Massachusetts state agencies are starting to take their mandate to reach out to grassroots groups and community members on public hearings much more seriously. Here’s a slate of upcoming hearings shaping climate and energy policy.

Join a conversation on climate impacts – such as extreme heat and flooding - affecting you, your families, and your community.

Choose your preferred date and time(s) when you register.

» Click here to sign up

The information you share will inform the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment, which the state is undertaking to identify the most pressing current and future climate challenges and impacts facing MA sectors and regions. These impacts are especially seen and felt by vulnerable communities facing disproportionate environmental, social, economic, and other burdens. Your feedback will be used to inform how the state prioritizes actions to address these challenges as part of the upcoming State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan.

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) invites you to attend public meetings focused on the work of the Commission on Clean Heat and related policies for building decarbonization. The meetings will be virtual and include a short presentation, followed by a period for public comment. We are holding two sessions on each date with the same presentation, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. We encourage people to pre-register for the meetings by clicking on the links for each respective meeting times below. During registration you can also indicate if you wish to provide comments during the meeting, which is helpful for planning purposes.

Option 1: 12:30pm - 2:00pm

» Link to register

Option 2: 6:00pm - 7:30pm

» Link to register

Option 1: 12:30pm - 2:00pm

» Link to register

Option 2: 6:00pm - 7:30pm

» Link to register

Option 1: 1:00pm - 3:00pm

» Link to register

Option 2: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

» Link to register

Links to the meetings will also be published on the Commission on Clean Heat website one business day prior to each meeting.

For more information or to request reasonable accommodations and/or language services, please email GWSA@mass.gov.

Massachusetts Department Of Energy Resources will hold five virtual public hearings to receive comment on its Straw Proposal for Stretch Code update and New Specialized Stretch Code released on February 8th.

The following information can be reviewed in advance of the hearings at DOER's new Stretch Code Development webpage:

   1   The Straw Proposal (download)

   2   Recording of February 8 Webinar      

   3   Summary of stretch code analysis informing straw proposal (download)

(Interpretation services will be provided at all hearings in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.)

• Western Region (register)

• Metro Boston and Northeastern Region (register)

• Environmental Justice Communities (register)

• Central Region (register)

• Southeastern Region (register)

DOER will provide a brief presentation to respond to clarifying questions received in advance of the public hearing, however the majority of the time is reserved to hear public comments. Public comments will be limited to 3 minutes per person to ensure all participants have a chance to provide comment.

To submit questions or to sign up to give public comment at a hearing please send an email to stretchcode@mass.gov with the title ‘Comment for Public Hearing’ and include your name, organizational affiliation and municipality where you work or reside, as applicable.

There will be four regional hearings and one additional hearing dedicated to Environmental Justice communities statewide. At each regional hearing, comments and questions from participants representing communities in the designated region will be prioritized. Visit the Green Communities webpage to find out which region your community is in.

REMINDER: DOER highly encourages written comments on the Straw Proposal for Stretch Code update and New Specialized Stretch Code to be submitted electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the subject line “Stretch Code Straw Proposal Comments”.

Eversource wants to build a new, high pressure gas pipeline from Longmeadow into downtown Springfield. Free public event. Hosted by stopthetoxicpipeline.org

» Go here for the backstory.

There are currently 41 Municipal Light Plants (MLPs) in Massachusetts delivering 14% of the state’s energy to municipal communities. If strong climate voices join these MLP boards, it can lead to significant changes in a community’s clean energy plans, emission reductions, and job creation. Join a webinar to hear an overview of Municipal Light Plants, stories of successful clean energy advocacy, and opportunities to engage with and potentially run for a seat on your local MLP.

Free public event. Hosted by Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) and Massachusetts Climate Action Network

» Facebook event page    

» Register here  

— Municipal Light Plant Summit with Massachusetts Climate Action Network Join the Massachusetts Climate Action Network for our March 2022 Municipal Light Plant (MLP) Summit where we will discuss why the retirement of Class I Renewable Energy Credits matters for MLPS and how the adoption of power supply policies can be beneficial for MLPs in planning for REC retirement.

Our speakers will include:

Free public event. Hosted by MCAN https://www.massclimateaction.org/

» Register here

» More info here   

As always, visit our Events Page for more ways to engage!

Be sure to check the No Fracked Gas in Mass Weekly News Check-In. Published nice n' fresh every Friday. Look for the Subscribe option at the bottom of each week's post to get the news right in your inbox.

Fill out the Online Home Energy Assessment at MassSave.com/OHEA

And don't forget, you can keep sending your support all year by setting up a monthly donation as well.

• SUBSCRIBE TO THIS NEWSLETTER! • VIEW THE ARCHIVES

No Fracked Gas in Mass is a program of Berkshire Environmental Action Team.