FINDING
There is no documented evidence that N.H. Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, has advocated for offshore wind energy, stopping the use of gas-powered vehicles, or endorsing any net-zero policies, where the total greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere are balanced by an equivalent amount removed.
THE CLAIM
An AI-generated Facebook video posted Sept. 10 by the Lou Gargiulo for NH State Senate District 24 campaign claims that “under her net-zero mandates, offshore wind will clog up the beaches and ocean views. Gas-powered cars will stop working, all so that Deb and her friends can get more power to control your lives.”
WHAT WE FOUND
Altschiller’s campaign website focuses on issues relating to reproductive rights, property tax relief, education, gun violence prevention, suicide prevention and crime victims’ rights. There is no mention of any climate-related policy. In 2022, she was endorsed by the Sierra Club, a grassroots environmental organization advocating for clean energy and related causes. And Altschiller said in an interview with the Granite State News Collaborative that she supported bringing New Hampshire back into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), an interstate initiative to cap and reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector.
In addition, of the 111 bills sponsored by Altschiller as a state senator, some focus on environmental efforts, including HB1783, which encourages the development and installation of community or regional water and wastewater treatment options, and SB439, which aimed to put environmental and local controls on AI data center construction. No bills explicitly mention the use of offshore wind.
“I have not been part of the group of legislators who are interested in ocean wind energy. We have 18 miles of coastline and a fishing industry,” Altschiller said in the GSNC interview. “We're not talking about it because it's not on the table.”
WHAT REMAINS UNCLEAR
It is unclear where Gargiulo found these views for Debra Altschiller. Gargiulo did not respond for comment.
CREDITS
Reporter: Dan Sarch
Outlet: GSNC
QUESTIONS OR CORRECTIONS
Contact: Jeff Feingold, jfeingoldnhbr@gmail.com