Notice of Inquiry and Request for Comments
On April 16, 2021, the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) issued an Order opening an inquiry into procedural enhancements to our public notice requirements to increase public awareness of and participation in Department proceedings. This investigation was docketed as D.P.U. 21‑50.
This inquiry will seek to, among other things: (1) identify additional platforms and/or locations where public notices could be reasonably published to reach affected and interested stakeholders and ratepayers; (2) evaluate when and into which language(s) public notices should be translated; and (3) examine when and how interpreters should be used at public hearings.
The Department invites all interested persons to submit written comments on this matter not later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Friday, June 14, 2021. The Department encourages interested persons to present consensus positions and submit comments jointly, when possible. The Department will determine the appropriate next steps for this proceeding after reviewing the initial comments.
At this time, all documents will be submitted only in electronic format in recognition of the difficulty that parties and the Department may have filing and receiving original copies. On March 10, 2020, Governor Baker issued a state of emergency related to COVID‑19 for the entire Commonwealth. Ordinarily, all parties would follow Sections B.1 and B.4 of the Department’s Standard Ground Rules (D.P.U. 15‑184‑A, App. 1 (March 4, 2020)); however, until further notice, parties must retain the original paper version, and the Department will later determine when the paper version must be filed with the Department Secretary. Importantly, all large files submitted must be broken down into electronic files that do not exceed 20 MB.
All documents should be submitted to the Department in PDF format by e‑mail attachment to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and Scott.Seigal@mass.gov. The text of the e‑mail must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (D.P.U. 21‑50); (2) the name of the person or company submitting the filing; and (3) a brief descriptive title of the document. All documents submitted in electronic format will be posted on the Department’s website as soon as practicable at http://www.mass.gov/dpu. The e‑mail must also include the name, title, and telephone number of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing. To the extent a person or entity wishes to submit comments in accordance with this Notice, electronic submission, as detailed above, is sufficient. To request materials in accessible formats (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), contact the Department’s ADA Coordinator at DPUADACoordinator@state.ma.us.
All documents submitted to the Department and/or issued by the Department will be available on the Department’s website as soon as is practicable at https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/DPU/Fileroom/dockets/bynumber (enter “21‑50”). A paper copy of the Department’s Order will not be available for public viewing at the Department’s office due to the state of emergency. For further information regarding this Notice, please contact Scott Seigal, Hearing Officer, Department of Public Utilities, at Scott.Seigal@mass.gov.
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This is an important notice. Please have it translated.
Este é um aviso importante. Quiera mandá-lo traduzir.
Este es un aviso importante. Sirvase mandarlo traducir.
Avis important. Veuillez traduire immediatement.
Questa è un’informazione importante, si prega di tradurla.
Это очень важное сообщение. Пожалуйста, попросите чтобы вам его перевели.
Đây là một thông báo quan trọng. Xin vui lòng dịch thông báo này.
此为重要通知。请加以翻译.
Contact for DPU 21-50: Notice of Inquiry and Request for Comments
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| Date published: | April 16, 2021 |
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