org/nhoep in order to participate. Registration is on a first-come first-served basis; if the workshop is full, citizens may choose to be placed on a waiting list. If a resident cannot attend, OEP will also host listening sessions. Information is available at the OEP Web site, www.nh.gov/oep/energy/programs/sb99.htm

To fully participate in the workshop, please review the information provided on the above OEP Web site on New Hampshire’s current siting process, as well as those in other states, prior to attending. 

Eolian Renewable Energy is a Business Partner of the Green Alliance, a union of local sustainable businesses promoting environmentally sound business practices and a green co-op offering discounted green products and services to its members. 

For more information about Eolian Renewable Energy, visit www.eolian-energy.com

For more information about the Green Alliance, visit www.greenalliance.biz.
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