Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting Reforms

On November 21, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed into law An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers (2024 Climate Act). In addition to other provisions that advance the clean energy transition, the 2024 Climate Act contains historic and comprehensive reforms of the state’s siting and permitting processes for clean energy infrastructure. The Commonwealth is required to promulgate regulations and guidance to implement these reforms by March 1, 2026. 

The reforms to the siting and permitting processes were based on the recommendations of Governor Healey’s Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting. The law establishes a 12-month deadline for municipal permitting and requires municipalities to issue a single permit at the end of their process. Similarly, state permits will be issued together by the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) after a 15-month period. Appeals will be directed the state Supreme Judicial Court, ending the years-long appeals process that has delayed vital infrastructure.

The law also makes improvements to equitable siting and the community engagement process, which has historically been challenging to navigate. Municipalities will be granted automatic intervenor status in EFSB proceedings. A fund to support municipalities, organizations, and individuals who lack the resources will benefit from a new fund to support their needs for qualified legal representation and expert analysis. The EFSB will also require a cumulative impact analysis for projects seeking to On November 21, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed into law An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers (2024 Climate Act). In addition to other provisions that advance the clean energy transition, the 2024 Climate Act contains historic and comprehensive reforms of the state’s siting and permitting processes for clean energy infrastructure. The Commonwealth is required to promulgate regulations and guidance to implement these reforms by March 1, 2026.

Information on proposed regulations, guidance and opportunities for public comment are included on this webpage. 

These reforms were first proposed by the Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting, which was established by Governor Healey and composed of a diverse group of stakeholders. To meet its required emissions limits set out in the Commonwealth’s Clean Energy and Climate Plan, Massachusetts will need to build a significant amount of new energy infrastructure in the coming decades, including new solar and wind generation, storage, transmission, and distribution infrastructure; however, the deployment of new clean energy resources and infrastructure is often delayed by siting and permitting challenges. By streamlining this process, building in better opportunities for meaningful stakeholder engagement, and strengthening protections for the environment and overburdened communities, the Commonwealth can ensure that needed clean energy infrastructure is built more quickly and responsibly.

Background on the Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting, and the development of the 2024 Climate Act and regulations, can be found at the Development of the Siting and Permitting Reforms for Clean Energy Infrastructure webpage.

The Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) is in the process of promulgating new regulations to implement the EFSB’s new consolidated siting and permitting process.

On September 8, 2025, the EFSB voted on and issued a Decision (in docket EFSB 25-10) to open a rulemaking to consider its proposed regulations to implement reforms related to siting and permitting. These proposed regulations and opportunities for public comment can be found on the EFSB 25-10 - Proposed Rulemaking webpage. 

The 2024 Climate Act required the establishment of an Intervenor Grant Support Program to provide financial assistance to eligible organizations, community groups, and certain governmental bodies who are unable to participate in proceedings before the DPU and EFSB because of financial hardship or lack of procedural knowledge. 

On September 12, 2025, the DPU opened a rulemaking proceeding (in docket DPU-25-75) to establish the Intervenor Support Grant Program. The proposed regulations and guidance documents are posted on the DPU 25-75 - Proposed Rulemaking webpage. 

The Department of Energy Resources’ (DOER) Siting and Permitting Division is responsible for developing regulations streamlining the permitting of small clean energy infrastructure projects. 

On September 12, 2025, DOER filed proposed regulations that will establish a more streamlined and consistent municipal siting and permitting process for small clean energy projects. The proposed regulations, 225 CMR 29.00, establish pre-filing requirements, a universal application, site suitability scoring and mitigation expectations, and new permitting processes. In addition to the draft regulations, DOER is also developing draft guidelines around public health, safety and environmental standards, common conditions for constructive approvals, and mitigation proposals, as well as model bylaws for solar, storage, and siting and permitting review.

More information and links to the draft regulations can be found on the DOER Clean Energy Siting & Permitting Regulations webpage.

The 2024 Climate Act tasked EEA with the development of a methodology for determining the suitability of sites for Large and Small Clean Energy Generation Facilities, Large and Small Clean Energy Storage Facilities, and Large and Small Clean Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure Facilities in newly established Public Rights of Way; and guidance to inform state, regional, and local regulations, ordinances, by-laws, and permitting processes on ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate impacts on the environment and people to the greatest extent practicable.

On September 12, 2025, EEA released its draft Guidance on Site Suitability Assessments for Clean Energy Infrastructure. The following describes the methodology for determining the suitability of sites for applicable energy infrastructure, and provides recommendations for using the site suitability methodology in the review of applications for consolidated permits by the EFSB and local governments.

EEA’s Office of Environmental Justice and Equity (OEJE) is tasked by the 2024 Climate Act with developing standards and guidelines governing the potential use and applicability of Community Benefit Plans (CBPs) and Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs).

On September 12, 2025, OEJE released its draft Standards and Guidelines for Community Benefits Plans and Agreements. These guidelines outline best practices to ensure CBPs and CBAs provide meaningful, measurable benefits to communities hosting energy infrastructure.

EFSB and DPU Regulations

EFSB and DPU will conduct four hybrid remote and in-person public comment hearings, listed below. Remote attendees can access the hearings at this link. The full notice for these hearings can be accessed at this link.

• Monday, October 27, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, 1121 Ashley Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02745, Auditorium
• Wednesday, October 29, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201
• Monday, November 3, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at One South Station, Boston, MA 02110, 3^rd floor, Large Hearing Room
• Wednesday, November 5, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at North Shore Community College, 300 Broad St, Lynn, MA 01901, Cafeteria

The initial deadline for written comments on these proposed regulations is October 17, 2025, and the final deadline is November 7, 2025. Written comments on the Siting Board’s proposed regulations, docket EFSB 25-10 must be sent to the following two email addresses: dpu.efiling@mass.gov and sitingboard.filing@mass.gov; written comments on the Intervenor Support Grant Program proposed regulation, docket D.P.U. 25-75, must be sent to the following two email addresses: dpu.efiling@mass.gov and julianne.desmet@mass.gov.  The text of the e-mail must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (EFSB 25-10 or D.P.U. 25-75); (2) the name of the person or entity submitting the filing; and (3) a brief description of the document.  The email should also include the name, title, and telephone number of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing.  

DOER Regulations

DOER will conduct four in-person informational sessions before a public comment hearing:

• Monday, October 6, 6:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 320 Main St, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
• Tuesday, October 7, 6:00 p.m. at the Essex North Shore Agricultural Technical School, 565 Maple St, Danvers, MA 01923, Larkin Center
• Wednesday, October 8, 6:00 p.m. Fitchburg State University, 167 Klondike Ave, Fitchburg, MA 01420
• Thursday, October 9, 7:00 p.m. UMass Amherst Olver Design Building, Room 170, 551 N Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003

DOER will also conduct a remote public comment hearing regarding the proposed regulations on October 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. Please register for the webinar at this link. DOER will accept written comments submitted to DOER.Siting.Permitting@mass.gov through October 17, 2025. 

EEA and OEJE Guidance

EEA will hold a public webinar in October to provide an overview of the Draft Guidance on Site Suitability Assessments and Draft Standards and Guidelines for Community Benefit Plans and Agreements, and to provide opportunity for public input. EEA will provide details on this webinar at a later date.

EEA will accept written comments on the draft Guidance on Site Suitability Assessments submitted to EnergyPermitting@mass.gov through October 24, 2025. OEJE will accept written comments on the draft Standards and Guidelines for Community Benefits Plans and Agreements submitted to ej.inquiries@mass.gov through October 24, 2025. 

Any questions can be emailed to energypermitting@mass.gov.