The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is convening the Environmental Justice Council (EJC) for its next meeting on August 21, 2025 at 6:30 pm (EST).  Council members will be discussing Mass Ready Act (Env Bond Bill). A designated portion of the meeting will be allotted for general comments from the public.

Please register for the meeting using this link: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_M-WdKhURQ-aEgMWpWjijSw

Logistics.  This hybrid meeting will be hosted both virtually on Zoom and in person at the Drury High School in North Adams. The meeting is estimated to last 90 minutes. The address is 1130 Church St, North Adams, MA 01247 and the building is accessible using the 1 and 34 bus lines. The closest bus stop is at the North Adams Walmart. Parking is available in the Drury High School parking lot.

Interpretation Support.  Virtual interpretation will include Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, and American Sign Language (ASL). If you require interpretation in a specific language, or any additional accommodations, please include that request in an email to meetings@erg.com. Requests must be submitted 48 hours prior to the meeting start time.

To get this information in English large print or Braille, call 1-877-623-6765. TTY: 1877-623-7773.

Open Meeting Law. The EJ Council operates under the Open Meeting Law [www.mass.gov/the-open-meeting-law] and welcomes members of the public who wish to observe its formal meetings. During the meeting, an observer may address a comment or question to the EJ Council with permission of the Chair.

More Information About the EJC: The EJC is appointed by the Governor to advise and provide recommendations to the Secretary of EEA on relevant policies and standards to achieve environmental justice principles. Such principles are defined by state law as “principles that support protection from environmental pollution and the ability to live in and enjoy a clean and healthy environment, regardless of race, color, income, class, handicap, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity or ancestry, religious belief or English language proficiency, which include: (i) the meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies, including climate change policies; and (ii) the equitable distribution of energy and environmental benefits and environmental burdens.” The law is stated at Section 62L at this link: [malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2021/Chapter8].

Additional information about the EJC, future meeting agendas, and past meeting recordings can be found here: www.mass.gov/orgs/environmental-justice-council. Please click “Select Language” on the top right of the webpage to translate the page.

Please register for the meeting using this link: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_M-WdKhURQ-aEgMWpWjijSw

DATE: Thursday, August 21

TIME: 6:30 PM – 8:00PM

LOCATION: Online via Zoom, In-Person at Drury High School, 1130 Church St, North Adams