MassDEP- Regulatory Programs Addressing Climate Change Martin Suuberg, Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning

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1 MassDEP- Regulatory Programs Addressing Climate Change Martin Suuberg, Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning Cape Cod and Island Climate Change and Energy Conference: September 24, 2013

2 MassDEP- Regulatory Programs Addressing Climate Change Agency Efforts on Adaptation A look at programs that are working on the issue Regulatory changes Operational Changes Technical Assistance and Guidance

3 MassDEP- Regulatory Programs Addressing Climate Change A few words on Mitigation Global Warming Solutions Act, 2008 cap on carbon emissions, a percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2020 and culminating with at least an 80 percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2050.

4 MassDEP- Regulatory Programs Addressing Climate Change December 2010, the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), set GHG emissions target of 25percent, the maximum authorized by law, and published the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 (CECP) CECP includes numerous regulations and programs to meet the goal of a 25 percent reduction of GHG emissions by 2020

5 MassDEP- Regulatory Programs Addressing Climate Change Includes policies, programs and regulations that will reduce GHG emissions from all sectors of GHG emissions: electricity generation, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, residential and transportation. The GWSA required MassDEP to develop a reporting program of GHG emissions from all facilities that emit greater than 5,000 short tons of CO2 per year.

6 MassDEP- Regulatory Programs Addressing Climate Change Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI): collaborative work with eight other states In 2013, RGGI agreed to significantly lower the cap on CO2 emissions from power plants. Massachusetts regulations implementing these changes are being finalized Overall, the program has enabled a $617 million investment in the region s clean energy future

7 MassDEP- Regulatory Programs Addressing Climate Change Clean Energy Results Program Partnership with Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Work With MassCEC Short-term Goals Assistance and Capacity Building for Communities Clean Energy Potential at Water and Wastewater Facilities Clean Energy Siting Potential on State Land

8 Adaptation Efforts In July, Governor Patrick announced that Adaptation was one of three top priorities for EEA Elizabeth Hanson joined EEA from the Governor s Office to lead the effort to develop a roadmap for EEA Adaptation efforts Meetings with agencies and other Secretariats

9 Adaptation Efforts EEA Climate Change Adaptation Report; September 2011 Report implements the directive in Section 9 of the Global Warming Solutions Act EEA Convened an advisory committee to develop a report analyzing strategies for adaptation

10 Adaptation Efforts Part I includes an overview of the observed and predicted changes to Massachusetts' climate and anticipated impacts, key findings, a set of guiding principles, and key adaptation strategies that cut across multiple sectors. Part II is organized into five areas, describing the vulnerabilities to climate change and outlining adaptation strategies that could help increase resilience and preparedness

11 Adaptation Efforts

12 Administration Efforts on Climate Change (continued) EEA workgroup on SLR scenarios Workgroup includes EEA and non-eea agencies and municipalities Sharing information on SLR scenarios Assist agencies in deciding how to use scenario information for projects and for our permitting programs

13 MassDEP Efforts Regulatory Changes Under Consideration 2013: Chapter 91 regulations; 314 CMR 9.00 Stakeholder Group Draft Regulations in 2014

14 MassDEP Efforts Ch 91 Issues under Discussion What SLR scenarios to use Applicability to new and existing projects

15 MassDEP Efforts Wetlands Considering Changes to Wetland Regulations at 310 CMR Stakeholder Group to Be Convened this Fall Scenarios and Maps

16 MassDEP Efforts Wetlands Management of Stormwater Draft Regulations in 2014

17 MassDEP Efforts Technical Assistance Vulnerability assessments to help long-term planning for our drinking water and wastewater utilities. In 2011, in conjunction with students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, developed a hazard screening methodology for sea-level rise vulnerability at select coastal water utilities and conducted preliminary outreach on the findings.

18 MassDEP Efforts Technical Assistance We are working to develop and apply a similar screening to inland water utilities. Design of Facilities to include climate change issues; MassDEP working with New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) on design issues and reviewing lessons learned from Sandy

19 MassDEP Efforts Technical Assistance Funding programs State Revolving Fund; Drinking Water Projects Solicitation also includes projects addressing impacts of climate change

20 MassDEP Efforts Technical Assistance Drinking Water Supplies Guidance to Systems on Algal Blooms/Cyanobacteria Guidance on sampling to help identify issues early

21 MassDEP Efforts Response Activities MassDEP has an Emergency Response function Generally associated with spills of oil and hazardous materials In addition to spills, climate related events generate other issues

22 MassDEP Efforts Response Activities Maintaining functions at water and wastewater treatment plants; loss of power Dramatic changes in flows Inundation of facilities Debris Management Short and long term facilities to accept storm debris Proper disposal methods

23 MassDEP Efforts Response Activities Debris Management MassDEP website guid.pdf Encourage Advance Planning Wetlands: Emergency Approvals under the Wetlands Protection Act for work in jurisdictional areas

24 MassDEP Efforts Response Activities Climate events affect multiple MassDEP programs Response, as well as planning and preparation for response to events: work with emergency response and public safety agencies Ongoing work to ensure:

25 MassDEP Efforts Response Activities Ongoing work to ensure: Coordination of MassDEP s emergency management activities, with a focus on storm preparedness and climate change hazards, emerging technology hazards, and man-made hazards; Work between MassDEP and other agencies regarding emergency planning and operations