New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ann Ayotte said on May 15 that she is proud to see the Senate advance legislation that gives local communities a say in the site evaluation process for landfills. The governor’s comments follow the Senate’s approval of an amended version of House Bill 707, which establishes a seven-member committee to review proposed solid waste facilities with input on local impacts, according to a post by New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte on X.
The issue has drawn attention due to concerns about facility placements in northern parts of the state and the volume of out-of-state waste disposed at New Hampshire sites. Recent figures from the state Department of Environmental Services show that out-of-state waste comprised roughly 39 percent of total waste disposed in New Hampshire facilities during 2023 and 2024, down from approximately 45 percent between 2018 and 2022, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
The amended legislation requires applicants for new or expanded facilities to indicate preferences for waste generated within New Hampshire as part of the evaluation process. State data show that commercial landfills handle most out-of-state waste received in New Hampshire. The new committee structure adds formal consideration of factors such as public health, aesthetics, traffic, and wildlife alongside traditional environmental reviews, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin.
“I’ve said from day one that we would not let beautiful areas of our state become a dumping ground for out-of-state trash, and I thank the advocates from the North Country and across our state who worked together to get this done. New Hampshire’s natural beauty is central to who we are, and I will always fight to protect what makes our state unique,” Ayotte said.
Ayotte serves as the 83rd governor of New Hampshire. She previously represented the state in the United States Senate and served as attorney general. A lifelong resident born in Nashua, she has held multiple roles in state government focused on legal and public service matters, according to the Office of Governor Kelly Ayotte.
