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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook tonight. It's the eve of electric deregulation for the Granite State. We'll focus on choice, competition, supply and demand. Plus, a hundred years ago, this was the season for driving logs down the mountains. We'll look back on this amazing time in our history. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. |
| State Revenues intro Return to index of stories... |
With all the news of about a softening economy and worse in some places there's a surge in black ink in New Hampshire. That's what the Senate Ways and Means committee heard from the state revenue commissioner today. Stanley Arnold told the committee that there's been a 22 percent increase in business receipts this past year and that far outpaces what's been happening in New England and the nation. |
| State Revenues SOT Return to index of stories... |
CG:LOWER3RD\Stan Arnold\NH Revenue Commissioner 01:31:13 Historically, we've never seen an increase like this. Companies out there are doing great - we hope, because if they're not, the other shoe is going to drop. And that's what I'm worried about. I'm worried about the other shoe dropping. I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic. I don't want to overstate the case.when you've seen such a tremendous increase in one year, you have to be cautious in using that for your forecast going forward unless we have more data to back it up. And when I'm looking at the economic data that's out there, it doesn't support a 22% increase. 01:32:07 |
| Tax Revolt Return to index of stories... |
Nineteen of the communities that challenged the state's education property tax have been ordered to send their money to the state. About two dozen towns sued the state over the tax to pay for public schools. They won in Rockingham County Superior Court, but the state appealed that ruling to the state Supreme Court. While a few communities eventually paid their taxes, 19 of them made checks out to the superior court and asked permission to keep them pending the high court's ruling. Judge Richard Galway, the same judge who ruled in favor of the communities earlier, turned them down on that issue today. He says until the Supreme Court decides the case overall, the tax's constitutionality remains in question and towns and cities can't withhold the money. |
| Chandler/Brock Return to index of stories... |
House Speaker Gene Chandler wants the Judicial Conduct Committee to open its files on the investigation of state Supreme Court Chief Justice David Brock. The J-C-C recently reprimanded Brock for violating ethics rules. Brock faced similar allegations during his impeachment trial last year but was acquitted by the state Senate. In a letter Friday, Chandler said the J-C-C may consider the material confidential, but the file should be made public due to the public's interest and public policy reasons. It was discolsed last week that Supreme Court justices John Broderick and James Duggan helped negotiate the deal between Brock and the J-C-C, raising fresh concerns about improper influence in the judiciary. Brock attorney David Nixon late today asked that confidentiality rules be lifted so the Chief Justice can comment. |
| Mercury Pollution Return to index of stories... |
High mercury levels found in a Barrington pond have prompted the federal government to pay for a study to look into the matter. The highest mercury level found in loons anywhere in the country was measured in an egg from Mendums Pond in Barrington last year. Starting in June, researchers will study mercury levels in loons and other wildlife in the area with a grant from the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service. Mercury is a toxin that can damage the central nervous system of unborn children and infants. As it builds over time in adults, mercury poisoning can cause problems ranging from numbness in the hands to death. Research will be conducted by: BioDiversity Research Institute of Falmouth, Maine |
| Deregulation Return to index of stories... |
Electric Deregulation begins tomorrow - but the only noticeable change will appear on PSNH customer bills. Public Service customers will see an 11 percent decrease. Even though competition officially begins tomorrow, companies aren't lining up to lure customers away from the state's largest utility. We'll have an in-depth look at what all utility customers can expect from electric deregulation in just a few minutes. |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Some sun around the state this weekend - and now a warm up is in the works. That was what we heard from Katie Hess at the Mount Washington Observatory when we spoke with him/her just a few minutes ago. |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
CG:WEATHER\Mount Washington Observatory\Current conditions\Temperature: 39 Degrees\Overcast\Visibility: 50 miles\NW Winds: 45 gusting to 55 mph CG:WEATHER\Tonight \North\Partly cloudy\Lows in the mid 30s \to lower 40s\ CG:WEATHER\Tonight\South\Partly cloudy \Lows near 40\\ CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\North\Mostly sunny\Highs in the upper 70s\\ CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\South\Mostly sunny\Highs in the lower 80s\\ |
| Intro de-regulation Return to index of stories... |
As we mentioned a few minutes ago. electric deregulation begins tomorrow in New Hampshire. Most experts say it will take some time before consumers really have a choice in power suppliers. And for the near future it looks like supply will keep up with demand. |
| De-regulation Return to index of stories... |
Derek Haskew/MA Public Interest Group Just last week, the Independent Systems Operator of New England - the non-profit organization responsible for meeting the region's power demands - forecast energy supply and demand for the summer months. --- Bite: 00:09:05 This is not California. We have an ample supply of electricity to meet our needs this summer. We are projecting record demands for electricity, but we do not foresee rolling blackouts because new power plants are up and running. 09:30 We do anticipate a few days this summer when the weather is the hottest when we may need to reduce demand by requesting certain temporary conservation measures. We always need to be prepared to do this. We have a public notifications system in place that will notify government officials, the media and the general public if these conservation measures are necessary. -- 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 -- 1:06:58 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 -- track Every time power is shut down or turned back on,at any location, the board is updated. That same information is kept on the control center'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 generated, 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 Joe 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 -- Stephen Whitely of ISO New England says with 9 new generating stations soon to come on line in the region and 15 more in the planning stages, New England could generate all the electricity it needs by 2005. But with electric deregulation scheduled to take effect tomorrow there are different views on what we can expect down the road. -- Bite: 13;02 Do we expect to see those kind of price spikes in New England like they have in California? And the answer is no, we don't expect to see those kinds of price spikes happen and that's for several reasons. The first reason is that we're going into a period of very healthy supply. Remember, California basically hasn't built any new capacity in ten years and their load has continued to grow at a rapid pace with high demands, increased population, high-tech industries, just very rapid growth with no new capacity. We're growing at a moderate rate - we are growing - but we're adding significant capacity. We're taking care of the future in New England - and that's all of New England. -- Bite: 23:24 I think there's great cause for concern. What we've seen here in Massachusetts was deregulation was passed on the promise of clean energy and lower prices. What we have is old dirties still pumping out pollution and rate increases. Those rate increases are continuing to be a problem. And we're going to expect continued price fluctuations - New Hampshire could experience the same things. |
| Intro guests Return to index of stories... |
With me in the studio are Rep. Jeb Bradley who is Chair of the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee and Maryanne Manoogian Director of the Governor's Office of Energy and Community Services. |
| Thank guests Return to index of stories... |
Thanks Representative Jeb Bradley and Merelise O'Connor. |
| BP Bump Return to index of stories... |
CG:BUMP2\Information on Electric Deregulation\State puc www.puc.state.nh.us PSNH & Ask Audrey www.psnh.com 1-800-448-7764 |
| Business Outlook Return to index of stories... |
Stocks turned in a mixed showing today as end-of-the month selling pushed technology stocks higher and blue chip stocks lower. |
| Wall Street Stocks Return to index of stories... |
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which had been up almost 100 points early in the session, closed with a loss of 75 points at almost ten-thousand-735. The Nasdaq posted a gain of well over 40 points, closing at 21-hundred-16. And the S-and-P 500 was down more than three and a half points at 12-hundred-49. CG:STOCKS\Dow Jones Industrials\10734.97\-75.08\NYSE\634.83\-2.81\American Stock Exchange\951.78\+2.93\Nasdaq\2116.24\+40.56 \S&P 500\1249.46\-3.59 |
| Noise Study Return to index of stories... |
A soil plant hoping to operate around the clock in Loudon continues to try to reach a compromise with residents who complain the company makes too much noise. Environmental Soil Management spent more than 70-thousand dollars last year to install sound-muffling devices, but the zoning board rejected its request to stay open all night. The company went to court but the lawsuit is now on hold after both sides agreed to study the plant's noise a second time. |
| Intro Log Drive Return to index of stories... |
Finally tonight, we take you back about a hundred years for a story about New Hampshire's log driving history. Every Spring, the Androscogin River was clogged with millions of logs headed down from the mountains to Berlin. Producer Chip Neal first took us to the North Country's so-called city that trees built last year. That's where he introduced us to Barry Kelley who shared with us his stories and amazing old movies. |
| Tag Closer Return to index of stories... |
If you want to learn more about the working forests of northern New Hampshire you can visit the Northern Forest Heritage Park in Berlin. Check out there Web site www.northernforestheritage.org |
| 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.o-r-g. 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 - Beginning May 7th, school children around the state will be given standardized assessment tests. We'll talk with NH's education commissioner about the tests and how parents can help children prepare for them. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, thanks for joining us. Stay tuned for Granite State Challenge. We'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 |
| PROMO 7:30 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. How well are our children learning?School children around the state are about to take assessment tests. We'll talk with NH's edication commissioner about the tests and how parents can help their children prepare for them. Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| PROMO 11:30 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. How well are our children learning?School children around the state are about to take assessment tests. We'll talk with NH's edication commissioner about the tests and how parents can help their children prepare for them. Join us tonight at 11:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: history Return to index of stories... |
DATE: 4/30/01 TOPIC:we take you back about a hundred years for a story about New Hampshire's log driving history. Every Spring, the Androscogin River was clogged with millions of logs headed down from the mountains to Berlin. Producer Chip Neal first took us to the North Country's so-called city that trees built last year. That's where he introduced us to Barry Kelley who shared with us his stories and amazing old movies. SEGMENT LENGTH: 5:49 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Barry Kelley\Owner White Mt. Lumber |
| key: economy Return to index of stories... |
DATE: 4/30/01 TOPIC: With all the news of about a softening economy and worse in some places there's a surge in black ink in New Hampshire. That's what the Senate Ways and Means committee heard from the state revenue commissioner today. Stanley Arnold told the committee that there's been a 22 percent increase in business receipts this past year and that far outpaces what's been happening in New England and the nation. SEGMENT LENGTH::44 seconds NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Stan Arnold\NH Revenue Commissioner |
| key: government: state Return to index of stories... |
DATE: 4/30/01 TOPIC:electric deregulation begins tomorrow in New Hampshire. Most experts say it will take some time before consumers really have a choice in power suppliers. And for the near future it looks like supply will keep up with demand. SEGMENT LENGTH: 5:00 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: \Rep. Jeb Bradley\Chair House Science, Tech. & Energy Cmmttee \Maryanne Manoogian\Dir, Gov. Off. of Energy & Comm. Svcs |
| State Tourism Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire tourist officials are worried more about the weather than the economy or the price of gasoline. The state Division of Travel and Tourism Development, says research shows rising gas prices won't keep people from going on vacation. But no one can predict the weather. Klefos says a good tourism season most needs a lot of sunny weekends and holidays. |