 Mass DEP OKs Williamstown Habitat for Humanity ProjectThe president of Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity this week expressed satisfaction after the state Department of Environmental Protection ruled on a proposed four-home subdivision off Summer Street.  Research Highlights Mass as National Leader in Food Waste Reduction'Food waste bans fall short, except in Massachusetts,' according to the independent study Berkshire Organizations Awarded MassDEP MicrograntsIn Berkshire County Berkshire Environmental Action Team was awarded $9,440 and Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, Inc. was awarded $9,625. Department of Fish and Game Five-Year Strategic PlanThe plan establishes a vision for the Department, focusing on solutions at the intersection of biodiversity, climate change, and environmental justice while advancing the priorities of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). MassDEP Air Quality Advisory ContinuesAir quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Mass Receives Federal Funding to Remove Lead Service LinesHealey-Driscoll Administration Receives $50 Million in Federal Funding to Remove Lead Service Lines Across Massachusetts MassDEP Penalizes Berkshire Springs for Failing to Report Diesel SpillMassDEP issued a penalty of $13,125 to Berkshire Springs. MassDEP Investing in Air Quality Sensors in Environmental Justice CommunitiesPrograms Announced during Earth Week Tour of Kenmore Square Air Monitoring Station? Air Quality Analysis Required for State Permits Near Certain PopulationsThe Department of Environmental Protection will require key air permit applicants to assess 33 environmental, health, and socioeconomic indicators? Governor Awards Sustainable Materials Recovery Program GrantsHealey-Driscoll Administration Awards $5.2 Million to Support Recycling and Waste Reduction by 283 Municipalities and Regional Groups Governor Announces Grants to Reduce Transportation Sector EmissionsThe grant program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), will utilize $7.5 million from the Volkswagen emissions fraud settlement and $4 million from the Climate Protection and Mitigation Expendable Trust (Climate Trust) Statewide MassDEP Air Quality AdvisoryCurrently, air quality conditions in North Berkshire are "Moderate" while in Central Berkshire it is "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups." Governor Announces Final Allocation of Volkswagen Settlement FundsA final amendment to the state's VW Settlement Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP) will allocate the funds in three categories. Pittsfield Awarded Funds To Assist in Sewage Notification RequirementsTo celebrate Earth Week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that $600,000 in grants have been awarded to 10 regional or municipal wastewater utilities and systems across Massachusetts. Governor Announces MassDEP CommissionerHeiple starts on March 20. MassDEP Penalizes Highway Auto Salvage Facility in Northampton182 MTR, LLC must pay $5,750 of the assessed penalty, and MassDEP has agreed to suspend the remaining amount if the site wastewater system is brought into compliance and 182 MTR complies with the Commonwealth's wastewater regulations. Pittsfield Receives Grant for Wastewater ImprovementsThe project is expected to save the city over $500,000 annually while reducing electric utility bills by 35 percent Wastewater Treatment Plant. State Draft Second Amendment to Massachusetts VW Settlement Beneficiary Mitigation PlanThe original BMP and its first Amendment committed $40.7 million of Massachusetts' $75 million share of a national settlement to resolve a vehicle emissions cheating scandal by Volkswagen (VW). |
