New Hampshire's Business News for April 20

A look at today's top business headlines including: RGGI rebate changes in the works?, State criticizes federal conclusions on possible NP shocks, Brew free or die, Towns affected by water contamination joining forces, Osram-Sylvania development approved

NH House to vote on changes to RGGI fund rebates New Hampshire businesses would receive a small electric rate cut, though lose some energy-efficiency programs, while the reverse will be true for residents if Senate Bill 492 is approved in the NH House on Wednesday.  – N.H. BUSINESS REVIEW

State criticizes federal conclusions on possible NP shocks A conclusion made by federal officials that electrical shocks that could occur under proposed Northern Pass transmission lines would not be harmful to people has been questioned by state environmental officials. — InDepthNH

We need an all-resource energy strategy Despite the warm winter, NH households pay well over 50% more than the national average for electricity and almost 70% more for natural gas. – N.H. BUSINESS REVIEW

Hospitals help drive Seacoast economy Hospitals and other health care facilities do more than provide medical and emergency services to those in need – they can also be one of the biggest drivers of a region’s economy.  – PORTSMOUTH HERALD

NH businesses bracing for drop in tourism as Canadian dollar plunges The Canadian dollar’s plunge is having an impact on tourism in New Hampshire, especially Hampton Beach where thousands of Canadians vacation every summer. – NH1

Brew free or die Move over, Vermont: While Vermont ranks first in the nation for craft breweries per capita, New Hampshire ranks ninth.  – CONCORD MONITOR

Local beer connoisseur pours his passion into Shackett's Shackett’s Brewing Company is a quiet spot on Lake Street in Bristol where beer connoisseurs can drop by, sample the latest in local brews, then take home a 32- or 64-ounce growler. – NEWFOUND LANDING

Towns affected by water contamination joining forces As communities struggle to understand the impact of contaminated water recently discovered near Saint-Gobain, area towns are creating a consortium to help guide them through the process.  – N.H. UNION LEADER

State offers more bottled water to residents with contaminated wells A second bottled water pickup has been scheduled for Southern New Hampshire residents whose wells were contaminated with the compound known as PFOA. – N.H. PUBLIC RADIO

Restoring water at former Pease base could take 'decades' An Air Force official told members of the Pease Restoration Advisory Board that it will most likely take "decades" to restore water to acceptable standards at the former Pease base in Portsmouth. — WMUR-TV

New condo complex coming to Hampton Beach A new condo complex on Ashworth Avenue is near completion in the former location of the Summer Wind Motel, scheduled to be finished by mid-June. – HAMPTON UNION

Portsmouth city councilors revive plastic bag ban effort City Council is considering writing a letter to the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Services to ask if they believe state law allows them to ban single-use plastic bags and charge a ten cent “paper bag pass through”  — PORTSMOUTH HERALD

Ex-Portsmouth millionaire Karl Hahn guilty of fraud Former millionaire Karl Hahn pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge on Tuesday, admitting he defrauded local artist Chase Bailey out of millions of dollars "by means of false or fraudulent pretenses." – PORTSMOUTH HERALD

Families settle lawsuits in fatal Lebanon crash involving Fortune 500 executive The families of a Vermont couple killed when a former Fortune 500 executive crashed his pickup truck into their SUV on a New Hampshire highway have settled lawsuits related to the crash. – N.H. PUBLIC RADIO

Redevelopment of Osram Sylvania property in Manchester OK'd The city Zoning Board of Adjustment has issued several zoning variances that allow the proposed redevelopment of the Osram Sylvania property to move forward. – N.H. UNION LEADER

EMS stores in N.H. unaffected by company closures The parent company of EMS announced the cuts Monday as part of a bankruptcy reorganization that will also hit Sport Chalet, a sporting-goods chain in the western United States, and Bob’s Stores. – CONCORD MONITOR

General Motors faulty ignition case to be heard in Laconia Despite setbacks, General Motors ignition switch plaintiffs are plowing ahead in their efforts to be compensated for injuries or deaths linked to the gravest safety crisis in the auto giant’s history. – LACONIA CITIZEN

TotalScope debuts as marketing service for local businesses TotalScope Marketing has made a complete transition from a small business using the Enterprise Center at Plymouth — a so-called business incubator. – N.H. UNION LEADER

Maine moves toward making telephone landlines extinct A new law makes Maine the first state to end basic phone service mandates in communities where there is competition. – PORTLAND PRESS HERALD