|
|
|
|
 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook tonight. Do you ever wonder where the power comes from when you turn on the lights? We'll take you to the location where power is monitored and controlled throughout the Granite State. We'll look at where our energy comes from and why one agency is warning we could face shortages in the future. And later. form and function meet art in work of a New Boston sculptor and furniture maker. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Laura Knoy. Allison McNair has the night off. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. We begin tonight with a summary of today's state news. |
| Clean Air Return to index of stories... |
environmentalists in new hampshire and half a dozen other northeastern states are cheering a u.s. supreme court ruling today. the court upheld current federal clean-air standards. power industry officials had argued states should be required to balance the health benefits of cleaner air.with the costs of compliance. all nine justices rejected that position.as well as industry's contention that the federal government's 1997 pollution standards went too far. there was one exception: the court agreed that the government's ozone regulations went beyond the scope of the clean air act.and it ordered the epa to reconsider those standards. |
| School Funding Return to index of stories... |
Republican State Senators are working on a constitutional amendment that would take take the courts out of the school funding debate. Senator Jack Barnes of Raymond says legislators are tired of the court stepping in whenever a school funding plan comes forward. The amendment would give decisive power to the legislators. Barnes and others are also working on something called a targeted aid plan. It would reduce state aid to financially-sound districts and give more money to the state's poorest school districts. |
| Forum Return to index of stories... |
If you're confused about the many different education funding proposals now being considered, you may want to mark your calendar for an event next Wednesday night in Peterborough. It's a community-sponsored forum called "Talking About Taxes." Representatives from each of the four plans will be there to make their case. The forum begins at 7pm and will take place at the Peterborough Town House, at the corner of Main and Grove. |
| Early Admissions Return to index of stories... |
You've heard of early admissions to college, but the city of Nashua is thinking about ending the practice of early admission to first grade. That's when parents of kids younger than the standard age 6.try to place their children into first grade. The Nashua School District receives about 75 requests each year for such early admission. Of that number, about two or three are allowed in. Some educators say emotional maturity is as important as intelligence when determining a child's readiness for school. |
| Homeless Shelter Return to index of stories... |
A grass roots campaign is underway to provide shelter to the homeless in Derry. Representatives from area churches, social workers, lawyers and other professionals are trying to raise money to open the Haven of Hope Shelter. The proposed shelter would serve seven communities in the area, all of which are being asked to contribute to the fund-raising campaign. Money from federal and state grants and private foundations is being sought. Last year churches and charitable groups aided 100 homeless people in Derry alone. |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Is it cold enough for you? Try camping out on top of Mount Washington. That's where weather observer Julia Heemstra is tonight with our look at the weather. OUT: |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
CG:WEATHER\Tonight \North\Partly cloudy this evening.\Becoming clear\Low -5 to 5\Northwest wind around 10 mph CG:WEATHER\Tonight \South\Mostly clear\Low 5 to 15 \Northwest wind around 10 mph\ CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\North\Partly sunny\Chance of flurries in the afternoon\High mid teens to the lower 20s\Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph CG:WEATHER\Tomoorw \South\Mostly sunny\High in the mid and upper 20s\Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph\ |
| Intro Power Grid Return to index of stories... |
When you turn on a light at home - do you ever wonder where the power comes from? In New Hampshire, there's one central location where the distribution of power is monitored and controlled for the entire state. Allison McNair shows us how the power grid works. |
| POWER GRID Return to index of stories... |
Nat sound -- track Four control centers operate and monitor the entire New England power system. And this is one of them - located in southern New Hampshire. The location isn't made public for scurity reasons. -- nat -- track This site operates under the auspices of the Independent Systems Operator of New England - otherwise known as ISO New England. With the onset of electric deregulation, ISO New England was created as a nonprofit entity, responsible for meeting the power demands of New England. -- 1:06:58 Joe Bretton Systems Op. Mngr. - PSNH Our responsibility is to ensure that we have a reliable transmission and generating resource to provide services to our customers. In this case in New Hampshire as well as New England. At this site - a large schematic map details the transmission and sub transmission lines in New Hampshire as well as other devices connected with system. -- sot Joe 1:11:20 The board is the state of New Hampshire laid on it's side 1:11:25 -- sot Joe 1:19:26 On the board we have various electrical devices that are represented by symbols. Every symbol red in color represents a device that's closed where power can flow through it. Those devices that are shown in green indicate the device is open and power cannot flow through those devices. -- track Every time power is shut down or turned back on,at any location, the board is updated. That's critical information when crews are out in the field performing maintenance or repair work. That same information is kept on the control cewnter's computer system. -- sot 1:23:41 Joe The computer we use in this system allows us to get data from various substations throughout New Hampshire. We're bringing back this data in reference to this power flow on the transmission line, the amount of generation being generates, the quality of that power, the voltage levels and the status of thousands and thousands of devices on the power systems, where those devices are open and closed. -- nat of operator talking -- sot Joe 1:24:00 These operators sitting over here at these consoles know that because the information is presented to them in text form and symbology. So they know at all times exactly what power is flowing from what point to what point, how much generation is coming out of the generators in New Hampshire, and actually they can tell how much is coming into New Hampshire and how much is leaving New Hampshire at any one time. 1:24:33 -- track New Hampshire generates power at several different sites. The Seabrook Nuclear Power plant is one. But only 400 megawatts of the 1160 generated by Seabrook is owned by PSNH. There are 16 other owners who are entitled to the remainder of power generated by the nuclear power plant. Other power is generated at power stations in Portsmouth, Bow, and in Newington. There are also two waste to energy plants, several small wood burning power producers as well as scores of hydroelectric plants. -- sot 1:25:15 If we are generating more power in New Hampshire than needed the power will flow out to other parts of the New England system. Consequently if we don't have enough generation or we don't schedule the generation., we import power. So New Hampshire can import and export but generally because of the cost of generation in NH we usually export power. 1:25:40 -- sot 1:29:52 If we should happen to lose a large generator somewhere in New England, ISO New England will direct that we start our fast starting combustion turbine units. We have five - in NH - one in Groveton, Portsmouth, Somersworth, two in Bow at the Merrimack one and two plants. When the emergency develops, we have the ability to start these generators in about ten minutes. In some cases, those plants are started by the generator plants themselves but in the case of these, we can start them right here with the controls we have, 1:30:47 -- Those turbine units are giant generators, powered by jet fuel.Not economical, but useful in an emergency. For Outlook, I'm Ally McNair. |
| Business Outlook Return to index of stories... |
In business news tonight. January's economic reports are all pointing in the same direction: down. Consumer confidence is at its lowest level since June 1996. Analysts say that reflects on increased pessimism about jobs and the economy. The housing market also took a hit. New home sales declined nearly eleven percent in January, marking the biggest drop in seven years. And orders to U-S factories for durable goods, fell to the lowest level in 19 months. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is due back before members of Congress tomorrow, where investors are looking for a sign about another drop in interest rates. |
| Wall Street Stocks Return to index of stories... |
Investors reacted to the news with a sinking feeling. Technology shares led the decline. The tech heavy Nasdaq was down just over 100 points. its lowest level since January 1999. The dow was down almost six points. CG:STOCKS\Dow Industrials\10636.88\-5.65\NYSE\633.46\-1.03\American Stock Exchange\908\-1.43\Nasdaq \2207.82\-100.68\S&P 500\1257.94\-9.71 |
| NH Stocks Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look at some of the stocks of interest to New Hampshire. Audodesk was down nearly two and a half. Chubb was UP nearly 2. Sanmina Corp, Teradyne and Timberland were all down just over 2 and a half points. |
| Business Closing Return to index of stories... |
A Somersworth company is closing down. Janco Electronics says it will close its printed circuit board division May 31st. The company attributes the closing to the recent market slowdown and the decreased demand for its products. The major component of Janco, the electronics subcontract division, will continue its operations in Rollinsford. 38 of the company's 125 employees will lose their jobs. |
| Borrowed Teachers Return to index of stories... |
The Nashua School district is looking to local business to help during their teacher shortage. For a few hours a day Nashua businesses are allowing employees to enter the classroom and teach algebra. Nashua High School's Associate principal says there is a major benefit to providing students with a teacher who has real-life applications. It also allows business professionals to explore teaching without having to give up their careers. |
| Intro Jon Brooks Return to index of stories... |
Finally tonight, we take you to New Boston and the home and studio of artist John Brooks. Chip Neal first met Brooks three years ago. John is still working at his craft. producing a unique blend of functional furniture and sculpture. |
| website Return to index of stories... |
For information on tonight's program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.org. You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts and participate in our daily poll. If you've got a story idea or comment on our program you can call us at 800-639-2721. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
Tomorrow on New Hampshire Outlook - The power of Genes. We'll talk to a New Hampshire expert on Genetic Engineering. Are we interfering or refining nature when we produce genetically altered crops? We'll explore the issues. Plus, a serious look at eating disorders. Some say they're reaching epidemic proportions among young women. We'll look at some of the reasons why. |
| TSE EXCHANGE Return to index of stories... |
Also tomorrow morning I hope you join me on the Exchange. We'll be talking about Bankruptcy. Does current law make it too easy for people to walk away from their debts? That's tomorrow morning at 9 on New Hampshire Public Radio. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. For Allison McNair and all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, thanks for joining us. Stay tuned for Keeping up Appearances. I'll be back tomorrow at 7:30. Good night. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundadtion Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |