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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Deadline Passed Return to index of stories... |
The 48 hour deadline for Sadaam Hussein to leave Iraq has passed. And tonight - 300 thousand American troops are poised to take action if and when the President declares war. In a formal jusitification for war sent to Congress - President Bush says diplomacy has failed to protect Americans. He also states that Saddam Hussein has links to al-Quaida and that captured Iraqi officals could provide information that would help locate terrorists living inside U-S borders. |
| Intro Wartime Return to index of stories... |
Joining us to talk more about the war with Iraq - From the University of New Hampshire, Dr. Tom Trout and Dr. Lionel Ingram. Dr. Trout is a Political Science Professor he specializes in international relations, intelligence and terrorism. Dr. Lionel Ingram is a Political Science Lecturer, a foreign policy expert and a retired US Army Colonel. Thank you all for joining us here today. |
| Wartime Discuss Return to index of stories... |
Want to mention we are taping this shortly after 8 tonight - so although there has been no military action taken at the time of our taping , that could all change by the time we braodcast the program. On the question of when this could happen - will it be hours days weeks? Speculation is this war be "quick and tidy" - is that the case or will this war go on much longer than expected? New technology used never seen before - what will we see? Will chemical and biological weapons be used by Saddam? Here at home - can we expect retaliation? Talk about our uniliateral apprach - this is setting a new precedent how will it be seen by rest of the world? President Bush has mentioned September 11th as a reason to engage in war. Lionel, is that effective in gathering support from Americans? How accurate do you think reports will be from journalists wo are embedded with troops - new ways getting info.internet reporting foreign sources - what do you turn to for info? What about propaganda fliers being dropped over country - what does it do really? What about demand that Hussein leave - radical departure from foreign policy US has acted multilaterally not unilaterally How will this look to other countries Cost of war cost of aftermath Long term implications of not being able to get needed vote s to pass resolution? |
| Intro Wood Burning Return to index of stories... |
Some say the conflict with Iraq is partially about oil. Whether that statement is true or not, there's no doubt many Americans would like to produce more energy here at home. But here in New Hampshire it looks like a thirty-year old experiment in alternative energy sources may be in danger of collapse. Since the 1970's, the state has gotten some of its electricity from wood-fired plants. But electric deregulation is threatening that experiment, as the wood plants have struggled to compete with other sources of energy. Some legislative leaders are now looking to find ways to save the plants and the loggers who supply them, but as Richard Ager tells us, there are others who say the experiment is over. |
| Wood Burning Return to index of stories... |
Soundup - chipper Track: This lot in Hampton Falls is being cleared for a new development, so the unwanted brush and trees have to go. Like most low-grade or waste wood, it goes into the chipper - but where it will go from there is becoming increasingly unclear. That's because much of the market for wood chips has shrunk and is in danger of collapse. Until recently, pulp and paper mills across northern New England took about half the annual wood chip production - but the idling of the mills in Berlin cut that market. Soundup: Whitefield station boiler Track: The other half of NH's wood-chip production goes to the five wood-fired power plants now operating in the state. Bite: Woodward tape 00:12:14 What's so great about the wood-fired plants is the biggest expense is buying the wood. That money comes to people such as myself, and my biggest expense is paying for my employees. So the money they spend on wood stays here - the money stays here as opposed to a gallon of oil - very little of that stays here. Track: But there is less money for loggers these days. Three other wood-fired plants have already shut down, and another is expected to close at the end of June. Standup: The reason - wood chips are still a more expensive fuel than oil or coal - and the remaining wood-fired plants only manage to remain in business because they supply power to PSNH under state rate orders. Those rate orders originated in the energy crises of the seventies which led the state legislature to look for ways to increase homegrown energy sources. But the rate orders expire in 2008, which could put the future of all the plants in doubt. Track: Most forestry experts say, without a market for wood-chips, the forest will suffer. Bite: Woodward tape 00:10:40 Forest service estimates are that 40% of trees in NH are low-grade and so even your best trees have a certain percentage of low-grade, and you can't afford to cut the high grade trees if you don't have a market for the low-grade. And trees aren't much different from your carrot patch - halfway through the summer, you have to go in and pull out half of them and throw them over the fence. You do that because you have a better crop in the future. legislature tape 1 13:04:08 I'm sure this committee can solve this problem once and for all - hopefully - it is very necessary. Track: To ensure a healthier forest products industry, the legislature is now considering a bill that would subsidize the wood-fired plants through an electric utility surcharge. At the hearing, the bill got a boost from the governor. Bite: legislature tape 1 13;02:10 What I am here to talk about is to make sure we look very carefully at producing our own energy in the state of NH using NH products to do that, employing NH people, to ensure we have some energy independence in the state of NH, and that we help the people throughout the state who need the help at this time, in order to make sure we have that independence. Track: But the state's consumer advocate for utility customers delivered a different message. Bite: Legislature tape 3 14:06:58 Who is this for? The ratepayers? Well, it's certainly not for the ratepayers. It's not for business and employment throughout the state. Who's it for. Is it for the timberowners? Well, that's just a business. It's like growing corn or growing tobacco. The govt. gave up on subsidizing that years ago. You want to start that in NH? It's just a business. Soundup: legislature tape 2 13:30:48 I don't think this bill should survive, I think it should be killed. Track: The state's biggest utility, which would have to collect the surcharge, says the bill is unfair since the company had already paid to negotiate an end to the rate orders. Bite: legislature tape 2 13:24:28 It is baffling to us how the law and the legislature in the state can tell us to do one thing, a year later, say no, we want you to incur even more costs than before you did what we told you to do. Bite: legislature tape 2 13:31:57 We don't need to burn wood. I hope you understand that. We burn coal, we burn oil, we burn gas. We don't need to burn wood. But we know this is important to the state, and we want the state's economy to be as vibrant as possible, so we're saying PSNH has a lot of skill and talent - let's find a way to burn wood. Track: One way would be a proposed conversion of one of the boilers at Schiller Station in Portsmouth. All three boilers now burn coal or oil, but converting one to wood chips would create a market for about 450,000 tons of low-grade wood a year. But in return, PSNH wants passage of a Senate bill that would allow the company to own its own generating stations, which was banned by the electric deregulation settlement. Soundup: Bow station - bulldozing coal piles Track: Supporters of the bill hope that legislators take the long view on this issue. Bite: legislature tape 2 13:49:26 I'm just old enough to remember what happened in 1973, and what happened in 1979, and what happened in 1991, and what's about to happen. We rely on a great amount of our energy from outside our region. I think this committee, the people of this state, the industry and utility companies should be sitting down and looking at alternative energy policies that include not only wood, but wind and other areas. I think to discount this bill out of hand because it may cost somebody a few more cents, is really irresponsible. Track: For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining us now to discuss the impact HB 787 will have on the granite state, Gary Long, President and C-O-O of Public Service Company of New Hampshire and the Executive Director of the Timberland Owners Association, Jasen Stock. Thank you both for joining us tonight. We want to mention, that PSNH provides financial support for the production of New Hampshire Outlook. That support allows us to bring you open discussions on all issues, including this one. |
| Wood Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Why is wood a more expensive fuel than oil or coal to produce energy? Jason - there are lot of different issues that play into the decision on whether to continue subsidizing the 5 wood fired plants. There's issue of energy, employment, environment or health of forests.What's the most important aspect of the bill? Where are these 5 plants? Gary- Under state rate orders, PSNH is required to buy power from these wood burning plants through 2008.How much do you pay these plants a year? Under this bill there would be an electric ulitlity surcharge that customers would pay to subsidize the plants. Why would you be opposed to that? What would it cost average consumer per year? Jason, the economy is struggling there are people who have to make decisions should they pay utility bill, or pay for groceries - living week to week - how do you feel about asking them to pay more on their utility bill? What affects the price? How many people employed at the five mills that remain open? Gary you've said that PSNH will explore possibility of burning wood at one its plants in Portsmouth. That there's interest in developing a market for low-grade wood. How much would it cost to convert one of those boilers so it could burn wood chips? What about people employed at wood fired plants located in different areas of the state - they would lose their jobs? How much do you pay a year to buy energy from wood burning plants? What happens to woodchips that aren't sold are they stockpiled? How much of a logger's total income comes from selling wood chips? If there is no market for low grade wood - how does that impact the forest what do loggers do when harvesting high grade trees? What baout the argument that money paid to wood buring plants is money that stays in NH - logger gets paid - employee at plant has work - the employee goes home and pays utility bill? |
| Web Pointer Return to index of stories... |
For more information on our program, streaming video, links to our guests and interviews and to tell us what's on your mind in our discussion forum, visit our website at nhptv.org. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| 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 Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Stratford Foundation |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. There are a lot of people asking for more money in the wake of the Governor's proposed budget. We'll hear from individuals and agencies who predict that if passed, it will have devastating consequences. Join us tonight at 10:00 |
| website Return to index of stories... |
For information on our 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. We want to know what's on your mind. Join our discussion forum and tell us what you're thinking. If you have a story idea or comment on our program, click the feedback button. Or, call us at 800-639-2721. |
| Email Us Return to index of stories... |
What are your thoughts about the war with Iraq? How is it affecting your life and your community? Are there topics you'd like us to explore? Tell us what's on your mind. |
| key: War / Veterans Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 3/19/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 10:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we begin with the conflict with Iraq. The 48 hour deadline for Sadaam Hussein to leave Iraq has passed. And tonight - 300 thousand American troops are poised to take action if and when the President declares war. In a formal jusitification for war sent to Congress - President Bush says diplomacy has failed to protect Americans. He also states that Saddam Hussein has links to al-Quaida and that captured Iraqi officals could provide information that would help locate terrorists living inside U-S borders.Joining us to talk more about the war with Iraq - From the University of New Hampshire, Dr. Tom Trout and Dr. Lionel Ingram. Dr. Trout is a Political Science Professor he specializes in international relations, intelligence and terrorism. Dr. Lionel Ingram is a Political Science Lecturer, a foreign policy expert and a retired US Army Colonel. Thank you all for joining us here today. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair, Jennifer Ellis NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Lionel Ingram\UNH Lecturer of Political Science, Dr. B. Thomas Trout\UNH Prof of Political Science |
| key: National Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 3/19/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 10:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we begin with the conflict with Iraq. The 48 hour deadline for Sadaam Hussein to leave Iraq has passed. And tonight - 300 thousand American troops are poised to take action if and when the President declares war. In a formal jusitification for war sent to Congress - President Bush says diplomacy has failed to protect Americans. He also states that Saddam Hussein has links to al-Quaida and that captured Iraqi officals could provide information that would help locate terrorists living inside U-S borders.Joining us to talk more about the war with Iraq - From the University of New Hampshire, Dr. Tom Trout and Dr. Lionel Ingram. Dr. Trout is a Political Science Professor he specializes in international relations, intelligence and terrorism. Dr. Lionel Ingram is a Political Science Lecturer, a foreign policy expert and a retired US Army Colonel. Thank you all for joining us here today. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair, Jennifer Ellis NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Lionel Ingram\UNH Lecturer of Political Science, Dr. B. Thomas Trout\UNH Prof of Political Science |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 3/19/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 16:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we moved to state politics.ome say the conflict with Iraq is partially about oil. Whether that statement is true or not, there's no doubt many Americans would like to produce more energy here at home. But here in New Hampshire it looks like a thirty-year old experiment in alternative energy sources may be in danger of collapse. Since the 1970's, the state has gotten some of its electricity from wood-fired plants. But electric deregulation is threatening that experiment, as the wood plants have struggled to compete with other sources of energy. Some legislative leaders are now looking to find ways to save the plants and the loggers who supply them, but as Richard Ager tells us, there are others who say the experiment is over. Joining us in studio, Gary Long, President and C-O-O of Public Service Company of New Hampshire and the Executive Director of the Timberland Owners Association, Jasen Stock. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Harvey Woodward\Woodward Timber Co., Gene Chandler\Speaker, NH House, Craig Benson\NH Governor, Michael Holmes\PUC Consumer Advocate, Gary Long\President & COO, PSNH, Robert Berti\North Country Procurement, Jasen Stock\Exec Dir, Timberland Owners Assoc |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| Intro Medieval SCA Return to index of stories... |
Not long ago there were around 1500 people from the middle ages wandering through the premises of the Center for New Hampshire in Manchester. No, they weren't arrested they were there for a gathering of the Society for Creative Anachronism. The event was called "A Day at Birka" and at this medieval market you might find everything from belly dancers to armored combat. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - There are a lot of people asking for more money in the wake of the Governor's proposed budget. We'll hear from individuals and agencies who predict that , if passed, HB-1 will have devastating consequences on both the people and places here in NH. |