New Hampshire
Sununu signs one bill targeting ‘forever chemicals’ but vetoes another • New Hampshire Bulletin
Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill Friday that bans certain products with intentionally added PFAS from sale in the state starting in 2027 and creates strict liability for PFAS polluters.
He vetoed another measure that would have created liability for PFAS facilities, citing its “broad” definition and the fact that its standard for chemical concentrations that would trigger regulatory action contradicted the other bill he signed. The standard of the vetoed bill was significantly stricter.
PFAS – or or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are linked to a number of health problems, including some cancers, weakened immune systems, high cholesterol, development issues, and more. They are commonly used in industrial and consumer products for their stain- and water-resistant properties.
Sen. Denise Ricciardi, a Bedford Republican who worked on the liability portion of the signed measure, House Bill 1649, called it a “landmark bill” that was “long, long overdue.”
The bill creates a right to civil action for certain PFAS contamination. It also holds facilities “strictly liable” to the state “for containment, cleanup, restoration, or other remediation related to the release or threatened release of hazardous waste or hazardous material in accordance with applicable law and departmental rules.”
Rep. Karen Ebel, a New London Democrat who was the prime sponsor, said she was “ecstatic” for this moment of progress for the state.
“This is a huge step forward for the people of New Hampshire,” she said. “Our state has been burdened so much by PFAS contamination, especially in the southern part of the state. And there really isn’t any way … to effectively tackle the problem if we don’t stop using these dangerous forever chemicals in our products.”
The law bans a number of products with intentionally added PFAS but does not include those with accidental contamination that may happen during the production or shipping processes. The ban will include:
- Carpets or rugs;
- Cosmetics;
- Textile treatments, such as those that add PFAS for stain- or water-resistant properties;
- Feminine hygiene products, such as tampons and pads;
- Food packaging and containers, such as plates, bowls, and bags;
- Products for children under 12, such as high chairs, playmats, and strollers;
- Upholstered furniture; and
- Textile furnishings, such as draperies, bedding, and towels.
The ban exempts medical devices, adult mattresses, personal computers, wireless phones, and some other electronics. It also allows products with at least 85 percent recycled content, the resale of products made before the ban, and replacement parts for products manufactured before 2027.
The bill includes an appropriation of $250,000 to the Department of Environmental Services for “expenses associated with the PFAS restrictions on consumer products.”
The vetoed bill, House Bill 1415, would have held liable PFAS facilities that release such chemicals into the groundwater or surface water in total combined concentrations of 100 parts per trillion or greater. The standard created by the signed bill was much less strict, at 10,000 parts per trillion.
“This contrary language makes it extremely difficult to administer both and enforce them appropriately,” Sununu wrote.
He added: “It is extremely important to hold appropriate parties accountable for their actions, but this legislation misses the mark.”
The sponsor of that bill, Rep. Nancy Murphy, a Merrimack Democrat, said she was glad the PFAS products bill was signed, calling it a “good first step,” though one that “greatly needs to be improved.”
On the veto, she said she was “very disappointed” but “not at all surprised.” “Legislation that is less protective of the environment and public health leaves NH citizen taxpayers holding the bag,” she said.
“We don’t have lobbyists at the State House protecting our best interests,” she said. “… That’s our job as state reps, and it’s unfortunate when paid lobbyists for polluters are heard, their voices are heard above that of actual constituents and the people that the government is supposed to be working for.”
Editor’s note: This story may be updated as we verify additional details.
A newly released photograph shows New Hampshire businessman and inventor Dean Kamen with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as English billionaire Richard Branson outside on what appears to be a beach. The image was part of the latest batch of files published by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Friday, as part of an ongoing inquiry into Epstein.
Kamen, who is 74, has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to his time spent with Epstein. It isn’t clear how often the men traveled together, or when they were last in communication.
Kamen’s name has previously appeared in a flight log connected to Epstein, but this is the first public image of the two together.
Kamen, who is 74, has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to his time spent with Epstein. It isn’t clear how often the men traveled together, or when they were last in communication.
The photo of Epstein, Kamen and Branson — the British entrepreneur behind Virgin Atlantic and other companies — is undated. No other context was provided for the image.
NHPR attempted to contact Kamen on Friday morning by email for comment through two associates who have worked closely with him in recent years, but did not immediately receive a response.
Kamen’s name previously appeared in a 2003 flight log for Epstein’s private jet. The flight entry references a trip from John F. Kennedy airport in New York to Monterey, California.
Kamen is himself an avid pilot, who at times has commuted from his home in Bedford to his offices in Manchester via a personal helicopter. After finding early success designing medical devices, Kamen minted his status as a celebrity inventor in 2001, when he rolled out the Segway personal transport device on national television.
(Kamen served on NHPR’s Board of Trustees from 1987 to 1992.)
Epstein died in 2019 as he awaited trial on a range of criminal charges related to child sex trafficking and abuse.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime accomplice, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for aiding in that sex trafficking operation. Before her arrest, Maxwell was living in a secluded home in Bradford, New Hampshire.
It isn’t clear how Maxwell came to live in New Hampshire, or if she had any relationship with Kamen.
Epstein’s relationships with powerful figures including President Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, among others, has been a major source of controversy in Washington, with a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers calling for the release of records.
Last month, Trump signed a measure ordering the Justice Department to release more materials related to its investigations into Epstein, following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. It isn’t clear what those files, which are expected to be released, in part, next week, may contain.
In recent years, Kamen has become the central figure in a massive government-funded project in Manchester that aims to one day develop medical technologies that could help regrow human tissues and organs. The project has been championed by powerful figures in New Hampshire, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
How to save time while grocery shopping
Cut grocery shopping time in half with these tips.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY
Cooking your Christmas dinner and missing that one key ingredient? In New Hampshire, you might find it difficult to locate an open grocery store on Dec. 25.
New Hampshire state laws don’t restrict grocery stores from opening on Christmas Day, which falls on a Thursday this year.
But while most businesses are allowed to open, many still opt to close in observance of the December holiday. You should check a shop’s hours or call ahead before heading over.
Here’s what to know about New Hampshire grocery stores on Christmas Day.
Are any grocery stores open on Christmas in NH? Market Basket? Hannaford?
Several grocery store chains, like BJ’s Wholesale Club, ALDI, Market Basket, and Costco, will be closed on Christmas. Target, which sells groceries, will also be closed on Dec. 25. So will Walmart and Trader Joe’s.
Most Hannaford locations in New Hampshire, like those in Portsmouth, Dover, Nashua, and Manchester, will be closed on Christmas Day.
Most Shaw’s locations will be closed on the holiday, as well as most Price Chopper and Market 32 stores.
All Price Rite locations, including the Manchester store, will be closed on Dec. 25, according to a company spokesperson.
Additionally, Whole Foods said all of its stores will be closed on Christmas.
While more New Hampshire grocery stores will be open on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) than on Christmas Day, many chains will operate with limited hours.
Are liquor stores open on Christmas in New Hampshire?
All 67 of New Hampshire’s state-run liquor stores will be closed on Christmas this year, according to the N.H. Liquor Commission.
Will convenience stores be open on Christmas? What about pharmacies?
Most businesses, like gas stations, restaurants, and pharmacies, are allowed to open on Christmas.
Certain Cumberland Farms, CVS, and Walgreens locations have opened on Dec. 25 in previous years.
However, many shops still close on certain holidays to give employees time with their families. It’s best to call ahead and check.
Melina Khan of USA TODAY and Margie Cullen of the USA Today Network contributed to this report.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire 6-year-old tests positive for cocaine, cannabis; mother faces multiple charges
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A New Hampshire woman was charged with child endangerment and witness tampering after her daughter ingested a THC gummy and later tested positive for cannabinoids and cocaine, according to officials.
The incident prompted a police investigation after the state Division for Children, Youth and Families notified the Nashua Police Department Nov. 3.
According to a release shared by Nashua Police Department, detectives learned the 6-year-old had been hospitalized following the ingestion and that her mother, Paige Goulet, allegedly told a witness not to cooperate with investigators.
DRUG-LACED CANDY DISGUISED AS KIDS’ TREATS FUELS NEW HALLOWEEN SAFETY WARNING FOR PARENTS: POLICE
The Nashua Police Department took custody of Goulet and formally charged her. (Nashua Police Department)
“While at the hospital, the juvenile victim tested positive for the illegal drugs, cannabinoids, and cocaine,” the release said.
“Detectives learned that Goulet had told a witness not to cooperate with the police investigation, and detectives determined that Goulet had neglected her duty to care for her juvenile daughter.”
Goulet, 30, was arrested Monday by Meredith police on a felony warrant for tampering with witnesses involved in the Nashua police investigation.
GUATEMALAN NATIONAL FREED WITHOUT BAIL IN THC GUMMIES CASE THAT SENT 12 MIDDLE-SCHOOLERS TO THE HOSPITAL
Nashua police determined Goulet had neglected her duty to care for her daughter. (Wang Zhao/AFP/GettyImages)
She was taken into custody by Nashua police and formally charged.
She is facing charges of tampering with witnesses and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the release.
FLORIDA PARENTS ARRESTED AFTER 4-YEAR-OLD TWINS ALLEGEDLY SHOT THEMSELVES
Paige Goulet was taken to the Nashua Police Department and charged with witness tampering and child endangerment after her daughter’s THC gummy ingestion. (Google Maps)
Goulet was released on $300 cash bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in Nashua District Court Jan. 7.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Meredith and Nashua police departments for comment.
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