Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Former Senator Scott Brown faces rough battle from New Hampshire U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin



New Hampshire U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will ramp up his criticism of Massachusetts liberal Scott Brown when Andy announces he will hold a Friday news conference to demand that Brown release his Fox News and lobbying contracts before December 18th. Andy says Scott Brown could not win with the powers of incumbency; now wants to take on an incumbent. Andy says it is time for New Hampshire Republicans to stop selling out the state to political entrepreneurs who put cash in the New Hampshire GOP’s bank account but weaken the party locally. Andy says his “Three Zombie” opponents would not be stiff opposition for Brown; Andy is a rough opponent who would battle Brown down to the wire for the senate nomination. “American voters and New Hampshire citizens are fed up with the ‘politics as usual’ of Scott Brown and Jeanne Shaheen,” Andy says. “They are two peas in a pod.”


News from:
Andy Martin
Republican for U.S. Senator
www.AndyMartin2014.com

you can call Andy:
 (603) 518-7310

you can email Andy:
andynewhampshire@aol.com

you can write Andy at:
fax (866) 707-2639, or
P. O. Box 742
Manchester, NH 03105-0742

Blogs/web sites  (partial):

NewHampshireRepublicans.wordpress.com
AndyMartin.com
FirstRespondersOnline.us
ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com
ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com

To become a regular subscriber to our emails please send an email to AndyNewHampshire@aol.com and place “SUBSCRIBE” in the subject line.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ATTENTION NATIONAL AND NEW HAMPSHIRE DAYBOOK/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

New Hampshire Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin says Scott Brown faces a “bruising primary” if he moves to New Hampshire

Andy will hold a news conference Friday to confront Brown

Andy says Brown’s reluctance to release Brown’s Fox News contract and details of his lobbying work reflect “politics as usual in both parties”

Andy says he already faces “three zombie candidates” in the 2014 Republican primary; Brown is a potential fourth opponent

Andy says it is time for New Hampshire GOP leaders to “stop selling out the party” to out-of-state political entrepreneurs such as Scott Brown

(Manchester, NH) (December 12, 2013) New Hampshire Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin says former Senator Scott Brown faces a “bruising primary” if Brown decides to run for the U. S. Senate from New Hampshire.

“Scott Brown and Jeanne Shaheen represent what is wrong with American politics. Brown went from the revolving door of Congress to lobbying and Fox News largess, while Shaheen went from the largess of the Kennedy family and liberal institutions to Congress.

“Brown is a Massachusetts ‘gun-grabber’ who has a long history of supporting proposals that are rejected by New Hampshire voters. Brown is a tool of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“I have characterized my three announced primary opponents as the ‘Three Zombies’ (Rubens, Smith, Testerman). None of them have any recent national political experience. No one who has ever faced off against me has enjoyed the experience. Just ask Barack Obama if he thinks I am a pushover. I have made Obama's life miserable for the past nine years. I exposed the military fraud Mark Kirk.

“I am a partisan Republican, but I am nonpartisan when it comes to fighting government corruption and political arrogance. I welcome Brown's entry into the primary. Friday I will call for Brown to release his Fox News contract and law/lobbying contracts and clients.

“Republicans should not wait for the Democrats to shred Brown. If Brown is serious about running he has to open up before he announces, not afterwards.

“I am the only Republican senate candidate who has a track record of fighting the Obama-Shaheen axis. My campaign is already running advertising on New Hampshire radio stations (copies of the ads are attached to emailed version of this release and are available on request).

“In Massachusetts, Brown had the advantages of incumbency, tens of millions of dirty dollars from Wall Street ‘investors’ and a completely inexperienced opponent in Elizabeth Warren who misrepresented her heritage. And Brown could not beat Warren. While Warren had a liberal orthodoxy, Brown only represents Brown. Brown, like Obama, only worships himself.

“One of the weaknesses of the New Hampshire Republican Party is that almost everyone in the party has their hands out for ‘national’ cash from out-of-staters interested in running for president. The result is that the party has fielded weak candidates on its own state ticket.

“The party is repeating the same mistake with Jennifer Horn’s nonsense about Brown’s appeal to New Hampshire voters. Horn cannot raise money on her own merits so she is franchising the party’s legitimacy to Brown for a cash infusion. Horn should concentrate on rebuilding a dead party and stop putting out her hand for handouts from out-of-state political entrepreneurs such as Brown who pitch up and use New Hampshire for their own purposes.

“Horn’s remarks to Joe Battenfeld of the Boston Herald that Brown has an ‘opportunity’ in New Hampshire [link below] are an embarrassment to every New Hampshire Republican. If nothing else, Horn’s de facto endorsement of Brown will coalesce Horn’s opponents into an opposition against Brown.

“When I announced my campaign for the U. S. Senate on Memorial Day weekend everyone thought Shaheen was invincible. Now political opportunists are trying to big foot the primary race by jumping in when they think Shaheen is vulnerable. Any serious candidate for the U. S. Senate would not say, as Brown has, that he can wait until June 13th to announce his candidacy.

“Brown showed he has a ‘glass jaw’ against a rookie candidate in 2012; how could Brown seriously run against a ‘heavyweight’ incumbent senator like Jeanne Shaheen? Frankly, Brown is out of his league. He couldn’t win with the advantages of incumbency; now he wants to take on an incumbent. What am I missing?

“I will not step aside for Scott Brown. If Brown wants to seriously run in New Hampshire I defend his constitutional right to do so. But Brown should step up and man up and stop playing political games with the future of this nation. It is opportunistic Republicans such as Brown who elected Barack Obama in 2008. It is opportunistic politicians such as Brown who are afraid to fight Obama that will end up damaging our nation because they are ‘playing politics’ rather than trying to stop Obama from imposing Obama’s warped vision on this nation.

“Ironically, Brown has never before faced a primary opponent. He has one now,” Andy says. “Let’s fight.”

-----

ujntsman wasd reelected in November, 2008. A few monrths later he resigned to serve
his president,” Barack Obama. SDo whyh was it so terrible that Palin resigned and Hutsman served evenless of his secondterm? Can I say “double standard” again.

What os this show us? Whetyher thessue s resigfnaitonsor religion,th emedia shamlessly create double standards tgo favr theiiberal medioa pets (fulldisclosure; I am ot aliberalmedia pet).
MEDIA CONTACT: Andy Martin (866) 706-2639; CELL (603) 866-4343 E-MAIL:  AndyNewHampshire@aol.com
_______________________________

LINKS TO THIS STORY (cut and paste the entire link below and not just the underlined portion):
joe_battenfeld/2013/12/battenfeld_gop_chief_sees_
nh_opportunity_for_scott

ABOUT ANDY:

Andy is a legendary New Hampshire-based muckraker, author, Internet columnist, talk television pioneer, radio talk show host, broadcaster and media critic. Andy’s family immigrated to Manchester 100 years ago; today his home overlooks the Merrimack River and he lives around the corner from where he played as a small boy. He has forty-six years of background in radio and television. He is the author of “Obama: The Man Behind The Mask” [www.OrangeStatePress.com] and he produced the Internet film "Obama: The Hawaii’ Years” [www.BoycottHawaii.com]. Andy is the Executive Editor and publisher of the “Internet Powerhouse,” www.ContrarianCommentary.com. He comments on New Hampshire, national and international events with more than four decades of investigative and analytical experience both in the USA and around the world. For more, go to: www.AndyMartin.com

Andy has also been a leading corruption fighter in American politics and courts for over forty-five years and he is executive director of the National Anti-Corruption Policy Institute. He is currently sponsoring www.AmericaisReadyforReform.com. See also www.FirstRespondersOnline.us; www.EnglishforAmerica.org

He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law and is a former adjunct professor of law at the City University of New York (LaGuardia CC, Bronx CC).

UPDATES:
www.twitter.com/AndyMartinUSA
www.Facebook.com/AndyMartin

Andy's columns are also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com
ContrarianCommentary.typepad.com

[NOTE: We try to correct any typographical errors in our stories; find the latest version on our blogs.]
--------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2013 – All Rights Reserved
--------------------------

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

News Conference: Andy Martin says former New Hampshire Senator Bob Smith is a disgrace to the Republican Party



New Hampshire U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a telephone news conference today to ask former Senator Bob Smith to reconsider his latest campaign escapade. “Bob Smith was not thrown out of office by Democrats,” Andy says. “He was removed from office by Republicans. Smith was a ‘clown prince’ in the senate. Smith’s antics since leaving the senate, and particularly his endorsement of John Kerry for president in 2004, reflect a bizarre state of mind. Whether Smith suffers from bipolar disorder or a whiff of dementia, Smith is an unstable personality. Is Smith a stalking horse for Jeanne Shaheen? He could be. Smith is being promoted by liberal media activist James Pindell, a Shaheen toadie. If Smith wants to run, I will defend his ‘right to run.’ But Smith’s latest campaign is as self-destructive as his history of erratic conduct in pubic office. He deserves pity, not votes.”

Andy says he could face three “zombie” opponents in the Republican primary.


News from:
Andy Martin
Republican for U.S. Senator
www.AndyMartin2014.com

you can call Andy:
 (603) 518-7310

you can email Andy:
andynewhampshire@aol.com

you can write Andy at:
fax (866) 707-2639, or
P. O. Box 742
Manchester, NH 03105-0742

Blogs/web sites  (partial):

NewHampshireRepublicans.wordpress.com
AndyMartin.com
FirstRespondersOnline.us
ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com
ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com

To become a regular subscriber to our emails please send an email to AndyNewHampshire@aol.com and place “SUBSCRIBE” in the subject line.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ANNOUNCEMENT OF TELEPHONE NEWS CONFERENCE

ATTENTION NATIONAL AND NEW HAMPSHIRE DAYBOOK/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

New Hampshire Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin says former Senator Bob Smith should reconsider whether to run again in 2014

Andy says Smith’s bizarre behavior, party switching and support for John Kerry mark Smith as an unstable personality

Andy accuses Smith of exacerbating the decline of the New Hampshire Republican Party

Andy says he now faces “three zombie candidates” in the 2014 Republican primary

(Manchester, NH) (December 3, 2013) New Hampshire Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a telephone news conference today, Tuesday, December 3rd to ask former senator Bob Smith to reconsider his latest round of nonsense which is propagated by liberal media activist James Pindell.

“People who are defeated for reelection in general elections often run for office again,” Andy says. “That is a pretty traditional story. But Bob Smith was not defeated by Democrats. Smith was removed from office by his own Republicans.

“Smith’s bizarre behavior in office, switching parties, endorsing Democrats and generally acting as though he had lost his mind, are very unusual.

“Bob Smith is the Democratic Party’s and Jeanne Shaheen’s ‘dream’ candidate in 2014. Only someone with a death wish for the Republican Party would consider Bob Smith a candidate for office. Smith was deemed beatable by Shaheen in 2002. What has he done to change those odds in the past twelve years?

“Smith could pay a price for acting out his inner demons; the race may take a toll on his diminished capacity. Smith’s behavior suggests a bipolar disorder, or even a whiff of dementia. He says his family is urging him to run. I would be surprised if any of Smith’s relatives want him to make a fool of himself again.

“There is no shame in running for office against long odds. I am an underdog myself. And I have run and lost for office because I wanted to promote an agenda of fighting corruption, supporting public integrity and advocating rational public policies.

“If Smith really wants to run, I suspect his candidacy helps me. I will then be facing three ‘zombie’ Republicans for the nomination. I defend Smith’s ‘right to run’ if he wants to run. It is his right to do so. But if Smith wants to use his campaign as a platform to attack Republicans and to make an ass out of himself, he is making a big mistake,” Andy states. “The media love Smith because he is a clown prince and embarrasses Republicans. This time Smith’s efforts may boomerang on him, and boomerang on the liberal media activists who are promoting his irrational candidacy. For the good of his family, and for his own good, I urge Bob Smith to reconsider.”

-----

December 3rd New Hampshire [TELEPHONE] News Conference Details:

WHO:     

New Hampshire U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin

WHAT:    

Andy Martin says Bob Smith should reconsider his run for the senate in 2014

WHERE:

Telephone news conference:

Dial-in Number: 1-800-466-8543

Conference Code: 510518
           
WHEN:

Tuesday, December 3rd - 3:00 P.M.

-----

ujntsman wasd reelected in November, 2008. A few monrths later he resigned to serve
his president,” Barack Obama. SDo whyh was it so terrible that Palin resigned and Hutsman served evenless of his secondterm? Can I say “double standard” again.

What os this show us? Whetyher thessue s resigfnaitonsor religion,th emedia shamlessly create double standards tgo favr theiiberal medioa pets (fulldisclosure; I am ot aliberalmedia pet).
MEDIA CONTACT: Andy Martin (866) 706-2639; CELL (603) 866-4343 E-MAIL:  AndyNewHampshire@aol.com
_______________________________

LINKS TO THIS STORY (cut and paste the entire link below and not just the underlined portion):

ABOUT ANDY:

Andy is a legendary New Hampshire-based muckraker, author, Internet columnist, talk television pioneer, radio talk show host, broadcaster and media critic. Andy’s family immigrated to Manchester 100 years ago; today his home overlooks the Merrimack River and he lives around the corner from where he played as a small boy. He has forty-five years of background in radio and television. He is the author of “Obama: The Man Behind The Mask” [www.OrangeStatePress.com] and he produced the Internet film "Obama: The Hawaii’ Years” [www.BoycottHawaii.com]. Andy is the Executive Editor and publisher of the “Internet Powerhouse,” www.ContrarianCommentary.com. He comments on New Hampshire, national and international events with more than four decades of investigative and analytical experience both in the USA and around the world. For more, go to: www.AndyMartin.com

Andy has also been a leading corruption fighter in American politics and courts for over forty-five years and he is executive director of the National Anti-Corruption Policy Institute. He is currently sponsoring www.AmericaisReadyforReform.com. See also www.FirstRespondersOnline.us; www.EnglishforAmerica.org

He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law and is a former adjunct professor of law at the City University of New York (LaGuardia CC, Bronx CC).

UPDATES:
www.twitter.com/AndyMartinUSA
www.Facebook.com/AndyMartin

Andy's columns are also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com
ContrarianCommentary.typepad.com

[NOTE: We try to correct any typographical errors in our stories; find the latest version on our blogs.]
--------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2013 – All Rights Reserved
--------------------------

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Andy Martin raises questions about New Hampshire DRED nominee Jeffrey Rose: Is Rose’s nomination DOA?

Andy Martin asks the New Hampshire State Executive Council to hold an evidentiary hearing on the nomination of Jeffrey Rose to head the state’s Department of Resources and Economic Development (“DRED”). Andy is one of New Hampshire’s leading opponents of both Northeast Utilities’ proposed Northern Pass high voltage transmission line and the expansion of unnecessary wind turbine electric power on scenic ridge lines. He has been “walking the lines,” in opposition to “power lines” (electric) and now “ridge lines” (wind power) since 2011.

The People of New Hampshire
and New Hampshire’s Leading
Corruption Fighter Andy Martin

PRESENT:

Stop the Northern Pass Power Line

Operation Walk The Lines
(From power lines [electric] to ridge lines [wind turbine]
we Walk The Line for the People of New Hampshire)


Andy Martin, J. D.
Adjunct professor of law
executive director

you can call Andy:
 (603) 518-7310

you can email Andy:
andynewhampshire@aol.com

you can write Andy at:
fax (866) 214-3210, or
144 W. Webster, #1E
Manchester, NH 03104

Blogs/web sites (partial):
www.StopNorthernPass.blogspot.com
www.StopNorthernPass.wordpress.com
www.AndyMartin.com
www.FirstRespondersOnline.us


February 21, 2013


Hon. Raymond S. Burton,
Hon. Colin Van Ostern,
Hon. Christopher T. Sununu,
Hon. Christopher C. Pappas,
Hon. Debora B. Pignatelli,

Re: Appointment of Jeffrey Rose to
Department of Resources and Economic Development

Dear Members of the Council:

Earlier this week I testified in support of a proposed statute to place a one-year moratorium on new wind and electrical power systems. Rather than repeat my earlier comments in this letter, I am sending you a copy of my prior remarks by separate email.

It is sufficient to summarize my view that issues raised by new electrical transmission systems (Northern Pass) and wind turbine systems raise serious questions concerning the economic future of our state. In this letter I would like to suggest why the Council should place a hold on Mr. Rose’s nomination and appoint a special committee to take testimony under oath from Mr. Rose.

1. My own qualification and background in environmental law

I was “present at the creation” of the modern environmental movement and have litigated cases under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). When I returned to New Hampshire two years ago, people brought environmental concerns to my attention. I began “Operation Walk The Line” to “walk the line” of the Northern Pass high voltage transmissions system. I have walked from the northern border into the central part of the state and will resume my statewide march when the weather improves. I oppose the Northern Pass as currently proposed. Recently I have broadened the scope of Operation Walk The Line to encompass opposition to “walking the ridge lines” in opposition to the untrammeled expansion of wind turbine power.

2.  Mr. Rose’s right to fair treatment and due process

I start with the obvious view that whatever Mr. Rose’s positions on wind power and electrical transmission, his nomination should be treated fairly by all sides. There is no avoiding the fact that a sharp cleavage has developed in the state concerning whether to permit Northern Pass and whether to expand wind turbine power. But whether we are “for” or “against” (as I am) we should treat Mr. Rose and each other with civility and fairness.

3. The need to order an evidentiary hearing

There are sharply conflicting views on what Mr. Rose believes about Northern Pass, and apparently a gap in public knowledge about his position on wind turbine power. Asking the council to vote on his nomination without taking testimony under oath from Mr. Rose as to his prior statements and current views would by buying the proverbial pig in a poke. When the U. S. Senate exercises its power to “advise and consent” it always hears the nominee under oath, and subjects a nominee to searching inquiry before making a decision.

Has Mr. Rose opposed Northern pass? Has he supported Northern Pass? Has he sponsored meetings pro or con? There is no sworn record. Mr. Rose has a right to be judged fairly on his record, and both the Council and New Hampshire citizens have a right to know what that record is so that the Council may make an informed decision on his nomination. Unlike the federal level, where a president is given a presumption of choice, New Hampshire constitutional history is clear that the Council and the Council’s powers are a “negative” check on gubernatorial authority and not merely a rubber stamp.

4. The power to order a limited evidentiary hearing

I did some legal research before preparing this letter and while there are several dozen cases discussing the Council none of the Supreme Court’s decisions explicitly discuss the inherent powers of the Council. However, the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence is extensive on the inherent authority of the various branches of New Hampshire government. Because the Council is a creature of the Constitution, I believe it has inherent power to conduct evidentiary hearings in appropriate circumstances. I believe the need to unquestioningly establish what Mr. Rose believes, and what actions he has taken in the past, support the appointment of a special committee or other appropriate person to conduct a hearing for the Council. Alternatively the Council could convene a hearing itself and sit en banc for the purpose of taking testimony from Mr. Rose under oath. If today’s hearing is limited merely to statements pro and con, the Council will only have the views of the proponents and opponents, and not the sworn testimony of Mr. Rose on which to make an informed decision.

5. My unavailability today and continuing cooperation

I regret that due to previously scheduled investigatory commitments I am unable to be present today. However, you may feel free to call on me for whatever opinions I may express or experience I can impart. And, if the Council decides to hold an evidentiary hearing, I would like to conduct part of the examination (or cross-examination) of Mr. Rose.

Respectfully submitted,

ANDY MARTIN

AM:sp

By separate email: Statement of February 19, 2013

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Andy Martin questions New Hampshire's energy policies as he testifies before the State House of Representatives

News from:

The People of New Hampshire
and New Hampshire’s Leading
Corruption Fighter Andy Martin

PRESENT:

Stop the Northern Pass Power Line

Operation Walk The Line

Andy Martin, J. D.
Adjunct professor of law
executive director

you can call Andy:
 (603) 518-7310

you can email Andy:
andynewhampshire@aol.com

you can write Andy at:
fax (866) 214-3210, or
144 W. Webster, #1E
Manchester, NH 03104

Blogs/web sites  (partial):
www.StopNorthernPass.blogspot.com
www.StopNorthernPass.wordpress.com
www.AndyMartin.com
www.FirstRespondersOnline.us


Re: House Bill 580, Moratorium on wind turbine plants and electric transmission lines

House hearing Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Statement of Andy Martin, executive director, Stop Northern Pass

1. Introduction

Chairman Borden and Members of the Committee. I am pleased to appear and speak on behalf of HB 580, which seeks to impose a temporary moratorium on the construction of new wind turbine plants and electric transmission lines.

While I have primarily been identified as a leader of opposition to the Northern Pass electric transmission line, what I have to say is equally applicable to wind turbine operations. There is no doubt in my mind that the environmental and aesthetic issues raised by Northern Pass are also triggered by efforts to cover New Hampshire with wind turbine sites.

2. My background in environmental and utility law and litigation

I first became involved with environmental protection shortly after the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). I filed one of the early NEPA cases to block a utility from erecting a high voltage power line a short distance from the runway of a local airport. I also participated as a party in regulatory proceedings at the Federal Power Commission, which was then chaired by a New Hampshire native. Technology has changed a great deal in forty-three years, but the underlying issues of environmental protection and reasonable regulation have not.

3. Northern Pass

After I came back to New Hampshire in 2011 the Northern Pass proposal was brought to my attention by local residents from the North Country all the way down to Epping where Northern Pass would terminate. I launched “Operation Walk the Line,” and began marching across the state, starting in Pittsburg, to dramatize my opposition to Northern Pass. (The march will resume once the weather is more favorable.)

Northern Pass is a massive project with little discernable benefit for New Hampshire. The construction jobs would go largely to out-of-state employees who are experienced in building electric transmission systems. The tax payments to local governments would start falling as soon as the project was completed, as Northeast Utilities asked for depreciation write-downs of its investment.

So why are Northeast Utilities and Hydro Quebec so insistent on building Northern Pass? I am not sue we have the answer. But I have a very real hypothesis. I now turn to my hypothesis, which I emphasize is a theory not a proven fact at this point.

4. Local vs. regional

The most important issue New Hampshire must debate, determine and decide is whether New Hampshire will develop locally-based power sources for local use, or whether New Hampshire will see an economic benefit from acting as an “energy colony” on a regional basis. Today New Hampshire generates more power than it consumes, so there is no urgency to adopt massive new energy initiatives.

Other states in our region, however, have limited their own power plant and power line construction for varying reasons ranging from the “NIMBY” movement (“not in my backyard”) to general anti-utility agitation. These states would be only too happy to see New Hampshire trampled to preserve their own aesthetics and environments. I am not anti-energy and anti-utility. I am pro-New Hampshire, pro-environment, pro-forest and, on the other hand, pro-growth. I am for full disclosure, and informed decision-making with maximum public input.

Many interests in New York State want to shut down the Indian Point nuclear generating stations at Buchanan, New York. Indian Point generators keep the lights on in New York City. Where would the alternative power come from if Indian Point is shuttered? I have no proof that Northern Pass is an anticipatory gesture to prepare for a potential shutdown of Indian Point reactors. But it sure looks that way.

Quebec Hydro is hungry to expand its power operations. But because both New York and Vermont do not look kindly on new transmission systems, Northeast Utilities could “wheel” power through New Hampshire on the Northern Pass system and provide a very real alternative for New York. In other words, New Hampshire would receive a paltry payment for locating the Northern Pass system here, but Northeast Utilities could make a bonanza by selling power to New York State to replace Indian Point. Is there a formal deal in place today? No, I don’t think so. But New Hampshire should not be played for a sucker by Northeast Utilities or New York State. We should receive fair pay for fair service. Or no pay for no service.

Today Northern Pass favors Northeast Utilities, not New Hampshire. I favor a balanced solution. I strongly support the efforts of the Society for the Preservation of New Hampshire Forests (please see link #1 below) to delay Northern Pass.

Turning from Northern Pass to wind turbines, are taxpayer-subsidized wind turbine plants being used to support New Hampshire’s energy needs or are they merely generating power that is ultimately resold for use elsewhere? The photograph in the Union Leader Monday of the Groton wind farm was a chilling one (please see link #2 below).

Because New Hampshire has an ideal “small government” structure we do not have a massive bureaucracy to sit in judgment on utility proposals. That is why citizen input is so crucial, and why I am here today.

I ask the General Court to “listen to the people,” and to adopt sound, sensible energy plans based on an overall view of what is in the best interests of New Hampshire today and tomorrow.

5. Policy vs. ad hoc decision-making

HB 580 is essential because it seeks to prompt a review of the state’s overall energy policies and economic policies. I have no quarrel with the state being used as an “energy colony” by other states, if New Hampshire is compensated fairly and if the people willingly adopt such an approach after being fully informed. (I personally disagree with such an approach, but the majority probably rules in that instance.)

What I strongly oppose is ad hoc decision-making, where powerful unities, corporations, economic interests and political players seek to change the environmental equilibrium of New Hampshire on an ad hoc basis.

Uncontrolled electrical and wind power development would sound the death knell for New Hampshire tourism, and New Hampshire’s quality of life. These are paramount considerations. There are tradeoffs to be made, but they should be informed tradeoffs, not stealth tradeoffs.

What we have today amounts to “stealth” regulation. We have policies in place, but they have not been updated and reviewed in light of current circumstances.

HB 580 would impose a temporary moratorium on new wind turbine operations and electric transmission lines unless and until the state conducts a comprehensive review and adopts a reasoned energy policy based on full and open debate and discussion of the alternatives.

I support adoption of HB 580 by the House and also by the Senate.

-------------

Links
#1

#2
NEWS05/130219178/-1/news