MANCHESTER, NH — The Global Climate Strike on Friday, September 20, drew millions worldwide, including more than 300 people in Manchester. Nearly a dozen events were planned in New Hampshire. Locals met at Victory Park at 12 p.m. for a march on Elm Street to a rally at Manchester City Hall.
The Manchester event drew adults who took time from work and their children, Central High School students, and Southern New Hampshire University students.
Speakers assailed Granite Bridge Pipeline
Organizer Jennifer Dube of 350NH said, “I am striking because Manchester does not need the Granite Bridge Pipeline transporting fracked methane gas along Lake Massabesic, threatening their water supply. I am striking because my town of Raymond does not need Liberty Utilities running a gas pipeline under the Lamprey River two times. I am striking because the town of Epping right next door to me does not need Liberty Utilities putting a target on its back: a gigantic, 170 foot high, 200 foot wide tank sized to store 2 billion cubic feet of natural liquid gas. With projects like that in the works, it is clear that New Hampshire is not on the path to 300 percent clean, safe, renewable energy. We are fighting to stop this harmful pipeline project and to shut down the last, major, coal-fired power plant in New Hampshire. We call on our elected officials to publicly opposed the Granite Bridge Pipeline project and to endorse the Green New Deal.”
Liberty Utilities is proposing a natural gas pipeline that would be installed 732 feet (a little over a tenth of a mile) from Manchester’s public water source, Lake Massabesic. The project has been endorsed by state senators Kevin Cavanaugh, Donna Soucy, and Lou D’Allesandro, all of Manchester. Mayor Joyce Craig has not stated a position.
Alissandra Rodriguez-Murray said, “I am calling on you Mayor Craig, to support our city’s future and take a stand with us against the Granite Bridge pipeline. Manchester does NOT want more fracked gas in our city — or shipped off to ANY other community. We will NOT tolerate the poisoning of our water supply. We need you to come along with us as we lead our state into a future of sustainable energy. Manchester is more than capable of being the city to take that on.” Craig has not taken a position for or against the project.
Constituents asked Congressman Chris Pappas to support environment
After the rally, a group of ten constituents went to the office of Congressman Chris Pappas and delivered a letter urging him to support the Green New Deal, come out against the Granite Bridge Pipeline, and stop funding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Backus urged attendance at September 24 briefing in Concord
Bob Backus, state representative for Manchester Ward 12, urged attendance at a special briefing: “Climate Decision Time – Mobilizing NH’s Resources to Meet the Challenge,” hosted by the Committee on Science, Technology and Energy (STE) on September 24 at 1 p.m. in the Legislative Office Building, Room 304. According to a news release:
A panel of experts on energy legislation, carbon pricing, and resource allocation will provide insights on the climate crisis and the most cost-efficient measures available to safeguard our residents and protect our natural resource base while simultaneously growing and diversifying New Hampshire’s economy:
- Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Environmental Law at Vermont Law School, will introduce the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the latest US National Climate Assessment. These reports underscore that the US and other nations must achieve “net zero emissions” of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 2050, a deadline which necessitates immediate and sustained efforts to decarbonize virtually every sector of our economy.
- Lionel Chute has 25 years of experience in natural resources management, with advanced degrees in forest technology and resource management planning. He has worked with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, as the Administrator of the New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau in the NH Division of Forests and Lands, and with NH affiliates of the National Resource Conservation Service. He will address soil and water conservation, native species and habitat conservation, land management for multiple uses, and environmental supports for agriculture.
- Marc Breslow is a Ph.D. economist and the Policy and Research Director for Climate X-Change, based in Boston, MA. His presentation will focus on the most cost-effective measure to address the climate crisis and reduce greenhouse gas emissions – putting a price on carbon pollution. He will cover which greenhouse gases should be regulated, how the price should vary over time, and how the revenues from the carbon charge should most effectively be used to ensure low- and moderate-income households are protected.
