Public Comment Hearing – Postponed
The public comment hearing has been postponed. The Siting Board will provide further notice on the new date, when available. This webpage will also be updated with the information at that time.
Project Information
The Company has filed petitions for approval to construct approximately 27.5 miles of electric transmission lines offshore in Massachusetts state waters (passing through state waters in the Towns of Nantucket, Edgartown, Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, and Falmouth) and onshore in the Town of Falmouth, at voltages between 200 and 345 kilovolts (“kV”), along with a new substation in the Town of Falmouth (“Onshore Substation”) (the “Project”). The purpose of the Project is to connect The Company’s proposed offshore wind energy generation resource (the “Offshore Wind Resource”, also referred to by the Company in its petitions as the “Clean Energy Resource”), located in federal waters, to the regional transmission system in New England.
The Company’s proposed Project consists of (1) electric transmission lines offshore in Massachusetts state waters (passing through state waters in the Towns of Nantucket, Edgartown, Tisbury and Oak Bluffs, and Falmouth); (2) electric transmission lines onshore in the Town of Falmouth, including two potential landfall sites; and (3) a new substation in the Town of Falmouth. The purpose of the Project is to connect the Company’s Offshore Wind Resource to the New England electric grid.
The Company’s filing identifies an offshore Export Cable Corridor (“ECC”) for the offshore portion of the Project, two primary alternatives for the onshore route (the “Proposed Route” with one potential variant to the route, and the “Noticed Alternative Route” with three potential variants to the route), and two primary alternatives for the Onshore Substation location. A final approved route could include a combination of segments of the Proposed Route, the Noticed Alternative Route, and/or their variants.
Map image of project offshore and onshore routes
Map image of project onshore routes, landfall to new substance and POI
Project Filing with EFSB
The petition to construct the Project includes the following information: (1) a description of the Project; (2) an analysis of the need for the Project; (3) a description of the alternatives to the Project; and (4) a description of the environmental impacts of the Project.
- Company's Petition
- Analysis to Support Petition Volume 1
- Resident Outreach Information
- Information on Project Need
- Route Selection Process
- Landfall Location Selection (section missing)
- Substation Location Selection
- Technologies Used
- Construction Description
- Description of Environmental Impacts
- Description of Cost Impact of Project
- Environmental Justice Considerations
- Company Position on Global Warming Solutions Act Compliance
- Analysis to Support Petition Volume 2 (Figures and Appendices)
- Route Map Sheets (Environmental Constraints)
All documents related filed in relation to a proceeding are posted to the DPU Fileroom. The Fileroom page for a proceeding represents the official record for that proceeding. The public can access the Fileroom page for this proceeding at the following link:
Important Dates
This section will be updated when the EFSB develops a procedural schedule for this proceeding.
Accommodation Requests
The EFSB has standardized procedures for requesting special accommodations in a proceeding. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a complete description of the accommodation you will need and a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please provide as much advance notice as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted, but we may be unable to fulfill the request. Please send your requests to: Gabriella Knight, ADA and Diversity Manager at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs at gabriella.knight@mass.gov.
Interpretation services for those with limited English language proficiency are available upon request. Include in your request the language required, and a way to contact you if the Presiding Officer needs more information. Please provide as much advance notice as possible. Last minute requests may not be able to be accommodated. Contact the Presiding Officer (contact information below).
Siting Board Statues and Regulations
The Company’s three petitions have been consolidated for hearing before the Siting Board under docket number EFSB 21-03/D.P.U. 21-142/21-143. Under G.L. c. 164, § 69J, the Siting Board will review The Company’s filing to determine whether the Project would provide a reliable energy supply for the Commonwealth with a minimum impact on the environment at the lowest possible cost. Under G.L. c. 164 § 72, the Siting Board will determine whether the proposed Project is necessary for the purposes stated, serves the public convenience, and is consistent with the public interest. Under G.L. c. 40A, § 3, the Siting Board will determine whether the requested zoning exemptions in Falmouth are required for the Project and whether the present or proposed use of the land or structures is reasonably necessary for the public convenience or welfare.
The Siting Board will not review the Offshore Wind Resource itself (including the turbine array, related equipment, and a portion of the transmission line) as it is located in federal waters and therefore is subject to federal jurisdiction and review.
Please visit the link below to learn more.
Energy facility siting laws and regulations | Mass.gov
Contact
Any person desiring further information regarding this proceeding, including information regarding intervention or participation in the adjudicatory proceeding, may contact the Presiding Officer at the following telephone number or email address:
Robert J. Shea, Presiding Officer
Energy Facilities Siting Board
One South Station
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 851-4246
robert.j.shea@mass.gov
Useful Information
For more detailed information on the Siting process: Energy Facilities Siting Board Handbook (updated 2019) | Guía para fijar la ubicación de instalaciones energéticas (2019)