NH Delegation Welcomes $1M to Continuum in North Conway to Support Wood Energy

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) applauded a $1 million award to Continuum in North Conway to support the Ridgeline Assisted Living Community Wood Chip Fueled District Heating and Cooling Plant. This award will help Continuum modernize and streamline its wood energy production, including through state-of-the-art engineering features to maximize efficiency and meet emission control standards.

"These federal funds will help support New Hampshire's forest industry, which is vital to our economic growth," said Rep. Pappas. "It is critical that we invest in a more sustainable future and improve our energy independence. I'm pleased to see USDA award additional funds to Continuum to develop more energy-efficient infrastructure, spur economic growth, and lower energy costs for Granite State families."

"Harnessing renewable energy from wood supports New Hampshire's forest products industry and helps increase our energy independence. I'm thrilled to see $1 million awarded to Continuum in North Conway, which continues to be on the forefront of innovation in biomass and wood energy," said Senator Shaheen. "This funding will help create new jobs, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, increase energy savings and promote economic activity in our rural communities. I'll continue fighting for the resources our forest communities need to thrive and grow."

"Investing in wood energy helps our communities by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and strengthening our energy independence," said Senator Hassan. "I am pleased to have helped secure this federal funding for Continuum in North Conway, so that they can continue to modernize. Energy efficiency not only helps the environment, but also supports good-paying jobs and boosts our economy -- and I will continue to work to invest in our clean energy future."

"Wood energy systems are essential to transitioning away from fossil fuels and ensuring American energy independence, and New Hampshire has the opportunity to be a leader in ongoing efforts to expand biomass energy production," said Rep. Kuster. "I'm pleased to see this funding heading to Continuum to upgrade their production capacity, create new jobs, and support our rural communities as they utilize low-carbon energy resources. I will continue working in Congress to advance smart energy policies and bolster energy security for generations to come."

"We are very appreciative of the grant from USDA for this exciting renewable energy project," said Joe Hogan, CEO of Continuum of North Conway, developers of the Ridgeline Community mixed commercial/assisted living campus. "The support of Senators Shaheen and Hassan, and Congressman Pappas demonstrates the statewide significance of this project, where we'll use locally and sustainably sourced wood chips to virtually eliminate our need for imported fossil fuels to heat and ]cool the major buildings."

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