Residents urge action on EJ designation process; council agrees to add petition-item and approves minutes

During the public-comment portion of the Environmental Justice Council meeting, Mary Ann Babinski of Westfield urged the council to add a discussion to its next agenda about establishing a process for communities that petition the state for environmental-justice (EJ) designation.

"I'm going to respectfully ask that the EJ Council motion today to add an item to their next meeting agenda that will deal with the EJ designation process," Babinski said, noting some neighborhoods that previously had EJ designation lost it and residents are frustrated they lack a clear path to reapply.

Babinski asked the council to consider special attention for areas that lost prior EJ status and to clarify differences between an "EJ screen" and a "mass and viral screen" so communities know when and how they should be contacted for outreach around siting and development.

Baolian Kuang, a Boston resident, said language barriers in Chinatown and other non-English-speaking neighborhoods leave residents vulnerable to deceptive third-party energy suppliers and make it hard to access benefits and programs. "For districts speaking a second language I hope to receive more support, and help, and also different channels for us to receive welfare and benefits because the language barrier is a difficulty for me," Kuang said.

Undersecretary Mike Judge responded to the concerns, pointing to existing programs such as low-income discount rates, Mass Save efficiency measures and an active Department of Public Utilities investigation into a supplier that Judge said could face license revocation and a $5 million fine. He encouraged residents to contact utilities if they think they qualify for discounts and said legislative reforms would be required to tackle some competitive-supplier problems.

Council members agreed to place Babinski's requested item about the EJ designation petition process on the council's February 12 meeting agenda in Roxbury and suggested resilience planning for EJ neighborhoods (cooling centers, backup power, microgrids) as another February topic.

On council business, Caroline Hon moved to approve the Oct. 30 meeting minutes; Peter Maathey seconded. A roll-call vote recorded several "approve" votes and four abstentions; staff announced the motion carried and the minutes were approved.

At the meeting's end, a motion to adjourn was moved and seconded, the council voted by roll call in favor and the session adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

The council noted the next meeting will be Feb. 12 in Roxbury and invited suggestions for agenda items including the petition process and resilience planning.