EV Update: Workplace Charging
More and more people are driving EVs and need to charge them. Charging is most efficient when the car is parked for more than a few hours, so charging at home and at work are the best options. Some employees may not be able to charge at home, or the range of their EV may not cover both directions of their commute, so workplace charging is important.
Installing chargers will help meet your sustainability goals and may help recruit and retain employees.
Sustainable Hanover Retreat
Twenty-five Sustainable Hanover volunteers gathered at the home of Robin Kaiser and Peter Gish on Wed, October 18th to learn more about Hanover’s Sustainability Master Plan and share ideas as to how Sustainable Hanover can support that plan moving forward. Ably facilitated by our good friend, Sarah Brock of Vital Communities, this group included volunteers from the official Sustainable Hanover Town Committee as well as representatives from its several initiatives (energy, waste reduction/recycling, sustainable landscaping, energy, transportation, communications, 3C). Chris Kennedy who serves on both Sustainable Hanover and the Master Plan Advisory Committee introduced the main points in the draft of the Master Plan which was being released for community input that same day. Volunteers then broke up into subgroups to discuss first five year, then one year priorities for Sustainable Hanover moving forward.
Sustainable Hanover’s WHO KNEW?
Every Tuesday members of the SHC Community Climate Connections post a “Who Knew” article on the Hanover listserve (vitalcommunities.org/community-discussion-lists/.) These brief but informative features are a means by which all of us can take individual actions to address climate issues. Ultimately they are all published on the SHC website. Here are some examples
Window Dressers Update
The third Norwich/Hanover Window Dressers Build is now complete! This year the Norwich Congregational Church was host. 268 window inserts were made by 115 volunteers for forty-one households between September 29 and October 5. According to Window Dressers, one medium pine insert may save an average of 8.5 gallons of heating oil every year, for an estimated savings of $15 – $43 per year, depending on variations in fuel price.
School Street Sustainability Park
Sustainable Hanover’s Landscape Committee is pleased to announce that Hanover’s School Street Sustainability Park has grown into the inviting, open, natural green space that we had envisioned over six years ago! You will find it between #6 School Street and the parking lot behind Molly’s Restaurant and Town Hall.
EV Expo Coming to the Upper Valley
Thinking about getting an EV? Or switching to a different one? The Upper Valley EV Expo is coming to Lebanon, Saturday, September 30, 10 am - 3:00 pm. It will be held in the parking lot behind City Hall. This is a chance to see a wide variety of EV’s, talk with the owners and perhaps go for a test ride. There will also be presentations by panels of experts, ebikes, food, raffle prizes, and maybe Advance Transit’s new electric bus.
Styrofoam Collection at Kendal at Hanover
We at Kendal began participating last year in the Styrofoam collection events conducted by Sustainable Lebanon and Lebanon Rotary, and by Sustainable Hanover.
That worked out well for those first three foam collection events, but we soon discovered that the word was out, and deposits kept coming.
We had become a victim of our own success!
Hanover/Dartmouth Community Yard Sale is Happening Soon
Since 2010, 12 giant community yard sales have taken place in Dartmouth’s Dewey Parking Lot in Hanover. The Sale is held on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, this year September 2nd from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Textile Recycling Bins Are Here!
Apparel Impact and Hanover have recently placed some of their bins around town so that you can clear out your textile waste and feel good about it. Look for the white bins located at the Hanover Co-op on Lebanon Street, the plaza at 45 Lyme Road and the Department of Public Works. For more information see https://sustainablehanovernh.org/whoknew.
Solarize Pop Quiz
Have you been keeping track of all the solar activity in Hanover? All told, solar systems in Hanover represent more than 5 megawatts of solar capacity. This includes 300 households that are using electricity generated by local PV panels. The Town’s rooftop and ground mounted panels meet just about all of its current municipal electricity needs. Dartmouth College has 16 systems, and more are on their way. How much do you know about all these renewable energy systems? Take this quiz for your Solarize IQ status!
Hanover Community Power Update
In July Sustainable Hanover announced that the utilities and HCP would be lowering rates for the 6 month period beginning August 1, with HCP’s default rate still cheaper that Liberty or Eversource. Please consider opting up now by clicking here and then scrolling down to the section “Electricity Supply Choices.
Window Dressers Returns!
For the third year, Sustainable Hanover and the Norwich Energy Committee are collaborating with the Maine-based nonprofit, Window Dressers (www.windowdressers.org) to make window inserts for Norwich and Hanover residents. The inserts are easy to install, remove and reuse. They let light in, keep drafts out, and reduce heating costs (on average, about 10 gallons of heating fuel per insert per year).
Community Power Launches Successfully
Hanover led toward renewables as community power successfully took on the responsibility to buy electricity for more than 75,000 customers in ten cities and towns across New Hampshire.
Federal Grants in Action: Advance Transit Electrification
In Mid-March, Advance Transit introduced two new electric buses into their fleet. These buses serve the Upper Valley in both Vermont and New Hampshire, and were funded by a $3 million grant from the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the US Department of Transportation as well as financial incentives from Green Mountain Power. Two more are on the way next year.
EV Chargers – What’s Up?
If you have an electronic vehicle (EV) or are planning on purchasing one, you will have more than a passing interest in where you are going to find EV chargers, particularly when traveling. As EVs become more and more popular, the demand for chargers of all types is going to dramatically increase.
“We’re green, we’re gray and we’re not going away!”
Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment (SSAFE) (ssafe.org) was formed in 2019 to encourage those over the age of 60 to become involved in climate issues. SSAFE recognizes the value this age group can bring to influence action to meet national climate goals – years of experience, a larger share of society’s financial worth and they vote.
Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library
E-bike lending library coming to Hanover, June 14-28.
• We will be offering overnight rentals which are very popular and get booked up quickly.
• We will also offer "Demo Days" on Saturdays (Jun 17 and 24) that provide one-hour opportunities for people to try one or more e-bike models.
• All library services are free.
• Reservations required. www.vitalcommunities.org/uvell
Renewable Energy on School Ballot Vote on March 7
When Hanover and Norwich voters go to the polls on Tuesday, March 7, they will see articles on the Dresden (Article 5) and Hanover (Article 9) school warrants pertaining to renewable energy.
What is Community Power?
Community power is a way to purchase electric power that is more renewable and/or less expensive, while also providing community control. Hanover Community Power is coming soon!
Here’s How to Find Out How the Inflation Reduction Act Can Help You!
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed last year by Congress and it is a big deal not only for the climate but for consumers as well.