This summer was New Hampshire’s rainiest in almost 150 years, causing major flooding in the Monadnock region. From our wet weather to heat waves in Europe and Asia and the fires in Hawaii and Canada, climate disasters dominated the news this past year.
Even as these terrible events unfolded, the Monadnock Sustainability Hub worked diligently to reduce carbon pollution and build community. We collaborate with like-minded groups to become the catalyst for climate solutions in the Monadnock region.
In 2023, the Monadnock Sustainability Hub programs included these activities:
- Community Power (CP): CP allows a municipality to engage in “bulk purchasing” of electricity on behalf of its residents, at lower cost and with more clean, green energy suppliers. In partnership with Southwest Region Planning Commission, we have promoted CP across the Monadnock region. We have worked with 19 towns in the region; 9 are currently running CP programs and 14 more are in process.
- Special energy efficiency webinar tailored for landlords connected local landlords with resources to reduce the climate impact of their rental properties.
- Working with Clean Energy NH, the Hub supports the region’s first Energy Circuit Rider, who assists local towns in planning, financing and implementing energy-saving building upgrades and clean energy technologies. Projects include grant-writing to bring electric school buses to the Fall Mountain district, and assisting the Town of Hinsdale in funding and permitting a solar system on a brownfield site.
- Monadnock Energy Forum and Annual Roundtable: Our annual Roundtables give towns the chance to share their success stories and learn from each other. The Forum brought together representatives from 19 municipalities in the region to meet our Program Manager, Nora Hanke, and John Kondos, Monadnock’s Energy Circuit Rider and learn about resources available for energy project resources.
- Inflation Reduction Act incentives: The Hub held workshops about the IRA, so that residents can save money as they transition away from fossil fuels.
- In September, the Hub partnered with the Peterborough Renewable Energy Project (PREP) to hold the first Monadnock Clean Energy Fair featuring local clean energy contractors and workshops on clean energy topics. The day also featured our signature Drive Electric Expo, showcasing electric vehicles.
Accelerating the transition to clean energy is critical. You can be part of the solution by giving generously to the Hub. Your donation will work to bring the Hub’s programs to everyone in the Monadnock region.
