Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The state’s Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Division has released for comment draft regulations to implement a new consolidated permitting process for clean energy infrastructure facilities reviewed by local governments.
The new local siting and permitting process would apply to:
• Clean energy generation projects (e.g., solar, wind) under 25 megawatts
• Clean energy storage projects under 100 megawatt hours
• Certain transmission and distribution projects
(Note: Last month’s Beacon story incorrectly stated that this local process would apply to storage projects under 25 megawatt hours, rather than 100.)
Projects over these size thresholds would be managed by a new permitting process that is being developed concurrently by the Energy Facilities Siting Board. (See related story.)
Under last year’s climate law, both sets of regulations must be promulgated by March 1, 2026.
Under the new local siting and permitting process, municipal governments would have 12 months to review a “clean energy infrastructure facility” application. Project applicants would undergo a pre-filing engagement process, and the application would need to meet baseline standards set by the regulations, along with accompanying guidance developed by the Department of Energy Resources, the Department of Public Utilities, and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
The draft regulations reference seven different guidance documents (five of which are not yet released), which articulate many of the baseline conditions and requirements for the application, review, and approval processes:
• Guideline on Public Health, Safety, and Environmental Standards (DOER)
• Guideline on Minimization and Mitigation Measures (DOER)
• Guideline on Pre-Filing Stakeholder Engagement (DOER)
• Guideline on the Consolidated Local Permit Application (DOER)
• Guideline on Common Conditions (DOER)
• Site Suitability Guidance (EEA)
• Standards and Guidelines for Community Benefits Plans and Agreements (EEA/Office of Environmental Justice and Equity)
Municipalities would need to comply with the standards and practices established in these regulations by no later than Dec. 1, 2026. Local governments would be able to set additional requirements or conditions if they do not conflict with the regulations or guidelines.
Information sessions
The Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Division is holding hybrid information sessions, on the following schedule, to discuss the proposal and receive feedback:
• Oct. 6, 6 p.m., at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 20 Tower Lane (Maritime Conference Center), Buzzards Bay
• Oct. 7, 6 p.m., at Essex North Shore Agricultural Technical School, 562 Maple St. (Larkin Center), Danvers
• Oct. 8, 6 p.m., at Fitchburg State University, 160 Pearl St. (Ellis White Hall, Hammond Building), Fitchburg
• Oct. 9, 7 p.m., at UMass Amherst Olver Design Building, Room 170, 551 N Pleasant St., Amherst
Remote attendees for the information sessions can register here.
The division is also hosting a virtual public comment hearing on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. (Register here)
The public comment period on the draft regulations will close at 5 p.m. on Oct. 17. Additional information on submitting comments can be found on the division’s Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Regulations webpage.
Additional resources
The Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Division has hired siting and permitting regional coordinators, who can be contacted with questions. The team is responsible for providing technical assistance to municipalities, project proponents, and other stakeholders, but will not be involved in reviewing or permitting projects, or in the appeal of local decisions.
Questions and feedback on the division’s work regarding siting and permitting of small clean energy infrastructure projects by local governments may be sent to [email protected].
Site suitability assessments webinar
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is holding a public webinar on Oct. 9 at noon to explain its draft Guidance on Site Suitability Assessments for Clean Energy Infrastructure and the Office of Environmental Justice and Equity’s draft Standards and Guidelines for Community Benefits Plans and Agreements. These will impact both the local and state siting and permitting process. Click here for registration information.
Feedback on the draft site suitability guidance can be submitted to [email protected] through Oct. 24.
Comments on the draft standards and guidelines for community benefits can be submitted to [email protected] through Oct. 24.
MMA members may also direct questions and comments about the draft clean energy regulations and guidance documents to Josie Ahlberg at [email protected].