Governor John Lynch, Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte, and Thomas S. Burack, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services ("DES"), announced today that the plaintiff States in United States, et al. v. American Electric Power have signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") regarding the distribution of settlement proceeds. Under the MOU, New Hampshire will receive $1.2 million for use towards approved environmental projects.

Under the terms of the original settlement, the money may be used for projects related to improving air quality. Payments will be spread out over the next five years. New Hampshire's portion is just part of a larger settlement that will see $60 million distributed throughout the Northeast and parts of the Midwest for environmental projects. These projects will stretch from Maryland to Vermont and could include measures such as improvements to buildings to make them energy efficient and investments in energy alternatives such as solar power. Some of the project money will also go to help people near the plants who were directly impacted by the unlawful emissions. This project money is in addition to the billions that must be spent by AEP under the settlement to reduce pollution from its own power plants.

Governor Lynch stated: "New Hampshire has long been a leader in acting to reduce harmful emissions in an effort to better protect the health of our citizens, our environment and our economy. This settlement recognizes that emissions from Midwestern power plants are polluting our air and water here in New Hampshire," Gov. Lynch said. "These funds will be used to continue to work to reduce harmful pollution and improve air quality here in New Hampshire."

Attorney General Ayotte commented: "This will play an important role in providing our citizens with cleaner, healthier air."

DES Commissioner Burack added: "We are excited to work with others to develop projects that will improve the air quality of New Hampshire and the region."