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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As the Burlington Energy Project advances through the review process, one of the next major milestones will be filing an application with the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB).
An EFSB application is much more than a permit request. It is a comprehensive package of engineering, environmental, and community-related analyses compiled to help state regulators, local officials, and members of the public fully understand and evaluate the project. Through this process, the EFSB examines whether the project is needed, can be built and operated safely and reliably, and how potential environmental and community impacts will be avoided, minimized, or mitigated.
The filing process also provides opportunities for public participation. Once submitted, the application becomes publicly available. Community members can review the information, attend public hearings, submit comments, and take part in the state review process. The state has established an intervenor support grant program, which provides financial assistance to eligible organizations, community groups, and certain governmental bodies who qualify for the program. More information about the program is available here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/intervenor-support-grant-program. The goal is to ensure that decisions are based on thorough information and analysis.
While the final application will contain hundreds of pages of detailed information, below are some of the key studies and analyses typically included for major transmission projects like the BEP.
💡Project Need Assessment: Explains why the project is needed, including how it will support electric reliability, capacity, and long-term energy needs for local communities.
🔍 Route and Site Selection Analysis: Reviews the routes and facility locations considered for the project and explains why the proposed approach was selected.
📊 Cumulative Impact Analysis (CIA): Evaluates how the project may interact with existing environmental and community conditions, including potential impacts on environmental justice populations and surrounding communities.
🔈Sound Study: Assesses existing and projected sound levels to ensure the project meets applicable standards and identifies measures to reduce potential impacts when needed.
⚡Electric and Magnetic Field (EMF) Analysis: Evaluates projected electric and magnetic fields and compares them to existing conditions and established guidelines.
👀 Visual Impact Assessment: Examines how project facilities may be visible from surrounding areas and identifies opportunities to reduce visual impacts through landscaping, screening, or other measures.
🌳 Natural Resources and Environmental Review: Evaluates potential impacts to natural resources including wetlands, wildlife habitat, water resources, vegetation, erosion, and stormwater, and identifies measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts.
🚦Traffic and Construction Impact Analysis: Assesses potential temporary construction-related impacts, including traffic management, access considerations, and construction sequencing, and outlines strategies to minimize disruption.
🏺Cultural and Historic Resources Assessment: Explores potential effects on historic, archaeological, and cultural resources, and documents coordination with state agencies.
🤝 Public Outreach and Community Engagement Documentation: Summarizes community outreach activities, feedback received, and how input informed project planning and design.
Together, this information helps regulators, local officials, and the public evaluate the project's benefits, potential impacts, and proposed mitigation measures as part of the EFSB review process. Questions? Visit the Burlington Energy Project website or contact the Project Team to learn more.
Sincerely,
Ian Kea
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