For many years, there has been a lot going on in terms of Massachusetts energy and climate policy, but this year may top them all. We are seeing an unprecedented number of opportunities for citizens in the Commonwealth to speak out on a wide range of issues – grid modernization, strengthening the Clean Energy Standard, establishing a Clean Heat Standard, and energy policy in general. We encourage you to comment on topics that interest you. Here’s a list for your perusal, with text from the relevant agencies.
Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Virtual Town Hall
DOER is committed to engaging with stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for its important work to create a clean, affordable, equitable, and resilient energy future for all residents, including low-income and Environmental Justice populations, businesses, communities, and institutions in the Commonwealth. DOER Leadership will provide a brief introduction to DOER, an overview of key initiatives for 2024, a timeline with opportunities for engagement throughout the year, and a Q&A session.
What? DOER Town Hall
When? Thursday, February 29, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Where? Online (Zoom) | Click Here To Register
Language interpretation will be provided in Spanish, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese. If you would like to request language interpretation services in a language not listed above, please email lauren.diggin@mass.gov by the end of the day on February 22 at the latest, and DOER will accommodate the request if possible. Please include “Interpretation Request – DOER Town Hall” in the Subject Line and your name, the language requested, and your phone number in the body of the email in case they have any questions.
Siting Commission Online Survey
The Commission on Siting and Permitting was established by Executive Order 620 in September 2023 and is tasked with (a) reducing permitting timelines, (b) ensuring communities have input in the siting and permitting of clean energy infrastructure, and (c) ensuring that the benefits of the clean energy transition are shared equitably. For information about the Commission’s work, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/commission-on-energy-infrastructure-siting-and-permitting.
The survey is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (simplified), Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole. Comments received by Friday, March 1 will be aggregated to provide a summary before the Commission's meeting scheduled for the following week, but the Commission will continue to accept comments through March 15.
What? Commission on Siting & Permitting Feedback Survey
When? By Friday, March 15
Where? Online | Public Comments Survey
MassDEP Virtual Hearings on the Clean Heat Standard (CHS)
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is in the process of developing a regulatory standard for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil heating fuels. In March, MassDEP will hold two virtual community meetings. Each session will include a brief summary of recent stakeholder comments on CHS program design and an opportunity for questions and comments from community members. For information visit, https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-clean-heat-standard.
What? MassDEP Hearing on Clean Heat Standard
When? Thursday, March 7, at 3 pm and at 6 pm
Where? Online (Zoom) | Register: 3 pm or 6 pm
Green Energy Consumers Alliance has made the Clean Heat Standard a major priority for 2024. Read our blogs on the topic:
DPU Virtual Hearing on Grid Modernization Plans
Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil were required to submit “Electric Sector Modernization Plans” for approval by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). These are the utilities’ proposals for how to modernize the grid and prepare for more renewable energy and the electrification of heating and transportation. (You can learn more here.) The Department will conduct two virtual public hearings using Zoom videoconferencing to receive comments on the Company’s filing. You can participate by (a) speaking at a public hearing and/or (b) submitting written comments
What? DPU Public Hearing of electric utilities’ grid modernization plans
When? Thursday, March 7 at 7:00 pm and Tuesday, March 12 at 2:00 pm
Where? Online (Zoom) | You don’t need to register in advance. See the information below.
March 7: Click here to join or dial in at 1 (646) 558-8656 (not toll-free) with Webinar ID# 841 8765 4178
March 12: Click here to join or dial in at 1 (646) 931-3860 (not toll-free) with Webinar ID# 865 9493 5693
To register as a speaker, email kerri.phillips@mass.gov by Monday, March 4, with your name, email address, mailing address, and hearing date or leave a voicemail at (617) 305-3611 with your name, telephone number, mailing address, and hearing date.
Any person interested in commenting on this matter may submit written comments no later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on March 12, 2024. Written comments from the public may be sent by email to dpu.efiling@mass.gov, kerri.phillips@mass.gov, and the Company’s attorneys, Cheryl M. Kimball, Esq., at ckimball@keeganwerlin.com and Kerri A. Gowaski, Esq., at kgowaski@keeganwerlin.com. Please note that in the interest of transparency, any comments will be posted to the DPU’s website as received and without redacting personal information, such as addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses. As such, consider the extent of information you wish to share when submitting comments. The Department strongly encourages public comments to be submitted by email. If, however, a member of the public is unable to send written comments by email, a paper copy may be sent to Mark D. Marini, Secretary, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110.
| The transition to clean energy is not a spectator sport. |
Time to Comment on the Clean Energy Transition in Massachusetts
For many years, there has been a lot going on in terms of Massachusetts energy and climate policy, but this year may top them all. We are seeing an unprecedented number of opportunities for citizens in the Commonwealth to speak out on a wide range of issues – grid modernization, strengthening the Clean Energy Standard, establishing a Clean Heat Standard, and energy policy in general. We encourage you to comment on topics that interest you. Here’s a list for your perusal, with text from the relevant agencies.
Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Virtual Town Hall
DOER is committed to engaging with stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for its important work to create a clean, affordable, equitable, and resilient energy future for all residents, including low-income and Environmental Justice populations, businesses, communities, and institutions in the Commonwealth. DOER Leadership will provide a brief introduction to DOER, an overview of key initiatives for 2024, a timeline with opportunities for engagement throughout the year, and a Q&A session.
What? DOER Town Hall
When? Thursday, February 29, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Where? Online (Zoom) | Click Here To Register
Language interpretation will be provided in Spanish, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese. If you would like to request language interpretation services in a language not listed above, please email lauren.diggin@mass.gov by the end of the day on February 22 at the latest, and DOER will accommodate the request if possible. Please include “Interpretation Request – DOER Town Hall” in the Subject Line and your name, the language requested, and your phone number in the body of the email in case they have any questions.
Siting Commission Online Survey
The Commission on Siting and Permitting was established by Executive Order 620 in September 2023 and is tasked with (a) reducing permitting timelines, (b) ensuring communities have input in the siting and permitting of clean energy infrastructure, and (c) ensuring that the benefits of the clean energy transition are shared equitably. For information about the Commission’s work, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/commission-on-energy-infrastructure-siting-and-permitting.
The survey is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (simplified), Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole. Comments received by Friday, March 1 will be aggregated to provide a summary before the Commission's meeting scheduled for the following week, but the Commission will continue to accept comments through March 15.
What? Commission on Siting & Permitting Feedback Survey
When? By Friday, March 15
Where? Online | Public Comments Survey
MassDEP Virtual Hearings on the Clean Heat Standard (CHS)
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is in the process of developing a regulatory standard for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil heating fuels. In March, MassDEP will hold two virtual community meetings. Each session will include a brief summary of recent stakeholder comments on CHS program design and an opportunity for questions and comments from community members. For information visit, https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-clean-heat-standard.
What? MassDEP Hearing on Clean Heat Standard
When? Thursday, March 7, at 3 pm and at 6 pm
Where? Online (Zoom) | Register: 3 pm or 6 pm
Green Energy Consumers Alliance has made the Clean Heat Standard a major priority for 2024. Read our blogs on the topic:
DPU Virtual Hearing on Grid Modernization Plans
Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil were required to submit “Electric Sector Modernization Plans” for approval by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). These are the utilities’ proposals for how to modernize the grid and prepare for more renewable energy and the electrification of heating and transportation. (You can learn more here.) The Department will conduct two virtual public hearings using Zoom videoconferencing to receive comments on the Company’s filing. You can participate by (a) speaking at a public hearing and/or (b) submitting written comments
What? DPU Public Hearing of electric utilities’ grid modernization plans
When? Thursday, March 7 at 7:00 pm and Tuesday, March 12 at 2:00 pm
Where? Online (Zoom) | You don’t need to register in advance. See the information below.
March 7: Click here to join or dial in at 1 (646) 558-8656 (not toll-free) with Webinar ID# 841 8765 4178
March 12: Click here to join or dial in at 1 (646) 931-3860 (not toll-free) with Webinar ID# 865 9493 5693
To register as a speaker, email kerri.phillips@mass.gov by Monday, March 4, with your name, email address, mailing address, and hearing date or leave a voicemail at (617) 305-3611 with your name, telephone number, mailing address, and hearing date.
Any person interested in commenting on this matter may submit written comments no later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on March 12, 2024. Written comments from the public may be sent by email to dpu.efiling@mass.gov, kerri.phillips@mass.gov, and the Company’s attorneys, Cheryl M. Kimball, Esq., at ckimball@keeganwerlin.com and Kerri A. Gowaski, Esq., at kgowaski@keeganwerlin.com. Please note that in the interest of transparency, any comments will be posted to the DPU’s website as received and without redacting personal information, such as addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses. As such, consider the extent of information you wish to share when submitting comments. The Department strongly encourages public comments to be submitted by email. If, however, a member of the public is unable to send written comments by email, a paper copy may be sent to Mark D. Marini, Secretary, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110.
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