BOSTON, Massachusetts, 6/11/08 - Law Seminars International held an advanced MEPA & NEPA Workshop today at the Hilton Boston Back Bay Hotel.  The workshop covered the entire range of current MEPA/NEPA compliance processes, from developing proposals and alternatives through judicial review. The program provided both a broad outline of requirements under NEPA and MEPA, for large and small projects, and addressed more advanced issues of interest to experienced practitioners, including a discussion of recent developments under MEPA and current case law under both MEPA and NEPA. 

Margaret B. Briggs, managing principal at Epsilon Associates, co-moderated the event with Seth D. Jaffe, Esq. of Foley Hoag LLP.  Samuel G. Mygatt, Esq., managing principal at Epsilon Associates, presented an afternoon seminar on the consultant's perspective on selecting the best approach and methodology for complying with technical requirements.

For more details regarding this advanced workshop or other Law Seminars International programs, please click here.

Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, 6/10/08 - As a frequent golfer told WBZ reporter Mish Michaels, a red-tailed hawk has taken up residence near the fifth hole at The Bay Club in Mattapoisett - evidence that the Club's eco-friendly practices are benefiting local wildlife.  The 700-acre facility recently earned the Silver Signature Sanctuary Certificate from Audubon International, and is currently the only course in Massachusetts to hold this certificate.

Epsilon managed The Bay Club at Mattapoisett's environmental permitting process under the Massachusetts Water Management Act, Wetlands Protection Act, Section 401/404 of the US Clean Water Act as well as the preparation of Environmental Impact Reports prepared under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. To learn more about our golf course projects, please click here.

For more information about this new item, please visit the following links:

• WBZ TV Website Article
• Audubon International's Cooperative Sanctuary Program
• The Bay Club at Mattapoisett

WALTHAM, Massachusetts, 6/5/08 - The Environmental Business Council (EBC) celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the EBEE Annual Awards Ceremony at the Westin Hotel Ballroom in Waltham. Each year in June, the Environmental Business Council of New England recognizes companies, organizations and individuals for outstanding accomplishments in the promotion of a sustainable, clean environment through the EBEE Award Celebration. These awards were created by the EBC to encourage environmental companies, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and environmental professionals to serve as models for others to emulate and, in doing so, further the mission and objectives of the EBC.

This year's Nicholas Humber Environmental Award for Outstanding Collaboration was presented to the Braintree Electric Light Department in recognition of outstanding collaboration during the successful development, financing, licensing and permitting of Braintree Electric’s Thomas A. Watson Generating Station. The award was presented to:

• Bill Bottiggi, General Manager, Braintree Electric Light Department
• Mayor Joseph Sullivan, Town of Braintree
  State Senator Michael Morrissey
  State Representative Joseph Driscoll
• Philip M. Weinberg, Associate Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on behalf of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
  Robert Varney, Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

About the award:

This award, established by resolution of the Board of Directors on March 4, 2002, recognizes an environmentally-related endeavor which is a joint or shared project between an EBC member and another person or entity and which reflects the global environmental values and human spirit exemplified by Nicholas Humber.

Nicholas Humber (1941-2001) President, Brae Burn Management, was an active member of the EBC. He served as the chair of the EBC's Innovative Technology Committee from 1997 to 2000; and prior to that chaired the International Business Committee. It was a tragic loss to the EBC, Nick's family and friends when it was learned that he was a passenger aboard American Airlines Flight 11, which crashed into the World Trade Center Sept. 11. Nick earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer and received a master's degree from the Wharton Graduate School at the University of Pennsylvania. He worked tirelessly for the environment beginning in 1971 when he joined the newly created US EPA and co-founded the national waste-to-energy and recycling programs. As an adviser to the World Bank, a founder of Energia Global, and past president of BioMed of Boston, Nick's life and career was committed to improving the quality of the environment for current and future generations.

About the Project:

The Watson Station is a 116 MW high efficiency simple cycle power facility currently under construction at BELD's Potter Road location. It will be connected to the grid via BELD's existing 115 kV substation and underground 115 kV transmission.  The first new power plant to begin construction in Massachusetts since 1999, this is a very significant project with capital costs estimated at approx $100M.  The plant is being built with union labor providing significant local employment opportunities.   The project has received wide-spread support from the community.

The project is an outstanding example of successful teamwork and collaboration to meet our growing energy needs.  BELD worked with the Town of Braintree, the state Energy and Executive Affairs Agencies, Senator Morrissey’s office , State Representative Driscoll’s office and the EPA to plan and permit the Watson Station project, helping to meet our energy needs in an environmentally responsible manner. This very efficient and flexible plant (can achieve full power in 10 minutes) will result in less reliance on older units, with attendant air quality benefits.  Also, extensive acoustic controls to ensure continuation of BELDs good relationships with nearby residents.  There is also a Brownfield’s reuse aspect of project as it is being built on the site of a now demolished 1950s vintage plant.

Recent Construction Photographs:

HOUSTON, Texas, 6/4/08 - Epsilon participated in the Windpower 2008 Conference & Exhibition from June 1-4 in Houston, Texas.  Thank you to those who were able to visit us at booth #2108 to learn more about our wind energy services, and congratulations to the winner of our Garmin Nuvi GPS Unit giveaway: Ken Roberts of Sunflower Electric Power Corporation.

About Windpower 2008:

Organized by leaders in the wind energy industry, the Windpower 2008 Conference & Exhibition benefits all wind professionals.  Whether you are an established industry veteran or a newcomer to this exciting and explosive industry, WINDPOWER 2008 has much to offer including 3 days of conference sessions, an interactive tradeshow of wind energy products and services, and numerous networking opportunities.

ALBANY, New York, 4/23/08 - The New York State Public Service Commission today approved the construction plans for a 5.6 mile 230 kV transmission line along with necessary infrastructure improvements needed for the construction of a 127-megawatt Noble Wethersfield wind farm project in Wyoming County.

In granting final approval of the Environmental Management and Construction Plan (EM&CP), the Commission will allow construction of the substation, the switchyard, access roads and the transmission facility. The transmission line will run from Wethersfield, Wyoming County to Orangeville, Wyoming County.

“Wind farm projects such as Noble Wethersfield, which generate electricity from renewable sources, increase energy diversity and promote a cleaner, healthier environment,” said Commission Chairman Garry Brown. “Approval of the environmental management and construction plan, while taking into account environmental and construction-impact concerns, is an important step for this particular project.”

On December 21, 2007 the Commission granted to Noble Wethersfield Windpark LLC a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need to construct the overhead electric transmission line and associated substation and switchyard. The transmission facility will connect the Noble Wethersfield generation project’s electric output to an existing transmission line owned by New York State Electric and Gas. Noble Wethersfield was required to submit for approval an EM&CP detailing plans for the construction of the facility.

The EM&CP provided information regarding details of the facility location and design, and relates specifications for construction of the facilities, location of access roads, substation and switchyard facilities, and measures for managing construction to avoid or minimize environmental impacts of facility construction.

As part of the Commission order, the wind farm owners shall apply the environmental and agricultural protection and restoration measures appropriate to all activities at the approved facilities, as described in the EM&CP, in addition to other requirements.

The Commission will issue a written order reflecting today’s action. That order, when available, may be obtained from the Commission’s www.dps.state.ny.us Web site by accessing the Commission’s File Room section of the homepage and referencing Case 07-T-0140. Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission orders may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500).

Click here to view the official press release in pdf format.

JUNO BEACH, Florida - Florida Power and Light (FPL) and St. Lucie County announced plans in June 2007 to explore building a wind power project on Hutchinson Island as part of the company’s effort to expand renewable energy projects in the state. FPL’s proposed wind installation would be the first wind project in Florida.  The project will consist of six wind turbines on FPL property and will generate up to 13.8 MW of clean, renewable wind energy for more than 3,600 residents.

Epsilon conducted the Sound and Shadow Flicker analyses for the project. Copies of these documents can be found under the "Environment Studies" section of the project website. Click here to be taken to the Studies and Reports section of the FPL St. LucieWind project website.

BOSTON, Massachusetts -

 Click here to learn more about the DEP and its stormwater program.

MAYNARD, Massachusetts - Epsilon’s Principals have asked three of our most capable and accomplished colleagues to become Associates in the firm.  We are very pleased to announce that Andy Magee, Laura Rome and Mike Howard have accepted our invitation.

     Since joining Epsilon in 1998, Andy Magee has applied his expertise in geology, hydrogeology, and water supply to a host of challenging projects. Andy is well respected in the environmental community for his technical acumen, strong analytical and writing skills, his command of federal, state and local level permitting programs and his particular expertise in the Chapter 91 program.

     Andy’s project credits include successful permitting efforts for 500 Atlantic Avenue, the Boston Children’s Museum expansion, the new Institute of Contemporary Art on Fan Pier, and the Peddocks Island adaptive reuse project..  On the energy side of Epsilon’s practice, Andy had an important role in projects such as the Besicorp Empire State project and has managed a number of successful groundwater supply studies.  

     Andy earned both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Geology at Boston University and is a Registered Geologist in the State of Pennsylvania.  In his home town of Acton, MA, Andy has served multiple terms on the Conservation Commission, the Wastewater Advisory Committee and the Community Preservation Act Committee.  More recently, Andy began to spend his Saturdays at the Acton Town dump.  He was rewarded for his efforts with election to a three year term on the Board of Selectmen!

     Laura Rome joined Epsilon in the fall of 2001. In her 6 years with Epsilon, Laura has tackled the licensing and permitting efforts for an array of increasingly challenging and complex projects.  Examples include the 1,400 acre Naval Air Station Development in Weymouth, the 162 acre Senior Campus Community in Dedham, the 300 unit West End Residences at Emerson Place in Boston and a 1.6 million sf distribution facility for Target in Westfield. Laura's expertise in the MEPA program has made her a sought after consultant to the development community as well as an important internal resource at Epsilon. 

     Prior to joining Epsilon, Laura was a highly regarded MEPA analyst for more than five years. She began her career with Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection as a Regional Planner. Laura earned her Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Regional Planning degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst . Laura was recently named to the Organization for the Assabet River Stewardship Committee. She previously served on the Town of Stow Finance Committee and the City of Salem Conservation Commission.

     Mike Howard has been with us since early 1999, joining the firm as a Project Scientist. In the ensuing 8 years, Mike's command of the Wetlands Protection Act, his excellent communications skills, tireless work ethic and enthusiasm earned him promotion to Manager of Epsilon’s Ecological Sciences group. Mike has been responsible for wetlands delineations, mitigation plans and permitting for many of Epsilon’s real estate development and energy infrastructure assignments. Over the past 3 years Mike has taken responsibility for the complex federal, Massachusetts and Rhode Island waterside permitting efforts on the Weaver's Cove project.

     Prior to joining Epsilon, Mike was the Conservation Administrator for the Town of North Andover. Mike earned his BS in Forestry and Wildlife Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and is both a Professional Wetland Scientist and a Certified Wetland Scientist (NH). He is Vice Chair of the Princeton Conservation Commission, represents Epsilon on the NAIOP Environmental Subcommittee and serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Massachusetts Wetlands Scientists.

     We are very pleased to welcome Andy, Laura and Mike to this position of trust and responsibility.  Please join us in congratulating them on this exciting development.

Click here for a larger version of this image.

NEWPORT, RI - Epsilon will help sponsor the Northeast Energy and Commerce Association's 15th Annual New England Energy Conference and Expo in Newport, Rhode Island.  This 2-day event will be held on May 13th and 14th.  Please click here for more details.

WESTBOROUGH, Massachusetts, 3/5/08 - Epsilon sponsored the Northeast Energy and Commerce Association's "Successful Renewable Energy Project Development in New England" conference in Westborough, Massachusetts.