What color is YOUR State? RED? BLUE? ....... Or GREEN?

 I WAS JUST WONDERING --- IS NEW HAMPSHIRE GREEN?

       I lived in San Francisco for over 25 years - Everyone in San Francisco is GREEN so I never questioned whether California was GREEN.  Then my husband got an opportunity to move to New Hampshire.  When I arrived in New Hampshire it was summer and it was HOT.

            Then came fall and what a glorious cornucopia of color that was!  I had never seen anything like it before - I was in love with NH!

            Then came lots and lots and lots of WHITE!  I never had seen so much WHITE.  And more WHITE and more WHITE.

            Finally the snow melted and then came spring!  It was really exciting to see color again!

            Then another New Hampshire FIRST -- NH holds the FIRST PRIMARY in the nation.  I went to see EVERY presidential candidate --  so I saw lots of RED and lots of BLUE! 

      I was just wondering  - Is New Hampshire GREEN? - Can I help buyers in New Hampshire find GREEN?

            As a result of being invited to join ECO-ALL STARS~ The GREEN Scene, I took an hour and started exploring where I could find GREEN in NH.  I was surprised by what I discovered!

         The State of New Hampshire has taken some first steps and offers some incentives to go GREEN.

1.  
   1. Solar skyspace easements: See RSA 477:49-51 which permits landowners to guarantee access to sunlight for an abutter's solar installation by restricting building height or vegetation that would cast a shadow on that solar installation.
   2. Streamlined facility siting approval process  This is a "one-stop" process, which is detailed in the New Hampshire Energy Plan, and may reduce project costs by shortening project timeline and by simplifying the process of identifying and complying with permitting and regulatory requirements.  This can be used for commercial-scale electricity generating projects and other large energy-related installations  (e.g. refineries).   
   3. Renewable energy property tax exemption. RSA 72:61-72 permits cities and towns to offer exemptions from local property taxes for some renewable energy installations which includes solar thermal (e.g., to heat water), solar photovoltaic (to generate electricity), wind (to generate electricity) and central wood-fired heating systems (other than fireplaces or stoves).

            Cities and Towns Also Provide Incentives ---  There are approximately sixty-two cities and towns have adopted one or more renewable energy property tax exemptions.  [Check with local officials for accuracy and currency of the list as these incentives change.]

    HERE ARE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES for finding GREEN in NH  -- I know there are many more - this is a start!

• Looking for a GREEN builder - this energy star website is very a good place to start.                               
• The New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association provides NH residents with an effective resources to help   them through the process of incorporating renewable energy and sustainable technologies.
• Looking for a GREEN JOB in New Hamphsire?
• Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM) may be available - Mortgages can be conventional, FHA or VA.  The loans are aviable for both new and existing homes.  To learn more about EEMs contact Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHA or the VA. Additional information about writing energy-efficient mortgages can be found on the Web sites for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)

This is just a beginning and I will have to look further  -   The snow is melting in NH .... and once again NH is turning GREEN - after all this is the month of MARCH!  

Just wondering - Is your State Green?  

(c) 2007 Joan Whitebook