MEPA Public Involvement Efforts

In addition to requiring enhanced public involvement efforts by project proponents, the MEPA Office is committed to improving its own engagement with EJ Populations.

The MEPA Office conducts periodic trainings/presentations to the public, regarding MEPA’s purpose and ways to meaningfully participate in and influence the MEPA process. The MEPA Office consults with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Office of Environmental Justice and Equity (OEJE) to ensure robust outreach to EJ populations when planning these events.

“Your Voice Matters” Series

In 2024, the MEPA Office and EEA OEJE kicked-off the public presentation series “Your Voice Matters.” We traveled to communities across the Commonwealth to engage with the public on Environmental Justice at EEA, the purpose and process of MEPA, and how to participate in MEPA review. The following events comprised the 2024 Your Voice Matters series.

• Brockton presentation on January 24, 2024, in partnership with Cape Verdean Association of Brockton
• New Bedford presentation on April 2, 2024, in partnership with Community Economic Development Center and Old Bedford Village
• Lawrence presentation on May 7, 2024, in partnership with Groundwork Lawrence
• Springfield presentation on July 23, 2024 in partnership with Arise for Social Justice 

From left to right, top to bottom: Tori Kim, Director of MEPA, at Your Voice Matters event in Brockton; Kate Harson, MEPA EJ Liaison, at Your Voice Matters event in Springfield; and Caroline Lemoine, Deputy Director of EJ for External Affairs, at Your Voice Matters event in New Bedford.

To request “Your Voice Matters” to come to your community, please email [e-mail] and [e-mail].

The MEPA Office prepared two educational video presentations, based in-part on the MEPA “Your Voice Matters” presentations. Which may be viewed Introduction to MEPA and How You Can Participate in MEPA Review.