New Hampshire's Business News for March 24

A look at today's top business headlines including: Northern Pass intervenors settle in, will there be a casino at Rockingham Park in Salem, GT Advanced Technology beings new chapter after bankruptcy, South End residents in Portsmouth told to sell their homes because of flood risks, a look at new radon guidelines and no extension of last call for alcohol in Nashua

Executive Council wants more time to review Mount Sunapee expansion plans  The Executive Council voted unanimously Wednesday to table a lease extension and expansion proposal for the operators of Mount Sunapee Resort in order to review the plans. – NH UNION LEADER

Northern Pass intervenors settling in for long slog  More than 100 groups and individuals were granted the official status of “intervenors” before the state’s Site Evaluation Committee, which reviews proposed energy projects. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

End may be near for The Rock  The NH Senate’s Thursday vote on a bill intended to bring a casino to Rockingham Park may be too little, too late to save the 109-year-old racetrack. – LAWRENCE EAGLE-TRIBUNE

State offers blood tests to all residents exposed to Merrimack contaminant  More than 500 people showed up at a Merrimack Elementary School last night for the first public information meeting about a water contaminant found in private wells in the town. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

GT Advanced Technologies emerges from bankruptcy ‘A new chapter for our company,’ says CEO. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

NH Senate has its turn to weigh in on Medicaid expansion  The question of whether New Hampshire should continue its expanded Medicaid program is now before the state Senate. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

UNH climatologist: Sell Portsmouth South End homes now  If there is a big coastal storm like Hurricane Sandy, “those houses are at risk of flooding” today, said Cameron Wake, University of New Hampshire professor of climatology and glaciology. And it won’t get any better in the years to come, as sea levels inevitably continue to rise. – PORTSMOUTH HERALD

Bill to regulate drones moves forward  Despite receiving a negative recommendation from the NH House Criminal Justice Committee, the bill overwhelmingly passed the House, 250-114, and now heads to the Senate. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Governor signs accessory dwelling units law  Bill eases creation of attached residential units. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

Realtors, DES reach deal on new radon guidelines  Agency agrees to ease what were strictest recommendations in the nation. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

With a potential buyer, Concord Steam waits for state  A Chicago-based company wants to buy embattled Concord Steam Corp., as the state Public Utilities Commission is investigating the utility’s financial viability and the safety of its downtown plant.  – CONCORD MONITOR

Nashua's last call will remain at 1 a.m. With little discussion on Tuesday, city officials shot down a proposal to extend last call until 2 a.m. in the Gate City. – NH UNION LEADER

Bill would give border patrol local power to arrest  Despite being a longtime and crucial part of North Country law enforcement, officers from federal agencies do not have state authority to make arrests. – NH UNION LEADER

Laconia ZBA OKS Belknap House Belknap House, the first shelter to serve homeless families in Belknap County, is anticipated to open its door at 200 Court St. in October. – THE LACONIA DAILY SUN

Senate weighing whether to give $3 million to substance abuse programs  The state Senate is taking up a bill that would give roughly $3 million in additional funding to various substance abuse and addiction related programs. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

House votes to legalize needle exchanges, bill now heads to Senate  The NH House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would legalize needle exchange programs. The measure now heads to the Senate. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Innocence Project calls for new trial for 1973 NH murder conviction  The Innocence Project, a group that works to exonerate wrongly convicted people, says an inmate convicted of killing a teenager in Concord four decades ago deserves a new trial. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

GOP Senator Forrester to run for governor  Mike Dennehy, a GOP strategist who is working with NH Sen. Jeanie Forrester, says she'll announce her bid on March 30 in her hometown of Meredith. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Collins says she won’t endorse GOP presidential candidate until convention  “I am not going to make any further endorsement in this presidential race,” Maine Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said. – BANGOR DAILY NEWS