The project’s power sales agreements were signed by the 14 participating light departments in 2017. The project cleared the ISO New England Forward Capacity Auction (FCA) in February of 2018. At this time, permitting is being completed, the project has been bid, and an engineer, procure and construct (EPC) contract has been executed. The project has its air and acid rain permits, and is currently undergoing the MA DPU process to bond for the project.
The following offices/agencies were notified of the filing of the Environmental Notification Form (ENF) for “MMWEC Simple Cycle Gas Turbine Project” and its publication in the Environmental Monitor. They were notified no more than 30 days prior to and before its publication on September 7, 2016. A public site visit and consultation session for the project was held September 21, 2016. A final decision from the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs that the ENF satisfies all state environmental requirements and does not require an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was issued on October 7, 2016.
The Environmental Notification Form was sent to:
Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, MassDEP Commissioner, MassDEP Northeast Regional Office MEPA Coordinator, MassDEP Northeast Regional Office Division of Air Quality Control, MA Department of Transportation Public/Private Development Unit and District 4 Office MEPA Coordinator, MA Historical Commission, Coastal Zone Management Project Review Coordinator, Division of Marine Fisheries (North Shore) Environmental Reviewer, MA Department of Safety/State Fire Marshal, MA Water Resources Authority MEPA Coordinator, Metropolitan Area Planning Council North Shore Task Force.
Also: City of Peabody Mayor; City of Peabody City Council; City of Peabody Department of Community Development and Planning; City of Peabody Conservation Commission; City of Peabody Health Department.
A public notice that the ENF was filed was also included in the Weekly News newspaper on September 1, 2016. The notice referenced the “MMWEC Simple Cycle Gas Turbine Project,” explained the process and provided information on how to submit comments or be notified about further information about the project, a site visit, or consultation session.
See notice below.
The Commonwealth and Federal permitting processes examined environmental and health concerns. The air modeling conducted during the air permitting process assessed the worst- case scenario – the impact of the Project, all other off-site interactive sources of air emissions, and ambient air emissions. The worst-case scenario resulted in all emissions falling significantly below the federal and state air quality standards which were developed to ensure public health and welfare.
MEPA:
The MEPA Environmental Notification Review assesses all aspects of the Project that may cause damage to the environment as defined in the MEPA regulations and includes the following:
See MEPA certificate HERE.
Air Permit:
The Non-Major Comprehensive Plan Application (NMCPA) assesses all forms of air contaminants resulting from the Project and imposes requirements consistent with Best Available Control Technology. Included in the NMCPA are the following:
See DEP Final Plan Approval (air permit) HERE.
