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Mid Cape Reliability Project

EFSB 19-06/D.P.U. 19-142/19-143: Eversource petitions to construct, operate and maintain an approximately 12.5 mile, overhead high voltage electric transmission line in the towns of Bourne, Sandwich, and Barnstable, Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Board Meeting – December 15, 2022

The Siting Board conducted a remote Siting Board meeting on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.  The purpose of the Siting Board meeting is to listen to comments, deliberate and vote on whether to approve, approve with conditions or amendments, or reject the Tentative Decision issued by the Siting Board.  An opportunity for additional written comments on the Tentative Decision prior to the Siting Board meeting will also be provided as set forth below. The Tentative Decision is available at the following link: https://fileservice.eea.comacloud.net/FileService.Api/file/FileRoom/15998846. Suggested amendments to the text in the Tentative Decision by Siting Board staff are available at: https://fileservice.eea.comacloud.net/FileService.Api/file/FileRoom/16569641The Siting Board issued its final decision in this proceeding.  The Final Decision can be found at the following link:  https://fileservice.eea.comacloud.net/FileService.Api/file/FileRoom/16727357.

Important Dates

December 5, 2022:  Tentative Decision Issued

December 12, 2022:  Parties Comments Due on Tentative Decision

December 14, 2022:  Public Comments Due on Tentative Decision

December 15, 2022:  Board Meeting 1 p.m.

Project Information

On November 8, 2019, the Company filed three related petitions with the Energy Facilities Siting Board (“Siting Board”) and the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) in connection with the Company’s proposal to construct, operate and maintain an approximately 12.5‑mile, overhead 115‑kilovolt (“kV”) electric transmission line in the towns of Bourne, Sandwich, and Barnstable, Massachusetts (“New Line”).  The New Line will be constructed in an existing Eversource right-of-way (“ROW”) between Eversource’s Bourne Switching Station and West Barnstable Substation.  The Bourne Switching Station and West Barnstable Substation will require new equipment, and the existing western fence line at the West Barnstable Substation will be extended by approximately 65 feet to accommodate the modifications.  The New Line, together with the related station modifications, are referred to as the Mid Cape Reliability Project (the “Project”).  The Project is proposed to enhance the reliability of the regional electric transmission system on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Project Overview

Siting Board Jurisdiction

Pursuant to an Order issued by the Chair of the Department on April 29, 2020, the Company’s three petitions relating to the Project have been consolidated for hearing before the Siting Board, with consolidated docket number EFSB 19-06/D.P.U. 19-142/19-143.  Under G.L. c. 164, § 69J, the Siting Board will review the Company’s filing to determine whether the Project will provide a reliable energy supply 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, 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 Barnstable are required for the Project and whether the present or proposed use of the land or structures is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public.

Public Access and Opportunity for Public Comment

Pursuant to Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§18-25; 980 CMR 2.04(1); and St. 2021, c. 20, as extended by St. 2022, c. 107, the Siting Board will conduct a remote Siting Board meeting using Zoom to hear public comments, deliberate, and vote on the Tentative Decision. 

If you wish to provide oral comments at the Siting Board meeting, please sign up by email with geneen.bartley@mass.gov with your name, email address, and mailing address by noon on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.  If you anticipate commenting by telephone, please leave a voicemail message at (617) 305-3529 with your full name, telephone number (the one you will use to dial in), and mailing address by this date.  Additional comments may be allowed during the meeting at the discretion of the Siting Board Chair.  

Parties may file written comments on the Tentative Decision with the Presiding Officer and the electronic Service List for the proceeding no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 12, 2022. 

Members of the public wishing to submit written comments on the Tentative Decision should submit comments by the close of business, Wednesday, December 14, 2022.  Please file comments by email with dpu.efiling@mass.gov.

Accommodation Requests

Reasonable accommodations for persons 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: Melixza G. Esenyie, ADA and Diversity Manager at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs at Melixza.Esenyie2@mass.gov or call 617-626-1282.

Interpretation services in other languages 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).

Contact

Any person desiring additional information regarding the Project, may contact the Presiding Officer at the telephone number, or email below:

Donna Sharkey, Presiding Officer
One South Station
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
617 305-3625 (voicemail)
donna.sharkey@mass.gov

Useful Information

EFSB and DPU Siting Process

For more detailed information on the Siting process:  Energy Facilities Siting Board Handbook (updated 2019) | Guía para fijar la ubicación de instalaciones energéticas (2019)

Energy facility siting laws and regulations listing

Siting Related Links

Contact   for Mid Cape Reliability Project

Fax

(617) 443-1116

Address

Department of Public Utilities
1 South Station, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02110

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