Toward a better grid relationship

Good morning, New Hampshire, and welcome to Wednesday. Today, Molly Rains looks at some of the paths open to New Hampshire as it sets out to potentially reform its relationship with the regional grid. Also, Ethan DeWitt reports that a date has been set for Veto Day. And, from Stateline’s Alex Brown, why concern is growing among wildland firefighters. Thank you for reading, and for supporting our work. — Dana

By Molly Rains

With the prospect of an electrically independent New Hampshire unlikely, officials must consider how the state could find a less lonely path toward achieving its energy goals. A Republican-backed bill passed in 2025 initially called for the state to explore leaving New England’s regional electric system, something supporters hoped would lower bills for ratepayers in New Hampshire. But the ensuing report, released in July, did not support that hypothesis. Ultimately, it concluded, sharing the grid is a net benefit for New Hampshire ratepayers — and leaving would, in fact, raise costs. What New Hampshire might do in lieu of withdrawing, the consultants wrote, is push for change within the forest of regulatory structures that oversee electric markets in New Hampshire and New England at large. Here’s a look at what changes might be possible.

By Ethan DeWitt

The New Hampshire House and Senate will meet Aug. 19 to take up 31 of Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s 33 vetoes this year, after the Republican governor broke a modern record for vetoing the most bills in one year passed by a Legislature of her own party. This year’s Veto Day, which will occur 20 days before the Sept. 8 state primary, could highlight profound disagreements among moderate Republicans, conservative Republicans, and Democrats. Many of the bills Ayotte vetoed touch on incendiary cultural issues.

By Alex Brown

As millions of acres burn across the western United States, some wildland fire veterans are fearful that aggressive fire suppression tactics ordered by the Trump administration — coupled with extreme, fast-moving blazes — could put firefighters in danger as conditions escalate this month.