AGP Executive Report

Vehicle Emissions Inspections: The EPA has formally proposed steps that would let New Hampshire end its vehicle inspection and emissions testing program and withdraw from the Ozone Transport Region, starting public comment and hearing periods; the state’s inspection mandate is already off, but lawsuits and Clean Air Act compliance questions have kept the issue tied up. Solar Access: A new New Hampshire law starting in 2027 will allow “balcony solar” plug-in panels, though experts warn homeowners still need to vet safety and product quality. Ticks & Public Health: UNH is launching a statewide, NSF-backed $8 million initiative to study ticks, tick-borne diseases, and their environmental impacts. Foodborne Illness Watch: A multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce has expanded to include New Hampshire, with CDC reporting thousands of confirmed cases nationwide. Invasive Species Threat: Spotted lanternfly has been found in Hampshire County, raising alarms for local vineyards. Heat & Storms: Heat advisories are in effect across New England, with humid conditions and periodic storm chances affecting New Hampshire.

Air Quality Policy: The EPA has proposed steps that would let New Hampshire end its vehicle emissions inspection program and withdraw from the Ozone Transport Region, starting public comment and keeping a Clean Air Act lawsuit in play. Heat & Storms: A heat advisory is set for parts of New Hampshire with highs near 90 and muggy conditions, plus a small chance of pop-up thunderstorms. Water Safety: Residents in Copple Crown Village within New Durham say they weren’t getting timely updates during a boil water order, even as officials followed state notice requirements. Foodborne Illness: The CDC says the iceberg lettuce-linked cyclospora outbreak has expanded to 15 states, including New Hampshire, with case counts expected to rise as investigations continue. Local Land Use: Rochester is considering zoning limits that would steer data centers into a specific industrial area, citing concerns about waste, resources, and noise. Public View & Policing: A Portsmouth plan for adding a sally port to the police station is drawing criticism over how it could affect public views and the city’s master-plan goals.

Public Health: Colorado health officials say a salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeño peppers grown in Mexico has sickened 110 people across a multistate cluster of 300+ cases, with Chipotle and Qdoba stopping the affected peppers after notification. Food Safety: The cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce continues to expand, with Kansas reporting 615 cases and the CDC now listing 15 states, including New Hampshire. Extreme Weather: Heat advisories are in effect across the Northeast, including Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with dangerous humidity and “feels-like” temperatures near 99°F to around 100°F, plus pop-up storms that can bring flash flooding. Climate & Wildlife: Scientists say warming Atlantic waters are making Cape Cod a more likely tiger shark habitat, highlighted by a juvenile tiger shark caught off Falmouth. Local Land Use: Rochester, NH is proposing zoning limits to steer data centers into a specific industrial zone, citing waste, noise, and resource concerns. Solar Policy: A new national tally finds 284 distributed-solar policy actions in Q2 2026, with New Hampshire among the most active states.

Food Safety: The CDC says the cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce has now spread to 15 states, with New Hampshire among the newly added states; officials report 6,358 illnesses nationwide so far, with 278 hospitalizations and two deaths, and warn case counts may keep rising as investigations take weeks to confirm. Climate & Wildlife: A warming Atlantic is being linked to tiger sharks showing up off Cape Cod more often, with scientists investigating whether the Cape is becoming a seasonal nursery as ocean conditions shift. Local Environment Policy: New Hampshire’s food waste landfill ban still can’t be fully enforced because the state lacks enough processing capacity; DES says compost facilities have room for far less than the amount of food waste businesses and institutions generate. Emergency Preparedness: Rindge launched NH Alerts, the state’s official emergency and community notification system, letting residents receive updates by phone, text, email, or app. Energy & Materials Security: A New Hampshire refinery, Phoenix Tailings, is ramping up an electricity-based process to extract critical minerals for U.S. weapons, aiming to reduce reliance on China.

NH Water Security: New Hampshire officials say there’s no sign of cyberattacks on local water systems, but they’re urging utilities to boost cybersecurity after hacks hit other states. Heat & Storms: Forecasters warn of rising humidity and heat index values near the upper 90s, with afternoon storm chances increasing later this week. Critical Minerals & Defense: A small Exeter refinery, Phoenix Tailings, is scaling up to process critical minerals for U.S. weapons, backed by a $500 million Pentagon loan, as rules tighten around China sourcing. Solar Debate: A New Hampshire homeowner’s wall-mounted solar setup is sparking a “solar punk” code debate online, with readers questioning permits, snow, and output. Food Safety: The CDC says the cyclospora outbreak linked to Mexican lettuce has expanded to 15 states, now including Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas, New Hampshire and North Carolina, with thousands of confirmed and suspected cases. Wildlife Crossings: Keene is planning small underpasses to help amphibians cross roads safely, building on Vermont’s reported 80% drop in deaths at a prior crossing site.

Water Security: New Hampshire officials say there’s no sign of cyberattacks on local water systems, but they’re urging utilities to treat cybersecurity as essential after hacks hit water systems in other states. Public Health: The cyclospora outbreak keeps widening, now reported in 15 states with more than 10,000 confirmed cases, including New Hampshire. Extreme Heat & Storms: Weather coverage warns of rising heat and humidity this week, with afternoon storm chances increasing by Thursday and into the weekend. Local Land & Environment: Alton selectboard plans to move forward with a Hidden Springs Road land-clearing project tied to a future public works garage, after legal and engineering review. Wildlife & Habitat: Keene is planning road underpasses to help amphibians safely cross, aiming to reduce deaths of species like salamanders. Renewables: A Rhode Island net-metering initiative links businesses to credits from a city hydro facility, showing how existing clean power can be monetized. Research: Vermont researchers are still unraveling a long-running catfish cancer mystery in Lake Memphremagog, with new work exploring possible causes.

Climate & Weather Watch: New Hampshire is moving from a rainy start into a warm, drier stretch, but humidity and pop-up storms return later this week, with highs near 90° and a heat-wave risk. Flooding After Heavy Rain: Monday’s downpours hit southern NH hard enough to trigger flash flood warnings, with notable totals like Hudson (4.31”), Nashua (4.26”), and Londonderry (4.04”). Water System Security: NH water utilities are stepping up defenses after a cyberattack in Minnesota, with DES working with federal and local partners and utilities auditing protections against internet-connected equipment. Renewable Energy in the Region: A new net-metering initiative links Rhode Island businesses to electricity bill credits from the city-owned Thundermist hydro facility at Woonsocket Falls Dam, aiming to stabilize revenue for the 1.2-megawatt project. Marine Heat Signals: A tropical tiger shark caught off Cape Cod is being flagged as a sign of warming Atlantic waters. Local Conservation Education: Great Bay Discovery Center’s fall educator training is set for Sept. 2 in Greenland, preparing volunteers to teach students about the Great Bay estuary and its natural and cultural history.

Critical Minerals & Defense Supply: A New Hampshire-based refinery, Phoenix Tailings in Exeter, is set to expand after a $500 million Pentagon loan, aiming to pull critical minerals from mining waste to reduce U.S. dependence on China—though building new capacity could take 14 to 18 months. Climate Impacts on Wildlife: Massachusetts anglers caught a tropical tiger shark off Cape Cod, a rare sighting scientists link to warming Atlantic waters. Flooding & Storms in NH: Monday’s downpours hit southern New Hampshire hard, with flash flood warnings and totals like Hudson (4.31 inches), Nashua (4.26), and Londonderry (4.04), as more storms and strong wind gusts were possible. Water System Cybersecurity: NH water utilities are stepping up defenses after cyberattacks in other states, with DES working with federal partners and local systems to harden protections. Health & Foodborne Disease: Cyclospora cases continue to climb nationwide, with experts warning counts may be underestimates. Local Conservation: The Lakes Region Planning Commission honored volunteers, including an Ayers-Cotton Environmental Service Award for Tuftonboro’s Stephen Scapicchio.

Severe Weather Watch: A flash flood warning hit southern New Hampshire early Monday, covering towns including Manchester and Nashua, after heavy downpours of up to 2.5 inches by 8 a.m. and rates of 1–3 inches per hour; officials urged people to turn around and avoid flooded roads. Thunderstorm Alerts: Severe thunderstorm warnings also targeted parts of northern and western NH, with damaging wind gusts possible (up to 60 mph) in areas like Littleton, Lincoln, Franconia, Haverhill, Woodstock and Warren. Heat-Pump Readiness: A new look at commercial retrofits says heat-pump success depends on more than swapping equipment—building envelopes, electrical systems, delivery, and controls must be checked first. Clean Air Fight: A contractor renewed its attempt to force NH to restart vehicle emissions inspections under the Clean Air Act, arguing the state must comply with its plan. Critical Minerals Push: Exeter’s Phoenix Tailings is highlighted as part of a Pentagon-backed effort to process mining waste domestically, with a major expansion planned using electrolysis. Local Climate Resilience: NH conservation districts announced Climate Resilience Grant awardees, supporting on-the-ground projects for farms and communities.

El Niño & Winter Weather: Forecasts say a strengthening “Super El Niño” could bring above-average snow to the Sierra Nevada and parts of the Northeast, including New Hampshire, with a separate outlook flagging Vermont and New Hampshire among states at risk for significant winter snow. Flash Flood Watch (East Coast): A new storm cycle is expected to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms, with flash-flood risk returning to parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic as rainfall rates could spike. New Hampshire Landfill Fight: Gov. Kelly Ayotte kept her pledge at Forest Lake State Park while signing a bill that creates a landfill siting evaluation committee, after years of conflict tied to Casella’s landfill proposal. Climate Resilience for Farms: New Hampshire conservation districts announced $396,773 in grants to 49 farms for drought-resilient irrigation, soil-health projects, and energy improvements. Boating Safety Update: NH Marine Patrol launched On The Ramp education at boat ramps, tied to a new law allowing the final boating safety exam online for adults. Energy Politics: Gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington reiterated opposition to “all-of-the-above” natural gas expansion, while still backing a net-zero goal.

Severe Weather Watch: Humidity is building in New Hampshire, with showers and potential thunderstorms expected to be the wettest part of the workweek—Monday is shaping up as the main day for downpours and localized street flooding risk. Aurora Alert: NOAA is forecasting a geomagnetic storm with aurora possible in northern U.S. states close to Canada over Sunday night into Monday. Landfill Policy: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a new New Hampshire law tightening landfill regulations, creating a solid waste evaluation committee and placing a moratorium on augmenting landfill capacity until at least July 1, 2027. Climate Resilience Funding: New Hampshire conservation districts announced 2026 Climate Resilience Grant awards totaling more than $396,000 to 49 farms statewide, targeting drought resilience, soil health, and energy improvements. Boating Safety Education: New Hampshire Marine Patrol launched “On The Ramp,” sending instructors to public boat ramps to help boaters with hands-on safety guidance after a law change allows the final boating safety exam online for adults. Local Conservation & Service: AmeriCorps funding returned to Volunteer New Hampshire with $3.2 million in grants, supporting more than 120 members for watershed and aquatic conservation work and other community needs. Wildlife Gardening Tip: A local gardening column urges homeowners to consider alternatives to glyphosate, including “burn-down” organic options like horticultural vinegar and hand-weeding.

Severe Weather Watch: A late-Sunday into Monday rain push is expected to bring showers and heavy downpours across Vermont and New Hampshire, with isolated flash flooding possible even without severe storms. EVs & Grid Resilience: Massachusetts is expanding its EV “virtual power plant” idea, aiming to let more drivers participate in vehicle-to-grid programs—an approach that could matter for New Hampshire through the ConnectedSolutions regional effort. Farm Climate Adaptation: New Hampshire conservation districts announced $396,773 in 2026 Climate Resilience Grant awards to 49 farms, targeting drought-resilient irrigation, soil-health practices, and energy improvements. Landfill Rules Tightened: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a new law tightening New Hampshire landfill siting and expansion oversight, including a seven-member evaluation committee and a moratorium on augmenting capacity until at least July 1, 2027. Boating Safety Education: New Hampshire Marine Patrol launched “On The Ramp,” sending instructors to public boat ramps to help boaters with hands-on safety guidance after changes to how the final boating safety exam can be taken. Local Operations: Southern New Hampshire University will consolidate administrative offices from its downtown Millyard site to its main Manchester campus, with the former building slated for sale.

Landfill rules tighten in NH: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a new law to tighten New Hampshire’s landfill-siting process, creating a solid waste evaluation committee and putting a moratorium on augmenting landfill capacity until at least July 1, 2027—aimed at giving communities more say and protecting the state’s environment. Volunteer power for clean water: AmeriCorps awarded Volunteer New Hampshire $3.2 million after last year’s funding was yanked, supporting more than 120 members statewide, including Lakes Region Conservation Corps work with the Squam Lakes Association on invasive milfoil surveys, lake cleanups, and erosion prevention. Boating safety education ramps up: NH Marine Patrol launched “On The Ramp,” sending certified instructors to public boat ramps to help boaters with hands-on safety guidance, following a law change that allows the final boating safety exam online for adults 18+ (with in-person requirements for ages 16–18). Weather watch: A mostly dry, warm weekend is followed by a more unsettled Monday with muggy air and periods of showers or thunderstorms, with wildfire smoke possible Saturday. NH in national rankings: U.S. News ranked New Hampshire No. 6 overall in its 2026 Best States list, with top marks for crime and corrections and strong natural environment scores.

Landfill rules tighten in NH: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a new law creating a solid waste evaluation committee and placing a moratorium on expanding landfill capacity until at least July 1, 2027, after years of local fights over out-of-state trash and environmental/public health impacts. Marine safety education ramps up: New Hampshire Marine Patrol launched “On The Ramp,” sending certified instructors to public boat ramps to help boaters with hands-on safety guidance, timed to changes in boating safety exam rules that now allow some online testing. Watershed conservation gets a boost: AmeriCorps awarded Volunteer New Hampshire $3.2 million to restore statewide service, including support for the Lakes Region Conservation Corps with invasive milfoil surveys, lake cleanups, and erosion prevention. Weather and climate impacts stay in focus: Coverage highlights recent heavy rain and flood risk across New England, plus ongoing drought concerns in parts of the region. Community outdoors: NH’s only hot air balloon festival kicked off in Pittsfield with free admission and proceeds benefiting local community programs.

Landfill policy in focus: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed HB 707, tightening New Hampshire’s landfill siting rules after a long fight over a proposed Casella Waste landfill near Forest Lake State Park in Dalton. The new law creates a seven-member solid waste site evaluation committee with state officials and governor appointees, gives communities more say in siting decisions, and adds a moratorium on augmenting landfill capacity until at least July 1, 2027. Local governance: The Dalton signing drew cheers from North Country residents who say the bill broadens what gets considered beyond standard environmental review, including truck traffic, business impacts, property values, and tourism. Weather and drought watch: Recent heavy rain helped some areas, but drought conditions are still expanding in parts of the region, with July rainfall running well below average in Maine and northern/central New Hampshire. Public health angle: A new tick-testing tool aimed at improving Lyme diagnosis is set to hit the market in August, as tick-borne illness concerns continue to rise in New England.

Landfill siting overhaul: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed HB 707 after a judge rejected Casella Waste Systems’ lawsuit over its proposed landfill near Forest Lake State Park in Dalton. The new law creates a Solid Waste Site Evaluation Committee and expands what the state must consider beyond standard permitting, including local impacts like truck traffic, property values, and tourism—kicking in Sept. 8. Weather and drought watch: Spotty showers and patchy fog are moving through NH, with flooding risk easing from earlier downpours. Still, drought is worsening regionwide, with northern/central NH noted as drier than normal in July as Maine’s drought expands. El Niño outlook: Forecasters say El Niño is strengthening and could become “very strong” this winter, with some models hinting at a rare super-strength event—raising the stakes for seasonal planning. Local water data: NH rain totals by town for July 29 show big swings, from under half an inch in some places to several inches in others.