Public Hearing Notice  Public Hearing #1 for Proposed RGGI Regulation Updates

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources ("DOER"), acting under statutory authority of  Section 6 and 13 of Chapter 25A of the General Laws and Section 22 of Chapter 21A of the General Laws and in conformance with Chapter 30A of the General Laws, is holding a public hearing on proposed amendments to portions of 225 CMR 13.00, the DOER CO2 Budget Trading Program Auction Regulation, concurrent with proposed changes by MassDEP to amend its regulation 310 CMR 7.70, the Massachusetts CO2 Budget Trading Program, which pertains to the Regional Greenhouse Gas initiative (RGGI) program. 

RGGI is a cap-and-trade program designed to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from large fossil fuel fired electric generating units in the region. These proposed amendments would implement program changes agreed to by the RGGI participating states after completing the Third Program Review consistent with the updated RGGI Model Rule, including reducing the regional CO2 budget and implementing additional cost containment measures. 

Two public hearings will be conducted on July 28, 2026 at 10am and 6pm.

Verbal testimony will be accepted at the hearings; however, parties may also provide written copies of their testimony. Written comments will be accepted beginning July 3, 2026 and ending at 5 pm on August 7, 2026. DOER requests that written comments be submitted as attached pdf files to emails addressed to  mike.giovanniello@mass.gov, with the word RGGI COMMENTS in the subject line. Alternatively, comments can be submitted via mail to Mike Giovanniello at the Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, 9^th Floor, Boston, MA 02114.