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What is MassDEP Doing on Clean Energy?
Expanding renewable energy projects and energy conservation actions are a high priority for the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MassDEP is taking a number of important actions to advance the Commonwealth's clean energy policy goals.
Faster Permitting
 New clean and renewable energy project proposals are eligible for MassDEP's new "Fasttrack" permitting program. Fasttrack option enables project applicants to expedite comprehensive environmental reviews and permitting and negotiate alternative permitting fees and timelines.
Through this program, MassDEP is working with the regulated community to enhance environmental protection and bring sustainable energy-saving projects online faster.
MassDEP Energy Team
 MassDEP will expedite the permitting of clean energy projects by creating a multi-disciplinary team of MassDEP staff for pre-permit application meetings with project proponents and regular consultation during the permitting process. This team approach can provide technical assistance to reduce uncertainties of the permitting process and prevent unnecessary delays. The team would include appropriate staff from the Commissioner's Office, the Bureaus of Waste Prevention, Resource Protection, and Waste Site Cleanup and the Regional Office where the project is located.
MassDEP Energy Team projects can cover a broad range of proposals including power generation facilities using traditional or innovative fossil fuels or renewable energy sources such as wind, biomass, geothermal, solar and hydro power, as well as distributed generation and energy efficiency technologies such as combined heat and power. Proposals to expand heat and energy generation fuel sources such as LNG terminal and pipeline projects are also Energy Team candidates.
Certain projects may also be eligible for expedited permitting under MassDEP's "Fasttrack."
If you are interested in finding out how the Energy Team can get you the information your project needs, contact Phil Weinberg, phone 617-292-5972 or email at Philip.Weinberg@state.ma.us.
REGULATORY REFORM TO ADVANCE RENEWABLE ENERGY USE
MassDEP has initiated a systematic review of its regulatory programs to identify potential regulatory opportunities, impediments, and incentives within MassDEP's jurisdiction relative to advancing clean energy implementation.
Several initial regulatory improvements have already been made including:
Geothermal Heat Pumps Guidance - April 2009 MassDEP has determined that a closed-loop geothermal heat pump well will not require a groundwater discharge permit under 314 CMR 5.00, regardless of the flow, if five (5) specific conditions are met. Massachusetts Nonpoint Source Management Plan - January 2007 Revisions have been made to fund green energy generation at wastewater treatment facilities in order to reduce atmospheric deposition of pollution and improve surface water quality.
Additional actions underway include:
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Regulatory RevisionsMassDEP is reviewing 310 CMR 7.00 air regulations to create regulatory incentives for using Combined Heat and Power on project sites. MassDEP anticipates proposing revised Combined Heat and Power regulations in the summer of 2007. Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) PolicyMassDEP has revised its SEP Policy to allow increased flexibility to implement SEPs as part of settlement of agency enforcement actions. The revised policy will, for the first time, include energy conservation and use of renewable energy as examples of possible SEP projects in the appropriate cases. Wetlands Limited Project ProvisionAs a general matter, limited project status under the Wetlands Protection Act allows the issuing authority the discretion to approve work in wetlands without requiring that the project meet all regulatory performance standards. MassDEP has completed an initial review of limited project categories under the wetlands regulations that may apply to renewable energy projects, and is seeking input from Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) and others about whether revisions are needed to the wetlands regulations to better tailor these limited project categories to renewable energy projects such as wind turbines. Biomass Project GuidanceAs part of the MassDEP and DOER coordination on revised procedures for reviewing biomass facility proposals, MassDEP has provided a draft guidance document on the applicability of BACT (best available control technology) for biomass projects. Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)RGGI is a cooperative effort by Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change. To address this important environmental issue, states participating in RGGI are developing a regional strategy for controlling emissions, including a market-based, multi-state cap-and-trade program that will require electric power generators to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide. To learn more, see FAQ's on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Integrating Renewable Energy & Green Building Into the SRF Program
MassDEP's State Revolving Fund (SRF) program, which annually provides over $500 million of low-interest loans for wastewater and drinking water projects, allows communities to integrate renewable energy and energy conservation into new or upgraded construction projects. Energy costs can account for 30 percent of the total operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of wastewater treatment plants (Carns 2005). Using Renewable energy and energy efficiency measures can save municipal ratepayers money in both the short and long term. MassDEP recently highlighted funding opportunities through the SRF program for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at the March 2007 Community Borrowers meetings as part of water supply or wastewater treatment plant projects.
Some eligible project types may include:
- Renewable energy sources such as: wind power, micro-turbine systems, photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, digester gas use for power and or heat
- Green Building (LEED® Certification)
- New energy efficient equipment (e.g., lighting, HVAC systems, motors, pumps etc.)
- Energy conservation retrofits
Additional actions underway include:
- Revision of SRF Project Selection Criteria to provide incentives for incorporating renewable energy and energy conservation into new projects.
- SRF Pilot Clean Energy Project - MassDEP, EPA New England, and the City of Marlborough are currently evaluating green design and renewable energy options for the Marlborough West Wastewater Treatment facility upgrade. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) has provided information and assistance to better assess energy conservation and renewable energy options.
Several clean energy project examples in Massachusetts are:
Green Building & Energy Conservation Leadership
MassDEP is working to do its part as an agency committed to clean energy and energy conservation.
- MassDEP is exploring options with other state agencies to propose an innovative strategy to include hybrid vehicles for compliance with alternative fuel vehicle requirements for state fleets imposed by the Energy Policy Act (EPAct). In addition, MassDEP is participating in discussions about other potential incentives for consumers who purchase fuel-efficient vehicles.
- Green Buildings - Coordinate with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs on green building and energy conservation efforts. Work with the State Building Code Coordinating Council and the Board of Building Regulations and Standards to evaluate energy efficient construction standards.
- MassDEP is one of three state agencies participating in negotiations for a contract to purchase office electricity from renewable energy sources. A 10-15 year contract period is expected that will allow MassDEP to fulfill its electricity load at fixed prices.
- MassDEP's Wall Experiment Station Renovation in Lawrence will incorporate LEED® Certification gold design into its expanded and remodeled state-of-the-art environmental laboratory.
- MassDEP is performing Energy Star® building benchmarking at our Boston office (One Winter Street) and Wall Experiment Station (Lawrence) facilities. This project will be used to calculate annual energy use, rate our Boston office energy performance on a scale from 1-100, access energy efficiency services from utility providers, and track our energy efficiency and pollution reduction progress and results. This project is an enhancement to the 2006 Energy Lighting Retrofit at One Winter Street, Boston - which is expected to reduce energy lighting usage by at least 20 percent.
- MassDEP awarded the Bike Week Commuter Challenge Award for highest number of employees in its size category commuting to work by bike for the last two consecutive years.
- MassDEP participates in the State Sustainability Roundtable, which implements energy conservation and sustainable practices at state facilities.
- MassDEP Green Team sponsors programs for staff to promote recycling and reduce the agency's environmental footprint.
Grants, Incentives & Assistance
Municipal Waste Reduction & Climate Protection Grants
State Revolving Fund (SRF)
Fasttrack Permitting
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