Welcome to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Secretary Bowles testifies on Energy Efficiency Progress and Potential

On July 30, Secretary Ian Bowles testified before the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress, chaired by Senator Charles Schumer of New York, in a hearing entitled “Efficiency: The Hidden Secret to Solving Our Energy Crisis.”

Click here for Secretary Bowles’ written testimony

New Regulations for Public Benefit Determinations and Proposed Amendments to the MEPA Regulations

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is proposing to promulgate new regulations at 301 CMR 13.00 Public Benefit Determination Regulations) to implement changes made in St. 2007, c. 168 (Chapter 168) which was enacted in November of 2007. Click here for a summary of the Public Benefit Determination Regulations

EEA is also proposing amendments to the MEPA regulations to incorporate changes made in Chapter 168, as well as changes addressing the Rare Species thresholds for review and the distribution of MEPA documents. Details regarding the comment period and public hearing are provided in the Public Notice.

Advanced Biofuels Task Force

The Massachusetts Advanced Biofuels Task Force was established to study and make recommendations for legislation, regulations and other programs to promote the development of an advanced biofuels industry in the Commonwealth.

Click here for more information and FINAL Report.

Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force

On March 12, at the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association Building Energy 08 conference, Governor Patrick called for establishment of a Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force made up of energy and buildings experts from across the region. The Task Force was charged with developing recommendations by March 2009 to:

• Specify an interim standard for state-owned construction that is significantly more stringent than the current Mass. LEED Plus benchmark, and identify one or more state projects that would meet zero net energy criteria; and
• Point the way toward broad marketability of Zero Net Energy residential and commercial buildings by 2020, and universal adoption of Zero Net Energy standards for new construction by 2030.

The Task Force, chaired by Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles, held its first meeting on July 10, 2008.

Funded by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, the work of the Task Force is being managed by an independent consultant, Industrial Economics, Inc. Detailed information on the Task Force and its activities can be found at: http://mazneb.org/