AGP Executive Report

Data Center Power Fight: The Senate blocked the Ratepayer Protection Act (57-43), a GOP-backed bid to steer data-center grid upgrade costs away from households and small businesses; Democrats said it’s “toothless” because it only asks states to consider safeguards. Healthcare Rebates: Trump began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million people in 30 states, tied to claims of Biden-era “user fee” overcharges for the federal exchange. NH Vehicle Emissions Testing: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin met with NH lawmakers as the state seeks approval to end emissions testing and exit an ozone transport requirement. Housing & Development: Claremont and Newport are repurposing former textile mills into housing, including affordable units in Newport. Home Equity Finance: Hometap expanded its home equity investment product into six states, including New Hampshire. Broadband Funding Push: Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Susan Collins urged NTIA to issue guidance on BEAD non-deployment spending. Privacy Tech Watch: A new explainer highlights growing concerns about Flock license-plate cameras and what they can collect.

Manufacturing & M&A: Onshore Technologies opened a new 10,000-square-foot plant in Salem, boosting U.S. production for space, aerospace, robotics, defense, medical, and industrial automation. VIVE Collision also expanded in New Hampshire by acquiring Above All Collision Center in Concord, adding another repair location to its Northeast network. Energy & Housing Policy: New Hampshire’s online casino bill (SB 104) advanced in the Senate by a narrow 13–11 vote, moving to the Finance Committee. Separately, a new report says NH’s housing growth is lagging, forcing longer commutes as city rents outpace local wages. Solar & Grid Safety: Across the country, states are approving balcony and plug-in solar, but safety standards and “legal gray areas” remain a sticking point. Local Public Safety: NH Fish and Game coordinated a carryout after a hiker fell on the Artist Bluff and Bald Mountain Loop; and an Exeter officer was injured during a hit-and-run follow-up in Stratham. Workforce & Community Health: Granite VNA launched the community phase of a $2M campaign to support Hospice House upgrades and endowment growth. Tech & Education: Mountain Views Supervisory District hired Andrew Smith as director of technology and innovation, bringing AI and software QA experience back into the classroom.

Vehicle Policy Watch: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says New Hampshire’s vehicle inspection mandate is still on track for EPA action before year-end, after reviewing about 400 public comments tied to emissions testing in the Ozone Transport Region. Consumer Protection & Data Security: A multistate coalition of attorneys general announced a settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 breach tied to its debt collector, AMCA, highlighting vendor-management expectations for HIPAA-covered organizations. Housing & Construction: A new 61-unit senior apartment building opened in Westbrook, with rents tied to income and built with Maine materials by Herbert Construction. Healthcare Philanthropy: Dartmouth Health received a $20 million gift to launch an at-home primary and palliative care and caregiver institute, aimed at strengthening rural care capacity. Energy & Grid Modernization: Eversource and Dartmouth Engineering won a DOE SPARK award to expand grid capacity using dynamic line rating across about 4,000 miles in New England. Local Business & Risk: New Hampshire communities sued major chemical makers over alleged PFAS exposure in firefighting gear, arguing cancer risks from “forever chemicals.” Public Safety Tech: NH is being watched as states debate and tighten rules around Flock-style license plate reader cameras.

NH Economy & Planning: A new Hampshire-and-Solent combined authority is drafting a regional economic growth plan, targeting housing, transport, skills, and investment with a multi-year funding pipeline. Vehicle Emissions Fight: New Hampshire’s move away from vehicle inspections is facing fresh legal pushback, with challengers arguing state modeling overstated pollution impacts. Energy Costs & Pipelines: At an NH Energy Summit, Republicans renewed calls for more natural gas pipeline capacity to lower utility bills, blaming LNG dependence and limited pipeline access. PFAS in Food Packaging: Sen. Maggie Hassan joined Sen. Tommy Tuberville in reintroducing a bill to ban PFAS “forever chemicals” from food wrappers and packaging. Hazardous Waste Enforcement: NH’s DES settlement requires Pike Industries to pay a $100K fine over hazardous waste management violations. Housing Affordability Politics: A new report highlights housing affordability pressures in the Granite State as the Senate race draws national attention. Manufacturing & Workforce: The Southern NH Chamber’s October calendar spotlights National Manufacturing Day and local business networking. Consumer & Data Security: AG Alan Wilson urged consumers to claim compensation tied to generic drug price-fixing settlements, while multistate actions continue over data breach fallout.

Pipeline Watch: Kinder Morgan’s Southeast Connector natural gas pipeline is planned to cross western DeKalb County, affecting about 50 landowners across roughly 11 miles, with studies and easements underway and service targeted for 2029. Retail & Real Estate: Slate Grocery REIT’s distribution cut days before its sale ended in a deal to Brixmor and Everview for about $800M, a reminder of how fast grocery-anchored property can move. Hazardous Waste Enforcement: Pike Industries faces a $100,000 fine after NH DES found 15 hazardous waste management violations at its Portsmouth facility. NH School Governance: Newfound Area School District must hold a second ratification meeting Oct. 26 after a procedural form-signing issue delayed state acceptance ahead of setting property tax rates. Vehicle Safety Recall: About 880,000 SUVs/trucks have a factory-coated rear subframe paint defect that can strip to bare steel and lead to corrosion and possible rear suspension failure. Air Service: Southwest adds five new domestic routes, including Nashville–Manchester-Boston and Austin–Memphis starting Oct. 1. Energy & Cost Pressure: NH Housing reports the median home price hit $575,000 and median rent $2,011, with affordability still strained despite slower rent growth. Cybersecurity Talent: A new look at NH hiring says cybersecurity demand is outpacing experienced talent, pushing more focus onto long-term school-to-employer pipelines. Local Construction: Keene begins nighttime milling on Court Street with alternating one-way traffic and parking restrictions through the week.

AI Governance for NH Businesses: Insygna, based in Merrimack, joined the Open Secure AI Alliance and the Linux Foundation as it pushes “agent” accountability tools—verifiable identities, scoped permissions, and readable activity logs for procurement and HR. Public Safety: A Berlin ATV crash on Smitty’s Trail sent 61-year-old Karen Salvatore to the hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries; Fish and Game urged riders to stay within skill levels. Solar Policy Watch: Connecticut is moving toward balcony plug-in solar with 1,200-watt kits, but early demand is running into a supply snag: UL-approved kits reportedly aren’t widely available yet. Grid & Renewables Debate: A renewables affordability op-ed dispute says utility-scale solar lowers retail prices and that grid-connection costs were already measured. Agriculture Resilience Funding: Scientists are urging Congress to keep funding USDA Climate Hubs that help New England farmers adapt to volatile weather. NH Air Quality Rule: EPA is taking final public comments on letting New Hampshire exit the Northeast ozone transport program and drop its vehicle emissions testing plan. Data Center Power Pressure: An NH opinion piece argues a proposed data center moratorium is pro-ratepayer, citing electricity demand impacts. Consumer Credit Stress: NH credit card delinquency is nearing Great Recession-era levels, with nearly 12% of borrowers severely delinquent. PFAS Food Packaging: Sen. Maggie Hassan reintroduced a bill to ban PFAS chemicals in food wrappers and packaging. Infrastructure Update: Manchester’s Queen City Bridge reopened after a multi-day closure for structural inspection; Hudson’s Veterans Memorial Bridge lane remains closed after a cracked girder finding. Privacy & License Plate Readers: A report highlights how ALPR systems spread faster than local rules, raising concerns about tracking and data sharing.

Nor’easter Disrupts New England: A powerful nor’easter knocked out power across the Northeast, with tens of thousands darkened in New York and Connecticut and smaller outages reported in New Hampshire as crews battled downed trees and lines. Bridge Safety Watch: Manchester’s Queen City Bridge reopened after nearly four days of closure for structural inspection, while Hudson’s Veterans Memorial Bridge still has a westbound lane shut after a cracked girder was found. Energy Costs at the Pump: GasBuddy reports show premium prices in Sullivan County hitting a weekly low of $5.09/gal, while Grafton County’s regular gas dipped to $4.09/gal; nationally, AAA says gas prices remain volatile. PFAS Food Packaging Push: Sen. Maggie Hassan reintroduced a bill to ban PFAS in food wrappers and packaging, reviving a fight she previously launched in 2021. Solar Savings for Renters: New Hampshire’s plug-in solar law takes effect in January, aiming to cut bills for households that can’t afford rooftop systems. Local Housing Ballot Change: A new state law will put property tax cap questions on November ballots, with Hudson officials briefing residents on what’s coming. Workforce Shift to AI: As the coding boom fades, computer science grads are increasingly targeting AI skills and smaller employers.

Energy & Housing Costs: New Hampshire’s new plug-in solar law takes effect in January, letting renters and homeowners use small panels that plug into existing outlets to cut bills (estimated $15–$50/month) with UL safety-compliant equipment. Environmental Health: Sen. Maggie Hassan reintroduces bipartisan legislation to ban PFAS “forever chemicals” from food wrappers and packaging, reviving a fight she first launched years ago. Manufacturing & Jobs: Sylvania’s North America leadership highlighted innovation at its Hillsborough, N.H. plant, pointing to automation plus a “curious” workforce as it rolls out new lighting products. Tech Workforce: As the coding boom fades, computer science grads are shifting toward AI skills, with smaller firms increasingly hiring for practical AI help. Public Safety & Infrastructure: A nor’easter is driving power outages across New England, with NH Electric Co-op reporting hundreds affected. Policy Watch: NH’s license plate reader rules are being cited as a model as other states move to rein in Flock-style camera systems. Business & Consumer Data: Multistate AG actions include settlements tied to data breaches and consumer-impacting practices, keeping patient and customer data protection in focus.

Storm & Power: A powerful nor’easter is pushing heavy rain, coastal flooding, and outages across New England, with Massachusetts and Connecticut hit hardest and NH Electric Co-op reporting fewer than 30 customers out by 7 p.m. Energy & Costs: Gas prices climbed again as the national regular average rose nearly 5 cents to $4.48; NH county spot checks show premium lows around $3.99 in Carroll and midgrade lows near $4.42–$4.45 in parts of Grafton/Rockingham. Privacy & Tech Policy: New Hampshire’s long-running limits on automated license plate readers are being cited as a model as other states move to rein in Flock-style cameras. Manufacturing & Local Jobs: Sylvania marked 70 years in Hillsborough, highlighting a “curious” workforce and new lighting products as it looks to balance automation with talent. Housing & Land Use: A debate over whether to save Nashua’s Keefe Auditorium by building around it underscores how historic infrastructure and housing demand collide. Environment & Water: Drought conditions remain a strain in Maine and parts of NH, while local water drawdown work at Wentworth Pond continues ahead of more storm impacts. Workforce/Industry Watch: Bradford White strike dynamics are entering a decisive phase, with workers rejecting contract terms and pressing for wages, benefits, and safety.

Heating Upgrades: A New Hampshire homeowner says cold-climate heat pumps (and mini-splits) have handled subzero nights since 2014, with only occasional propane backup during January/February and outages. Local Energy & Housing: A Nashua debate over whether to preserve the Keefe Auditorium—tied to Elm Street Middle School—turns on renovation cost versus building nearly 300 apartments. Data Centers & Power Demand: An opinion argues NH should evaluate data centers with local, transparent scrutiny because electricity and water needs could strain the regional grid and drive high costs. Cybersecurity for Utilities: Research highlights a growing underground market selling access to industrial systems, pushing water and wastewater utilities to tighten basic cyber controls. License Plate Cameras: NH’s decade-old limits on automated license plate readers are cited as a model as other states move to restrict the tech. Environment & Water: Great Bay Stewards announces the Great Bay 5K fundraiser; in the Lakes Region, Alton officials monitor Wentworth Pond drawdown ahead of a Nor’easter. Construction/Workforce: Ashland firefighters plan a 2027 training center using donated bridge materials and shipping-container mockups. Transportation Safety: A Gray, Maine crash tied to an unsafe lane change sent a 70-year-old to hospital and backed traffic more than 10 miles.

Public Safety & Roads: A crash on the Maine Turnpike in Gray sent a Hudson, N.H. man to the hospital and backed traffic up more than 10 miles after a lane-change incident. Local Business & Community: Meredith’s Main Street is getting a new outdoor piano unveiled Oct. 2, with the public able to play and performances planned. Firefighting Training: Ashland’s Firefighters Association is raising funds for a 2027 training center using shipping containers and a decommissioned DOT bridge for realistic rescue and live-fire drills. NH Policy & Privacy: New Hampshire’s strict rules on license plate readers are being cited as a model as other states move to limit the tech, while regulators also warn insurers not to rely on aerial imagery alone for non-renewals. Cybersecurity Basics: A new report flags how underground markets make it easier for criminals to buy access to industrial systems, including water utilities. Consumer Protection & Data: Multistate actions continue—Labcorp settlements over a patient data breach and Credit Acceptance relief tied to auto-loan practices. Energy & Cost Pressure: A Lakes Region winery says diesel prices, tariffs, and fewer Canadian visitors are squeezing orders and staffing. Real Estate Records: Belknap County’s register of deeds race highlights ongoing efforts to digitize and protect land records.

Gas Prices: AAA reports Arizona regular gas up 13 cents in a week to $4.78, with the national average at $4.48—an all-time high for this time of year—blaming crude volatility and Strait of Hormuz risk. NH Housing Process: The New Hampshire Forum is convening a bipartisan Civic Assembly to turn resident housing ideas into 2027 legislation, aiming for 70% agreement before proposals reach lawmakers. Judicial Tech Upgrade: Apps 365 says the New Hampshire Judicial Branch implemented Microsoft 365-native CLM 365 to replace legacy contract management, adding standardized workflows and centralized control. Life Sciences Workforce: NH Life Sciences’ Empower Life Sciences event highlights a “talent alignment” gap as the sector grows faster than higher-ed can respond, calling for faster connections between employers and training. Data Breach Watch: Edelson Lechtzin LLP is pursuing class-action investigations tied to reported breaches affecting Health Access Network patients, Fairwinds Credit Union, and AngMar Management Service, with New Hampshire residents among those notified. Local Business: Aroma Joe’s opened a new Lincoln, Maine drive-thru, adding about 20 jobs and expanding the brand’s footprint across multiple states.

FDA Confirmation: Trump’s nominee for FDA commissioner, Dr. Heidi Overton, faced tough Senate questioning over childhood vaccines, including whether she’d back science over the president’s push to split MMR into separate shots. NH Housing Crunch: New Hampshire Housing released a 2026 report saying affordability is still the big blocker—median single-family prices hit a record $575,000 and only 15% of households can afford them—while permits keep rising. Energy Costs Watch: GasBuddy price reports show Rockingham County premium gas hitting a low of $4.49 in the week ending Sept. 19, while Coos County regular and midgrade prices also varied by town and station. PFAS Lawsuits: Keene and Londonderry filed a federal class action over PFAS exposure from firefighter turnout gear, seeking damages for alleged cancer risks. Connected Health Business: Portsmouth-based Tenovi was named 2026 Company of the Year by the Connected Health & Safety Association. Workforce & Industry: A new outdoor recreation workforce report backs policy steps for the 5.2 million Americans employed in outdoor recreation. Local Community: A Meredith church hosts a Blessing of Animals Oct. 4, welcoming pets and donations for the NH Humane Society.

PFAS Research: MaineHealth won a five-year, $4.5M NIH grant to study how “forever chemicals” affect kids’ puberty timing and bone health, aiming to see if impacts last into adulthood. Public Health & Safety: University of Mississippi deaths are under investigation after kratom was found at both scenes, while New Hampshire consumers get a new crypto ATM fraud law starting Dec. 16 with transaction limits and refund rules. Food & Consumer Alerts: Wakefern recalled select Wholesome Pantry organic unsweetened applesauce jars after FDA testing found elevated patulin mold toxin; separate reports also flag applesauce mold issues. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports Rockingham County’s lowest regular price at $4.04 for the week ending Sept. 19, with NH averaging $4.32. Local Infrastructure & Growth: State Senate President Sharon Carson says NH Republicans will pursue a moratorium on large AI data centers to protect power and water; NHDOT will present Route 111 corridor safety findings after 1,227 crashes in 10 years. Business & Community: Hampton Beach tourism is down, with shorter stays and fewer visitors hitting parking revenue; Gunstock unveiled a new summit wedding venue and faster chairlifts. NH Culture: A lost 1919 silent comedy filmed around Newport and Sunapee (“Van-ar-chy”) returns to the Newport Opera House Nov. 1.

Data Center Fight in Bow: Residents packed Bow’s selectboard meeting to oppose a potential hyperscale data center tied to the shuttered Merrimack Station site, warning impacts would spread downstream across the Merrimack River region. PFAS in Firefighting Gear: Keene and Londonderry filed a class action seeking reimbursement for replacing PFAS-containing firefighter turnout gear, alleging long-known risks and inadequate warnings by major manufacturers. Hazmat Truck Disruption: A tractor-trailer crash involving methyl methacrylate kept Route 9 closed in Woodford, with cleanup and inspections extending into Wednesday. Consumer Finance Crackdown: Hawaii announced a settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance Corporation, including cash/debt relief and injunctive terms aimed at risky lending practices. UNH Graduate Wage Protest: Graduate employees at UNH rallied after two years of wage negotiations without a contract, calling for livable pay. Internet Expansion: Xfinity brought multi-gig symmetrical service to Milton and New Durham, adding residential and business connectivity. Food Safety Recall: USDA recalled 167,639 pounds of beef, goat and pork products due to alleged lack of federal inspection. Construction Contractor Disputes: Multiple people allege the same New Hampshire contractor took money for incomplete work and related schemes, leading to civil judgments and state action. Road Safety: A box truck crash on I-293 sent a minor passenger to the hospital and shut down lanes for hours. EV Charging Rules: A report breaks down whether “ICEing” in EV-only spots is illegal, noting state-by-state differences and local enforcement.

Bridge and transport disruptions: Manchester’s Queen City Bridge is closed indefinitely after inspection concerns, and Hudson’s Veterans Memorial Bridge is partially closed after an inspection; separately, a box truck crashed into the Merrimack River on I-293, sending multiple patients to hospitals. Local business pressure: With the Queen City Bridge shut, downtown-area owners say longer trips are already hurting foot traffic and day-to-day sales. Public safety and compliance: The NH Liquor Commission penalized Portsmouth’s Legends for overserving a Dover man who later died in a crash; the bar faces a 15-day suspension and fines. Food supply watch: Wakefern recalled Wholesome Pantry organic unsweetened apple sauce after patulin mold-toxin levels exceeded limits. State policy and taxes: NH’s courts cleared the way for a November ballot question that could cap school district budget growth and SAU admin spending, creating a statewide property-tax cap vote for the first time. Manufacturing jobs: GKN Aerospace broke ground on a North Charlestown expansion adding about 30 jobs. Energy and costs: AAA reports pump prices climbing again as crude stays high. Wildlife protections: As federal endangered-species rules shift, NH lawmakers are likely to play a bigger role in protecting listed species. Aerospace and tech: Telecom provider seeks FCC approval to retire legacy phone lines in Maine and New Hampshire.