General Announcements

New Regulations for Public Benefit Determinations and Proposed Amendments to the MEPA Regulations

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is proposing to promulgate new regulations at 301 CMR 13.00 (Public Benefit Determination Regulations) to implement changes made in St. 2007, c. 168 (Chapter 168) which was enacted in November of 2007. A summary of the Public Benefit Determination Regulations is provided. EEA is also proposing to amendments to the MEPA regulations to incorporate changes made in Chapter 168, as well as changes addressing the Rare Species thresholds for review and the distribution of MEPA documents. Details regarding the comment period and public hearing are provided in the Public Notice.

Distribution Requirements for Projects Subject to the GHG Emissions Policy

For projects that are subject to the GHG Emissions Policy, in addition to filing and circulation requirements as noted at 301 CMR 11.16, copies of all MEPA submissions should be sent to:

Department of Environmental Protection

Attention: Nancy Seidman

One Winter Street

Boston, MA 02114

 

Department of Energy Resources

Attention: Meg Lusardi

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020

Boston, MA 02114

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy and Protocol

EEA has released the final version of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Policy & Protocol, which can be viewed here. The Policy will apply to ENFs and EENFs submitted after the June 30, 2008 submission deadline if the Project is subject to the Policy.

EEA has also issued a Response to Comments document for public comments that were received on the Draft GHG Policy and Protocol. This document can be viewed here: Draft GHG Policy and Protocol Response to Comments.

2008 Environmental Monitor Publication Schedule

The 2008 Schedule for the publication of the Environmental Monitor, comment period deadlines, and decision dates is now available.

Archived MEPA Files

Please note that, with some exceptions, the files for all projects that have undergone MEPA review with an EEA# less than 10140 are now housed in the State Archives Building. If you wish to view any of these files, a request must be made in writing or via e-mail to Josie Wixon, Administrative Assistant, of the MEPA Office. Josie's e-mail address is josephine.wixon@state.ma.us. Because deliveries are made only periodically, please allow up to one month in order to retrieve any requested files.

Notices of Project Change

Please note that the Environmental Monitor will now include scanned copies of Notices of Project Change (NPCs) in order to facilitate public review and comment. Although not specifically required by the MEPA regulations, we are now requesting that project proponents provide a separate copy of the NPC form (just as with the ENF) in order to facilitate scanning, as well as two copies of the full NPC submission.