The Commonwealth has ambitious decarbonization goals to reach net zero emissions by 2050 while recognizing electricity demand is projected to grow by as much as 50 percent by 2035, requiring Massachusetts to more than double its supply of solar electricity and install more than 3,000 MW of offshore wind that will require electrical grid infrastructure, distribution transmission lines, and electrical substations, be upgraded to deliver the power. 

To accomplish these goals, Governor Healy appointed a Commission on Clean Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting (CEISP) to make recommendations by March 31, 2024. The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has been following the commission’s work and submitting testimony on the needs of the county, including working with numerous other groups in calling for maintaining local control in the process. The final report identified numerous barriers in the current process and made recommendations to streamline and expedite the process:

The Department of Energy Resources would work with other state agencies to develop a uniform set of baseline health, safety, and environmental standards to guide municipalities in the issuance of permits for clean energy infrastructure. 

Combining all state, regional, and local permits required for larger clean energy infrastructure projects into one consolidated permit to be issued by the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) in less than 15 months from the date of filing. All other agencies that would otherwise have a permitting role for the clean energy infrastructure project would participate in the EFSB review process through the issuance of statements of recommended permit conditions. EFSB decisions would be appealed directly to a single Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court justice.

Combining all local permits for smaller clean energy infrastructure projects into one consolidated permit to be issued by the municipality in less than one year.

The commission’s recommendations also call for an Office of Community Engagement to assist on projects with state-level jurisdiction and create a new Division of Energy Siting and Permitting within the Department of Energy Resources to help municipalities on projects at that level of jurisdiction. 

The general feeling is that Governor Healey will be working with the legislature to pass versions of these proposals into law that may occur during the present session.

As more details emerge, BRPC will continue to educate decision-makers on our county’s unique conditions that need to be considered before they are lost forever. 

Editor’s note: Christine Rasmussen is the alternate Stockbridge delegate to BRPC and the Regional Issues Committee chair.