CONCORD, N.H. – With the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee planning its next hearing for the end of this week, opponents continue to speak out against the 192-mile Northern Pass power transmission project. The proposed line would carry power from Canada to New England.

Brian Tilton helped organize the Hands Around the State House Rally Against Northern Pass on Sunday. His biggest concern is how the project would impact the environment.

"That's number one, because you are talking about cutting through some of our purest landscape that we have in the state; and some of that is the most untouched landscape in the country," he said.

Tilton says another major question is who will pay for the project. He says Hydro Quebec is on record stating that they will not pay for the cost of the power line on the U.S. side of the border and that ratepayers would shoulder that cost. Supporters of the project say it will bring clean energy and benefits to ratepayers in the region.

Tilton says outdoor activities are vital to the Granite State's economy and he believes routing power through the state via tall transmission line towers will make the state a lot less attractive to outdoor enthusiasts.

"How it would affect our tourism industry, which is our biggest driver of jobs and our economy in this state; because people don't want to come here and look at towers up to 155 feet tall," he explained. "If they wanted to do that, they would just stay home."

The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee is scheduled to hold the next hearing on Friday, April 28 in Concord.


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A new study found gas flaring in oil-producing states like North Dakota is not as effective in limiting harmful emissions when compared to long-standing estimates.

Flaring involves burning off excess natural gas which accumulates during oil extraction. The emission in question, methane, has been found to be a more powerful pollutant than carbon dioxide.

The industry has long worked under the assumption flaring at oil and gas fields is 98% effective at reducing methane, but the study reported the rate is actually closer to 91%.

Linda Weiss, a Dakota Resource Council board member from Belfield, near the Bakken oil fields, said it confirms many of her fears.

"You can't see most of these gases," Weiss pointed out. "You don't know what long-term effects they'll have on the human body."

Health experts have said long-term exposure can result in a range of health problems, including heart and breathing issues, and environmental groups say methane is a huge driver of climate change.

The study's authors now believe flaring emits five times more methane in the U.S. than previously thought. State officials have argued infrastructure upgrades have led to a smaller percentage of gas being flared in North Dakota.

The study looked at operations in North Dakota and Texas.

Jon Goldstein, senior director of regulatory and legislative affairs for the Environmental Defense Fund, said the two states are home to more than 80% of gas flaring in the U.S.

"So, those are two states that have a lot of flaring," Goldstein observed. "And that haven't done adequate measures at the state level to really curtail that practice."

He encouraged them to follow the leads of New Mexico and Colorado, which have been more aggressive in addressing the issue, including enhanced inspections.

Environmental groups hope the issue draws more attention as the Environmental Protection Agency considers tougher federal regulations.

Meanwhile, North Dakota officials said they inspect producing sites monthly and follow up to eliminate unlit flares, which, left unattended, can release unburned methane directly into the atmosphere.

A shortage of housing in New Mexico's largest cities forces many to drive hundreds of miles a day for jobs, making it harder to fight climate change, according to local experts.

As in other parts of the country, home prices and rents have increased dramatically the past two years in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It is estimated those who commute to Santa Fe generate between 10% and 20% of the county's total greenhouse gas emissions.

Kelly O'Donnell, director of the homeownership nonprofit Homewisdom in Santa Fe, said the state has made significant progress in some areas to address climate change, but needs more commuting options.

"Decreasing the number of miles New Mexicans drive remains critical to reducing emissions and combating climate change," O'Donnell asserted. "Making it possible for more people to live in close proximity to work, shopping and services and school, is key to reducing New Mexico's automobile dependence."

The cost of living in New Mexico is 8.5% below the national average, but a survey by CityRating.com showed fewer than five active real estate listings for every 10,000 existing homes.

Camilla Feibelman, director of the Sierra Club's Rio Grande Chapter, who was born and raised in Albuquerque, said a new species of mosquito this summer further highlights the effects of climate change.

"People aren't going outside anymore," Feibelman observed. "Temperatures are changing and inviting this new species in a way that really impacts us and makes life uncomfortable. But even more devastating were the impacts of climate-driven fires this summer."

Tammy Fiebelkorn, city councilor in Albuquerque, pointed out since almost all transportation dollars in the past 70 years have been spent on building highways, traffic congestion, pollution and sprawl are no surprise.

She believes it is time to provide more ride-sharing, public transportation and fuel-efficient vehicles.

"In cities across the Southwest, we've actually prevented compact, transportation-efficient development patterns, and that's how we got to where we are today," Fiebelkorn noted. "And have people driving hours a day to get where they need to go."

New Mexico has a goal to reduce the state's greenhouse-gas emissions by 45% by 2030.

Midnight Meadows in northern New Mexico's Carson National Forest is one of 22 sites identified as "wetland jewels," and volunteers will continue their work to keep it that way starting Friday.

Restoration has been underway since 2016 to install erosion and restoration structures including Zuni bowls, one-rock dams and rock rundowns. The project, organized by the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation and the environmental group Amigos Bravos, follows the principles of "induced meandering" to hold more water on the landscape.

Shannon Romeling, projects and foundation coordinator for the group Amigos Bravos, said restoration also includes fence construction to reduce possible damage from snowmobiles.

"These wetlands contribute vital function to the ecosystem, including soil health, ecosystem diversity," Romeling explained. "Having things like trout and different sensitive species in them and one of the largest things that they provide is water storage."

The annual three-day event starts Friday and wraps up Sunday with overnight accommodations for those who stay the weekend. It's also possible to volunteer for activities on Saturday only.

Romeling pointed out a unique undertaking this year will be the creation and installation of log swales.

"These are features made from natural materials that will help to decrease damage from recreation and cattle in a sensitive fen area of the wetland," Romeling noted.

In addition to smaller hand-built structures, volunteers have helped install and repair riparian protection along Bitter Creek and adjacent wetlands.