Pre-filing Engagement Requirements for Meetings with Key Stakeholders and Public Meetings with the Community
Effective Feb 27, 2026Mass. Register #1568MGL c. 164, §§ 69J, 69J1/4, 69T, 69U, 69VEnergy Facilities Siting Board
(1) Applicants shall meet the following requirements:
(a) For one-on-one or joint introductory meeting(s) with Key Stakeholdersand public meetings, the Applicant shall:
- 1. Present a brief plain language description of the Project, the reason for the Project, potential Project benefits and impacts on the Community,and location map(s) that delineates project boundaries, identifies Project components, and includes key landmarks (e.g., schools, hospitals, parks, libraries, and other places where the community gathers), and natural features within one mile of the Project boundary;
- 2. Describe anticipated impacts from the Project and solicit input on minimization and mitigation of those impacts;
- 3. For LCTDIFs, SCTDIFs, and transmission Facilities, present potential route/site alternatives that were or are under active consideration, the Applicant’s preferred alternative, a comparison of anticipated impacts of any alternatives, and proposed mitigation measures;
- 4. For LCEGFs, SCEGFs, LCESFs, SCESFs and Generating Facilities, present the site selection process used in selecting the proposed option, the anticipated health, environmental, and safety impacts of the proposed option, and proposed mitigation measures;
- 5. Discuss decommissioning and site restoration plans pursuant to 980 CMR 1.10 at the public meetings;
- 6. Share the estimated timeline for filing the Pre-filing Notice with the Board and future opportunities for public comment or input on the Project;
- 7. Share Project contact person(s) including email, phone, and mailing address;
- 8. Provide information on Project-specific issues or topics of interest to Key Stakeholders and the Community. Applicants may solicit topics of interest ahead of meetings;
- 9. Share link to main Project webpage that will serve as repository of up-to-date Project information;
- 10. Provide paper copies of Project materials to Key Stakeholders upon request;
- 11. Share information about how to sign up to the Project email distribution list and add email addresses of interested Key Stakeholders and Community members to the Project email distribution list; and
- 12. Provide an update on any ongoing discussions regarding community benefits plan(s) and/or community benefit agreement(s), if applicable.
- (b) For any subsequent meetings with Key Stakeholders and when using engagement channels like open houses, or workshops for Community meetings, the Applicant may tailor the agenda to respond to Project-specific issues or topics of interest to Key Stakeholders and the public. At these meetings, the Applicant shall present a brief update on any changes that have occurred since the previous meeting.
- (c) The Applicant shall provide translated meeting materials and interpretation upon request for meetings with Key Stakeholders. The Applicant shall provide translation and interpretation according to the current Board Language Access Plan pursuant to 980 CMR 1.01(4) for public meetings with the Community.