Introduction
On July 19, 2022, the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) and Energy Facilities Siting Board (“Siting Board”) issued a Hearing Officer Memorandum announcing a jointly held virtual stakeholder roundtable (“roundtable”) to gather input on increasing the visibility of our public notices and improving public and stakeholder involvement in our proceedings. Consistent with the July 19, 2022 Hearing Officer Memorandum, the roundtable will include three topics for discussion. Each topic will begin with brief presentations from designated stakeholders to initiate the discussion. This memorandum establishes the guidelines for the presentations.
Guidelines for Presentations
A. Format of Presentations
Presentations may be in any format. The Department, however, encourages the use of visual aids, such as PowerPoint presentations. Presenters are expected to “Share Screen” their presentations in the Zoom meeting while presenting.
B. Technical Assistance
If a presenter is unable to appear by video because of technical difficulties, the Hearing Officers will afford the presenter a reasonable amount of time to resolve the technical difficulties. If such technical difficulties cannot be resolved after reasonable efforts are expended, the Hearing Officers may direct the presenter to appear by phone.
C. Presentation Duration
Presenters should prepare a presentation not to exceed five minutes. Presenters should be prepared to answer questions from the Department and Siting Board following the presentation.
D. Presentation Information
Each presenter has been designated to present on a specific topic. Presenters are expected to discuss the topic at issue and expand on, rather than repeat, any previously filed written comments in this proceeding.
E. Submission of Presentations
Presentations should be filed with the Department no later than five business days in advance of the roundtable on August 25, 2022. All presentations must be submitted to the Department by email attachment to dpu.efiling@mass.gov, laurie.e.weisman@mass.gov, scott.seigal@mass.gov, and donna.sharkey@mass.gov. The text of the email must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (D.P.U. 21-50); (2) the name and contact information of the person or company submitting the filing; and (3) a brief descriptive title of the document. The electronic file name should identify the document but should not exceed 50 characters in length. Importantly, all large files submitted must be broken down into electronic files that do not exceed 20 MB. Each presentation will be posted on the Department’s website through our online file room at https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/DPU/Fileroom/dockets/bynumber/21-50 and https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/DPU/Fileroom/dockets/bynumber/EFSB21-01.
F. Questions
The roundtable will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at approximately 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise directed by the Hearing Officers. Scheduled breaks will occur as follows: 45 minutes at 12:30 p.m. and 15 minutes at 2:25 p.m. The Hearing Officers may modify the scheduled breaks or schedule additional breaks as necessary.
| Date published: | August 1, 2022 |
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