Feds roll out safety regulations prompted by gas disaster

More than two years after the law was approved by Congress, a federal agency is moving to implement a raft of natural gas pipeline safety regulations prompted by the deadly Merrimack Valley gas disaster.

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One Year In, President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is Driving Historic Climate Action and Investing in America to Create Good Paying Jobs and Reduce Costs

[O]n August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law – the largest investment in clean energy and climate action ever. The Inflation Reduction Act is a transformative law that is helping the United States meet its climate goals and strengthen energy security, investing in America to create good-paying jobs, reducing energy and health care costs for families, and making the tax code fairer.

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Volunteer for COASTSWEEP 2023! - COASTSWEEP, the annual statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM, officially kicked off last month. Volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out in large numbers each year for this event, which is part of an international campaign organized by the Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Participants all over the world collect trash and other marine debris and record what they find. This information is then used to help reduce future marine debris problems. There is still time to sign up to be a local cleanup coordinator for your favorite beach, marsh, dive site, and riverbank—cleanups can be scheduled through early November. Volunteers can also join a scheduled public cleanup. To get involved, see the COASTSWEEP website, which includes a cleanup list that is updated every week. To receive reminders of when new cleanups are posted, please send a blank email (completely blank, with no signature line) to join-env-coastsweep-volunteers@listserv.state.ma.us.

MOR-EV Program Expansion Prioritizes Equitable Access to EV Adoption.

Program changes include new rebates for used electric vehicles, additional funds for income-eligible buyers, and rebates available the day of purchase.

In addition to the existing $3,500 rebates for EVs, the new MOR-EV program elements include:

• The launch of rebates at the point-of-sale with participating dealers;
• $3500 rebate for used EVs for income-qualifying residents;
• $1,500 rebate adder for income-qualifying residents called MOR-EV+ that is in addition to the standard rebate for new or used electric vehicles; and
• Increased rebates for certain light-duty pickup trucks.

The MOR-EV+ and MOR-EV Used rebates are retroactive to November 10, 2022 for any income-qualifying residents who purchased new or used EVs on or after that date.

More information about rebate eligibility, qualifying vehicles, and the application process are available at MOR-EV.org.

A press release about the MOR-EV program expansion is available at https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-announces-equitable-expansion-of-electric-vehicle-rebate-program.

Monthly Advance Notification of New Project Filings

The MEPA advance notifications of new projects proposed within a “designated geographic area” of environmental justice (EJ) populations will be updated by Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Click here to see the updated list.

Development and Communications Director - All In Energy, Inc. is seeking a Development and Communications Director to join their innovative non-profit and be part of a talented diverse team driven to expand access to climate solutions and green jobs across Massachusetts. All In Energy work hand-in-hand with cities and local community organizations to connect communities of color, non-English speakers and renters to energy-saving programs and affordable renewable energy. For more details, see the position posting.

The Department of Public Health launched a statewide survey to improve community health. See full article. The health equity survey is available in 10 languages other than English. Let your voice be heard! Share and take the survey here!

Opt-in to be included on EEA's EJ Mailing List by providing the name of your institution, contact person, address, and area of environmental focus at this link. Please note that in addition to general outreach information, this list is also used to assist MEPA project proponents and other entities who request information in their outreach efforts.