Date: September 20, 2023
Please join us for the NHJES Annual Conference on Wednesday, October 18. The conference will be held at the Bedford Event Center (379 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110) from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The registration fee is $125. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are also available.
We are revamping the format this year and will have a morning of short lectures followed by lunch and an afternoon of interactive sessions. Dress is business casual, and bring a laptop to delve into some AI activities.
Speakers/Topics
James T. McKim, Jr., PMP, ITL – Taming Unconscious & Other Types of Bias in Engineering
Aaron Cheever, P.E. – Stormwater Best Management Practices
Jim Isaac – Generative AI
Kayla Hampe, P.E. and Aaron Lachance, P.E. – Peterborough Bridge Case Study
Nicole Fox, P.E. – Complete Streets
Register Now!
Date: September 20, 2023
Local scientists, engineers, and planners are seeking a clearer picture on a vulnerability that’s becoming more prominent: sea-level induced groundwater rise and its effects on coastal water sources, WBUR reports.
Groundwater rise has the potential to bring more disruptions to infrastructure than surface flooding in coastal areas, said Jayne Knott, environmental engineer who has worked on modeling projects for some Seacoast communities.
The closer to the coast a drinking water well or aquifer is, the more likely it is for saltwater to enter from below. Wells that are drilled deep into bedrock are also increasingly vulnerable to saltwater intrusion.
Septic systems can also fail if they become submerged in water, said Jennifer Jacobs, engineering professor at the University of New Hampshire. “In order to work, septic systems need to have some distance between the system and the groundwater below it, where it provides treatment to the waste,” said Jacobs.
Knott and Jacobs are working with the state’s environmental agency to do an updated coastal risk assessment for coastal communities in the state, which they said should conclude in September of next year. That assessment will include more inland communities, such as Dover, Madbury, Rollinsford, Exeter and Newcastle. Read more.
Date: September 20, 2023
Grafton County has been awarded a $12 million grant from the federal bipartisan infrastructure law to help expand high-speed broadband by building out the backbone, or middle mile, which residents, businesses, emergency services, hospitals, schools, and municipalities can tap into, the Caledonian Record reports.
The $12 million NTIA award will help Grafton County develop a 222-mile fiber optic cable to provide communities with faster and dependable internet and it will also support the infrastructure needed for the county’s future broadband growth needs with minimal additional investment.
“Providing the resources to connect unserved and under-served communities to reliable, high-speed internet is one of the best investments we can make to secure future growth in our state,” said US Senator Jean Shaheen, a negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure law. “I’m proud to welcome this $12 million federal grant to build out over 200 miles of fiber optic cable that will help deliver faster internet service to Granite Staters in Grafton County.”
US Representative Ann Kuster remarked, “This investment from the bipartisan infrastructure law is a game-changer for New Hampshire. These federal funds will help towns and communities throughout Grafton County connect homes, hospitals, schools and more directly to high-speed internet.”
Read more.
Date: August 17, 2023
One New Hampshire higher learning institution has been chosen to lead decarbonization efforts in New England, The Center Square reports.
The University of New Hampshire has been selected as one of nine Onsite Technical Assistance Partnerships by the Department of Energy, said US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). The program facilitates clean energy integration for industrial sites and large energy users.
"The industrial sector is a key part of our economy, and adopting new technologies to increase energy efficiency and reduce operating costs will be essential to creating jobs, reducing energy costs, meeting our climate goals, and remaining competitive globally," Shaheen said in a statement.
The university, Shaheen said, will lead the partnership, which will work with policymakers, utilities, and businesses in the state and across New England to reduce emissions through changes.
"Through this program, UNH and companies around New England will make tangible progress in the clean energy transition, which will benefit our environment and our economy for years to come," Shaheen said in a statement.
According to a release, the university will gain up to $23 million through the Department of Energy funding in the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office. The federal dollars will support technical assistance in an effort to accelerate the adoption of onsite energy technologies across the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors. Read more.
Date: August 17, 2023
The historic General Sullivan Bridge was a significant engineering achievement in the 1930s. It later became a recreation area for running, biking and fishing in the 1980s.
Higher traffic demand called for increased infrastructure. The larger Little Bay Bridge, which carries the Spaulding Turnpike, was built directly next to General Sullivan, taking over its traffic duties.
Now, the bridge that connects Dover and Newington is being sold by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, WMUR reports.
According to a statement, potential buyers must propose a plan to repurpose parts of the bridge for another project. Those proposals are being accepted through August 29. The General Sullivan Bridge was one of the earliest traffic water crossings in the state. Its continuous truss design was an influence on other highway bridges.
Date: August 17, 2023
With energy costs spiking over the past few years, more cost-effective renewable energy such as wind, hydro, and solar have come back to the forefront in New Hampshire, WMUR reports.
More communities in New Hampshire are taking advantage of the power of the sun, generating their own power with solar panels. Communities across the state are creating energy committees, and Hanover is one of that's leading the way. Ten years ago, Hanover was listed as one of the first green communities in New Hampshire. Now, 4,500 solar panels are installed at a farm outside Hanover.
New London is also investing in renewable power. Jamie Hess, who is chairman of the town's energy committee, said that several years ago, the town installed solar panels on the highway garage, a move that effectively zeroed out its electric bill. Sometimes, the town gets a check for the excess power. "It's energy independence. It's resiliency and sustainability," Hess said. "It's everything we could possibly want from this building, actually producing more energy than it consumes." New London plans to add solar everywhere it can. Up next is the fire station. Read more.
Date: August 17, 2023
The George Floyd protests in 2020 sparked more than just an outcry of racial inequality in the United States — it also made business leaders take notice of the apparent disparities in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Business Review reports.
One such company, Appledore Marine Engineering in Portsmouth, saw what was happening and made a call to the University of New Hampshire. That one simple phone call would soon set higher education teachers and faculty on a course to enhance STEM education for middle and high-school students from all ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds in New England.
Now in its third year, the Dinah Whipple STEAM Academy — named after a former slave who founded the state's first school for Black children in Portsmouth in 1806 — focuses on "science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM), as well as the Black experience," according to its website. As a program of UNH Tech Camp, it's offered to students, typically ages 13 to 15, at no cost to them, thanks to funding from Appledore.
Scholarships are awarded to accepted students, who attend courses during one week every summer that focus on such topics as pre-engineering, physics, math and science, as well as African American history.
Read more.
Date: July 18, 2023
The New Hampshire Joint Engineering Societies (NHJES) is seeking a new Chairperson for 2023 – 2024. Interested parties should contact Michael Bogue or Jason Beaudet.
The NHJES Chairperson Responsibilities
The NHJES Chairperson coordinates with representatives from several engineering societies within New Hampshire to organize a full-day interdisciplinary engineering conference. The conference takes place annually and provides 5-6 PDHs to the attendees while raising money and awareness for the STEM field. A typical conference day begins at 7:00 a.m. with registration and has 4-6 presenters throughout the event (with breakfast and lunch). The Chairperson acts as the conference MC and presents the donations at the completion of the conference day.
Conference Planning
Planning the conference involves organizing monthly planning sessions and collaborating with representatives from NHSPE, ACEC, SENH, ASCE, WTS, SWE, and IEEE. Speakers are identified for the conference, exhibitors, and sponsors are solicited, and student participation is organized. Paid administrative staff assists with registration on the day of the conference as well as coordinating venue and catering, and preparation of conference materials. Registration is completed through constant contact. Additional staff members are available to help with the set up and maintenance of the constant contact page.
Donations
NHJES has raised and donated thousands of dollars in support of STEM programs around the state. Average donations are around $5,000/year and are distributed to various organizations. MATHCOUNTS, FIRST Robotics, Manchester’s Girls at Work, Manchester Community College STEM camp, Milford Highschool Robotics team, and several others have benefited from the donations.
Date: July 18, 2023
New Hampshire is set to receive nearly $200 million in federal funding to expand broadband access around the state — an amount that will help the state achieve its long-held goal of giving all households and businesses the ability to connect to reliable internet service, according to a report by the New Hampshire Business Review.
The money was awarded through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which was created as a result of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the so-called bipartisan infrastructure law.
The funding was awarded to states based on the Federal Communications Commission’s updated internet connectivity maps. According to the delegations’ press release, preliminary findings as a result of the update indicate that the number of broadband serviceable locations in New Hampshire increased by 10,815 from the last map, and the number of unserved locations increased by 2,273. As a result, the revision means there is a 10% increase in the number of unserved locations in New Hampshire – a larger increase compared to most other states. Read more.
Date: July 18, 2023
New Hampshire will receive $20 million in funds from the US Department of Transportation to replace the closed General Sullivan Bridge with what will be the only walking and bicycling access across Little Bay. The new two-girder superstructure will reopen as a multi-use path, with help from a grant from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program (RAISE), the Concord Monitor reports.
The money awarded to New Hampshire is among $2.2 billion the US Department of Transportation is sending to states and tribal and local governments through a program that was expanded under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funds will support
162 projects nationally, including improvements and expansions of roads, rail, bridges, pedestrian trails, and maritime infrastructure The General Sullivan Bridge was constructed in 1934 and carried vehicular traffic until 1984. It closed completely in 2018 because of its deteriorating condition due to age and the harsh coastal climate. The new 1,550-foot-long structure – expected to cost $35.5 million – will be completely separate from vehicle traffic and located just upstream of the Little Bay bridges that carry the Spaulding Turnpike both north and south. Without the General Sullivan Bridge, pedestrians and bicyclists are forced to take a 25-mile detour.
Read more.
Date: June 23, 2023
NSPE-NH has joined forces with other engineering societies to recognize deserving teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels who are promoting S.T.E.M. curriculum in the classroom.
This year marked the 17th consecutive year of this exciting program, and we have had the pleasure of honoring many outstanding teachers throughout New Hampshire. These great teachers are the motivators and educators for our next generations of engineers, inventors, mathematicians, and scientists.
This year's winners were honored at a ceremony at their school. Each teacher received a plaque honoring their achievement along with a stipend check.
Award Winners
High School
Doris Garvey, Pinkerton Academy - Derry, New Hampshire
Elementary School
Jacqueline Carlozzi, Main Street Elementary School - Exeter, New Hampshire
Date: June 23, 2023
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $7,128,850 to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfields sites in New Hampshire while advancing environmental justice.
EPA selected eight communities in New Hampshire to receive eight grants totaling $7,128,850 in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant programs. Thanks to the historic boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this is the largest ever funding awarded in the history of the EPA's Brownfields MARC Grant programs.
These investments are part of the Biden Administrations agenda to grow the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don't require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient. Read more.
Date: June 23, 2023
A technology startup focused on helping municipal officials implement sustainable energy strategies in their communities could lead the charge in the Monadnock Region on electrifying and decarbonizing buildings currently dependent on gas and oil power, New Hampshire Business reports.
The town of Peterborough is working to have local contractors make renewable energy upgrades in partnership with BlocPower, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based consulting company that works with local contractors to upgrade power, heating and cooling systems in older structures.
Contractors, who can send applications to BlocPower to partner with the company, will electrify between 10 and 15 buildings, update appliances in them and evaluate the structures’ weatherization and solar power capabilities by June 30, 2024.
“We’re looking at municipal buildings and we’re looking at privately owned buildings,” said Dennis Luong, general manager of BlocPower’s Northeast region. “There’s a few multifamily buildings that we’d love to look at and then small commercial buildings.” Luong said such buildings have been “left out of transition” in similar projects BlocPower has observed because while they’re larger than single-family homes, they aren’t the scale of facilities like hospitals that take priority.
Read more.
Date: May 19, 2023
A newly proposed 211-mile transmission project bringing Canadian hydropower through Vermont and New Hampshire – dubbed the Twin States Clean Energy Link – is currently under consideration by the US Department of Energy for federal funding, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin.
The $2 billion partnership between National Grid, Citizens Energy Corporation, and Northeastern Vermont Development Association would bring 1,200 megawatts of clean, dispatchable energy to New England – enough energy to power nearly 1 million homes. In New Hampshire, the partners say, the project would utilize a majority of existing transmission corridors and infrastructure, along with some new, buried lines.
In a statement, Governor Chris Sununu called the Twin Links Clean Energy Link a "low-impact plan" that's a "win-win for families and businesses across the Granite State."
"New Hampshire is always looking to put solutions on the table that lower energy rates for consumers, and the Twin States Clean Energy Link makes use of clean, renewable energy to do just that," Sununu said. Read more.
Date: May 19, 2023
A New Hampshire airport may receive new sustainable air traffic control towers selected by the Federal Aviation Administration, WMUR reports.
According to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the new towers meet key sustainability requirements while reducing construction and operational costs. "I look forward to seeing this design go from the drawing board to construction sites across the country, helping our nation's airports support more travelers, grow their local economies and prepare for the future of low-carbon aviation," Buttigieg said in a statement.
The new control towers will include all-electric building systems, materials free from harmful chemicals, high-recycling steel and metal products, and ground-source heating and cooling in some environment. Read more.
Date: May 19, 2023
The New Hampshire Board of Professional Engineers will hold its next meeting on Friday, May 26 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.). Access meeting information and the Zoom link here.
NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.
NSPE provides the tools PEs need to keep current in the profession and advance their careers.
Featured Job
Manufacturing Engineer
Peterborough, NH
Date: April 20, 2023
NSPE-NH offers an annual state scholarship(s) for a minimum value of $1,000. Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 28. Access the scholarship application and more information here.
Who is Eligible for the Scholarships?
Scholarships are granted to high school seniors or college undergraduate students who are currently, or will be enrolled in an ABET-EAC accredited engineering program. Applicants must be in-state (NH) residents and preference will be given to students planning on attending a New Hampshire university or college. The scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement.
Scholarships for engineering students are made possible through the generous contributions of NSPE-NH members, donor corporations, and fundraising activities. The intent of the scholarship is to encourage growth and career development at the state level within the areas of general civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering professions. One or more scholarships are awarded depending on the performance of the scholarship fund for that year.
Date: April 20, 2023
The number of electric vehicles on New England roads is growing. But people driving EVs don't have many charging options in New Hampshire.
A bill introduced in the state Senate would create a committee to study how the state could help fund the development of more charging infrastructure. But legislators are split on the issue, according to a New Hampshire Public Radio report.
Though the Senate passed the bill, the House’s Science, Technology and Energy committee was split along party lines – with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. The bill will come before the full House without a recommendation on whether it should pass.
Senate Republican Tim Lang is the primary sponsor of the bill, which would modernize the language around electric vehicle charging in New Hampshire law and direct the Public Utilities Commission to make determinations about how EV charging rates should be designed, in addition to creating the study committee.
Lang told the House committee he introduced the bill because he was concerned about tourism, as more drivers in Massachusetts buy EVs, but don't see enough places in New Hampshire to charge them. But, he said, he wants to make sure costs don't fall to all Granite Staters. Read more.
Date: April 20, 2023
New federal funding will be infused into New Hampshire's water systems and new energy initiatives, The Center Square reports.
The US Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program and Congresswoman Annie Kuster, D-NH, said the renewable energy and clean water initiatives would see three investments designed to support water infrastructure and affix a pair of solar rays at one business.
Kuster, a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said it is essential to expand access to clean energy while at the same time creating new infrastructure in rural New Hampshire communities.
"From expanding access to renewable energy technology to strengthening our clean water infrastructure, USDA Rural Development is a critical partner for New Hampshire," Kuster said in a statement. "It was great to tour Goosebay Sawmill & Lumber and Woody Hollow Cooperative today to see firsthand the impact these federal resources will have on our communities."
According to a release, funding was secured using the Rural Energy for America Program and Water and Environmental Programs. Read more.
NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.
NSPE provides the tools PEs need to keep current in the profession and advance their careers.
Featured Job
Senior Structural Engineer / Project Manager
Bedford, NH
Date: March 17, 2023
The New Hampshire State MATHCOUNTS competition was held on March 11, at the NH Technical Institute in Concord. The competition's top performers will form a team to represent New Hampshire at the national MATHCOUNTS competition in Orlando, Florida, in May. The team members are Anirudh Pulugurtha (Academy for Science and Design), Ameya Kharade (Academy for Science and Design), Coach Karen Legault (Academy for Science and Design), Arjun Puninchittaya (Ross A. Lurgio Middle School), and Benton Zhang (Hollis Brookline Middle School).
MATHCOUNTS is a national mathematics competition designed to provide engaging math programs to middle school students of all ability levels to build confidence and improve attitudes towards math and problem solving. The state competition is sponsored by the New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers and the New Hampshire Teachers of Mathematics. National sponsors include BAE Systems, who is the lead sponsor for the northeast states, as well as other companies and agencies. This year, approximately 80 middle grade students from 22 schools participated. Read more about the state competition and the top student performers.
Date: March 17, 2023
Moneygeek's study, "Road Conditions & Spending By State: Does More Money Mean Better Roads?," says New Hampshire is tops in the nation for having the best roads. At the same time the state has the lowest capital outlay per mile for those high-ranking roads, The Center Square reports.
The report analyzes US Department of Transportation and US Census Bureau data, according to the release. Governor Chris Sununu said the state has invested wisely when it pertains to highway spending. "New Hampshire has made smart investments in our infrastructure, and we've returned over $100 million to cities and towns across the Granite State for roads and bridges," Sununu said in a statement. "It's with that sense of smart fiscal management that we've paved the way to be ranked the No. 1 state for taxpayer return on investment."
New Hampshire not only has the best roads and the smallest cost per mile for construction, but the Granite State is also tops in New England for quality of roads, as well.
New Hampshire spends just $9.82 per mile for highway construction, while Vermont spends $10.64, and Maine $10.84. Massachusetts spends $21.03 per mile and Rhode Island $42.37. Read more.
Date: March 17, 2023
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing $23,186,000 to New Hampshire for clean water infrastructure upgrades. Approximately half of the funding will be in the form of grants or principal forgiveness loans. Pursuant to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA will distribute the funds to New Hampshire's Clean Water State Revolving Fund. These funds will bolster the state's wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects. The funds are also intended to protect waterways that many communities rely on, JD Supra reports.
Of this funding, $2.1 million is dedicated to addressing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants across the State. New Hampshire has already established maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for the following PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA. These MCLs represent enforceable limits for public water suppliers and recommendations for private well users. Read more.
NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.
NSPE provides the tools PEs need to keep current in the profession and advance their careers.
Featured Job
5 to 10 year Civil Project Engineer
Lebanon, NH
Date: February 15, 2023
NSPE-NH will be celebrating the profession during the 72nd Annual Engineers Week Awards Banquet & Exhibition on Thursday, February 23, at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. William Cass, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, will be the banquet keynote speaker. Access the event registration here.
Professional Development Opportunity
The event will kick off with an afternoon of education sessions (2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.), providing the opportunity for attendees to earn professional development hours. Students can attend the sessions free of charge.
- Testing of Traditional Timber Framing Truss Joinery presented by UNH Professor Ray Cook.
- Franklin Whitewater Park presented by Pete Walker and Annique Fleurock from VHB.
- Not Your Average Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) presented by Joe Johnson and Chris Howard from GPI.
- The Future of Wastewater Treatment in the Great Bay Estuary presented by Michael Curry from Wright-Pierce.
Exhibition & Awards Banquet
The Exhibition & Awards Banquet will start at 5:00 p.m. with the following schedule
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 pm: Exhibits Open/Social Hour (Cash Bar & Hors d’Oeurves)
6:00 pm: Opening Comments – Governor Chris Sununu (invited)
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 pm: Dinner and Presentation of Awards
7:30 p.m. – 8:00 pm: Keynote Speaker William Cass, Commissioner, NH Department of Transportation
Register today.
Date: February 15, 2023
The New Hampshire (OPLC) Board of Professional Engineers will hold its next meeting on Friday, February 24. Access meeting information here.
Date: February 15, 2023
Thanks to the continued surge in state-of-the-art construction projects happening all over the Granite State, engineering and project design firms have never been busier. Thanks to innovative technology and their ability to exceed their clients' expectations, project designers are in lock-step with their clients' needs.
To get more insight into the state of New Hampshire's engineering and project design industry, New Hampshire Business Review invited three firms to share their perspectives. Access the article here.
Date: February 15, 2023
In 2021, New Hampshire's Public Utilities Commission sent the state's energy utilities into turmoil: It approved a plan to slash funding for the "NHSaves" energy efficiency program down to 2017 levels, sparking an outcry and legal challenges from the utilities.
After lawmakers and Governor Chris Sununu joined in the criticism, the state legislature passed an emergency bill to override the decision and restore the funding. This year, energy efficiency advocates are worried the commission is gearing up to try again, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin.
A report from the commission released last month appears to cast doubts on how the state assesses its energy efficiency investments. Advocates are concerned that could lay the groundwork for more cuts, which they say could undermine efforts to lower carbon emissions and costs for consumers, and create uncertainty for contractors. Read more.
NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.
NSPE provides the tools PEs need to keep current in the profession and advance their careers.
Featured Job
Project Manager Level Civil Engineer
Bedford, NH
Date: January 20, 2023
NSPE-NH will be celebrating the profession during the 72nd Annual Engineers Week Awards Banquet & Exhibition on Thursday, February 23, at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. William Cass, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, will be the banquet keynote speaker. Access the event registration here.
Professional Development Opportunity
The event will kick off with an afternoon of education sessions (2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.), providing the opportunity for attendees to earn professional development hours. Students can attend the sessions free of charge.
- Testing of Traditional Timber Framing Truss Joinery presented by UNH Professor Ray Cook.
- Franklin Whitewater Park presented by Pete Walker and Annique Fleurock from VHB.
- Not Your Average Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) presented by Joe Johnson and Chris Howard from GPI.
- The Future of Wastewater Treatment in the Great Bay Estuary presented by Michael Curry from Wright-Pierce.
Exhibition & Awards Banquet
The Exhibition & Awards Banquet will start at 5:00 p.m. with the following schedule
- 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 pm: Exhibits Open/Social Hour (Cash Bar & Hors d’Oeurves)
- 6:00 pm: Opening Comments – Governor Chris Sununu (invited)
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 pm: Dinner and Presentation of Awards
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 pm: Keynote Speaker William Cass, Commissioner, NH Department of Transportation
Register today.
Date: January 20, 2023
NSPE-NH is accepting application packages for the STEM Excellence in Teaching Awards program until January 31 to recognize deserving teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels who are promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum in the classroom. Access the application information and forms here.
Date: January 20, 2023
The New Hampshire (OPLC) Board of Professional Engineers will hold its next meeting on Friday, January 27. Access meeting information here.
Date: January 20, 2023
New Hampshire lawmakers are facing a long battle to make good on promises to help lower energy prices. House Republican leaders said they first want to streamline the process of how big projects are approved, according to a WMUR9 report.
To bring down the high cost of energy, Governor Chris Sununu in his inaugural address offered hydropower from Canada as an option, hinting at a possible revival of a Northern Pass-style project. But GOP lawmakers said big projects are unlikely without a state oversight overhaul. "That's why it's important for us to get the site evaluation process right so that if a new project like that comes on, we'll be able to handle it efficiently and cost-effectively," said State Representative Michael Vose, R-Epping.
Democrats are continuing their push for an expansion of renewable energy sources, but they said a clearly defined energy policy might be even more important. Read more.
Date: January 20, 2023
The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, New Hampshire, announced the creation of three new facilities on Treat Island, Maine; in Fairbanks, Alaska; and in Hanover for the testing of coatings to withstand — and even mitigate — ice adhesion and corrosion.
"These are enduring assets that will help us understand the durability of new coatings and surface treatments to transition these technologies to protect real assets in the field," said Emily Asenath-Smith, research materials engineer and lead of the Ice Adhesion Facility at ERDC's CRREL in a news release.
"We'll be tracking the weather, and we'll have camera monitoring at each site, so researchers will have visual and meteorological data to pair with data on coating performance at each location," she said.
Asenath-Smith collaborated over several years with ERDC's Paint Technology Center of Expertise, led by Rebekah Wilson, at the Construction and Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign, Illinois, to establish the new facilities.
"CERL has had the capability to expose coatings to outdoor conditions in their environment for a long time," Asenath-Smith said. "Across the Army and the federal government, the coldest place they've tested coating technologies is in Champaign, so our new facilities are a big expansion of capabilities." Read more.
NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.
NSPE provides the tools PEs need to keep current in the profession and advance their careers.
Featured Job
Principal Transportation Planner
Nashua, NH
Date: December 12, 2022
NSPE-NH seeks nominations for the 2023 Engineer of the Year (EOY) and Young Engineer of the Year (YEOY) awards. Awards will be presented at the Engineer’s Week Awards Banquet on February 23, 2023.
EOY and YEOY are the highest awards given to individuals by the New Hampshire engineering societies. Each award is presented to an engineer who has made outstanding contributions to the engineering profession, the public welfare, and humankind. Application packages are due by Wednesday, January 18, by 5:00 p.m. Access award rules and guidelines here.
Date: December 12, 2022
The Biden Administration recently updated state and territory fact sheets that highlight the nationwide impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the largest long-term investment infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century. To date, $718 million in funding has been announced and is headed to New Hampshire with over 30 specific projects identified for funding. Access information about New Hampshire projects here.
Date: December 12, 2022
NSPE-NH is now accepting application packages for the STEM Excellence in Teaching Awards program until January 31, 2023. Access the application information and forms here.
NSPE-NH has joined forces with other engineering societies, the NH PE Board, the University of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Teachers of Mathematics, and the New Hampshire Science Teachers Association to recognize deserving teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels who are promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum in the classroom.
This year marks the 17th consecutive year of this exciting program, and we have had the pleasure of honoring many outstanding teachers throughout New Hampshire. These great teachers are the motivators and educators for our next generations of engineers, inventors, mathematicians, and scientists.
Date: November 15, 2022
NSPE-NH is now accepting application packages for the STEM Excellence in Teaching Awards program until January 31, 2023. Access the application information and forms here.
NSPE-NH has joined forces with other engineering societies, the NH PE Board, the University of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Teachers of Mathematics, and the New Hampshire Science Teachers Association to recognize deserving teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels who are promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum in the classroom. This year marks the 17th consecutive year of this exciting program, and we have had the pleasure of honoring many outstanding teachers throughout New Hampshire. These great teachers are the motivators and educators for our next generations of engineers, inventors, mathematicians, and scientists.
Date: November 15, 2022
The New Hampshire (OPLC) Board of Professional Engineers will hold its next meeting on Friday, November 18, at 9:00 a.m. Access meeting information and Zoom access information here.
Date: November 15, 2022
A fuel assistance program has begun in New Hampshire that, in part, aims to help residents switch to heat pumps in their homes, the New Hampshire Bulletin reports. This will help with the fight against climate change.
The Department on Energy has allocated $70 million for home energy rebate programs, as well as another $34 million for the state’s Fuel Assistance Program, which helps households in need with heating costs through grants.
Approximately 22,000 New Hampshire households have applied for assistance or scheduled an appointment to apply, said Deputy Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Energy Chris Ellms. Nationwide, $9 billion in funding that is available is enough to help 1.6 million households switch to a heat pump, according to White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi.
Date: November 15, 2022
A trial has begun in a lawsuit against the coal power plant in Bow; environmental groups brought the suit saying that heat regularly discharged by the plant into the Merrimack River makes the environment inhabitable by native species. They also contend the plant, owned by Granite Shore Power, is violating its EPA permit.
The company stated it has been operating under the stipulations of a permit created by EPA in 2020 even though its issuance never went through. It has cut back operation of the plant in recent years. Reed Super, a lawyer for the environmental groups, said the plant shouldn’t operate when the river levels are low, or install a better cooling system.
Read more.
Date: October 18, 2022
The New Hampshire Department of Energy has released the results of a study that will guide how the state’s Public Utilities Commission decides to move forward with compensation for generators of energy using rooftop solar panels. Residents and small businesses with panels have been paid using net metering, which was put in place temporarily, but there has been discussion in the state about whether cost shifting was occurring, according to nhpr.
The Value of Distributed Energy Resources Study was directed by the Public Utilities Commission and is being facilitated by the state DOE. The goal was to estimate hourly costs of net-metered distributed generation and analyze rate and bill impacts to all customers. The study provides a clearer picture of the value of resources that could be net metered.
The study revealed that the development of distributed generation would raise electricity rates around 1% for customers. That would mean a slight increase in monthly bills for customers without solar or other renewables. However, monthly bills would go down up to 92% for customers with renewables of their own.
New Hampshire has the last two remaining coal fired power plants in New England and is working to shift toward more renewable energy use as is the nationwide trend.
Date: October 18, 2022
An assortment of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects have been funded in 16 New Hampshire communities by $17.8 million in federal and state dollars, New Hampshire Business Review reports. The funding comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and the state’s Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
The projects to be funded include a $30,000 ARPA grant to the city of Franklin to develop a wastewater asset management program, as well as $100,000 to seven towns to create a master plan for their wastewater facility. Two communities also received funds for cybersecurity improvements to their water systems. Several others received drinking water infrastructure support.
Awarded clean water infrastructure grants and loans to make improvements to their infrastructure were:
- Ashland—$1.5 million ARPA grant and $3.5 million Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (CWSRF) loan
- Greenville—$150,000 ARPA grant
- Rochester—$379,500 ARPA grant, $885,000 CWSRF loan
- Dover—$900,000 ARPA grant, $2.1 million CWSRF loan
Date: September 23, 2022
New Hampshire has agreed to build a wastewater treatment plant at the Powder Mill fish hatchery, where polluted water has been discharged into the Merrymeeting River for years, according to the Union Leader.
The plant will cost millions, officials say, with one expert putting the price tag at an estimated $85 million. The action is being taken in response to a lawsuit filed by the Conservative Law Foundation against the Fish and Game Department. The water contains large amounts of excrement that eventually ends up in Lake Winnipesauke.
In a statement, the Attorney General John Formella said New Hampshire is committed to continuing its progress in cleaning up the waterway. Phosphorous levels have dropped thanks to recent efforts to “achieve compliance with its lowest-in-the-nation phosphorus concentration limit imposed by EPA in late 2020 to protect water quality in the Merrymeeting River.” Read more.
Date: September 23, 2022
An energy co-op in Plymouth is offering owners of electric cars with vehicle-to-grid or “bi-directional” chargers a membership that would save them money on their energy bills, Energy News Network reports.
Members will have the option to charge their cars when demand is lower and the energy is therefore cheaper, and they can also discharge energy from their vehicle into the grid during high demand times in order to receive a credit on their bill. The charging technology was developed by Fermata Energy in an effort to increase the use of electric cars and improve sustainability.
Currently, only a few electric vehicles have bi-directional charging capability, including the Nissan Leaf, but many others will soon, such as the Ford F-150 Lightning.
Read more.
Date: August 17, 2022
Through its Brownfields Program, the EPA has awarded a total of $4 million in grants to New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services and other organizations to assess and safely cleanup sites across the state, the agency announced in a news release.
This is part of a greatly increased Brownfields investment in New England this year made possible by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act revitalize communities across the country by cleaning up contaminated and blighted sites and redeveloping them for productive use.
Brownfields sites often lie in proximity to overburdened and vulnerable communities where people live, work, and play. These funds serve to support underserved and economically disadvantaged communities.
Date: August 17, 2022
The New Hampshire Executive Council signed off on $1.3 million in additional spending to cover cost increases for major roadway construction projects across the state, caused by increasing crude oil prices. These increases drive up the cost of asphalt, as well as fuel for construction vehicles, according to thecentersquare.com.
The increased funding will come from the federal government. New Hampshire will receive more than $2.05 billion from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over the next five years, including at least $1.1 billion for highway upgrades and $225 million for bridge repairs,
the White House notes.
Date: July 18, 2022
The New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-NH) joined forces with other engineering societies, and the University of New Hampshire to recognize deserving K-12 teachers who are promoting S.T.E.M. curriculum in the classroom. This year’s winners were honored at a ceremony this past spring at their schools. Each teacher received a plaque honoring their achievement along with a stipend check.
This year marked the 16th consecutive year of this exciting program. We have had the pleasure of honoring many outstanding teachers throughout New Hampshire. These great teachers are the motivators and educators for our next generations of engineers, inventors, mathematicians, and scientists.
2022 Award Winners
High School - Ms. Shannon McCracken, Farmington High School, Farmington, NH
Elementary School - Ms. Sarah Wisecarver, Hampstead Central School, Hampstead, NH
Date: July 18, 2022
Those living on the New Hampshire Seacoast are intimately aware of the impacts of climate change. They’ve watched high tides draw closer over the years, flooding their streets and homes. The ocean that drew them here now threatens their ability to stay, according to a New Hampshire Bulletin report.
As sea levels rise, communities are scrambling to adapt to the new reality. Steve Belgiorno, a retired math teacher, has seen the flooding worsen since he first bought a house in Hampton in 2005. In 2017, he said, a nightmare storm ruined the house’s boiler, hot water tank, and flooring, leaving marsh grass and kelp in exchange. “We’re the Titanic,” he said.
The 2022 New Hampshire Climate Assessment, published in June, documented changes that affect the entire state. Looking at data from 1901 to 2020, the report found that the state is becoming wetter and warmer, trends that are projected to continue. New Hampshire has warmed an average of 3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1901, the report found. How significant the future impacts are will depend on how much we do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the report said, echoing consensus from the scientific community. Read more.
Date: July 18, 2022
Recently released data from the Department of Defense show high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) found in drinking water near military bases, including in New Hampshire, waterworld.com reports. The EPA says no level of the toxic, cancer-causing chemicals are considered safe for human consumption.
The chemicals were found in groundwater near 400 military installations in 18 other states, as well.
In June, the EPA issued four drinking water health advisories relating to PFAs. To help combat PFAS pollution, it has also invited states to apply for part of $1 billion in funding to address contaminants in drinking water, specifically in small or disadvantaged communities. An additional $4 billion will ultimately be available for this purpose as part of infrastructure law grant funding.
Date: July 18, 2022
The New Hampshire Board of Professional Engineers will hold its next meeting on
Friday, July 22 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). The meeting will be held at 7 Eagle Square, Concord, NH 03301, but can also be attended remotely via Zoom. Access more information
here.
Date: June 14, 2022
Governor Chris Sununu has signed two bills aimed at helping the state with complex financial and regulatory challenges associated with major offshore wind projects, according to The Center Square.
The first will require the state Public Utilities Commission to set criteria the state should use when considering power purchase agreements for offshore wind. The second will give the state regulatory authority over any wind projects within 200 miles off the coastline. Currently, the state only has a say over potential projects up to 3 miles off the coastline. Read more.
Date: June 14, 2022
Vue Robotics, located in Portsmouth, has created a solar powered camera with environmental sensors that provides real-time weather condition updates at key infrastructure sites. Increasingly volatile weather events caused by climate change is making such innovations desirable.
The new technology, called ARC1, reduces the need for on-site inspections by people. “Vue’s service will better and more quickly inform the operational decisions that key stakeholders need to make leading up to, during, and after critical weather events,” Vue Robotics cofounder and CEO, Patrick Baglien said. “The data our ARC1s provide are essential to supporting operational decisions, mitigating risk, and reducing loss.”
The low light, high-definition camera uses an infrared optical sensor that accurately measures ground and object temperature, a gas sensor with artificial intelligence, and an integrated high-linearity and high-accuracy pressure, humidity, and temperature sensors. It can detect volatile organic compounds and gases like carbon monoxide in the part per billion range, the company reports. Read more.
Date: June 14, 2022
The New Hampshire Board of Professional Engineers will hold its next meeting on
Thursday, June 24 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). The meeting will be held at 7 Eagle Square, Concord, NH 03301, but can also be attended remotely via Zoom. Access more information
here.
Date: May 18, 2022
A new energy efficiency plan for New Hampshire has been approved by the Public Utilities Commission, the New Hampshire Bulletin reports, via a recently issued order. It authorizes spending $223.7 million across seven energy efficiency programs through 2023.
The plan features residential, commercial, and industrial programs, with rebates and incentives covering things like home and building weatherization, lighting improvements, heating and hot water equipment upgrades, and energy-efficient appliances. Also, $3.9 million is allocated to a program aimed at helping small cities and towns increase the efficiency of municipal and school buildings.
The 2022-2023 plan received broad support from the state's utilities, as well as the Department of Energy, the Department of Environmental Services, and the Office of the Consumer Advocate, the article says.
Date: May 18, 2022
Climate change is causing increased cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire's waterways, threatening lakes and streams, according to a WMUR article. The high bacteria levels are a result of rising temperatures and increased precipitation, a trend that is likely to continue. More rainfall means more soil runoff, resulting in increased pollution in water, which helps bacteria grow.
In a
2009 action plan, then-Governor John Lynch's state task force on climate change recommended that New Hampshire strive to achieve a long-term reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. To do this, among other actions, the task force recommended reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, electric generation, and transportation; protecting natural resources to maintain the amount of carbon sequestered; supporting regional and national initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases; and adapting to existing and potential climate change impacts.
Date: April 15, 2022
New Hampshire will receive $17 million to strengthen its clean energy infrastructure as a part of the bipartisan infrastructure law.
New Hampshire native Jane Flegal, a member of the White House Office of Domestic Climate policy, said one way to restore manufacturing in New Hampshire is by investing more in clean energy, WMUR reports. In 2020, 19% of the state’s energy came from renewable sources, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
Date: April 15, 2022
Burgess BioPower’s Berlin biomass station is in danger of closing, which lawmakers say would be economically devastating for the region, according to an article in the New Hampshire Bulletin. The plant generates 75 MW of green energy on an ongoing basis and employs more than 200 people in Coos County, which has been hit hard by a recent mass exodus of paper mills.
The state legislature has advanced a bill to make ratepayers responsible for paying off a three-year debt on overpriced energy from the plant, meaning they could face $160 to $170 million in costs. But without the passage of the bill, its supporters say, the plant is likely to close. Detractors say the measure represents yet another ratepayer buyout for the company.
Date: April 15, 2022
The New Hampshire OPLC Board of Professional Engineers will hold its next meeting on April 22 at 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Meetings are held at 7 Eagle Square, Concord, New Hampshire 03301. The meeting can also be attend virtually
via Zoom (Meeting ID: 944 450 2704) or by phone.
Find your local number.
Date: March 15, 2022
A new report from the New Hampshire Departments of Energy, Environmental Services, and Business and Economic Affairs explores the possible positive outcomes of harnessing wind power at state sites at the Gulf of Maine. The agencies report that wind initiatives could help New Hampshire’s economy and create jobs while reducing greenhouse emissions in the region.
Factors that were considered include existing port infrastructure in the state, coastal transmission infrastructure, and opportunities to attract offshore wind supply chain operations to New Hampshire. The report’s authors also considered possible impacts to maritime industries.
Date: March 15, 2022
In conflict with Grafton County’s plan to beef up broadband infrastructure for its towns, some internet service providers argue the move is unnecessary because they already provide high-speed internet to the area, according to Bristol Town Administrator Nik Coates, WMUR reports.
Grafton County applied for a federal grant through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to fund the broadband project. Coates said some of the current providers, such as Comcast, have challenged more than 3,000 of the 4,000 census blocks that would be part of the project because they provide internet to at least one household in each block.
Date: February 17, 2022
Contract flexibility is key to addressing a customer’s pricing, progress expectations
Pricing construction goods and services during the pandemic has become a roll of the dice. Early manufacturing lockdowns and a downturn in the economy caused labor pools to shrink and material production to slow. As construction recovered from the initial shock, demand began to outstrip supply, causing prices to soar. This phenomenon triggered breakdowns in several key sectors, including manufacturing, labor, and transportation.
Inevitably, supply chain issues lead to price escalation and delays. When goods and services are more difficult to obtain, prices increase and delivery schedules are unreliable. Since October 2020, steel prices have increased by more than 140%, gypsum products rose nearly 25%, and insulation jumped by 17%. In the transportation sector, trucking costs are up 16%, and fuel costs have nearly doubled. Scheduling issues are also becoming the norm.
Read more in the NH Business Review.
Date: February 17, 2022
The Public Utilities Commission has restored funding for energy efficiency programs through NHSaves, allowing budgets to return to 2020-2021 levels, the New Hampshire Bulletin reports.
According to the order made on February 10, the commission changed course because of the consumer advocate’s recent appeal before the New Hampshire Supreme Court, saying it is “just and reasonable and in the public interest” to approve the agreement ultimately negotiated by the Department of Justice. The consumer advocate, in return, agreed to drop his request that the order be suspended entirely.
The Office of the Consumer Advocate’s appeal was echoed by the state’s utilities, as well as Clean Energy New Hampshire, the Conservation Law Foundation, and LISTEN Community Services.
Date: January 19, 2022
A 3.3 megawatt solar array on top of the former Dunbarton Road landfill in Manchester is complete after two years of planning, the Manchester Ink Link reported. It is the largest municipal array in the state, with 8,000 panels covering 12 acres. It will provide 3.8 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy per year, and an estimated 2,700 metric tons of CO2 will be offset annually.
“The electricity produced by these solar panels will be enough to power hundreds of homes annually across the city. I want to thank the hard work of the Manchester Department of Public Works and our partners, for their commitment to this project,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. Those partners included Kearsarge Energy, Competitive Energy Services, AEGIS, and Kingsbury Co.
The city has made significant moves toward clean energy over the past few years, resulting in a decrease of 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
Date: January 19, 2022
Under President Biden’s infrastructure plan that infuses $26.5 billion into bridge repair across the US, New Hampshire will receive $$225 million. The funds will come over five years via the Federal Highway Administration. Aside from making much-needed repairs, a major goal of the funding is to help bridges withstand the effects of climate change by modernizing them,
FHWA Administrator Stephanie Pollack said.
Date: December 15, 2021
The city of Dover has reached a settlement with New England Metal Recycling Inc., which polluted a major city aquifer. The company will pay more than $13 million to construct a new water treatment facility and fund its operation for the first three years, according to Foster’s Daily Democrat.
Last year, the company was fined $2.7 million, the largest fine ever levied in New Hampshire for a hazardous waste violation, after it buried crushed car materials that leaked PFAs into the city’s water supply.
Date: December 15, 2021
The federal bipartisan infrastructure law will pay to repair and rebuild roads and bridges in New Hampshire, with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians. In New Hampshire, there are 215 bridges and over 698 miles of highway in poor condition, according to the Department of Transportation. The state is expected to receive approximately $1.4 billion over five years in federal highway formula funding for highways and bridges.
In addition, $126 million over five years will be spent on improving public transportation in New Hampshire. Funding will also cover modernization of freight rail, increased EV charging options, airport improvements, and other infrastructure updates.
Date: November 17, 2021
In partnership with the US Department of Energy and several east coast universities, the University of New Hampshire will lead the Atlantic Marine Energy Center, the university announced. The center, which has been awarded $9.7 million over four years from DOE, will focus on research and development on sustainable renewable ocean energy. It will be one of only four National Marine Renewable Energy Centers in the country. The other academic institutions in the consortium are Stony Brook University, Lehigh University, and Coastal Studies Institute, which is administered by East Carolina University.
Date: November 17, 2021
The former Livermore Falls Bridge over the Pemigewasset River near Campton, closed since 1959, could become a new viewing spot for geological formations. Questions over the bridge’s ownership have hindered past efforts to protect it, the Union Leader reports, and could hamper new plans. Today, advocates want to convert it to a safe public viewing area for some of the area’s most spectacular sights.
The bridge, built in 1886 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Co., features a distinctive “pumpkin seed” truss superstructure below the deck. It has been photographed and studied by many engineering and architecture students and interested hobbyists over the years.
PLEASE JOIN THE NEW HAMPSHIRE JOINT ENGINEERING SOCIETIES FOR THE 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
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Calendar of Sessions:
10/7/2021: 12:30 – 1:30, Steve Camerino Broadband Provisioning (1 PDH)
10/14/2021: 12:30 – 1:30, Jeff Benway, Retaining Wall Design (1 PDH)
10/21/2021: 12:30 – 1:30, Aaron Drammeh, Energy Discussion (1 PDH)
10/28/2021: 12:30 – 2:30, Joe Ruelas, Fabrication and Design of Spray Nozzles for all Industries (1 PDH)
Commissioner Robert Scott, Clean Water Act (1 PDH)
.png "The New Hampshire Joint Engineering Societies")
Date: October 19, 2021
Last month, the Concord Planning Board approved construction of a 356,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, in which Bow-based commercial fryer manufacturer Pitco Frialator will combine all of its operations, New Hampshire Business Review reports. This will allow the company to merge its three existing locations in various parts of the Concord area.
About 300 individuals will work at the facility. The company plans to install a solar array on the roof of the facility. “This project is a win not only for Concord, but also keeps a growing manufacturing business in New Hampshire safeguarding hundreds of local jobs,” Mayor Jim Bouley was quoted.
Date: October 19, 2021
New Hampshire has become one of 20 states with laws on the books that prevent local lawmakers from putting restrictions on natural gas hookups, according to Energy News Network. With positive implications for the natural gas industry, the trend has drawn criticism from environmental groups that believe the move hurts efforts to combat climate change. Others, including those with gas interests, advocate for consumers’ freedom of choice.
In a growing trend, cities nationwide are considering measures that require new construction to use electric heating and stoves to cut back on fossil fuel emissions.
Date: September 10, 2021
Engineering researchers at the University of New Hampshire have been awarded a $1.8 million federal grant to study how and why coastal hazards like excessive flooding are causing roads to crack and crumble and find ways to protect them, reports Seacoastonline.com. The project’s focus is to understand the combined hazards of overtopping and subsurface moisture. Information gathered by the researchers will help state and town officials to assess the impact of sea level rise on the longevity of coastal roadways and help implement practical alternatives for communities to protect the infrastructure.
Date: September 10, 2021
Extreme anti-licensing bills have popped up in numerous states and are posing a threat to the rigorous and established professional standards followed by PEs, architects, and others who design and construct the built environment, according to an op-ed in The Hill.
Lawmakers calling for these extreme measures don’t differentiate between barbers and manicurists, for example, and PEs and architects, say Tom Smith, executive director of ASCE, and Michael Armstrong, CEO of NCARB. “In their absolutist free-market view, reflected in the language of their model legislation, a visit to a barbershop or beauty salon should be treated the same as designing a bridge or water treatment plant.”
Date: August 16, 2021
New Hampshire cities and towns will soon be faced with big decisions on where their energy comes from, reports Energy News Network. Thanks to a new community choice aggregation law, municipalities are drafting plans for purchasing cleaner and cheaper power for residents.
There are two competing models: Local governments can band together to create a clean power portfolio, or they can seek services from energy brokerage firms that promise more localized solutions. Both models, experts say, can lead to greater use of renewable energy and lower costs.
The city of Lebanon, for example, is joining other municipalities as a founding member of the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire. The coalition will procure shared power services and adopt a portfolio management approach for their supply. In contrast, the town of Keene is going it alone while relying on the expertise of energy brokers such as Standard Power and Good Energy, which have partnered to consult with New Hampshire municipalities on community power.
Date: August 16, 2021
Residents of the Upper Valley may face higher tax and utility bills due to the recent reinstatement of a moratorium on new projects eligible for wastewater state aid grants, reports the Valley News. Municipal managers say the loss of grants that helped towns and cities pay for costly wastewater upgrades means that residents are likely to see the costs passed on to them.
The moratorium leaves about 110 projects without funding over the next two years, many of which are already underway. Lebanon, for example, had seven projects on the state’s lists of potential grant recipients, including three CSO projects. The three projects have an estimated cost of $18.2 million, and the state grants would have typically contributed at least $3.6 million.
By implementing the moratorium, the state essentially failed to meet its promises and left local officials in a bind, said the executive director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association.
Date: July 21, 2021
NHSPE has joined forces with the NH Joint Committee of Engineering Societies and the University of New Hampshire to recognize deserving teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels who are promoting S.T.E.M. curriculum in the classroom.
This year marked the 15th consecutive year of this exciting program, and we have had the pleasure of honoring many outstanding teachers throughout New Hampshire. These great teachers are the motivators and educators for our next generations of engineers, inventors, mathematicians, and scientists.
This year’s winners were:
High School - Mr. James Miller, Bishop Brady High School, Concord, NH
High School - Mr. John Tietjen, Lebanon High School, Lebanon, NH
Elementary School - Ms. Sandy Fitzmorris, Milan Village School, Milan, NH (No picture available)
All three of this year’s winners were honored at a ceremony this past spring at their school. Attending the ceremonies were faculty and administrators, and in some cases family and students. Each teacher received a plaque honoring their achievement along with a stipend check.
Submitted by Robert Rotier, NHSPE Teachers Awards Chair.
Date: July 21, 2021
The New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers is sad to report the passing of Benjamin Pratt. Ben served a crucial role with the New Hampshire MATHCOUNTS program and was a part of the NHSPE community for over three decades. Ben was also the 2014 recipient of the New Hampshire Engineer of the Year award.
Ben started with MATHCOUNTS in 1983, when the competition was established, and for 37 years (until 2020), he served as the Keene Regional Coordinator. From 2003 to 2018 (15 years) he also served as the State MATHCOUNTS Coordinator of the six New Hampshire regions. Ben devoted many hours to help grow the New Hampshire MATHCOUNTS program to a point where hundreds of middle-grade students now compete each year for a chance to represent their region at the state competition and then to represent New Hampshire at the national competition.
Ben’s importance to the MATHCOUNTS program is perhaps best expressed by the following sentiments sent by staff at the National MATHCOUNTS office in Alexandria, Virginia: “It was always evident that Ben took great pride in his chapter and state program and cared a great deal for the students and coaches they served. MATHCOUNTS was truly fortunate to have been represented by him.”
Ben spent 44 years in the engineering field working for Kingsbury Machine Inc., Raytheon, Anderson-Nichols Inc. and finally with New Hampshire Ball Bearing (NHBB) until his retirement in 2004. Ben was also extremely active in the Town of Antrim, where he served as library trustee, chairman of the Zoning Board, and as a member of the Board of Selectmen, the Antrim Water and Sewer Commission, and as the town treasurer.
Ben enjoyed 35 years of marriage to his wife Patricia until she passed in 1988. Shortly after retirement Ben met his partner Diane Chauncey with whom he shared the rest of his life. Ben is survived by Diane Chauncy, his oldest son Peter Pratt, his daughter Debbie Brown, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Date: June 9, 2021
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have conducted two of the first studies in New England to collectively show that PFAS end up in the environment differently after being processed through wastewater treatment facilities—making it more challenging to set acceptable screening levels, reports the NH Business Review. The researchers looked at the journey of 24 different PFAS through six New Hampshire wastewater treatment facilities.
The researchers found that short-chain PFAS ended up in effluent, while long-chain PFAS were more abundant in the sludge due to their higher affinity toward solids. They also found roughly 10% of the PFAS present in Great Bay could be traced back to the wastewater facilities. The second study found that 29 of the 39 biosolids reviewed in sludge waste had PFAS levels that exceeded screening levels set by the Maine DEP.
“State agencies across New England are all considering regulating PFAS in wastewater biosolids,” said an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UNH, “but there is still more we need to know about how the treatment of wastewater sludge influences these forever chemicals.”
Date: June 9, 2021
Construction of a renewable natural gas processing facility is underway in Bethlehem—a first of its kind project in the state, according to Vermont Biz. Casella Waste Systems Inc., in partnership with Rudarpa Inc., broke ground on the facility on May 19 at its North Country Environmental Services disposal facility. The facility will capture the landfill gas, which is currently being flared, and separate it into marketable gases. Emphasis will be on methane and carbon dioxide. Once processed, the renewable natural gas will be transported by truck for injection into pipelines owned by Liberty Utilities. Converting the landfill gas into a transportation fuel will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by about 78,000 tons, equivalent to taking more than 15,000 passenger cars off the road.
The number of RNG projects in the US increased by 42% from early 2019 through 2020,
reports Natural Gas Intelligence. There are currently 157 RNG projects in operation in the US with 76 projects under construction and 79 in development. “I can tell you that we have identified 43,000 sites in the US and Canada where organic waste is aggregated today,” RNG Coalition CFO David Cox said. “So when we’re talking about around 300 RNG projects, we are just scratching the surface of potential.”
Date: May 14, 2021
Sandy Fitzmorris, technology teacher at the Milan Village School, was selected as the winner of the 2021 Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) award by the New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers. The Milan resident works with the Lego League of the North Country and coordinates the After School STEM program with the White Mountain Science initiative, reports the Berlin Sun. “Sandy is a great representative of the North Country. She is truly the heart of STEM education and this award is well deserved,” said School Administrative Unit 20 Superintendent David Backler.
Date: May 14, 2021
A $13 million water treatment facility that will clean up contaminated water at Pease International Tradeport has been completed,
according to the Union Leader. Portsmouth leaders, Air Force officials, and New Hampshire’s congressional delegation celebrated the plant’s completion, marking it as a major milestone in addressing PFAS in water at Pease and in other parts of the state and the country. The contamination at Pease, the article says, was linked to firefighting foam from the former US Air Force base. Seven years ago, Portsmouth’s deputy director of public works was notified by the state for the first time that the Haven Well, one of the wells serving the Pease drinking water system, had tested above the preliminary health advisory limit for PFAS.
Date: April 21, 2021
To expand the local rail trails, the city of Keene has decided to buy a 1962 bridge from Londonderry, reports the Sentinel. The 216-foot Prowse bridge was removed from its original location to allow for highway widening, but due to its historical significance, NHDOT required efforts to preserve the bridge. Ultimately, NHDOT accepted Keene’s proposal to reconstruct the bridge over Route 101 as part of the city’s planned Transportation Heritage Trail. The steel rigid-frame structure with five parallel and nearly identical frames, according to the article, “reflects the post-World War II initiative for highway bridge designers to produce connections through welding rather than riveting technology.”
Date: April 21, 2021
Construction of a 13-acre whitewater park billed as New England’s first, is scheduled to begin in July, reports the Boston Globe. The Mill City Park at Franklin Falls, where visitors can whitewater raft, surf, bike, and camp, plans to open in September. The free park is funded by $2.5 million in grant money and private donations. “People were a little bit nervous to embrace it in the beginning,” the city manager said. “Our last mills — we’re a mill town — closed in the early 70s and there’s been no real movement since then to reinvent ourselves.”
The project’s master plan was created by Resilience Planning & Design of Plymouth.
Date: March 12, 2021
Longtime NHSPE member Matt Low, P.E., was recently featured in an Ink Link article about Manchester’s plans to redesign the area around the famous Mill Girl statue in the city’s millyard. Low, senior vice president at Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, worked with architects from Lavallee Brensinger and others on a proposed redesign of the area that would relocate the statue, build an ADA-compliant ramp, install colored light fixtures in a new set of stairs, and expand a seating area. Low said, “we really wanted to make it a destination rather than just a conveyance.” Final designs could be completed this spring, with construction starting in the summer or fall.
Date: March 12, 2021
Six Dartmouth engineering students are finishing work on an ultra-sustainable, tiny research station on wheels for ecologists working in a 27,000-acre township close to the Canadian border, reports the Dartmouth. When the station isn’t being used by ecologists in the winter, engineering students will use it as a living lab to perform experiments and test structural engineering theories.
The idea came from Vicki May, a professor at the Thayer School of Engineering. “I’ve always believed in experiential learning,” May said. “If you’re going to be an engineer, you might as well be an engineer and do the whole process, as opposed to learning different little pieces.”
Date: February 16, 2021
Paul Schmidt, P.E., F.NSPE, vice-president and principal of CMA Engineers, Inc. of Portsmouth has been selected by a jury of his peers from New Hampshire’s engineering societies as the 2021 New Hampshire Engineer of the Year. The New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-NH) nominated Paul based on his record of professional accomplishments, service to his profession, record of contributions to his community, and dedication to his family. Paul is an environmental engineer, managing water, wastewater and solid waste projects.
Paul has been an active member of the New Hampshire engineering community for over 25 years and is a previous NH Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient and Fellow of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He received a BSCE from Clarkson University and an MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. He is a licensed professional engineer in New Hampshire and Maine.
Paul provides project development for CMA Engineers, Inc., managing high-level projects and mentoring younger staff. In addition to significant project work state-wide, Paul managed the implementation of an innovative solid waste/wastewater project in Berlin that was selected as the NH Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award in 2014. The project was described as “the essence of good engineering” by the president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, as the project was accorded one of two annual national project awards by ASCE.
Paul masterfully balances his drive and passion for engineering while giving back to his profession and community. He has been actively involved in multiple New Hampshire engineering organizations including the New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-NH) where he has held national and state positions and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) – Northern New England, where he currently serves as Treasurer.
Paul and his wife Cathy reside in Stratham, NH with their daughter, Andrea and son, Adam. They are active in their community and volunteer their time to a number of local, state, and national charities.
COVID-19 concerns have delayed the award presentation. Paul will be officially honored at the 2022 Engineers Week Awards Banquet & Exhibition.
New Hampshire’s engineering societies also named Harrison Roakes, P.E., as the 2021 Young Engineer of the Year. Harrison is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire environmental engineering program (’12, ’14G) and joined Sanborn Head in 2014. Over the past six years, he has steadily advanced in his career and is currently a project manager responsible for numerous projects for private and public-sector clients. He was nominated for the award by the American Council of Engineering Companies of New Hampshire.
Within the local environmental engineering community, Harrison is well-respected and was the recipient of the Environmental Business Council of New England’s Ascending Leader award in 2019. In addition, he has been instrumental in building Sanborn Head’s visibility and reputation within the environmental profession nationwide by becoming one of the firm’s leading experts in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) fate and transport, among other emerging topics.
Date: February 16, 2021
As Hampton Beach officials work on a new town master plan, they are turning to climate change scientists for help with coastal resilience, reports New Hampshire Public Radio. The village is experiencing more frequent low-level flooding on the streets, and scientists say it will get worse in the coming years. A 2019 state report estimated that sea levels off New Hampshire could rise a foot or more in the next thirty years, even with action on climate change.
Date: February 16, 2021
A bill to roll back the state’s R&D tax credit would be a blow to New Hampshire’s manufacturing sector, says the past chair of the Business and Industry Association. Val Zanchuk’s commentary in NH Business Review explains that use of the tax credit has grown every year since it began in 2008. “Some legislators are opposed to targeted tax credits. I disagree,” writes Zanchuk. “Promoting manufacturing by investing in the state R&D tax credit program encourages new products and innovations, job growth (and job protection), and helps boost New Hampshire’s economy in ways no other sector can match.”
Date: February 16, 2021
Civil Site Project Manager
Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
Date: January 27, 2021
The town of Londonderry is forming a task force to respond to the problem of drinking water contaminated by PFAF, reports the Eagle Tribune. The task force will partner with New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services. Residents have spoken out about their water concerns and the potential dangers, but the town council chairman was unsatisfied with the state’s response. The task force will three residents who have occupations or training in the environmental or chemical engineering, environmental sciences, toxicology or hydrogeology, or similar, and three at-large resident members, preferably with backgrounds in engineering, science, or public health.
Date: January 27, 2021
The Keene City Council has committed to achieving 100% renewable energy in the coming decades,
according to the Keene Sentinel. A committee began working on the plan in 2019, after the city council set goals of using renewables to generate all electricity used in the city by 2030, and switching transportation and heating and cooling systems to renewable power by 2050. “The plan combines several broad approaches, including reducing energy demand, generating more clean energy locally and meeting additional demand by buying energy from renewable sources on the grid,” the article says. “Under each, it identifies a range of specific actions the city could take.”
Date: December 14, 2020
The University of New Hampshire has joined a public-private partnership aimed at improving cybersecurity in manufacturing, according to the Union Leader. The Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute is led by the University of Texas at San Antonio and is a five-year cooperative agreement with the US Department of Energy. The institute, known as CyManII (pronounced sī-man-ē), will focus on three priorities where collaborative R&D can help US manufacturers: securing automation, securing the supply chain network, and building a national program for education and workforce development.
Date: December 14, 2020
A commercial-scale wind farm on a ridgeline in Antrim continues to generate tensions nearly a year after it began operating,
reports Energy News. Opponents say the nine wind turbines are noisy and ruin the area’s natural beauty; proponents believe they are an acceptable tradeoff to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The Antrim Wind Energy project is the state’s fourth largest. The town receives an annual $324,000 payment in lieu of taxes.
Date: November 18, 2020
Building a skilled workforce for advanced manufacturing opportunities in New Hampshire is crucial, considering that manufacturing accounts for one of every eight jobs in the state, reports the Union Leader. At the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute in Manchester, efforts are underway to manufacture human tissue and whole organs. Founded by inventor Dean Kamen, ARMI has more than 150 partners, with more than $300 million in government and private investment committed. On a recent ARMI webinar, a former director of regenerative medicine research at the Texas Heart Institute said, “My world view is that if we’re going to build a truly competitive workforce for tomorrow, we have to meet people where they are, and during my 20 years in this field, what I’ve learned is that people learn what interests them, they learn what excites them and they learn 24/7/365, so we have to meet people where they are.”
Date: November 18, 2020
Once again, a California think tank has listed New Hampshire as one of the most innovative states in the US, reports NH Business Review. The Granite State moved up two spots from 2018, to No. 7, in the Milken Institute’s State Technology and Science Index. The ranking provides a benchmark for evaluating the knowledge economies of all 50 US states. The index compares each state’s capacity for achieving prosperity through scientific discovery and technological innovation. According to the article, New Hampshire performed well in technology and science workforce metric, which measures intensity of computer and information science experts, engineers and life and physical scientists in the overall workforce.
Date: October 28, 2020
The historic round brick gasholder in south Concord faces demolition, but hope remains for its preservation, reports the Concord Monitor. The structure, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1888 to store gas made from coal brought to the site in rail cars. The gas was used for lighting and heat downtown Concord before natural gas arrived in 1952. City council is re-examining the issue to determine if the gasholder can be saved. The article quotes a city council member: “We are seeking another engineering review of the building using an engineer who specializes in historic buildings. Modern engineering firms … who are not familiar with older buildings, they tend not to attribute any value to some of the older architectural techniques.”
Date: October 28, 2020
State regulators have approved a utility-scale solar project for the first time, according to New Hampshire Public Radio. The 30-megawatt array will cover about 100 acres of private land in the town of Fitzwilliam. The developer, Florida-based NextEra, is aiming to complete the project by the end of 2021. Energy from the array will “will feed into the New England-wide power grid, but its emissions benefits will count toward Southern New England’s climate change goals, under a tristate effort to fund renewable energy development, NHPR reports.
Date: October 28, 2020
Do you know of engineering news in New Hampshire that would be great for this newsletter? Maybe it’s a project you or your firm is working on, or perhaps you read some interesting engineering news in your local newspaper. Or maybe you know of a fellow PE or student who deserves a little recognition. If so, we want to hear from you. Email your ideas to
pemagazine@nspe.org.
The New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers has joined forces with the NH Joint Committee of Engineering Societies and the University of New Hampshire to recognize deserving teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels who are promoting STEM curriculum in the classroom.
This year marked the 14th consecutive year of this exciting program, and we have had the pleasure of honoring many outstanding teachers throughout New Hampshire. These great teachers are the motivators and educators for our next generations of engineers, inventors, mathematicians, and scientists.
This year’s winner, from the high school level, was Mr. Frank Xydias, of the Milford Applied Technology Center in Milford. Mr. Xydias received a plaque honoring his achievement along with a stipend check. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, we were not able to honor Mr. Xydias at a formal ceremony prior to the end of the school year. We extend our extreme appreciation to Frank and to the work he does with youth in the Milford area.
Submitted by Robert Rotier, NHSPE Teachers Awards Chair, rdmrotier@gmail.com.
Learn more about the awards and view winners.
NSPE-NH is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2019 NSPE-NH John Alger Memorial Scholarship is Jared Fortier of Newbury, NH. Jared is currently attending the University of New Hampshire in Durham majoring in Computer Engineering and expects to graduate in May 2023. Jared plans to get a job here in New Hampshire as a computer hardware engineer once he earns his degree. At UNH, Jared is involved with the UNH Hamel Scholars Program and the UNH Honors Program.
Thank you to all that donate to the scholarship fund to make this program possible.
DONATE HERE.
ROBERT ROTIER (LEFT) PRESENTS ROBERT LALANCETTE, A TEACHER AT NASHUA NORTH HIGH SCHOOL, WITH A STEM EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD IN 2018.
Elementary school teacher Suzanne Schedin created an Innovation Lab, a MakerSpace full of supplies and activities that any group in the school can use for STEM activities. High school teacher Robert Lalancette developed a Marine Robotics program, in which students build remotely operated vehicles and learn ocean engineering, marine biology, computer engineering, and manufacturing.
These are just a couple examples of the activities and individuals who have garnered STEM Excellence in Teaching Awards over the last 13 years. The awards are given to elementary, middle, and high school teachers by the New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers in collaboration with the Joint Committee of New Hampshire Engineering Societies and other partners, such as the state licensing board.
According to Matthew Low, P.E., an NSPE member who oversaw the awards from 2010–2017, they began as a way to recognize educators who were “energizing and inspiring the potential engineers of tomorrow.” The New Hampshire Society knew from NSPE and others that students decide in the middle school years whether they may pursue a technical path. Says Low, “We wanted to recognize the teachers at all levels who were helping to keep scientific or engineering fields as options for students as long as possible.”
Nominated teachers are evaluated on their creativity, innovation, integration of programs, and learning effectiveness. Nominations may be made by parent teacher organizations, fellow teachers, school administrators, or others. The winners receive about $250.
According to Robert Rotier, a retired chemical engineer and teacher who has chaired the awards committee for the last two years, a growing number of nominations are in the technology and engineering areas. More schools are building engineering programs into curricula, he says.
Key to winning the awards is what he calls “STEM leadership.” Are the teachers getting grants, modifying the curriculum, “changing the world of how kids learn”?
Learn more about the awards and view winners.
National Engineers Week (E-Week) is celebrated around the country every year in February to commemorate the birth of engineering, beginning with the first US engineer and President, George Washington. This year our Annual Awards Banquet will be held at the Grappone Conference Center – 70 Constitution Avenue in Concord, NH. On behalf of the New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-NH) and the New Hampshire Joint Engineering Societies, we invite you to join us for casual evening with friends and colleagues to honor scholarship recipients, Engineer of the Year and Young Engineer of the Year.
Application deadline is April 30. To read more, go to our Scholarship page.