Overview
An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity and protecting ratepayers, St. 2024, c. 239 (the “2024 Climate Act”) established the Intervenor Grant Support Program (“Program”) to provide financial assistance to eligible organizations, community groups, and certain governmental bodies who are unable to participate in proceedings before the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) and Energy Facilities Siting Board (“Board”) because of financial hardship or lack of procedural knowledge. The goal of the Intervenor Grant Support Program is to support meaningful participation in energy-related decision-making and ensure diverse perspectives are considered. The 2024 Climate Act also establishes the Division of the Public Participation (DPP) at the Department and authorizes DPP to administer all aspects of the Program.
Department and Board staff previously issued a straw proposal on the Intervenor Support Grant Program on April 11, 2025, which described the proposed Program including the grant application process, eligibility criteria, funding levels, and method and timeline for the disbursement of funds. An overview of this straw proposal was presented at a series of stakeholder sessions held in April and May. Oral and written comments were accepted on the straw proposal. Comments received from stakeholders have been integrated into the proposed regulations.
Now the Department is beginning a formal rulemaking process that includes further opportunities for written and oral comment. The proposed regulations and guidance documents are posted on this webpage. This webpage will continue to be updated during the rulemaking proceeding.
Proposed Regulation
Coming soon
Important Dates
| Action | Date |
|---|---|
| DPU opens rulemaking and files proposed regulations with the Secretary of State | Friday, September 12, 2025 |
| Secretary of State publishes proposed regulations in the Massachusetts Register | Friday, September 26, 2025 |
| Initial Deadline for Written Comments | Friday, October 17, 2025 |
| Public Comment Hearing 1: Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, 1121 Ashley Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02745, Auditorium | Monday, October 27, 6:00 p.m. |
| Public Comment Hearing 2: Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201 | Wednesday, October 29, 6:00 p.m. |
| Public Comment Hearing 3: One South Station, Boston, MA 02110, 3rd floor, Large Hearing Room | Monday, November 3, 6:00 p.m. |
| Public Comment Hearing 4: North Shore Community College, 300 Broad St, Lynn, MA 01901, Cafeteria | Wednesday, November 5, 6:00 p.m. |
| Final Deadline for Written Comments | Friday, November 7, 2025 |
Note: There will be an opportunity to comment on all proposed regulations (including those proposed by the Siting Board and the Department) at each public hearing. The November 3rd hearing will focus on the Intervenor Support Grant Program regulation and the EEA Office of Environmental Justice and Equity’s Community Benefits Plan guidance document.
The Department of Energy Resources will conduct hearings for its regulations. For more information, visit: Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources | Mass.gov.
Accommodation Requests and Language Services Requests
Interpretation services for the public comment hearings (in-person and Zoom) will be provided in Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese and American Sign Language (ASL). Additional language interpretation services are available upon request to Yonathan Mengesha at (617) 305-3544 or Yonathan.Mengesha@mass.gov. In your request include the language required, the date of the public comment hearing, and your contact information. To assist us in accommodating your request, please submit it as soon as possible, and at least one week before the particular public comment hearing (i.e., by October 20, 2025, for Public Comment Hearing 1).
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities (e.g., Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format) are available upon request. To request an accommodation, please contact:
Melixza Esenyie
Non-Discrimination Coordinator and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Human Resources, 9th Floor
100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114
eeadiversity@mass.gov, (617) 626-1282
In your communication, state the accommodation you need and why you need the accommodation. Provide contact information in case the Coordinator needs more information. Provide your request as soon as possible. The Coordinator will consider but may not be able to fulfill later requests.
Non-Discrimination Notice
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) complies with applicable state and federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin (including limited English proficiency), gender identity, income, class, disability, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, genetic information, ancestry, or status as a veteran. DPU does not exclude people or treat them differently because of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin (including limited English proficiency), gender identity, income, class, disability, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, genetic information, ancestry, or status as a veteran. See the DPU’s Non-Discrimination Notice.
If you have any questions about this notice or any of the DPU’s non-discrimination programs, policies, or procedures or believe the DPU has discriminated against you, you may contact Melixza Esenyie (see above for contact information) for more information.
Contact
For further information or questions about the public comment hearings, please contact Hearing Officer Julianne Desmet at julianne.desmet@mass.gov.