MassDEP continues to collect stakeholder input into the regulations being promulgated under the state’s new Climate Law. Draft regulations must be in place by October 2022 with final regulations promulgated by April 2023.
The meeting is scheduled for January 25 at 1 pm and will be repeated on January 26th at 6 pm. Registration is required,
The laws require that facilities holding “certain air permits” conduct a Comprehensive Impact Analysis (CIA) as part of their permit application. Which permits will be impacted has yet to be determined, with social justice groups arguing that all permits — including non-stationary permits and permit renewals — be included.
The January Meeting will focus on the CIA process and environmental indicators the applicant will be required to assess as part of the permitting process. More than 80 indicators were listed by environmental justice organizations at its November meeting. This number has been whittled down to 40, and includes such qualitative indicators as food insecurity and heat deserts.
MassDEP’s presentation is available online as are videos of past meetings.
MEPA has already posted its final regulations for project tripping its threshold mandated under the climate law. The new regulations are available on its website. These regulations require a CIA for any project impacting air quality within a 5-mile radius of an environmental justice community.
Please contact me at katherine@masscta.org if you have any questions.
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New England Chapter of NASF is an official chapter of