About Us

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. oversees the Commonwealth's six environmental, natural resource and energy regulatory agencies. Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to combine energy and environmental agencies under one Cabinet secretary. In addition to the work we do every day to protect the environment, we are committed to making information available to the public in a user friendly and accessible manner. We encourage you to learn more about the various initiatives and programs that we are undertaking to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Massachusetts. You are welcome to read more about our recent announcements.

Brief History of EEA

The Executive Office of Environmental Affairs was established by the Legislature in 1975. The General Laws of Massachusetts Chapter 21A Section 2 outlines the overall duties and functions of the office. The overall mission of the Executive Office is to safeguard public health from environmental threats and to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Commonwealth. On April 11, 2007, Governor Deval Patrick's Cabinet reorganization took effect, creating the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and adding to the Executive Office the Commonwealth's two energy-related agencies: the Department of Public Utilities and the Division (now Department) of Energy Resources. Our commitment to protecting our environment now recognizes the importance of energy efficiency; making renewable energy a reality in our state, and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels; diversifying our energy sources; and leading the country in energy technology innovation.

To meet its mandate, the Secretariat oversees six departments, listed below. In addition, the Secretary also serves as Chairman of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and Chairman of the Energy Facilities Siting Board.

Department of Agricultural Resources: The Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) works to provide a safe, local supply of high quality foods and to strengthen the economic viability of Massachusetts agriculture. DAR promotes the environmental sustainability of the agricultural industry by preserving significant farmland resources and supporting agriculture as an important part of the Commonwealth's economy;

Department of Conservation and Recreation: The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) strives to protect, preserve, manage and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the Commonwealth in order to promote healthy, livable and sustainable communities, and to connect people to these resources through recreation and education;

Department of Energy Resources : The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is committed to creating a greener energy future for the Commonwealth. This includes: achieving all cost-effective energy efficiencies; maximizing development of greener energy resources; creating and leading implementation of energy strategies to assure reliable supplies at reasonable cost, supporting clean technology companies, and spurring employment in the clean energy industry;

Department of Environmental Protection : The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) works to fulfill Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which guarantees the people's right to clean air and water as well as the natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic qualities of their environment.

Department of Fish and Game: The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is charged with stewardship of the Commonwealth's marine and freshwater fisheries, wildlife species, plants and natural communities, and wildlife dependent recreation.

Department of Public Utilities: The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is responsible for the structure and control of energy provision in the Commonwealth; monitoring service quality; regulating safety in the transportation and gas pipeline areas; and for the siting of energy facilities. The mission of the Department is to ensure that utility consumers are provided with the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost; to protect the public safety from transportation and gas pipeline related accidents; to oversee the energy facilities siting process; and to ensure that ratepayers' rights are protected.

Within the Secretariat are a number of offices, divisions, and boards including:

Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA): Through the MEPA office, the Secretary conducts environmental impact reviews of certain projects requiring state agency action. Agency actions include granting state permits or licenses, providing state financial assistance, or transferring state land.

Office of Communications

Mary-Leah Assad, Press Secretary - 617.626.1119
Reginald Zimmerman - Assistant Press Secretary - 617.626.1809

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For constituent questions please contact us at:

By U.S. Mail:
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114

By Phone, Fax, or Email:
Main Phone: (617) 626-1000
Main Fax: (617) 626-1181
Email: env.internet@state.ma.us

Office of the General Counsel: The Office of the General Counsel advises the Secretary on all legal, regulatory, policy and administrative issues brought before the Secretariat. The Office also works closely with the Attorney General's office in the defense of litigation brought against EEA agencies and in the prosecution of cases to recover "natural resource damages" from those who pollute the commonwealth's air, land, and water resources through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration

Gary Davis, General Counsel

Office of Policy: Under the direction of David Cash, Undersecretary for Policy, the Office of Policy oversees policy development within the Secretariat as well as throughout its agencies. The policy team reviews policy proposals and regulations advanced by the individual departments and offices as well as assists in the implementation of those policies. The Office of Policy includes:

Transportation, Buildings and Climate: Marc Breslow, Director
Renewable Energy: Steven Clarke, Assistant Secretary
Land and Forests: Robert O'Connor, Director
Smart Growth / Smart Energy: Kurt Gaertner
Water: Kathleen Baskin, Director
Technology: Linda Benevides

While providing assistance to those seeking grant, loan, and technical assistance from all EEA departments and division, this office also includes:

Division of Conservation Services
Massachusetts Environmental Trust
Office of Technical Assistance and Technology

Other EEA offices and divisions:

Office of Coastal Zone Management: Our mission is to balance the impacts of human activity with the protection of coastal and marine resources. As a networked program, CZM was specifically established to work with other state agencies, federal agencies, local governments, academic institutions, nonprofit groups, and the general public to promote sound management of the Massachusetts coast.

MassGIS: MassGIS is the Commonwealth's Office of Geographic and Environmental Information, within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). Through MassGIS, the Commonwealth has created a comprehensive, statewide database of spatial information for environmental planning and management. The state legislature has established MassGIS as the official state agency assigned to the collection, storage and dissemination of geographic data.

Office of Law Enforcement: The Environmental Police is the primary enforcement agency of the Commonwealth's boating and recreational vehicle laws and regulations. The Office of Law Enforcement is responsible for registering boats, all terrain vehicles and snowmobiles in Massachusetts.

Board of Registration of Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Professionals: Those private parties who are financially responsible under Massachusetts law for assessing and cleaning up confirmed and suspected hazardous waste sites must retain a licensed Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Professional (commonly called a "Licensed Site Professional" or simply an "LSP") to oversee the assessment and cleanup work.

Water Resources Commission: The Massachusetts Water Resources Commission (WRC) is comprised of state officials and public members who are responsible for developing, coordinating and overseeing the Commonwealth's water policy and planning activities. In addition to statewide water policy planning and oversight, the Commission advises the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) in the administration and enforcement of water pollution control and water management policies and regulations.
 

Human Resources: EEA and its agencies post all positions through the Commonwealth Employment Opportunity website. An Application for Employment  is required of any applicant for a posted position.

Internships are often available for students. For more information please see the attached Internships and Fellowships  document.

This information is provided by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs