Stakeholder sessions set on clean energy siting, permitting

Four stakeholder sessions will be held this spring regarding siting and permitting reforms prompted by a recent clean energy law.

Climate legislation signed into law last November made several changes to the state and local siting and permitting process for clean energy infrastructure, including solar, battery energy storage, wind, and transmission and distribution infrastructure projects. A streamlined, consolidated permitting approach was recommended by the Commission on Clean Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting and was signed into law by the governor.

The law will require all cities and towns to approve small clean energy infrastructure project applications through a mandated consolidated permitting process within 12 months. Should a municipality not act within that time frame, the permit would be automatically approved, allowing the project to operate under standard conditions. Small clean energy infrastructure is defined as generation projects under 25 megawatts and clean energy infrastructure storage projects under 100 megawatt hours.

Permitting for large clean energy projects will also follow a consolidated process overseen by a reformed Energy Facilities Siting Board, with approvals due within 15 months of receipt of a complete application.

The law also calls for guidance on community benefit agreements, a site suitability methodology, public health and safety information, and more. The law, also known as the 2024 Grid Equity Act, charged several agencies to promulgate the guidance and regulations necessary to implement the siting and permitting changes by March 1, 2026.

The agencies involved are the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Office of Environmental Justice and Equity, the Energy Facilities Siting Board, the Department of Public Utilities, and the Department of Energy Resources.

On March 27, the agencies announced that they will be seeking feedback from municipal officials and staff and other interested parties on state and local permitting topics prior to issuing proposed regulations this fall. Each stakeholder session will begin with brief presentations followed by the opportunity for attendees to ask questions and offer comments.

The sessions will be held on the following schedule:
• April 10, 1-4 p.m., DPU office in Boston and virtual
Topic: Standard conditions for consolidated permits and procedural regulations

• April 17, 1-4 p.m., virtual
Topic: New applications

• April 24, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at Roxbury Community College and virtual
Topics: Pre-filing engagement requirements; the DPU and EFSB Intervenor Support Grant Program; and guidance on Community Benefits Plans

• May 5, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at Holyoke Heritage State Park and virtual
Topic: Cumulative impacts analysis and site suitability criteria

More information, including registration and meeting notices translated in several languages, is available on the 2024 Grid Equity Act Stakeholder Sessions website. Straw proposals will be available online approximately one week prior to the corresponding session on each topic.

The agencies note that stakeholder sessions are not intended to discuss any pending or future proposals about specific projects.

Questions about stakeholder sessions or forthcoming straw proposals may be directed to sitingboard.filing@mass.gov.