Stories

Key Takeaways From Coastal Flooding Report On Martha’s Vineyard And Nantucket

August 4, 2021

Roughly 900 structures on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket may experience daily flooding from tides in 2050. That’s one of the key takeaways from a new report from the nonprofit Trustees of Reservations, which asked a consultant a few years ago to look at erosion and flood risk at their coastal properties. The Trustees is — somewhat surprisingly…

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The Last Rains of A Very Wet July Cause Road Damage, Flooding In Western New Hampshire

August 3, 2021

Around 20 towns throughout western New Hampshire are dealing with washed-out roads, damaged bridges and flooding after rain hit the area over the weekend. Jennifer Harper, New Hampshire’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management director, said recovery efforts have been difficult. She said her crews and the state’s department of transportation have been out helping affected…

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Study: Right Whales Seen Year-Round in Waters Targeted for Offshore Wind Development

July 30, 2021

North Atlantic right whales can now be found year-round in offshore wind development areas in the waters off Southern New England, a new study found. Previously, it was thought that the critically endangered whales were only present in high numbers in waters off Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard from late winter to early spring. But new research, published…

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In Acadia’s Shadow: Latest Flashpoint in Conflict Over Industrial Fish Farms

July 30, 2021

A Norwegian investor wants to bring a new kind of fish farm to a stunning, island-studded bay at the base of Acadia’s famous Cadillac Mountain. The project is uniting broad opposition in and around tourist-dependent Mt. Desert Island. The “American Aquafarms” project is the latest in a series of industrial-scale fish farms proposed for Maine,…

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Smoke from Western Wildfires Worsens Local Air Quality

July 28, 2021

As major wildfires burn out West and in Canada, the air quality in much of Massachusetts has ranged from “unhealthy for sensitive groups” to outright “unhealthy” — and experts warn that climate change will make the problem even worse. “This week, while somewhat of an anomaly — we’re not used to experiencing this kind of…

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Coastal Entrepreneurs Continue To Ramp Up Maine’s Production Of Kelp

July 27, 2021

Coastal entrepreneurs continue to ramp up Maine’s production of kelp, and a processor that’s seeded the young sector’s growth is responding by opening a 27,000 square foot plant in Biddeford, Maine. Atlantic Sea Farms CEO Briana Warner says that in the last two seasons, the 24 farmers who supply kelp to the company have increased…

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Wet Weather Waterlogs New Hampshire Summer Tourism

July 27, 2021

Recent heavy rain is putting a damper on New Hampshire’s summer activities. The record-setting rain that’s hit the state lately has limited the number of tourists heading outside. Many outdoor-centered businesses are improvising after expecting a busy summer with easing pandemic restrictions. New England is experiencing more precipitation, in larger, more concentrated amounts, and at…

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New Incentive Programs For EV Buyers, But Connecticut’s Goal Still A Long Way Off

July 19, 2021

When Barry Kresch bought his new Chevy Volt in 2015, he got a little help from the state: a $3,000 rebate, which he said was like “cash on the hood.” “If you buy an electric vehicle from a dealer,” Kresch said, “you can get the rebate.” That rebate comes from a program called CHEAPR, which…

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White Mountain Forest Steps Up Wildfire Prevention Efforts In High-Risk Neighborhoods

July 14, 2021

The warming climate is raising the risk of wildfires across the entire U.S., even in states like New Hampshire. Now, forest managers in the White Mountains are stepping up their efforts to prevent major damage, and warning neighbors: It could happen here. On the edge of the White Mountain National Forest in Conway, N.H., public…

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A Former Mill Town Takes Control Of The Future Of Its Power Supply

July 12, 2021

In May, the small town of Harrisville, N.H. started to write the next chapter for its energy future. Harrisville voters approved the second community power plan in the state (the neighboring city of Keene was first). With a community power plan, the town will purchase power on behalf of residents and businesses. Advocates say this…

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