NEWSLETTER
Our quarterly newsletter captures project spotlights, conferences and events attended, and recent staff updates.

    
ISSUE NO. 22 / April 2018 
On February 28, 2018, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) issued its final decision to approve the Eversource and National Grid Woburn to Wakefield Line Project. This key decision has come after many months of hard work on this proposed 8.5-mile 345 kV XLPE underground electric transmission line between the Eversource Substation 211 in Woburn and the National Grid Wakefield Junction Substation in Wakefield.
 
The project is one of numerous regional transmission upgrades associated with the Greater Boston Solution , which is a plan identified by ISO-NE to provide the region with reliable power for years to come.
 
Epsilon was instrumental in providing environmental licensing and permitting support of the siting, route analysis, EFSB Petition preparation, and expert witness testimony. Epsilon also managed the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act review process, and provided comprehensive environmental analyses, local and state permitting, and public and agency outreach support for this challenging project. Further, our acoustics group provided sound level assessments within the substations to be upgraded, and analysis of new equipment to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements associated with substation upgrades. Epsilon congratulates Eversource and National Grid on achieving this important milestone!
Historic Project Wins Connecticut Preservation Award

Billings Forge complex.
The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation has announced its 2018 Connecticut Preservation Awards .  These annual honors recognize projects that have made significant contributions to the preservation of Connecticut's historic buildings and places.  Among this year's recipients is the Billings Forge complex in Hartford, which is located in that city's Frog Hollow National Register District.
 
Epsilon was proud to be a member of the project team, which undertook a second-generation rehabilitation of this former foundry owned by the Preservation of Affordable Housing/(POAH).   When first adapted for residential use more than 30 years ago by a previous owner, the once booming but long vacant complex was saved from destruction.  At the same time, however, some well-meaning mistakes were made:  the buildings' original window design was insensitively altered and masonry repairs were executed with little regard for their appearance.  Correcting these unfortunate conditions, the recently completed work has restored the foundry's handsome exteriors while also making improvements to individual apartments and common spaces within the sprawling 12-building site. 

Epsilon's talented historic preservation professionals provided the guidance that helped POAH secure both state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits.  Moving the project forward, these funding instruments revitalized one of central Hartford's most important residential and employment resources.  Thanks to the team's efforts on the owners' behalf, and building on the original conversion decades ago, Billings Forge illustrates how an artifact from New England's industrial yesteryear can serve the needs of today and tomorrow.

ConferencesWhere We've Been (And Where We're Going)
Our employees have been traveling near and far for events throughout the winter and early spring.
   
Attending events in FebruaryEpsilon exhibited at the NECA Renewable Energy Conference. With a focus on providing attendees with timely updates and insights on developments taking place within the renewable energy sector including trends in distributed generation and offshore wind, Epsilon was glad to be in attendance and learn about the latest developments.
 
Epsilon was pleased to both sponsor and attend NAIOP's the New Shape of Boston's Historic Neighborhood event. Having worked on numerous projects in the area including Lovejoy Wharf and Avalon North Station, Epsilon was excited to be a part of this event. Principal Dave Hewett had the opportunity to provide an introduction for one of the speakers.
 
Professionals Giving BackIn early March,  Principal Mike Howard was elected President of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC).  MACC is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to protecting wetlands, open space, and biological diversity through education and advocacy. MACC provides environmental education and training and assistance for more than 2,000 conservation commissioners throughout Massachusetts who administer the Massachusetts Conservation Commission Act and Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act.  Mike has served on the MACC Board of Directors for several years now and is honored to serve as MACC's next President.  In addition, at MACC's Annual Environmental Conference, Mike co-instructed "Fundamental Unit 103 for Conservation Commissioners - Plan Review and Site Plan Procedures." The course, among other things, provided training for Commissioners regarding how to read and interpret maps and engineered site plans included with Notice of Intent filings.  
 
Air Group Presents at Conferences  Both Principal Steve Slocomb and  Senior Scientist Joe Sabato presented at this year's Energy, Utility & Environment Conference (EUEC) 2018 in San Diego. Steve's presentation covered what the ISO New England fleet did during periods of natural gas shortages during the year and provided a look forward as to how the Global Warming Solutions Act will affect the region. Joe's presentation covered key ways to keep a power project moving forward taking into consideration public's concerns of health issues related to a new power project.
 
Principal AJ Jablonowski spoke at the International District Energy Association (IDEA) CampusEnergy2018 Conference. The presentation was done in collaboration with Seth Kinderman from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and covered MIT's upgrade to its Central Utilities Plant (CUP).
 
Principals on Panels - At the end of March, Dave Hewett was a speaker for EBC's MEPA for the Ascending Professional - An Advanced Introduction event where he provided attendees with an overview of MEPA as well as tips and tricks for perfecting MEPA filings.  In early April both Rob O'Neal and Peggy Briggs served on the panels on two separate events. Rob was on the Acoustical Society of America: Greater Boston Chapter Wind Turbine Noise Expert Panel. And Peggy was a speaker at the Bisnow Rise of the Seaport event. She spoke during the section on Seaport Infrastructure & Planning 101 where she was among top executives and leaders of firms active in developing the Seaport area of Boston.

Epsilon will be exhibiting at these upcoming events:
 
AWEA WINDPOWER 2018  | May 7-10, 2018 |  More Info 

IPPNY Spring Conference | May 7-9, 2018 |  More Info 
 
NECA/CPES 23rd Annual New England Energy Conference and Exposition | June 4-5, 2018 |  More Info 

U.S. Offshore Wind 2018 Conference | June 7-8, 2018 |  More Info 
 
A&WMA 111th Annual Conference and Exhibition | June 25-28, 2018 |  More Info 
 
Click here  to learn more about these and other upcoming events.  
CompanyWhat's New At Epsilon
Epsilon celebrates employees. In March, while celebrating Epsilon's 21st year, we also recognized employees who have been with the company for more than 5 years. Hitting this milestone and beyond is something Epsilon recognizes each year to show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our employees. This year, we had several people to recognize including both Senior Consultants Don Michael and Vin Tino who have been with the company for 10 years. Principal Dave Klinch, Planner Talya Moked, and Acoustic Engineer Clint Cyr all hit the  5 year milestone. We are proud to say that more than half of the company has been with the firm for more than 5 years!
 
Congrats to the Historic Group!  We are excited to announce that the members of Epsilon's Historic Preservation Group-Brian Lever, Brielly Allen, William Young, Geoff Melhuish and Tonya Loveday-have been selected to receive Paul & Niki Tsongas Awards at this year's Preservation Massachusetts Awards dinner. Led by Principal Doug Kelleher, and with distinguished academic credentials and wide-ranging prior experience in both the public and private sectors, the members of Epsilon's Historic Preservation Group are able to devise inventive solutions to any given preservation challenge. And as the awards attest, the team's innovative work not only benefits the firm's many clients: it is advancing the preservation movement itself!
 
Kudos!  Principal Steve Slocomb is now a registered Professional Engineer in both Florida and Illinois, which are in addition to his Massachusetts license. Earning these two additional registrations enables him to further help our clients in these states.
 
Epsilon continues to grow. We recently welcomed two new employees, Christopher Hoyt and Tonya Loveday. Christopher joined our Acoustics Group supporting a range of modeling, monitoring, and noise control projects. Tonya joined our Historic Preservation Group and jumped right into providing much needed assistance with the latest round of historic tax credits.