AGP Executive Report

Energy & Costs: New Hampshire consumers are bracing for higher home heating oil bills this winter as diesel prices hit record highs, with heating oil projected to cost about 31% more (around $2,300 on average), tied in part to the Iran war and broader fuel-market pressure. Consumer Protection: Michigan AG Jay Jones and other states announced a $694 million multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, including cash/debt relief and new safeguards aimed at risky loan practices. Tech & Power Demand: Developers are quietly exploring hyperscale data centers in Connecticut, with Eversource studying grid connection needs that could total 1,000–5,000 megawatts across the region—raising questions for New Hampshire’s own energy and ratepayer impacts. Local Business & Jobs: LightPath Technologies promoted Michael Amorelli to VP Engineering for imaging systems, expanding product development tied to its New Hampshire infrared operations. STEM in Schools: New Hampshire DOE awarded Robotics Education Development Program grants to Alvirne High School and Hudson Memorial School to expand hands-on robotics participation in 2026–2027. Real Estate: A Hudson Planning Board review advanced a proposed 12,000-square-foot multi-tenant retail project after traffic and environmental concerns were raised.

Home Heating Costs: New Hampshire diesel prices are pushing home heating oil expected to rise more than usual this winter, with the average household projected to pay about 31% more (nearly $2,300), tied to global oil shocks and Iran-war impacts. Consumer Protection: The state’s AG consumer bureau points to a market with about 50 propane providers and urges shoppers to compare, as new heating-company rules require clearer upfront pricing. Charitable Gaming in NH: Poker returns to New Hampshire’s Lilac Club Casino with a $60,000 Legends of Poker Tournament, highlighting the state’s charitable model where 35 cents of every gaming dollar goes to local nonprofits. Local Planning & Housing: Concord residents weighed in at an open house on the city’s 2050 master plan, with housing, transportation, parks, and support for people experiencing homelessness driving the discussion. STEM & Schools: Hudson and Alvirne schools received NH DOE robotics grants to expand hands-on STEM participation for the 2026–2027 school year. Invasive Species Watch: A spotted lanternfly was captured in Salem and another was reported in Derry, with the state saying there’s no evidence of an established population in Derry yet. Advanced Manufacturing: Vicor is set to expand in New Hampshire with new chip fab plans, aiming to strengthen the U.S. supply chain. STEM Innovation: A 17-year-old Nashua student is developing a low-cost brain-reading system that aims to turn brain activity into speech without surgery.

NH Agriculture & Food Safety: A spotted lanternfly was captured outside a Salem wine bar and state agriculture set traps in response; officials say there’s no evidence of an established population in Derry yet, but the insect can weaken grapevines. Workforce & Community Health: A Veterans Stand Down event in Manchester connected veterans with healthcare, housing and other services, hosted by Eversource at Energy Park. Education & Skills: Lakes Region Community College ran a four-week AI and advanced math pilot for 16 teens, aiming to bring future-ready skills to rural students. Housing & Local Economy: The Lakes Region housing market is cooling from the earlier frenzy—more inventory, fewer bidding wars, and more price reductions—while still holding strong demand. Local Governance: Belmont residents pushed a petition to put demolition of an old Main Street bank building on the 2027 town warrant, shifting the decision to voters. Business & Growth: Eastern Bank named Lowell community leader Sixto DeJesus as vice president and branch manager for its Downtown Lowell Central Street location.

Invasive Species Watch: A spotted lanternfly was captured outside a Salem wine bar, prompting New Hampshire Department of Agriculture trapping near a Derry vineyard; officials say there’s no evidence of an established population yet, but the insect can damage grapevines. Energy & Cost Pressure: National gas prices rose 16 cents to about $4.44 a gallon as crude stayed near $100, with demand and supply trends cited by the EIA—another reminder for NH drivers facing higher diesel and fuel costs. Consumer Relief: New Hampshire consumers are set to receive more than $786,000 from a $694 million multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, tied to alleged unaffordable loan practices. Local Governance & Housing/Infrastructure: Belmont residents pushed a petition to put demolition of an old Main Street bank building on the 2027 town warrant, shifting the decision to voters. Manufacturing/Workforce: Vicor is welcoming New Hampshire to boost advanced manufacturing supply chains after buying 120 acres in the state. Agriculture & Food Safety: A suspected algae-related shellfish die-off is reported in Maine’s midcoast, with blooms also noted in NH and Massachusetts. Education & AI Skills: Lakes Region Community College ran a four-week AI and advanced math pilot for 16 teens, aiming to bring future-ready training to rural students.

School Construction Finance: Nobleboro Central School’s older 1956 wing stays closed after March mold findings, with a $10.4M lease-purchase denied by Androscoggin Bank—now voters will decide at an October special meeting whether to approve general obligation bonds. Community & Health Sustainability: MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals are repurposing surplus medical supplies through Partners for World Health, adding to a systemwide effort that has already donated tens of thousands of pounds. Local Business Ownership: Wilton publisher Earth Sky + Water is transitioning to an employee co-op, as founder Steven Lewers steps back and workers take over the company. Housing Market Watch: The Lakes Region is cooling but not collapsing—more inventory and fewer bidding frenzies, while prices and sales remain strong in key waterfront areas. Shellfish & Environment: Harpswell shellfish die-offs are being linked to a suspected algae bloom; officials are asking the public for help as they monitor impacts on local waters. NH Consumer Relief: New Hampshire is set to receive more than $786K from a multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance over loans customers couldn’t afford. Workforce & Tech Education: Lakes Region Community College is running a four-week AI and advanced math summer course for teens, aiming to bring future-ready skills to rural students. Public Safety Tech Debate: ICE is considering buying Boston Dynamics Spot robot dogs, drawing protests in Burlington over escalation and law-enforcement use.

Utility Costs & Energy Bills: NHPR explains why electricity bills are rising beyond just supply rates, as Eversource, Unitil and Liberty increased supply charges and delivery fees can be nearly as big. AI Data Centers: New Hampshire Republicans signal a policy shift toward exploring a moratorium on AI data centers, citing pressure on electricity, water, noise and infrastructure impacts. Consumer Relief: New Hampshire consumers are set to receive more than $786,000 from a $694M multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, tied to loans alleged to be unaffordable. Manufacturing & Supply Chain: Watsco plans to acquire Concord-based The Granite Group, expanding its plumbing and HVAC distribution footprint across the Northeast. Clean Water Policy: Bedford Sen. Denise Ricciardi was named Legislator of the Year for work tied to wastewater engineering standards aimed at protecting NH’s water supply. Federal Environment Update: The U.S. House voted to delay lobster gear rules meant to reduce right-whale entanglements, keeping pressure on fisheries and conservation timelines. Local Business/Community: A Lawrence City Band proposal seeks approval to build a new stage near the South Park gazebo, funded by raised donations rather than taxpayer dollars.

Energy & Costs: Gas prices keep climbing as crude stays high, with the national regular average up to about $4.44 and New Hampshire consumers feeling it—especially diesel, now around $6.40, pushing up delivery and grocery costs. Consumer Protection: New Hampshire and other states are moving on predatory auto lending—Attorney General Griffin joined a $694M multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance, requiring stronger disclosures and limits on dealer “packing” add-ons like VSC and GAP. Local Infrastructure: Nobleboro’s school construction plans are in limbo after a bank denied a lease-purchase for a $10.4M mold-related project, sending voters to a special October bond vote. Workforce & Industry: Bradford White workers in Michigan struck after rejecting the final contract offer, a reminder of pressure points in U.S. manufacturing supply chains. Policy & Business Climate: A new NH transparency scorecard finds Right-to-Know access is inconsistent and often obstructed across towns and school districts. Education & Tech: Teachers in Manchester are pushing back on AI in classrooms, leaning on oral exams and screen-free writing to reduce misuse. Politics: The Senate again blocked the Clarity Act, while crypto firms keep funding Republicans ahead of November.

Consumer Protection: New Hampshire is among 30 states included in a $694 million multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance Corp., with required cash and debt relief plus new rules on loan disclosures and limits on dealer “packing” add-ons like VSC and GAP. Cost of Living: Granite Staters are feeling diesel’s jump to about $6.40 a gallon, with grocers warning higher fuel can flow into meat and dairy prices. Local Governance: The New Hampshire Supreme Court cleared the way for a school budget cap ballot question after an emergency appeal was denied, keeping the measure on the November ballot. Energy & Industry: A NH Manufacturing Extension Partnership summit highlights workforce growth as the big bottleneck, with housing and child care cited as key barriers to keeping trained workers in-state. Housing Research: A new NH Housing report finds affordable housing development shows no measurable drag on nearby home values. Construction Innovation: CRREL research explores using compressed snow blocks for fast, consistent extreme-cold construction. Food Safety: FDA escalated a jalapeño-linked recall involving Taylor Fresh Foods/Taylor Farms products, with distribution listed in New Hampshire. Trade & Policy: An op-ed argues tariffs—especially on Canada—are acting like taxes that hit NH jobs tied to cross-border trade.

Advanced Manufacturing: New Hampshire welcomed Vicor Corporation’s planned expansion, adding new ChiP Fab-2 and Fab-3 power-component manufacturing capacity in Merrimack and Hooksett as Fab-1 in Andover nears capacity. Housing & Development: A Chester planning board hearing for 34 homes at Village at Buxton Farm was pushed to Sept. 30 after PFAS contamination concerns surfaced, adding another hurdle to affordable housing plans. Energy & Utilities: Connecticut’s electricity bills are falling faster than the national average, even as the Northeast debates whether cap-and-trade like RGGI is still worth the cost as carbon prices rise and emissions creep back up. Health Care Costs: The White House says nearly 1 million ACA marketplace enrollees in federal-exchange states, including NH, will get one-time $500 refunds tied to expired enhanced premium tax credits. Local Governance: A judge cleared the way for NH voters to see the school tax cap question on the Nov. 3 ballot, rejecting claims it’s misleading or too confusing. Environment & Water: Drought is expanding again across central NH this fall, with some areas never fully recovering from earlier dry stretches.

School Funding Fight: A Merrimack County judge cleared the way for New Hampshire’s school tax cap question to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, rejecting claims it’s misleading and saying any confusion can be handled through public outreach. Local Roads & Safety: Laconia councilors voted unanimously to make parts of Prescott and all of Paugus emergency lanes indefinitely, ending the need for annual renewals. Energy & AI Infrastructure: Southern NH University highlights how AI’s climate impact depends on where electricity comes from and notes data centers’ cooling water needs. Consumer Protection (Heating): NH DOJ released guidance under a new law requiring heating companies to disclose fees up front for propane contracts, including limits on certain switching and tank-related charges. Solar in NH: Hooksett is building a 1.34 MW solar array on a former landfill via a PPA, targeting long-term taxpayer and school electricity savings. Defense Tech: BAE Systems unveiled a compact “Shadow EW” electronic warfare family aimed at smaller drones and aircraft using commercial chips. Healthcare Workforce: Dartmouth Health laid off 124 employees and canceled 303 open positions at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and clinics. Copyright & AI: A copyright lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft keeps expanding, now backed by 550+ publications. Elections & Costs: A Fed rate hike is framed as a potential headwind for the 2026 midterms, with borrowing costs and household budgets in focus.

Healthcare Workforce Cuts: Dartmouth Health says it’s eliminating 124 jobs and canceling 303 open positions across Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and its Southern Region clinics, citing rising labor, supply and drug costs plus slower insurance payments. Defense Tech in NH: BAE Systems launched “Shadow EW,” a compact electronic-warfare family with software/design work centered in Nashua and hardware manufacturing planned for Cedar Rapids, aimed at smaller crewed and uncrewed aircraft. Energy & Home Costs: New Hampshire’s AG is reminding residents and propane companies about new propane fuel regulations focused on clearer contract disclosures and limiting fees that can block switching. AI Power-Grid Fight: A bipartisan House push, the Ratepayer Protection Act, would require large AI data centers to cover the full cost of electricity and grid upgrades instead of shifting bills to households. Local Economy & Labor: A new analysis says NH tourism, hospitality, landscaping and construction lean heavily on seasonal foreign workers via H-2B visas. Weather & Water Stress: Central NH is back in drought, with scientists noting winter snow didn’t fully reset conditions. Seacoast Real Estate: Hampton logged a Seacoast record for $1M+ single-family sales in August, even as condo prices soften. Workforce/Compliance: A Massachusetts court update highlights “negligent hiring” risks that can extend beyond independent contractors, adding pressure on how businesses document and manage contractor relationships.

Health & Jobs: Dartmouth Health is cutting 124 positions and canceling 303 open roles, including Tele-ICU and Tele-ED, citing rising labor, supply and drug costs and weaker reimbursement. Energy & Utilities: Hooksett is building a 1.34-megawatt solar array on its capped landfill, joining other NH towns using closed waste sites for power. Policy & Housing: A joint Planning/Select Board meeting in Dartmouth is reacting to Ballot Question Seven, which would limit how zoning boards can restrict single-family homes near town water and sewer. Consumer & Energy Costs: NH AG Fitch is reminding residents and propane companies about new propane fuel regulations aimed at clearer contract disclosures and fewer switching-blocking fees. AI Power Debate: A bipartisan House push would require large AI data centers to cover the full cost of electricity and grid upgrades, not utility customers. Local Business Growth: Watsco plans to acquire The Granite Group, expanding plumbing/HVAC distribution across the Northeast. Community & Agriculture: Candia’s Applefest returns Sept. 19 with 50+ vendors and pie contests. Public Safety: Health officials are warning about cychlorphine, a synthetic drug reported as up to 10x more potent than fentanyl. Industry & Environment: NH’s seafood sector supports 3,700+ jobs and $222M in sales, with aquaculture and distribution playing a bigger role than many realize.

Healthcare Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including New Hampshire, will get $500 refunds tied to alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges from the Biden era. State Politics: New Hampshire House Republicans unveiled their “Granite Guarantee,” a seven-point agenda promising no income tax, property tax caps, lower energy and health care costs, less red tape, parental choice, and public safety. Insurance Compliance: The NH Insurance Department ordered auto insurers to fix renewal nonpayment termination notices and ensure a legally required 10-day cure period. AI for Workforces: Insygna, based in Merrimack, announced its Agentic Workforce Management platform was named a 2026 Top HR Product by HR Executive. Infrastructure & Construction: A two-month bridge preservation project will close the left passing lane on I-93 in Littleton through about Nov. 6. Local Business/Real Estate: A lawsuit over an unfinished senior living project in Littleton continues as defendants seek dismissal and challenge claims tied to a $28 million construction loan. Tourism & Leisure: Waterville Valley Resort in the White Mountain area added an 18-hole miniature golf course as it pushes for year-round appeal.

Health Care & Tech Rollout: MEDITECH says its Expanse EHR is now live across 34 HCA Healthcare hospitals in the company’s Capital and North Florida divisions, with more waves planned for later in 2026. NH Politics & Cost of Living: House Republicans unveiled their “Granite Guarantee,” promising no income tax, property tax caps, lower energy bills, and lower health care costs, framing the November fight as “common sense vs. communism.” Energy & Utilities: Liberty Utilities is seeking a natural gas rate increase of more than 16% to fund system modernization, while an NH energy op-ed argues the state should keep prioritizing reliability and consumer cost relief. Data Centers & Power Demand: Multiple items keep spotlighting NH’s data-center debate, including renewed criticism of a proposed 350-megawatt Bow project and a broader argument against data-center moratoriums elsewhere. Infrastructure: DOT work will affect I-93 in Littleton with a two-month bridge preservation lane closure. Public Safety: A serious Merrimack Turnpike rollover sent four to the hospital; NH Army National Guard members are also deploying to Texas for a border security mission. Local Economy & Community: A new Lakes Region nonprofit, Family Promise of the Lakes Region, is expanding help for families at risk of homelessness. Business Moves: Watsco plans to acquire The Granite Group, expanding plumbing and HVAC distribution across the Northeast.

Healthcare & Consumer Relief: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including New Hampshire, will get $500 refunds tied to alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges. Manufacturing Expansion: Vicor plans major growth of its ChiP power-module production, buying large sites in Merrimack and Hooksett to support Fab-2 and Fab-3 as capacity tightens. Industrial Deal in NH: Watsco will acquire Concord-based The Granite Group, a plumbing and HVAC distributor with about $500M in sales across seven Northeast states. Energy & Local Savings: Derry is turning a capped municipal landfill into a 2.25 MW solar project expected to cut electricity costs for taxpayers over 25 years. Workforce Pipeline: A New Hampshire trades push highlights a “toolbelt generation” as retirements strain construction and other skilled trades. Public Safety: A three-alarm fire hit Sig Sauer in Epping, injuring a firefighter; separate reporting covers a fatal Laconia motorcycle crash. Outdoor & Community: UNH’s AquaFort sustainable seafood system is expanding nationwide, while New Hampshire’s Hike Safe Card is in focus after a costly Franconia Ridge rescue.

Health Policy: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including New Hampshire, will get $500 refunds for Obamacare “overcharges” tied to federal exchange “user fees,” a move aimed at returning surplus funds. Public Safety: A three-alarm fire at Sig Sauer in Epping injured one firefighter; crews shifted from interior attack to defensive operations amid heavy fire and limited access, with the State Fire Marshal investigating. Energy & Land Use: Derry converted a capped municipal landfill into a 2.25-megawatt solar site, expected to cut taxpayer electricity costs by about $4 million over 25 years. Manufacturing: GKN Aerospace began a $16 million expansion at its North Charlestown facility to boost U.S. production of aero-engine components, adding 57,000 square feet and new processes. Environment & Infrastructure: Lochmere Village District in Tilton is dealing with high PFAS levels after state sampling, highlighting the cost and procedural hurdles of remediation. Outdoor Economy: New Hampshire’s Hike Safe Card urges fall hikers to buy $25 protection to avoid thousands in rescue-related bills.