EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has tapped Mark Sanborn to be the next regional administrator for New England. Sanborn will be in charge of advancing the Trump administration’s environmental agenda across New England states and federally recognized Tribal Nations.

Mark Sanborn previously served as the assistant commissioner for the state’s Department of Environmental Services.

The town has been putting partially treated wastewater into the river since late 2021 because of operational issues.

In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella applauded the ruling.

Designated as one of 28 estuaries of national significance under the EPA’s National Estuary Program, Great Bay has experienced water quality issues for years as a result of nitrogen pollution.

The move by the Environmental Protection Agency could be especially helpful for sites designated as federal priorities in the Superfund program, like the former Pease Air Force base.

The court's decision comes after a recent assessment showing New Hampshire’s climate has undergone significant changes already. But how much hotter and wetter the state becomes will depend on how much the world reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The head of the EPA is urging states across the country to focus the funding on historically underserved communities.

In 2018, the state adopted a bill to prevent childhood lead poisoning from water and paint that requires schools and child care facilities to test their drinking water in five-year periods.

In early October, New Hampshire leaders called for federal action on harmful PFAS chemicals in a roundtable discussion with EPA Administrator Michael Regan.