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We wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year! We welcome your friendship, collaboration, ideas and support in 2023. |
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In December, the Hub board of directors met for its annual meeting, with election of officers and adoption of a 2023 budget. Pictured are board members (standing) Tracy Bartella-Metell, Dori Drachman (Co-chair), Ann Shedd (Co-chair), Mari Brunner, Catherine Owens Koning (Secretary), Gerald “Jerry” Burns, Peter Wotowiec, Peter Hansel, and (seated) John Treat (Treasurer; right) and the Program Manager, Nora E. Hanke (left). |
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The Monadnock Sustainability Hub is the region’s catalyst for climate solutions! We operate on a small budget, and your donation of any size will be mindfully spent. Please give today to help us protect our climate through programs such as Community Power, solar and energy efficiency projects, and the electrification of transportation. Thank you! |
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Peterborough Select Board approves Renewable Energy Plan! On December 20th Peterborough took a significant step towards actions that will advance the town’s transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% renewable heat and transportation by 2050. The Hub was instrumental in passing the 2021 Warrant Article that committed Peterborough to make this plan, which can serve as a model for other NH communities with climate goals. |
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The Hub’s monthly Green Monadnock article by Gerald Burns in the Monadnock Shopper News introduced Sunny Climate Scientist, Katherine Hayhoe. As a first step to positive climate action, Hayhoe suggests we have conversations that begin by establishing common ground. |
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Walpole and Peterborough join Keene with approved Community Power plans! On December 12th, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the Community Power plans of Walpole and Peterborough! They join Keene as the first Monadnock Region municipalities given the state’s green-light to launch programs in 2023. Community Power (CP) enables residents and businesses to enjoy energy cost savings, and supports towns’ renewable energy goals, while utility billing continues via the familiar monthly notice. Our website explains CP. The Hub and Southwest Region Planning Commission are available to present Community Power to Monadnock area towns with interest to learn more. |
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This graphic shows the Hub’s impact in bringing the benefits of Community Power to the Monadnock Region. All towns in process towards CP benefited from presentations by the Hub and its partner, Southwest Region Planning Commission. |
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Peterborough joins Keene with an award of SolSmart designation at the gold level! The SolSmart program includes no-cost technical assistance to help municipalities implement best practices to facilitate and streamline solar adoption. Solar projects lower community energy bills while decreasing carbon footprints. Currently Lebanon is the only other NH community awarded SolSmart designation, joining over 470 other communities in 43 states. |
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Game-changing incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects are expected to be available to householders, businesses and others in later 2023. The US Department of Energy invites comments from conservation and labor groups and industry about deployment of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds via the email address IRAHomeRebates@hq.doe.gov. |
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Funding for climate resilience projects was recently awarded to 4 farms in our region: Boggy Meadow Farm of Walpole; Brookfield Farm of Alstead; Gentile Family Homestead of Fitzwilliam; Picadilly Farm of Winchester. |
Cheshire County Conservation District calls for specialty-crop farmers to showcase their farm’s energy efficiency or renewable energy projects by hosting on-farm peer-to-per learning sessions to be scheduled throughout 2023. For more information, contact Benee at 603-756-2988 ex. 3011 or benee@cheshireconservation.org. |
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Monday, Jan. 9 NH Climate Resilience grants for farmers - Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) offers an informational session for this year's applications (due on February 1st). |
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Jaffrey-Rindge MLK Day Monday, Jan. 16: Aaron Mair, past president of the Sierra Club, will speak about Environmental Justice at the Park Theater, Jaffrey on Monday, Jan. 16, 5pm, with a livestream option. More information may be found on their flyer or in the chamber newsletter (p. 11). |
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Thank you for joining us in energy conservation, weatherization, and the electrification of everything that enable the transition to 100% renewables and protect our climate! |
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