THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), under its authority pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 111, Sections 142A through 142E, and in conformance with M.G.L. Chapter 30A, will hold a public hearing on the following proposed regulatory amendments:

310 CMR 7.00 Appendix B(7) - Emission Banking, Trading, and Averaging - MassDEP is proposing amendments to 310 CMR 7.00: Appendix B(7) that specify the types of international greenhouse gas offset  projects that would qualify to demonstrate compliance with the carbon dioxide emission standards of 310 CMR 7.29 should MassDEP expand  the geographic scope of eligible projects beyond the United States. MassDEP is also proposing modifications to the Offset Trigger provision that specifies how MassDEP will evaluate it in 2008.

Note that these amendments do NOT affect 310 CMR 7.70 Massachusetts CO2 Budget Trading Program, which implements Massachusetts’ portion of the regional CO2 cap-and-trade program (commonly referred to as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI). 

A public hearing will be conducted to receive public comment, both oral and written, on these proposed regulations on:

Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
One Winter Street, 2nd Floor, Rooms A, B, & C
Boston, MA  02108

The public hearing site is wheelchair accessible. This information is available in alternative format upon request by contacting Donald M. Gomes, ADA coordinator, at (617) 556-1057, TDD Service 1-800-298-2207, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108.

Written testimony will be accepted on MassDEP's regulations until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2008. 

MassDEP requests that written testimony regarding its proposed regulations be submitted electronically via e-mail (Word, WordPerfect, Rich Text, Plain Text or HTML formats preferred) to climate.strategies@state.ma.us, or by mail to Will Space, MassDEP, One Winter Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02108.  Copies of the MassDEP regulation, background document, and filed comments will be available for inspection during normal business hours at MassDEP, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108.  These documents will also be available at: http://mass.gov/dep/service/regulations/newregs.htm.

For questions about MassDEP's proposed regulations, please contact Nicholas Bianco (617-292-5705, nicholas.m.bianco@state.ma.us) or Will Space (617-292-5610, william.space@state.ma.us)

By order of the Department of Environmental Protection,
Laurie Burt, Commissioner.