Comment Periods

COMMENT DEADLINES:
To Massachusetts DOER – February 28, 2023 (new, extended deadline)
To the federal DOE – March 3, 2023

Comments: Home Efficiency and Electrification Rebate Programs
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), is seeking public input into a Request for Information (RFI) from the federal Department of Energy (DOE) regarding home efficiency and electrification rebate programs from the Inflation Reduction Act.

You may send responses to either one, or to both.
Mass DOER is especially interested in feedback on coordination of IRA with existing state programs and funding, and targeted approaches to IRA implementation, including specific geographies or customers types for targeted approaches. Both comment periods (state and federal) are on the same 60 questions on the Inflation Reduction Act, regarding how DOE can make sure that the heat pump and efficiency programs reach and benefit communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution.

» Visit No Fracked Gas in Mass for more info and some talking points

COMMENT DEADLINE: April 7th, 2023 5:00 pm

HEARING: March 7th at 10 am, 6pm AND March 9th at 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm
Cumulative Impact Analysis in Comprehensive Plan Application air permits
Agency: MassDEP

Brief Explanation and Rationale for Changes: On December 29, 2022, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) filed proposed amendments to 310 CMR 7.00 Air Pollution Control to require a cumulative impact analysis for Comprehensive Plan Applications for facilities located in or near environmental justice populations. The proposed cumulative impact analysis regulations include enhanced public outreach to and involvement of environmental justice populations, assessment of existing community conditions, and analysis of cumulative impacts.

Web Link to View Regulations and Background Information: Includes proposed amendments, background document, and public hearing notice:https://www.mass.gov/service-details/massdep-public-hearings-comment-opportunities 

Name & Citation of Regulation: Cumulative Impact Analysis in Comprehensive Plan Application air permits 310 CMR 7.02
Public Hearing and Comment Period: Virtual public hearings will be held on March 7, 2023, at 10:00 AM EST and 6:00 PM EST and March 9, 2023, at 1:00 PM EST and 6:00 PM EST, and MassDEP will accept written comments until 5:00 PM EST on March 7, 2023. A public hearing notice with additional details is posted at the web link above.

Ongoing

SURVEY DEADLINE: None Specified
MA: Department of Energy Resources (DOER)

Unprecedented Surge in Regulatory Proceedings Creates Opportunities for Public Input on Energy and Environment

As recent Massachusetts climate and environmental justice legislation comes into effect, the state is re-examining regulations and public engagement processes. The effect has been a notable increase in requests for public input. The upside is that our agencies, and the utilities they should be regulating, are now mandated by law to consider public input. So far, there doesn’t seem to be set of rules for this outreach between departments.

To help get the word out, No Fracked Gas in Mass will be including posting these notices and descriptions or action guides to the issues in these dockets when we can, since details from the agencies or proponents on what they’re about are seldom adequate, if they’re provided at all, and sometimes lead time is VERY short.

Some of these postings are also for federal comment periods. We’ll always specify.

We’ll continue fleshing out details, adding new ones as they come up, and refining the website arrangement, so check back often to see what’s going on.

Technical Potential of Solar Study – Solar Siting Survey

View October 25 Public Workshop on Technical Potential of Solar Study on Events Page

••• PAST COMMENT PERIODS •••

COMMENT DEADLINE: February 27, 2023, 5:00 pm

Virtual Public Hearing, February 15th, 2023 10 am and 5pm
310 CMR 7.74 Reducing CO2 Emissions from Electricity Generating Facilities
Agency: MassDEP

Name & Citation of Regulation: 310 CMR 7.74 Reducing CO2 Emissions from Electricity Generating Facilities

Brief Explanation and Rationale for Changes: On January 4, 2022, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) filed proposed regulation amendments to 310 CMR 7.74 Reducing CO2 Emissions from Electricity Generating Facilities. The proposed amendments address CO2 emissions attributable to the production of useful net thermal energy by facilities regulated under 310 CMR 7.74.

Web Link to View Regulations and Background Information: Includes proposed regulation amendments, background document, and public hearing notice: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/massdep-public-hearings-comment-opportunities 

Here are the new amendment and a background document:

Public Hearing and Comment Period: 

Virtual public hearings will be held on February 15, 2023 at 10:00 AM EST and 5:00 PM EST

MassDEP will accept written comments until 5:00 PM EST on February 27, 2023. 

A public hearing notice with additional details is posted at the web link above.

Virtual Public Hearings: February 15, 2023, 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM
Public Comment Period: Ends February 27, 2023

COMMENT DEADLINE: February 10th

HEARING: February 8, 2023, 2:00 pm, (request participation by January 27th)
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 10, 2023, 5:00 pm
MA: Department of Energy Resources (DOER)

DOER Releases Ten Communities Demonstration Draft Regulation for Public Comment

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is pleased to release draft regulations, 225 CMR 24.00 Municipal Fossil Fuel Free Building Construction and Renovation Demonstration Project, and a proposed model rule for public comment.

An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind requires the Massachusetts DOER to establish a demonstration project in which cities and towns may adopt and amend general or zoning ordinances or by-laws that require new building construction or major renovation projects to be fossil fuel-free.  The purpose of 225 CMR 24.00 is to establish the framework, requirements, and timeline for cities and towns to participate in the DOER’s Municipal Fossil Fuel Free Building Construction and Renovation Demonstration Project as authorized by St. 2022, c. 179, § 84.

You can find the draft regulations, the model rule and additional information on DOER’s website.

DOER will hold a virtual public hearing on February 8th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. to receive verbal public comment. Please register in advance here. Interpretation services can be provided upon request. Please email a request to green.communities@mass.gov by January 27th, 2023.

DOER encourages written public comments on both the draft regulations and model rule which will be accepted until February 10th, 2023 at 5 p.m. EST. Please submit comments to green.communities@mass.gov with the subject COMMENT ON TEN COMMUNITIES DEMONSTRATION COMMENTS. Alternatively, comments can be submitted via mail to Energy Efficiency Division, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02114.

COMMENT DEADLINE: February 17th

Public Webinar: February 3, 2023, 9:30 am
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 17, 2023, 5:00 pm
MA: Department of Energy Resources (DOER)

DOER has Released a Forward Clean Energy Market Design Proposal
DOER has released a Forward Clean Energy Market (“FCEM”) design proposal begin the next step in achieving an implementable market proposal with our New England partners and power sector stakeholders. More information on the FCEM Design Proposal can be found here: Clean Energy Markets | Mass.gov.

DOER welcomes stakeholder review and conversation of the many complex components of this proposal. Please send written comments on the Design Proposal to joanna.k.troy@mass.gov by February 17, 2023. DOER plans on developing a public webinar to cover the overall design of the FCEM before the written comment deadline. More information about that webinar will be posted soon.

On February 3, 2023 at 9:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada), Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), in partnership with Sustainable Energy Advantage (SEA) and the Brattle Group, are hosting a public webinar on the recently released Forward Clean Energy Market Design Proposal which can be found at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/clean-energy-markets. Please register and attend to hear an overview of the Design Proposal and for the opportunity for Q&A.

Register in advance for this webinar:https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1ZFdMSusR9-nBWpyI3bpxQ

COMMENT DEADLINE: January 20, 2023
MA: Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

The Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office Jail is converting the classification of generators from emergency to non-emergency so the engines can be enrolled in the ISO New England demand response power generation program.

This conversion requires an approval from MassDEP’s Air Quality Program.  Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office Jail is required to meet current emission standards and install emission reducing equipment.  Attached is a Fact Sheet explaining the project and below is a link to the application.  The Draft Plan Approval is finalized, and the 30-day comment period is commenced.  Comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM, January 20, 2023.

Please review documents at the following links:

You may review the application and the DRAFT at the following link:  

  • The Application is available in the Public Access Portal: Search EEA Projects (state.ma.us)/   THE DOCUMENTATION WILL BE POSTED TO THE WEBSITE 12/21/2022 THEREFORE THE COMMENT PERIOD ENDS JANUARY 20,2023
    • Type in “Berkshire County Sherriff’s Office Jail” under Search and/or Comment All applications Open for Public Comment – Hit search or Enter” – Hit search or Enter./
    • Open the Application dated 8/17/22 for review. The Draft Approval is also attached to this e-mail
    •  You may comment directly on this website.

COMMENT DEADLINE: January 4, 2023
MA: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES (DPU)

Subject: Petition of Boston Gas Company d/b/a National Grid to the Department of Public Utilities for Review and Approval of its Long–Range Forecast and Supply Plan for the period of November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2027.

Public hearing schedule for January 4, 2023 at 2:00 pm EST. Public comments due same day, by 5:00 pm.

» Official filing notice here       
» All docket files here     
» NGrid initial filing here      
» Join Zoom meeting here   

COMMENT DEADLINE: January 13, 2023
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

Draft Environmental Justice strategy and maps will be available for public comment

EEA is pleased to announce that it is undertaking two significant initiatives: (1) release of the draft EEA secretariat-wide Environmental Justice (EJ) Strategy and (2) release of updated EJ Maps, to be shared with the Environmental Justice Council for a vote on November 9, 2022. Further explanations of these initiatives appear below. Please contact EEA’s Director of Environmental Justice, Rishi Reddi, at rishi.p.reddi@mass.gov or, EEA’s Deputy Director of EJ for External Stakeholder Coordination, Carline Lemoine at carline.lemoine2@mass.gov, with any further questions. All materials can be found through at EEA’s Environmental Justice webpage this week. 

Strategy The EEA EJ Strategy is required under Executive Order 552 and within EEA’s EJ Policy. The document was developed by a Secretariat-wide EJ Task Force that was convened in September 2020 comprising representatives of each of EEA’s agencies, major offices, and affiliated organizations.  The draft strategy contains chapters that pertain to each of these agencies and offices and is tailored to the unique mandate of each entity.  It also provides a consistent approach to common issues, such as the development of EJ metrics to measure progress, staff training for awareness of EJ issues, commitment to diversity in hiring, inclusion of EJ criteria in grant disbursement and commitment to provision of languages services.  The draft strategy will be available for public comment from November 9, 2022 to January 13, 2023 through a link available at EEA’s Environmental Justice webpage, including translated versions. EEA intends to hold in-person public meetings on November 28, 2022 (Boston) and December 15, 2022 (Springfield) and two remote meetings on January 10, 2023 (day and early evening). EEA plans to issue the final EJ Strategy in mid-March and invites you to review and provide comments on this important document which we hope will advance environmental justice across the commonwealth.  

COMMENT DEADLINE: January 17, 2023
ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD (EFSB), DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES (DPU)

Subject: EFSB22-05 Eversource Longmeadow/Springfield expansion project noticed for hearing & comments/intervention

Hearing on 12/14 with comments & intervention due 1/17. Here is the English notice, they provided Spanish as well:  

https://fileservice.eea.comacloud.net/FileService.Api/file/FileRoom/15711470

Details: The Siting Board will conduct a remote public comment hearing regarding the Project using Zoom videoconferencing on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at 6:00 pm. Attendees can join by clicking (or entering) the following link

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84781554962

The Siting Board will accept written comments on the Project. Written comments will be most useful to the Siting Board if submitted by Monday, January 17, 2023. Persons or groups who wish to be involved in the Siting Board proceeding beyond providing comments at the public comment hearing or submitting written comments may seek either to intervene as a party or to participate as a limited participant. A petition to intervene or participate must be filed with the Siting Board in electronic format, by email or email attachment, to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and to andre.gibeau@mass.gov no later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Monday, January 17, 2023. 

» Public Comment Toolkit for EFSB on Proposed Springfield-Longmeadow Pipeline.

COMMENT DEADLINE: December 7, 2022
MA: Department of Energy Resources (DOER)

Municipal Aggregation Guide Available for Review

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) seeks public comment on its draft Municipal Aggregation Manual and Best Practices Guide. The Guide was developed in response to municipalities’ increased interest in establishing municipal aggregations. It seeks to provide information that supports the effective and efficient formation of municipal aggregations, equips municipalities to advocate for municipal interests when forming a municipal aggregation, and improves collaboration with DOER on municipal aggregation formation.

Comments should be submitted via email to Marian Swain, Deputy Director of Policy & Planning, at marian.swain@mass.gov by 5:00 pm, Wednesday, December 7. Please note that all comments received will be posted publicly on this webpage following the deadline.

COMMENT DEADLINE: December 5, 2022

US Environmental Protection Agency, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund provides competitive funding for financial and technical assistance to enable zero-emission technologies and projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air pollution, including in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Congress has appropriated $27 billion in FY 2022 to implement this new program. These funds are available to EPA to award grants until September 30, 2024. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites the public to comment on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program design and implementation. Responses may be used by the EPA to assist in developing program design and guidance.

See NFGiM Events page for listening sessions November 1 and 9.

COMMENT DEADLINE: November 18, 2022

MA-DOER, Clean Peak Energy Standard Distribution Circuit Multiplier Guideline Released for Public Comment

The Department of Energy Resources has posted a draft Clean Peak Distribution Circuit Multiplier Guideline for public comment. In addition to the Guideline, the Department has also posted the preliminary list of eligible circuits, based on the draft guideline. The Guideline and Eligible Circuits List can be found on the Department’s website. 

The deadline for submitting written comments on this guideline is Friday, November 18, 2022 by 5pm. Written comments should be submitted to DOER.CPS@mass.gov with “DCM Guideline Comments” in the subject line. As an alternative, the public may submit written comments via mail to the Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114, attention Samantha Meserve. Please be advised that there may be delays in receiving written comments via the mail.  If you have any questions, please direct them to DOER.CPS@mass.gov.

COMMENT DEADLINE: November 16, 2022
MA: Executive Office of Energy And Environmental Affairs

MA Climate Change Assessment for public comment

After over a year of extensive data analysis and stakeholder engagement, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA) is sharing a draft of the MA Climate Change Assessment for public comment. The documents available for review are posted on the project website and include:

  • Draft Executive Summary – available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, and Cape Verdean Kriolu
  • Draft Main Report— available in English 
  • Draft Regional Report Summaries –available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, and Cape Verdean Kriolu
  • Draft Appendices— available in English 

Please submit your feedback by November 16 at 5pm using the survey form found on the project website. Please share widely with your networks; we encourage anyone who is interested to review and provide feedback. Thank you in advance for your time and input!  

COMMENT DEADLINE: November 10, 2022
MA: Department of Energy Resources

DOER – Written Comments on Long Duration Energy Storage Study

Section 80 of An Act Driving Climate Policy Forward (H.5060) requires the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) in consultation with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to retain a consultant or consultant team to provide an overview of the existing energy storage market in the Commonwealth, a market report focused on emerging mid- and long-duration storage technologies, and a study concerning the potential benefits of mid- and long-duration storage to Massachusetts ratepayers as the Commonwealth seeks to achieve its Clean Energy and Climate Plan targets through 2050.  

MassCEC and DOER will be accepting written comments to receive input from interested stakeholders on the potential scope of the study through November 10. Please send written feedback to both grid@masscec.com and aurora.edington@mass.gov with an email titled “LDES Study Comments: Your Organization Name.” A set of slides with information on the 2022 Climate Bill language on the study, codified language on the definition of energy storage, and suggested feedback areas may be found here.

SURVEY DEADLINE: November 7, 2022
MA: Attorney General’s Office

Survey on Environmental Justice and Energy Equity

The MA Attorney General’s Office is looking at whether the Dept. of Public Utilities & Environmental Facilities Siting Board processes are accessible to everyone. They are inviting feedback about participation in government proceedings that affect our daily lives like energy utility rates and siting for energy infrastructure projects. Their stated goal is to promote environmental justice and energy equity. Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) encourages people across the state to fill out this 10 minute survey. Available in English and Spanish.

COMMENT DEADLINE: November 7, 2022
FED: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Comments on FERC Winter Gas-Electric Forum

ISO-New England, our region’s grid operator, filed a “Draft Problem Statement and Call to Action on LNG and Energy Adequacy” with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In response, FERC held a “Winter Gas-Electric Forum” in Burlington, VT on September 8, 2022. The 8 hour long forum was broken up into 4 panels, with a mix of energy industry, governmental, and advocacy officials.

FERC is accepting public comment on the Forum and ISO-New England’s statement.

This is a critical time to make your voice heard! Several voices during the forum argued for more pipeline capacity for New England, even though our demand has never again reached it’s peak back in 2006.

Any party wishing to submit comments regarding the topics discussed at the forum may do so on or before November 7, 2022.

Comments may be filed electronically via the Internet.[1]  Instructions are available on the Commission’s website http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.  For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, (202) 502-8659. 

» See our special page with information on this proceeding

This includes links to view the forum and will soon include our synopsis and talking points.

COMMENT DEADLINE: November 1, 2022, (not firm – can submit after meeting also)

ISO New England Open Board Meeting

See NFGiM Events page for listing.

COMMENT DEADLINE: October 21, 2022, end of day
MA: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050 Proposals

Hearings on October 6th, 7th and 11th: view on Events Page

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is developing the Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050 that will help the Commonwealth achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions.  We invite you to join in a set of public hearings to provide feedback on EEA’s proposals for 2050, including statewide emissions limit, emissions sublimits for specific sectors, goals for natural and working lands, and strategies to achieve these emissions limit, sublimits and goals. 

Each public hearing will be virtual and begin with the same presentation, followed by public oral comments.  Recordings of the presentation will be posted at www.mass.gov/2050CECP after the hearings. 

» Presentation slides

Written feedback on the proposals is accepted at www.mass.gov/2050CECP and gwsa@mass.gov until end of day October 21, 2022.