In “DEP Allows Final Environmental Arguments Over Brockton Power Plant,” the Brockton Enterprise talks to Lisa Goodheart about the DEP Commissioner’s “rare ‘Tentative Final Decision’ giving “both sides in a power plant debate a chance to address environmental justice arguments.”

Several excerpts:

Opponents of a power plant proposal for the city have until Friday to make their case to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection that the plant would violate requirements for a community protected under the 2002 Environmental Justice Act.

Their argument against the plant is largely based on the idea that Brockton is an “environmental justice” community, meaning it meets low-income and minority population criteria for additional environmental protection under the law, as a community that has historically suffered from industrial pollution and lack of regulatory enforcement.

The tentative decision asked both sides of the case to submit feedback on the case, related to specific environmental justice statutes, by Friday, Oct. 14.

Goodheart said her clients, the residents opposing the plant, were pleased by Suuberg’s tentative decision, “because this suggests the commissioner recognizes (this case) raises some significant questions about environmental justice. It shows the case is being taken seriously.”

Click here to view the full article. 

Additional coverage on this matter also appeared in the Wicked Local West Bridgewater.

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Lisa C. Goodheart

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617.227.3030 Email Lisa