Evidentiary Hearing (October 2026)
The Siting Board will conduct an initial remote evidentiary hearing/procedural conference to collect evidence related to Moraga’s Initial Petition and Application, beginning on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
The Notice is now accessible via the available link (PDF).
Parties, limited participants, and their guests are invited to attend using the following information:
Remote Attendees: Please click on the available link.
Dial-In Audio Access: (646) 558-8656 Webinar ID: 810 0487 6683 ## (enter # twice)
Important Dates
(1) An individual or organization seeking to participate in the proceeding as an intervenor or limited participant must file a petition with the EFSB by September 8, 2026, (see instructions below);
(2) Any person may submit written comments to the EFSB by September 8, 2026, (instructions below). Your written comments help inform the Siting Board about public concerns regarding the Certificate request and important issues for review in the proceeding.
Intervenors or limited participants in EFSB 25-07 are automatically granted the same status in this proceeding (EFSB 26-01) without need of filing a new petition.
A petition to intervene must demonstrate that the petitioner may be substantially and specifically affected by this proceeding.
Petitions to intervene or participate must satisfy the requirements of 980 CMR 1.05, the Siting Board’s procedural rules, which are on the Siting Board’s website.
Both petitions to intervene or participate on a limited basis and written comments must be filed with: (1) the Siting Board in electronic format, by e-mail attachment to dpu.efiling@mass.gov; (2) the presiding officer at Daniel.W.Keleher@mass.gov; and (3) Moraga’s counsel at akaplan@pierceatwood.com. The text of the e-mail must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (EFSB 26-01); (2) the name of the person or entity submitting the filing; and (3) a brief description of the document.
The electronic filing should also include the name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing.
Moraga Project Description
Moraga proposes to install 184 lithium-ion batteries, a substation, and other equipment to allow for the transmission of electricity between the batteries and an adjacent and already established transmission line. The Project would be constructed on an approximately 42.9-acre parcel of land (“Project Site”) in the Town of Oakham. The Project construction envelope (encompassing all the work for the Project, including the storage of materials) would consist of approximately 18 acres, and the Project itself, once completed, would have a footprint of about 10.8 acres. A portion of the proposed Project Site was formerly an auto salvage and recycling facility.
The Company proposes to connect the batteries to an adjacent existing overhead 115-kV transmission line (Line A127-4) owned by Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid via an air-insulated substation, an on-site overhead 115 kV line tap that extends about 250 feet, and a 3-breaker ring bus.
Overview Of The Sitng Board's Review Process
In this adjudication, the Siting Board will review Moraga’s Initial Petition and Application, which were filed together on June 30, 2026. On July 24, 2026, the Chair of the Siting Board issued a Determination Letter providing that the Siting Board would: (1) accept Moraga’s Initial Petition for a Certificate; (2) consolidate Moraga’s Initial Petition with its Application; (3) defer a decision on the merits of the Initial Petition; and (4) adjudicate Moraga’s Initial Petition and Application concurrently.
Moraga’s Initial Petition and Application
Moraga asserts that the exercise of the Siting Board’s Certificate authority is needed to construct and operate the Project as approved by the Siting Board. In its Certificate Initial Petition, Moraga alleges that the Town’s Conservation Commission, Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Board of Health, Oakham Inspectional Services Department (Wire and Building), and Fire Chief have all publicly opposed the Project. Moraga alleges further that it cannot commence construction of the Project because the Conservation Commission or the Board of Health are likely to delay or deny Project permits and approvals. The Company asserts that, without a Certificate from the EFSB, the Project cannot proceed. In this proceeding, the Siting Board will determine whether Moraga has demonstrated at least one of the grounds for a Certificate in St. 2024, c. 239, § 118. See also G.L. c. 164, § 69K1/2.
In this proceeding, the Siting Board will consider whether Moraga’s Application demonstrates that the issues raised by state agencies or local governments have been addressed in a comprehensive manner, and make findings regarding (i) the compatibility of the BESS with considerations of environmental protection, public health, and public safety; (ii) the extent to which construction and operation of the BESS will fail to conform with existing state and local laws, ordinances, bylaws, rules, and regulations and reasonableness of exemption thereunder, if any, consistent with the implementation of the energy policies contained in G.L. c. 164; and (iii) the public interest or convenience requiring construction and operation of the BESS. See G.L. c. 164, 69 O1/2.
Permits Requested by the Company
Pursuant to St. 2024, c. 239, § 118, the Company seeks a Certificate that would include the following nine approvals and permits required for the Project:
1. An approval that is the equivalent of an Order of Conditions for the Project issued by the Oakham Conservation Commission pursuant to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 131, § 40) and its implementing regulations (310 CMR 10.00).
2. An approval that is the equivalent of a Determination of Applicability issued by the Department of Conservation and Recreation pursuant to the Massachusetts Watershed Protection Act (Chapter 36 of the Acts of 1992, M.G.L. c. 92A1/2) and its implementing regulations (313 CMR 11.00).
3. An approval that is the equivalent of a Building Permit issued by the Oakham Building Commissioner pursuant to 780 CMR.
4. An approval that is the equivalent of an Electrical Permit issued by the Oakham Wiring Inspector pursuant to 527 CMR 12.00.
5. An approval that is the equivalent of a Road Opening/Trench Permit(s) in the Town of Oakham, pursuant to G.L. c. 82A and 520 CMR 14.00 ordinarily issued by the Oakham Highway Department.
6. An approval that is the equivalent of a Driveway Permit in the Town of Oakham, pursuant to Chapter XVI of the Oakham General Bylaws, ordinarily issued by the Oakham Highway Department.
7. An approval that is the equivalent of a Demolition Permit issued by the Oakham Building Commissioner.
8. An approval that is the equivalent of a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Oakham Building Commissioner pursuant to 780 CMR.
9. An approval that is the equivalent of a Fire Permit issued by the Oakham Fire Department pursuant to the Massachusetts Fire Code, 527 CMR 1.00 et seq.
Initial Filing
- Company's Initial Petition & Application for Certificate of Environmental Impact & Public Interest (PDF)
- Attachment A (Part 1 (PDF), Part 2 (PDF), Part 3 (PDF))
- Attachment B (PDF)
- Attachment C (PDF)
- Attachment D (PDF)
- Attachment E1 (PDF) & E2 (PDF)
- Attachment F (PDF)
- Attachment G (PDF)
- Attachment H (PDF)
- Attachment I (PDF)
- Attachment J (PDF)
- Attachment K (PDF)
- Attachment L (PDF)
- Attachment M (PDF)
- Attachment N (PDF)
- Moraga Certificate (PDF)
- Moraga Storage Application (PDF)
All documents 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:
Access to Company Petition and Application for a Certificate
The documents for this proceeding may be accessed for public inspection in electronic format at the following locations:
• The Siting Board's website (filings under “Document Type: Initial Filing”).
• Moraga’s website at: Moraga Energy Storage
Physical copies of the Initial Petition and Application may also be inspected at the following locations:
• Energy Facilities Siting Board, One South Station, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA, 02110
• Town Clerk, Town of Oakham, 2 Coldbrook Rd., Unit 1, Oakham, MA 01068
• Fobes Memorial Library, 4 Maple St, Oakham, MA 01068
Request for Accomodations and Language Services
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities (e.g., Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format) are available upon request. To request an accommodation, please do so well in advance by contacting:
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
Language interpretation services are also available upon request to Yonathan Mengesha at (617) 305-3544 or Yonathan.Mengesha@mass.gov. Include in your request the language required and your contact information. To assist us in accommodating your request, please submit it as soon as possible.
The Siting Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, income, ethnicity, class, disability, religious creed or belief, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, English language proficiency, or ancestry in administration of its programs or activities. See the Siting Board’s Non-Discrimination Notice.
If you have any questions about this notice or any of the Siting Board’s non-discrimination programs, policies, or procedures, or believe the Siting Board has discriminated against you, please contact Melixza Esenyie for more information.
Useful Information
EFSB Siting and Permitting Reform Updates
For more detailed information on the Siting process: Energy Facilities Siting Board Handbook (updated 2019) | Guía para fijar la ubicación de instalaciones energéticas (2019)
Contact
Online
Any person desiring additional information regarding the Notice, including information regarding intervention or participation in the proceeding, should contact the Siting Board through the Presiding Officer at the following email address:
Daniel Keleher, Presiding Officer
Energy Facilities Siting Board
One South Station, 3rd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Daniel.W.Keleher@mass.gov
(617) 305-3623
Alternatively, Email Department of Public Utilities Siting Division at sitingboard.filing@mass.gov
Phone
EFSB/DPU Siting Division Call Department of Public Utilities Siting Division, EFSB/DPU Siting Division at(617) 305-3525
DPU Main Call Department of Public Utilities Siting Division, DPU Main at(617) 305-3500
Address
Department of Public Utilities
1 South Station, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02110