Project Permitting and Approvals
In Vermont and New Hampshire, the A1B2 Project construction process is currently ongoing and is expected to take several years to complete. In Massachusetts, this project is still in the permitting and design phases and construction is anticipated to begin in the Fall of 2026, so the construction schedule may be subject to change.
Permitting Schedule
The project team will be working to file necessary permits beginning early 2022 and work towards receiving all decisions by 2025. These permitting reviews include federal, state and local permits by town.
Federal Permitting
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) - Authorization under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act
- Consultations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges and Construction Dewatering Activities/Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
- Potential filing notices with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Massachusetts Permitting
- Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB)
- Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) – MEPA Review/Certificate of the Secretary
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)-Section 401 Individual Water Quality Certificate, Variance, Waterways Program – Ch. 91 Minor Modification
- Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) -Massachusetts Endangered Species Act – Project Review Checklist
- Potential Conservation and Management Permit Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) - Project review under Massachusetts General Law [M.G.L.] c. 9 § 27C
- Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) - Construction Access Permit Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) – Highway Crossing and Traffic Management Permit
- Order of Conditions from each Conservation Commission within the town’s of Athol, Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, Sterling, Warwick, Westminster, Winchendon, and Royalston.
New Hampshire Permitting
- Shoreland Permit by notification to the DES permits NHDOT State Highway Access Permit
- New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) - Alteration of Terrain and Wetlands Major/Minor Permit
- Local New Hampshire Permits:
Vermont Permitting
- Vermont Public Utility Commission (PUC) Section 248 Petition
- Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department – Threatened and Endangered Species Taking Permit
- Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation - Stormwater General Permit, Wetlands General Permit and 401 WQC
