Welcome to NHSEA

The New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association provides NH residents with an effective resource to help you through the process of incorporating renewable energy and sustainable technologies into your lives.

Download the .pdf version of our brochure to learn more about the New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association.

New NHSEA Consumer Guide!

Check out our new Consumer Guide under Resources. The goal of the guide is to help New Hampshire residents find the resources they need to achieve more sustainable lifestyles. If you would like to be listed in the guide, or if you would like to make changes to the listing, please send an e-mail. Green Building Open House

Mark Your Calendar - October 7, 2006 for the next Green Building Tour. We are thrilled to introduce you to Mary Downes. She is coordinating this year's GBOH. If you would like to open your home or visit sites on the tour, you can contact her.

Walk the Talk

Click here for the pdf of our Updated Walk the Talk Scorecard. Now there are even more ways to get points. Let us know if we can help you improve your score. Just download it, print it and fill it out. It's fun too.

Newsletter

The latest version of our newsletter is available for download.

Revisions to the Bylaws

We have been working hard to update our bylaws and make them more appropriate for NHSEA. We hope to have them approved by the membership at the September Membership Meeting.

NHSEA Update

Would you like to learn more about solar and wind and other renewable energy solutions? We hold House Parties and other events around the state to increase awareness and adoption of sustainable energy and building practices.

To learn more about what the New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association is doing, please visit our Events section or read the latest updates in the News section of the site.

NHSEA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, recognized by the IRS and the registered with the State of NH. Donations and membership is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

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About NHSEA

"We want to promote renewable, sustainable, and super-efficient energy technologies to the people of New Hampshire. There is a lot of misinformation available to the general public, and we would like to correct that," said Laura Richardson, chairman of the new group, from Pike. Richardson who, with her husband Gil, lives in an off-the-grid home powered by solar panels, continued, "The interest we have seen in the last few months has been exciting. Energy policy is an important part of the way this country works, and there is definite room for improvement. People seem to want to make those improvements, they just don’t know how."

NHSEA’s Mission:

To educate NH citizens and organizations about sustainable energy and to advocate in NH for favorable sustainable energy policies.
We feel that it is critical to reach out to everyone in the state, from the mildly interested person to legislators to business and professional people to the homeowner who wants to improve his or her energy foot print.
By providing a variety of different outreach events (exhibiting at events, free informational house parties, in-depth topic-specific workshops, et cetera) we reach a lot of people. We feel that this web site will provide a lot of information as well. However, we always want to be able to answer questions, resolve problems, and make your experience very positive when it comes to sustainable energy. Thus, we strongly believe that one-on-one contact is critical.

For more information about NHSEA, contact Laura Richardson at 603-989-5359 or download our new brochure.

NHSEA Board Member Bios


Laura Richardson, Benton Flats, NH - President
I have very much enjoyed reinvigorating the NH chapter of NESEA, expanding the reach of its education and awareness to homeowners as well as builders, designers, architects, and green car aficionados.

After much researching, networking, and overseeing the building of our off-grid home, I realized that many share our dream, but give up from the frustrations and obstacles they face. Over the course of 2003, by word of mouth, I supported, networked, and helped people strive to live more sustainably. This led me to bring this group together and start the chapter rebuilding process. Initially, NHSEA had two dozen interested people within our database. We now sport hundreds.

As president, I coordinate overall direction of this group, delegate needs and outreach activities, collaborate with other organizations and interested parties, and help individuals understand greener choices available to them.
I bring to this position 10 years in customer service support in the printing industry and three years on the Master Gardener Continuing Education Committee, one year as Chairman, a voluntary outreach program of the UNH Cooperative Extension. Helping a mentally ill and medically challenged family member for the last six years, I have experience negotiating state and federal bureaucracy.

My husband and I score a 265 on the Walk The Talk Scorecard. We live off the grid, in a solar-powered, super-insulated, wood-heated home. We own a 2004 Toyota Prius. We strive to live as sustainably as we can, knowing there is always more (or less) we can do.
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Paul Leveille, Concord, NH – Interim President Elect
Paul Leveille is the Director of Facilities for the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, NH's oldest and largest conservation organization. Among facilities he oversees is the award-winning Conservation Center - a showcase of passive solar design. Leveille has overseen lighting upgrades, installation of the largest utility inter-tie solar electric system in NH and a central woodchip-fired heating system at the center. Recently, he oversaw the addition of an 11,400 sf state-of-the-art wing incorporating a super-insulated air tight envelope, daylighting, local materials, composting toilets, full greywater recycling system, non-toxic materials and more. The project is New England’s first LEED certified building and earned a Gold rating.

Paul Leveille is also a "Loaned Employee" to the NH Minimum Impact Development Partnership (NHMID), a public - private partnership among development interests to define and encourage "good development" that retains NH quality of life as the state grows. There he is helping to create general principles, key and detailed practices and is working on pilot projects throughout the state. NHMID integrates ecological design, energy-efficiency, pollution prevention, indoor environmental quality, and community character in site and building design, construction, and operation and maintenance.

Paul chairs the Environmental Guild whose mission is "to collaborate individual sustainable design resources into a collective force that can bring about appropriate change." The Guild is the "Committee on the Environment" of the NH chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He has two degrees in Engineering and lives with his wife and son on a 100 acre Tree Farm in Concord, NH owned by the Forest Society.
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Dave Birchenough, Nelson NH: Interim President Elect
My goal is to foster an understanding of, and a sustainable relationship with, the natural world.  The world is addicted to fossil fuels.  I want to promote renewable energy options to wean New Hampshire from petroleum and I believe NHSEA can help make that happen.

I am a retired telephone company data communications engineering manager.  I live in Nelson and am a trustee for the Harris Center for Conservation Education and recently Clerk-of-the-Works and Chair of their Building Renewal Committee with a $2M budget to renovate and expand that facility.  I advocated numerous sustainable design elements in that project.  I also serve on the Harris Center’s Land, Finance and Building committees.

I am a director for both New Hampshire Lakes Association and Nubanusit Lake Association.  I am a Master Land Steward for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and responsible for the welfare of 125-acre Pickerel Cove on Stoddard’s Highland Lake.  I also perform conservation easement monitoring for Monadnock Conservancy.
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Carolyn Demorest, Dublin, NH – Secretary, Legislative Coordinator, Membership Coordinator
I have been an advocate for renewable energy since I built my envelope solar house in 1980, and have been on the home tour for several years. When my utility balked at allowing me to net meter the PV array I put up in '99, I took part in the work group of utility and solar folks who hammered out the state's net metering law at the PUC. When I had my holistic health practice I did a lot of testifying and organizing others to attend hearings and contact their legislators for bills at the State House. I'd love to use that background to advocate for renewables at the energy committees of the NH House and Senate. I’m also looking forward to heading up the Membership Committee, getting to know our members better, and bringing many new people into the fold.
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Margaret Dillon, Jaffrey, NH
My interest in energy use took firm hold during the oil embargo in 1972. Undergraduate studies focused on the psychology of widespread or cultural denial of the consequences of an addiction to fossil fuels and consumerism and of spatial relationships, to better understand how homes could be built to satisfy perceived space needs with minimal resource depletion and energy consumption.  I moved to this region in the mid 80’s to attend Antioch for a MS in environmental science with an emphasis on communication and advocacy.

Save for three years living and working at Genesis Farm - an ecological spiritual learning center in NJ - I have been living on a land trust in Jaffrey –formerly known as the site for Gap Mountain Permaculture.  I have earned a living as a gardener, carpenter, teacher, and herb and supplement buyer in a natural foods store and coordinator for environmental programs, while also working closely with my home environment to minimize our impact in this forest and our region.

Our owner built passive solar home houses three people and uses 1-2 cords of hardwood to supplement the sun for heating.  Annually, we consume about 180 gallons of propane for cooking and a tankless water heater and 4000 KWh of electricity - and expect to produce about 1800KWh –or 45%- of our electrical consumption through recently installed grid tied PV system on the roof.  Thanks to a mouldering toilet and energy star washing machine, our water consumption ranges from 8 to 14 gallons/a day.  While, as we age, flower perennial beds seem to serve as increasingly important nourishment, much of our gardening is for food.  We both now own a Prius.   The above is not meant to be compared against any other household – for comparisons are relative to a person’s culture and as Americans, we are all over a sustainable earth system’s budget.  It is our ‘walking human truth card’ for how our presence measures against the black bear, coyote and all other mammals with whom we share this forest community and we strive to be better neighbors.

It's all ongoing learning and challenge!

Presently, I am executive director of Cheshire Housing Trust, a not for profit community land trust which provides housing for people of low and moderate incomes.  CHT serves a vital social service in our region, but also can serve as a tool for creating truly affordable, ie sustainable, modest homes for our workforce.  After eight years with CHT, I am leaving that position this September to be able to spend more time at our homestead - sustaining my own energies by focusing more directly on renewable energy and promoting green building strategies. Current studies report that 48% of our nation’s energy consumption, and resulting emissions, are the result of our built environment.  These activities provide a tremendous opportunity to reduce our ecological impact.  After 33 years since the ‘first energy crises’, I believe we are nearing a critical mass of awareness and information to be able to develop a more conscious relationship with the use of energy and that the true costs of our energy use is beginning to make a market transition towards more sustainable practices a viable reality.  
My interest in serving on the NHSEA board is based on the belief that it can serve as a useful vehicle for information, creativity and inspiration to assist in this transition.   
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Mark Weissflog, Lyndeborough, NH:
In 1990, I started KW Management, Inc. as a full service electrical and energy services contractor. We presently employees 20 full time employees with two divisions: the contracting division continues to service commercial and industrial clients; and the Clean Energy Division specializes in Solar and Wind energy systems, ECR Technologies Geo-Thermal Heat Pumps Systems, and utility-residential-weatherization program implementation work as contract coordinators. KW Management, Inc. has installed at least 30 renewable energy systems in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

I attended hearings and participated in the technical sessions for the PUC 900 Ruling regarding NET metering. Currently I am serving my second term as the Secretary of the Electrical Contractors Business Association (ECBA).

Between 1978 and 1990, I served our military in a variety of positions, moving up the ranks within the US ARMY and being awarded numerous prestigious awards, while furthering my education with an Associated Degree in Applied Science from NH Technical College. I currently hold Master Electricians Licenses in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Our new home, shared with my wife and four children, was constructed in 2000 and includes a 3.9kW solar array, 3kW wind turbine, solar domestic hot water system, and Geo-Thermal Heat Pump system. The home has been on the NESEA tour for the past two years.
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Serita Frey, Deerfield, NH
I am an assistant professor in the Department of Natural Resources at the University of New Hampshire. My research examines how global change (e.g., climate warming, air pollution, biodiversity loss) is impacting ecosystems of the Northeast. It is becoming clear that the rapid population growth and development we are experiencing in the region is altering the health of our local environment and changing the character of our communities.

I became a member of NESEA to learn more about and encourage others to use alternative energy and sustainable building technologies. My husband and I just completed building a home in Deerfield, NH using sustainable building principles. Green features of our home include a net-metered photovoltaic system, BioBase 501 foam insulation, fiberglass composite frame windows, EnergyStar appliances and fixtures, and the use of local and recycled building products. Our home will be on the Green Buildings Open House tour this fall. In addition to bringing a homeowner’s perspective to the board, I will provide a link between NESEA and members of the UNH community that are conducting research, education and outreach on sustainability issues (e.g., The Center for Integrative Regional Problem Solving, The Carsey Institute, UNH Office of Sustainability).
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Thomas Palma, Esq.
Tom Palma is the Project Development Manager at the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC).  He joined NHEC in September 2002.  His is responsible for developing new programs such as the FreezeAlarm, Surge Protection, Cold Climate and Geothermal Heat Pumps, and Outdoor Area Lighting/Dark Skies.  He is responsible for researching and developing DG technologies and projects.  Previously, he worked as an Energy Engineer for a consulting firm in CA.

Tom holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Umass, Amherst, a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University, and he is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.  In addition to his project development duties, he occasionally assists Co-op staff with legal issues.

I would like to see NH develop a clean energy fund and a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) similar to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.  This funding could be used for large-scale projects that would have a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions, other air pollution, and dependence on foreign oil.  We should also be looking for the biggest bang for the buck installing renewables in combination with energy efficiency projects depending on the viability for specific sites.  At the same time, funds could be set aside for small scale project that meet a reasonable level of cost effectiveness.  These projects could be credited toward utility RPS requirements.
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Founding Directors of NHSEA, 2003-2004

Teny Bannick, Concord
Jim Callahan, Peterborough
Carolyn Demorest, Dublin
Peter Kelly, Manchester
Jim Orr, Peterborough
Oliver Strube, Peterborough
Gil Richardson, Benton Flats
Laura Richardson, Benton Flats
Ted Vansant, Holderness
Mark Weissflog, Lyndeborough
Jeff Wolfe, Strafford, VT

Directors of NHSEA, 2004-2005

Teny Bannick, Concord
Dave Birchenough, Nelson
Carolyn Demorest, Dublin
Serita Frey, Deerfield
Paul Leveille, Concord
Lloyd Nichols, Lyme
Jim Orr, Peterborough
Laura Richardson, Benton Flats
Oliver Strube, Peterborough
Ted Vansant, Holderness
Mark Weissflog, Lyndeborough

Directors of NHSEA, 2005-2006

Teny Bannick, Concord
Dave Birchenough, Nelson
Carolyn Demorest, Dublin
Margaret Dillon, Jaffrey
Serita Frey, Deerfield
Paul Leveille, Concord
John McNamara, Etna
Jim Orr, Peterborough
Tom Palma, Campton
Laura Richardson, Benton Flats
Mark Weissflog, Lyndeborough