Massachusetts’ achievement of 2025 net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions rests upon rapid electrification of the energy grid and substantial growth in solar electricity generation. As of 2023, nearly a quarter of the...more
On March 29, 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) promulgated cumulative impact analysis regulations. This new regulation requires projects seeking comprehensive plan approvals within a...more
Applicants for new/renewed licenses must address climate issues - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is proposing regulatory revisions in response to the effects of a changing climate,...more
On June 21, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued final regulations addressing nitrogen pollution caused by septic systems on Cape Cod. The regulations will require landowners in “Nitrogen...more
Wilmer Hale attorney Bonnie Heiple is Governor Maura Healey’s pick to run the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). Heiple is a Boston-based environmental and energy law lawyer and will succeed...more
Two Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) electricity sector regulations, 310 CMR 7.74: Reducing CO2 Emissions from Electricity Generating Facilities and 310 CMR 7.75: Clean Energy Standard, require...more
In October 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) released a public hearing notice announcing proposed regulatory amendments to the Commonwealth’s solid waste management regulations (310 CMR...more
Massachusetts is establishing a drinking water limit of 20 ppt for six PFAS, combined. Final regulations are anticipated to be published in the Massachusetts Register on October 2, 2020. As we previously reported, the...more
Update Highlights: The Massachusetts District Court for the District of Massachusetts has released an Order allowing for renewed in-person proceedings in limited cases....more
On July 14, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued a public notice regarding Shire Human Genetic Therapies' Cambridge facility's pollutant discharges to the Alewife Brook, along with a...more
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is reopening the public comment period on its draft Solid Waste Master Plan for 2020–2030 in light of developments and comments associated with COVID-19, environmental...more
By letter dated June 1, 2020, Director of Watershed Management for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Lealdon Langley filed comments at www.regulations.gov for Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0372...more
Just a straightforward informational post. MassDEP has issued a concise, helpful, guidance on performing response actions during COVID-19. Here are the highlights: • All release notifications are still required within MCP...more
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is soliciting comments on its draft Solid Waste Master Plan for 2020–2030, which are due no later December 6, 2019. This draft Solid Waste Master Plan continues many...more
On Friday, MassDEP proposed a number of revisions to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan, including reporting and cleanup standards for PFAS. The proposed GW-1 standard, applicable to current and potential drinking water...more
MassDEP proposed groundwater cleanup standards for PFAS significantly lower than the federal health advisory as part of its long-expected proposed revisions to Massachusetts’ regulations governing the assessment and cleanup...more
MassDEP will develop a drinking water maximum contaminant level (MCL) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, in response to the Conservation Law Foundation’s October 25, 2018 petition, which we reported on...more
On Jan. 28, 2019, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued its response to the "Petition for Rulemaking to Establish a Treatment Technique Drinking Water Standard for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl...more
MassDEP will decide on January 28 whether to establish a strict drinking water standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, and promulgate further regulations for the identification and remediation of PFAS...more
What are PFOA and PFOS? Remember when everyone was in a tizzy about using Teflon or other non-stick cookware? That had to do with the chemical PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), which is one of the most commonly found and...more
As described in a prior blog post, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) held a public meeting on Jan. 16, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. ET at MassDEP's Boston office to consider the "Petition for...more
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will hold a public meeting on Jan. 16, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. ET at MassDEP's Boston office to consider the "Petition for Rulemaking to Establish a Treatment...more
On September 4, 2018, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) issued an opinion in New England Power Generators Association v. Department of Environmental Protection (Case number SJC-12477; --- N.E.3d ---, 2018 WL...more
MassDEP is one step closer to issuing draft regulations this summer regulating PFAS in drinking water with the June 8, 2018, issuance by its Office of Research and Standards of recommended interim toxicity and drinking water...more
MassDEP is developing a standard methodology for assessing natural resource damages for small to medium oil spills to surface water that will be incorporated into forthcoming regulations, which will require persons...more