Our Water, Energy and Environment Committee (WEEC) provides a discussion forum for members of ACEC/MA to discuss business issues related to the field of environmental engineering and consulting (regulatory, policy, funding sources, networking opportunities).  This committee was formerly known as Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee until March 2019, so you may see some references to EEAC.

The WEEC's mission is to:

• Promote programs, activities, and regulations that are beneficial to the environmental consulting community – including both to the consultants and their clients (public, private, and institutional);
• Review and comment on pending regulation and policies that impact the environmental consulting field (water, wastewater, air, solid waste, hazardous waste, 21E, wetlands, Brownfield’s, funding, grants, etc.); and
• Liaison with the various agencies that create, impact, and enforce regulation and policy.

Structure

Managed by three co-chairs, the WEEC has a membership organized around particular areas of membership expertise and interest. These areas include: water resources and wastewater, regulatory compliance, 21E MCP and site cleanup, wetlands and wildlife, energy and environment, solid waste, and storm water.  All committee members are volunteer representatives from ACEC/MA member firms. Additional participants from member firms are always welcome. 

Meeting Schedule

The WEEC meets every month at Aldrich Center at The Engineering Center and by Zoom. It presents a general agenda which typically includes: 1) pending regulations being tracked by the committee, 2) status of member involvement in various work groups, 3) coordination of liaison meetings, 4) new issues/policy topics on horizon, and 5) informational session from member(s).  Action items are prepared and approved for each meeting.  Goals for the committee include: establishing a partnering relationship with state regulatory agencies; participating in study and policy groups; playing an active role in professional groups; and providing comment on pending regulation and policies that impact the environmental consulting field, as requested by the Executive Director and the ACEC/MA Board of Directors.

Updates (most current at the top):

10/17/2024: John Beling, MassDEP Deputy Commissioner

PDF of Presentation

1/11/2024:  Michael R Judge, Undersecretary of Energy, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

-PDF of Presentation

11/21/2022:  MEPA Briefing with Tori Kim, MEPA Director

- PDF of Presentation on Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act to ACEC/MA 

- PDF of Presentation on Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act 2022 Regulatory Revisions

9/22/2022 Briefing on new Climate and Energy Law with State Representative Jeff Roy, House Chair of Joint Committee on Telecommunications Utilities and Energy.

PDF of Presentation

12/16/2021 Briefing on new MEPA Environmental Justice Regulations

PDF of Presentation by Tori Kim, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, 12/16/2021 for ACEC/MA WEEC Briefing

Video of Presentation by Tori Kim, 12/16/2021 for ACEC/MA WEEC Briefing 

4/1/2021 Briefing

PDF of Presentation by Michael Walsh, Concord Analytics 4/1/2021 for ACEC/MA WEEC Briefing

3/5/2021 Briefing

PDF of Presentation by Commissioner Martin Suuberg, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on 3/5/2021 for ACEC/MA WEEC Briefing

10/21/2020 Briefing

Text of Presentation and Hand-out about Pollinator-Friendly Solar and Certification from Zara Dowling, UMass Clean Energy Extension, UMass Amherst on 10/21/20, for ACEC/MA WEEC Briefing

9/23/2020 Briefing

Presentation from Lynn Schloesser, ACEC Director - Water, Energy and Environment on 9/23/20, for ACEC/MA WEEC Briefing

Recording of 9/23/20 Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQyQN-GJ3lU&feature=youtu.be

6/9/2020 Briefing on Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program

Presentation from Steve Long and Sara Burns, The Nature Conservancy, from 6/9/2020 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program and Nature Based Solutions ACEC/MA WEEC Briefing 

Presentation from Julie Eaton, Weston & Sampson, from 6/9/2020 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program and Nature Based Solutions ACEC/MA WEEC Briefing 

1/17/2019 Briefing with Boston Water and Sewer Commission

Presentation from 1/17/2019 ACEC/MA Private Sector Committee (PSC) and Energy & Environmental Affairs Committee (EEAC) - ACEC/MA Member Briefing with Boston Water and Sewer Commission's Director of Engineering Mike Nelson.

12/4/2018 Briefing

Presentation from 12/4/18 Member Briefing with MassDEP's Lisa Rhodes, Wetlands and Waterways Program, Bureau of Resource Protection, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

11/13/2018

Presentation from 11/13/18 Member briefing with MWRA's Kathy Murtagh, Director, Tunnel Redundancy, Fred Brandon, Director, Design and Construction, Yvonne Vanossenbruggen-Hart
Deputy Contract Manager

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Presentation from 10/12/17 Member briefing with: Sorraia Tavares Strategic Sourcing Services Lead Operational Services Division

• John Clarkeson, Director, Contracts and Procurement, Department of Conservation and Recreation
• Christine Cedrone, Asst. Director, Contracts and Procurement, Department of Conservation and Recreation
• PRF69 RFR will establish rate Master Service Agreements (Rate Contracts) with qualified vendors to provide engineering services in the following disciplines: 
  • Civil Engineering
  • Facilities Engineering
  • Coastal Engineering
  • Construction Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Energy Systems Engineering
  • SurveyingTransportation Engineering
  • Permitting Water Resources Engineering

 

EEAC + Member Briefing, 9/19/2017 with The Nature Conservancy on Natural and Nature-Based Solutions for Vulnerability Reduction and Resilience: 

Sara Burns, Water Resource Scientist and Steve Long, Director of Government Relations. 

Download the TNC Presentation

 

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EEAC + Member Briefing, 8/29/2017 with Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Download the MassCEC Presentation

 

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EEAC, 5/30/2017 Meeting: Culvert Replacement Presentation

Download the Culvert Replacement Presentation

 

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Engineers and Land Surveyors Day: Water Infrastructure Investment Creates Jobs

Download the Presentation

 

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4-11-2017: Division of Local Mandates, State Auditor's Office: The Cost of Water Infrastructure: Implications for State Policy and Municipal Budgets

Download the PPT Presentation to ACEC/MA EEAC

Link to full report: Costs, Regulation, and Financing of Massachusetts Water Infrastructure: Implications for Municipal Budgets

Report Executive Summary

 

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1-17-2017: EOEEA Dam and Seawall Repair and Removal Fund - FY2017 Update to ACEC/MA EEAC

Download the Presentation

 

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1-11-2017:  MassDOT's ESA compliance efforts for the Northern Long-eared Bat - Tim Dexter, MassDOT

Download the Presentation

 

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1-11-2017: Northern Long-eared Bat briefing from Stacy Minihane, PWS, Beals + Thomas

10/25/2016: Presentation from MA DOER Commissioner Judith Judson

9/22/2016:  Presentation from Brian Dudley, MA DEP, on Cape Cod Water Issues

8/18/2016:  Presentation from Kate Kerigan, Director for the Office of Regulatory & Permit Ombudsman & Special Projects.

5/17/2016:  Presentation from Norman Orall, PE, DCR Chief of Planning and Engineering

4/5/2016: Mass DEP: Upcoming Changes to Infiltration/Inflow Requirements

3/10/2016 and 4/5/2016:  Clean Water Trust and DEP Presentation to Water Infrastructure Alliance

6/24/2015:  Presentation on state funding for Dams and Seawalls

6/24/2015: Presentation on SB1722, the Water Infrastructure P3 Bill

9/9/14: Presentation on Contract Assistance  from MA Clean Water Trust

7/10/14:  ACEC/MA  Comments  on Water Management Act Draft Regulations (310 CMR 36.00) and Guidance, filed on July 10, 2014

4/15/2014:  Presentation on Enterprise Funds  by Mark D. Abrahams, CPA President, The Abrahams Group.  

2/25/2014:  EOEEA Dam and Seawall Repair and Removal Fund - Program Overview 2014 by John Clarkeson, Director, Dam and Seawal Repair and Removal Fund  Presentation to ACEC/MA EEAC 

11/19/2013: DCR Commissioner Jack Murray's Presentation to ACEC/MA EEAC 

ACEC/MA Comments on Wetlands & Waterways, Water Quality Certification, and Wastewater regulations submitted on May 30, 2013 to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection:  Link

ACEC/MA Comments on the proposed Dam and Seawall Fund Regulations, submitted to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs on May 21, 2013:  Link

Briefing on Regulatory Process for Dam and Seawalls Funds, March 2013:  Link

Massachusetts Water Infrastructure Finance Commission Report, May 9, 2012

Availability Study: Mass. Department of Environmental Protection and the Mass. Water Pollution Abatement Trust, November 4, 2010:     Link


In FY2009, ACEC/MA sought and received clarification from the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust (MWPAT) regarding the "CERTIFICATION OF REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WITH REGARD TO USEFUL LIFE."
As a result of ACEC/MA's efforts, MWPAT implemented this form.