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MEPA
The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) is a law designed to review and minimize potential environmental damage from large developments. It is a valuable resource for towns and cities who are threatened by large industrial solar projects.
MEPA applies to projects proposed by a state agency or are proposed by municipal, nonprofit or private parties and require a permit, financial assistance, or land transfer from state agencies.
For projects meeting just one of the review thresholds, MEPA requires proponents of projects (corporations, developers, etc.) to file an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) at least a year before the start of a project, describing the potential impacts on the environment and on environmental justice communities. The Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs must analyze these proposed projects on whether or not they need an environmental impact report (EIR) to determine any actions to mitigate environmental damage.
MEPA is especially important as it is not only applicable under the review thresholds: MEPA can be applied "upon written petition by one or more Agencies or ten or more Persons, or at the initiative of the Secretary, the Secretary may require a Proponent to file an ENF or undergo other MEPA review for a proposed program, regulations, policy, or other Project that does not meet or exceed any review thresholds..." This is called the Fail-Safe Review.
For projects within 5 miles of an environmental justice community, an additional report must be filed on impacts on the community. An ENF and an Expanded Environmental Notification Form shall discuss both the project’s anticipated benefits, as well as its adverse environmental impacts and related public health consequences.
Learn more about MEPA:
Environmental Justice Protocols and Resources