General Announcements

NEW Regulations for Public Benefit Determinations and Amendments to the MEPA Regulations

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has promulgated 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, 2007. A summary of the Public Benefit Determination Regulations is provided. EEA has also amended the MEPA regulations at 301 CMR 11.00 to incorporate changes made in Chapter 168, as well as changes addressing the Rare Species thresholds and the distribution of MEPA documents.

In accordance with the amended requirements for the distribution of MEPA documents, the MEPA Office should now receive two copies of each Environmental Impact Report (rather than three as previously required). For other changes to the distribution requirements, please refer to the newly amended MEPA regulations.

2009 Environmental Monitor Publication Schedule

The 2009 Schedule for the publication of the Environmental Monitor, comment period deadlines, and decision dates is now available.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy and Protocol

EEA has revised its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Policy & Protocol, with changes to take effect on February 3, 2009. A Summary of the Revisions to the GHG Policy is alao available. The Policy will apply to ENFs and EENFs submitted after the January 31, 2009 submission deadline if the Project is subject to the Policy.

Integrated MEPA/Permitting Review Policy Finalized

The final version of the Integrated MEPA/Permitting Review Policy is now availabe.

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: John Ballam

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020

Boston, MA 02114

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.