MassDOT has engaged a consultant to consolidate efforts associated with public and stakeholder engagement. The public and stakeholder engagement strategies are developed to help the NEVI deployment plan achieves an equitable and fair deployment, distribution, and use of DCFC infrastructure on highways throughout the Commonwealth.
Stakeholder groups included utility companies, EV service providers, transportation planning and public transportation agencies, workforce development organizations, chambers of commerce, community-based organizations, and members and/or representatives of rural, underserved, and disadvantaged communities. The feedback, recommendations, and challenges to program success identified through the stakeholder engagement process are integrated throughout this plan.
3.1 Community Engagement Outcomes Report
This section of the Plan satisfies the community engagement outcomes report requirement per 23 CFR 680.112(d), providing a description of community engagement activities and plans.
MassDOT has developed a comprehensive Public Involvement Plan (PIP) to guide outreach and support equitable and robust engagement.
Goals
The goals of this PIP are as follows:
- Provide an equitable and meaningful outreach process to effectively engage with a wide range of stakeholders across different demographic profiles and geographies.
- Create ample in-person and virtual engagement opportunities to support continuous and meaningful engagement with key stakeholder groups and the public.
- Comply with all applicable state and federal requirements including those involving the NEVI Program, Environmental Justice, and Title VI.
Agency Coordination
Coordination with numerous state and federal agencies is essential to the successful completion of the NEVI Plan. This includes FHWA, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts Governor’s Office, and others. Meetings are held and materials are shared with these entities on a regular basis.
Engagement Strategies
The following sections outline the engagement strategies that are being used to carry out an inclusive and meaningful public process. Numerous methods are being deployed to engage with the public in a transparent and accessible manner. These include both virtual and in-person strategies.
Public Meetings
Throughout fall 2024, a total of seven open houses and public meetings will be held across Massachusetts to provide a status update on NEVI implementation. This will include details on past and current activities, site selection factors, design consideration, funding, and next steps. Public feedback and comment will be accepted and considered throughout the site selection and construction process.
An event will be held in each of the MassDOT Highway Division districts. The tentative dates of the meetings are as follows:
- September 18, 2024: MassDOT District 6 Headquarters, Boston, MA
- September 25, 2024: New Bedford Free Public Library, New Bedford, MA
- October 3, 2024: Pollard Memorial Library, Lowell, MA
- October 22, 2024: Wellesley Public Library, Wellesley, MA
- October 24, 2024: Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield, MA
- October 28, 2024: Greenfield Public Library, Greenfield, MA
- November 6, 2024: Worcester Public Library, Worcester, MA
As described below, these public meetings will be announced and publicized through a wide variety of methods for maximum awareness and attendance by the public. This includes through email blasts to stakeholders, the Program website, MassDOT social media accounts, newspaper advertisements, press releases, and flyers. All meeting registration links will be posted online in advance of the meetings.
Emails
Emails will be sent to stakeholders and interested parties to provide information on upcoming public meetings. These emails will include information on event dates, times, and locations, as well as links to the Program website for individuals to learn more. Future emails will include details on other upcoming outreach events, latest updates, site selection, construction operations, and other milestones.
Flyers
Accessible flyers will be developed and distributed to communicate upcoming events and public meeting announcements. Flyers will also be translated into non-English languages including Spanish based on the MassDOT Engage Tool.
Newspaper Advertisements
Newspaper advertisements in print and digital publications in English and non-English languages will be used for an equitable outreach process and advertise public meetings in local newspaper outlets. These newspaper advertisements will also include information on requesting additional translation and accessibility accommodations.
Press Releases
Statewide and local media outlets will be notified of the upcoming public meetings with press releases for a high-level of publicity. Additionally, press releases will continue to be used, as they have throughout NEVI plan development and implementation, to announce milestones and updates, developments, public meetings, outreach activities, and opportunities for public feedback.
Social Media
Social media will continue to be used to spread information on outreach activities throughout the Program. Posts will include public meeting announcements and reminders, and links to the Program website and contact information.
Legislative Meetings
In conjunction with the above-mentioned public meetings and open houses, a briefing will take place with elected officials as part of the public engagement process. This briefing will promote continued collaboration with state and federal legislators and incorporate their views, feedback, and input into the implementation process and outreach activities.
The tentative date for this legislative briefing is September 4, 2024.
Technology Tools
Program Website
A Mass.gov Program website page has been developed and published and will continue to be available throughout the entirety of the Program. The purpose of the website is to provide a centralized, easily navigable location for the public to access online resources and information on the Program.
PIMA
An online comment tool, managed through MassDOT’s Public Involvement Management Application (PIMA) is being utilized to gather, evaluate, and respond to public inquiries on the Program. PIMA is a web-based application that incorporates elements of GIS to visualize feedback, measure public sentiment and program favorability, and track the reach of engagement.
Through PIMA’s comment form feature, stakeholders are asked to input specific information to register in the system and submit a comment, including name, zip code, and email. Once registered, PIMA retains the stakeholder information in the system for all future comments submitted. Stakeholders can sign up for Program updates and request if and how they would like to receive responses to their comments (by mail, email, or phone call). In addition to writing their comment, the stakeholder can select specific topic areas related to their comment, pin areas of concern on a map, and rate their favorability of the Program. Stakeholders receive a confirmation email every time they submit a comment and another notification email when a response has been entered by the Program team.
The Program team monitors PIMA regularly and remains responsive to all inquiries that are submitted. With each new comment submitted, an individual dialogue thread is created to promote continued and personalized communication. The Program team uses the information collected through the comment form including the comment, selected topics, pinned locations, and Program favorability to measure the effectiveness of outreach. All data collected through PIMA is owned by MassDOT.
To evaluate the ongoing efficacy of outreach, the Program team leverages PIMA’s Equity Outreach Dashboard (EOD). This innovative tool allows the Program team to analyze stakeholder data against key demographic metrics for that outreach is equitable and effective. Depending on the nature and location of comments received, the Program team may adapt and adjust outreach strategies to reach new geographies and demographics.
Stakeholder Database
A comprehensive stakeholder database has been developed to disseminate information and communicate updates, available materials, public meeting announcements, and other engagement opportunities. This database is managed through PIMA and continues to grow throughout the NEVI implementation process.
The database includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Elected officials (local, state, and federal)
- Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs)
- Municipal staff and appointed boards
- Abutting community facilities (recreational, civic, emergency)
- Community and advocacy groups
- Industry councils
- Chambers of Commerce
- Businesses
- Existing EV owners and users
- Members of the Community
3.2 Tribal Engagement
No additional Tribal Engagement activities have been undertaken. No planned activities.
3.3 Utility Engagement
There are no updates to the plan for utility engagement.
3.4 Site Specific Public Engagement
As a part of the Contracting Process explained in Section 5.0, specific sites are yet to be determined. No additional site-specific public engagement has been undertaken yet.