Complete Story
05/19/2025
Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment
Electric battery storage and electric vehicle chargers guidance
In November 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed into law An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers (“Grid Equity Act”). Included in the law is a requirement that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (“MassDEP”), in consultation with the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations (“BFPR”) and the Department of Energy Resources (“DOER”), issue guidance on the public health, safety, and environmental impacts of electric battery storage and electric vehicle chargers. The full text of the relevant section of the Grid Equity Act is:
SECTION 122. The department of environmental protection, in consultation with the board of fire prevention and regulations and the department of energy resources, shall issue guidance on the public health, safety and environmental impacts of electric battery storage and electric vehicle chargers not more than 6 months after the effective date of this act.
MassDEP, BFPR, and DOER are currently developing the guidance as required by the Grid Equity Act. The guidance will explain the different types and sizes of electric battery storage systems and EV chargers. The guidance will also identify the applicable regulations, codes, and guidelines that govern the safe installation, operation, and decommissioning of electric battery storage systems and EV chargers.
MassDEP, BFPR and DOER seek written public comments on how to make the guidance useful and accessible to the public, including for local officials. MassDEP, BFPR, and DOER are especially interested in responses to the following questions:
- What topics should the guidance address related to the public health, safety and environmental impacts of electric battery storage and electric vehicle chargers?
- How can the guidance be most useful for the public, municipal officials, and the BESS and EV charger industries?
Written comments may be submitted until 5:00 PM on June 11, 2025. Written comments must be submitted by email to massdep.permitassistance@mass.gov or by mail, postmarked no later than June 11, 2025, to MassDEP, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114.
