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Trump administration says it's halting Harvard's ability to enroll international students; Post-George Floyd, MN communities drive Black wealth building; FL's fluoride ban sparks concerns over dental health; Despite barriers, TN adults want college degrees.

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A deadlocked Supreme Court prevents nation's first publicly funded religious school, House Republicans celebrate passage of their domestic policy bill, and Trump administration sues states for taking climate action.

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Despite lawmaker efforts, rural communities still short of crucial broadband, new Trump administration priorities force USDA grant recipients to reapply, and Appalachia's traditional broom-making craft gets an economic boost from an international nonprofit.

NH Climate Activists Applaud 'Community Power' Movement

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Monday, February 27, 2023   

More Granite Staters are expected to get their electricity from renewable energy sources this spring, as so-called "community power" programs continue to expand.

So far, 26 municipalities have joined the New Hampshire Community Power Coalition, which works to help local governments implement its own energy and climate policies, and create its own energy portfolio.

Dominic Osmund, climate justice organizer for the group 350 New Hampshire, said residents are tired of rising energy costs are working to lower prices themselves.

"That ability for towns to kind of take the future of their communities in their own hands is something that I see as really exciting about New Hampshire," Osmund remarked.

Residents who opt into their town's community power program still receive their electric bill from their utility, which still transmits the power. But they could see lower costs based on selected energy sources. Renewable energy makes up less than 20% of the state's current energy usage.

New Hampshire has some of the highest electricity prices in the country, and is the only state in New England without a law mandating reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions.

Osmund noted successful efforts by the state's Public Utilities Commission to dismantle energy-efficiency programs, and what he sees as Gov. Chris Sununu's lack of climate-change leadership, is hampering the state's progress.

"We just really see the governor's budget as not addressing the needs that we are experiencing, as the community of New Hampshire," Osmund contended.

Osmund pointed out residents are increasingly showing up at the Statehouse in support of climate-focused legislation and building their own movement to a clean-energy future. Studies show climate change is taking a toll on New England, which is getting warmer faster than the rest of the U.S.


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