Public Comment Hearing
The Siting Board conducted a remote public comment hearing regarding the Project using Zoom videoconferencing on December 14, 2022.
A copy of the full notice in the languages below can be accessed at the following links: English | Spanish
Recordings of Hearing
Recordings of the public comment hearing will be posted to the Department’s YouTube channel. The transcripts of the public comment hearing will be posted to the DPU Fileroom.
Written Comments
The Siting Board will accept written comments on the Project. Written comments will be most useful to the Siting Board if submitted by Tuesday, January 17, 2023 (NEW DATE). Persons or groups who wish to be involved in the Siting Board proceeding beyond providing comments at the public comment hearing or submitting written comments may seek either to intervene as a party or to participate as a limited participant. A petition to intervene or participate must be filed with the Siting Board in electronic format, by email or email attachment, to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and to andre.gibeau@mass.gov no later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 (NEW DATE).
Written comments on the Project, or a petition to intervene or participate as a limited participant in this proceeding, must be filed in two places:
First, the petition to intervene or participate, and comments, must be filed with the Siting Board in electronic format, by email or email attachment to dpu.efiling@mass.gov; and to andre.gibeau@mass.gov no later than the close of business on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 (NEW DATE). The text of the e-mail must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (EFSB 22-05/D.P.U. 22-69); (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, and telephone number of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing. Second, the petition or comments must be sent electronically to counsel for the Company, David S. Rosenzweig, Esq., Keegan Werlin LLP, 99 High Street, Suite 2900, Boston, MA 02110, drosen@keeganwerlin.com.
Participation in Proceedings
Persons or groups who wish to be involved in the Siting Board proceeding beyond providing comments at the public comment hearing or submitting written comments may seek either to intervene as a party or to participate as a limited participant. Intervention as a party allows the person or group to participate fully in the evidentiary phase of the proceeding, including the right to participate in evidentiary hearings and to appeal a final decision. A limited participant would receive documents in the proceeding and may file a brief as well as file written comments and/or present oral comments regarding the Tentative Decision to the Siting Board.
Any person wishing to intervene as a party or to participate as a limited participant in this proceeding must file a written petition with the Presiding Officer (see Filing Instructions below). A petition to intervene or be a limited participant must satisfy the timing and substantive requirements of 980 CMR 1.00, the Siting Board’s procedural rules, which can be found on the Siting Board’s website at: https://www.mass.gov/doc/980-cmr-1-rules-for-the-conduct-of-adjudicatory-proceedings/download. To be allowed, a petition to intervene filed pursuant to 980 CMR 1.05 must demonstrate that the petitioner may be substantially and specifically affected by this proceeding.
For those individuals and groups that are “substantially and specifically” affected by energy proposals, and wish to participate actively in the proceeding, please visit the link below to learn more.
File a petition to intervene in an EFSB or DPU Siting case | Mass.gov
Important Dates
May 26, 2022: Eversource files Petitions with the Siting Board
December 14, 2022: Siting Board holds Public Comment Hearing
January 17, 2023: New Deadline for Written Comments/Petition to be Intervenor or Limited Participant
Project Information
Eversource Initial Petition and Application
Under G.L. c. 164, §§ 69H, 69J, the Siting Board will review the Company’s filing to determine whether the Project would provide a reliable energy supply with a minimum impact on the environment at the lowest possible cost. Under G.L. c. 40A, § 3, the Siting Board will determine whether zoning exemptions are required for the Project and whether the present or proposed use of the land or structure is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public.
Description of Project
The Company’s proposed Project includes: (1) installation of POD equipment at and adjacent to the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (“TGP”) meter station to be constructed in Longmeadow; (2) installation of approximately 5.3 miles of new 16-inch pipeline with a normal operating pressure of approximately 200 pounds per square inch gauge (“psig”), in Longmeadow and Springfield; and (3) upgrades at the existing Bliss Street Regulator Station to connect the Project to the existing distribution system serving the Greater Springfield Area. This work is collectively referred to as the Western Massachusetts Gas Reliability Project, or the “Project.” The Company asserts that the Project is needed to enhance the reliability of the natural gas distribution system to approximately 58,000 customers in the Greater Springfield Area.
Initial Filing with EFSB
- Eversource Petition
- Eversource Analysis to Support Petition
- Eversource Information on Public Outreach
- Eversource Information on Project Need
- Eversource Information on Route Selection Process
- Eversource Information on Project Alternatives
- Eversource Information on Construction Methods
- Eversource Information on Environmental Impacts
- Eversource Information on Cost Impacts
- Eversource Information on Environmental Justice
- Eversource Information on GWSA
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:
Figure 1. Project Overview
Language Services/Accommodations
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: 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 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).
Contact
Any person desiring information regarding this proceeding may contact Joan Foster Evans, General Counsel at joan.evans@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)