The Massachusetts Energy Facility Siting Board (EFSB) has officially approved plans that allow a proposed electrical substation in East Boston to bypass critical environmental permits. The board obliviated public processes, and the project will proceed with construction following hours of community testimony in opposition. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) and GreenRoots released the following statements in response.
“The fact is that the community overwhelmingly opposes the construction of this substation, and state laws regarding the siting of this facility have been ignored,” said Staci Rubin, Vice President of Environmental Justice at CLF. “The Siting Board’s decision contributes to the inequitable distribution of environmental burdens and benefits and disregards East Boston residents’ voices. We’ll continue to partner with the community to challenge this facility.”
“While disappointing it is not surprising,” said John Walkey, Director of Waterfront and Climate Justice Initiatives for GreenRoots and an East Boston resident. “After 8 years of this process, it is clear that the priorities that guide the decision-making of the EFSB are incompatible with the environmental justice principles codified by the Commonwealth in the Roadmap Law. Siting Board Chair Card has an obligation to protect the health and well-being of the environment and environmental justice populations. Yet again, we see a Secretary that prioritizes industry over people and the environment”
“We are enraged that after 8 years of organizing on the #NoEastieSubstation the State energy siting board continues to bulldoze over community voice and opposition and has approved the construction of an Eversource electrical substation in the environmental justice community of East Boston,” said Roseann Bongiovanni, executive director of GreenRoots. “This certificate allows the EFSB to get a pass and skip permitting and public process yet again. We are appalled that the same systemic injustices we fight to dismantle, are the same systemic harms perpetuated by our state boards, but our work does not stop here. We are appealing this decision in partnership with Conservation Law Foundation and we call on Governor-elect Maura Healey on her steadfast support.”
“This was an unnecessary rushed decision that only benefits Eversource,” said State Senator Lydia Edwards. “Eversource created the data, manufactured the urgency and lied to the public. The EFSB never seriously considered any other data or location. The EFSB didn’t follow the environmental justice laws or acknowledge that so much has changed since this project was proposed in 2013. At this point the EFSB members that voted for this should be ashamed of themselves. You really cant be angry at Eversource. I truly sad about what message this says to community. You can bungle a process, exclude non english speakers, refuse to consider other data, and still win. You can make up a problem and get the people to pay for you, and only you, to supply the solution. This level of systemmic corruption and corporate greed would make Bernie Madoff proud.”
CLF and GreenRoots have joined community groups in opposing this substation for years, but the state has allowed Eversource to bypass community input and critical environmental reviews. CLF and GreenRoots testified and pushed for a delay in the vote that took place today since the majority of the siting board members will be changing with the new administration in January and relevant regulations and policies will be changed in the coming months.
Only one board member had the fortitude to question the benefits and burdens of the facility, citing significant concerns for the adjacent environmental justice population. Board Member Johnson called on fellow members to move forward on three amendments that would look at cumulative impacts on environmental justice populations, the need for the site, and alternative locations including siting the substation on Massport land. The motions all failed with no board members willing to second the motion. Board Member Johnson was the one dissenting member of the siting board on the decision.